We need Helen Warren more than ever, or, I believe, we can kiss the positive improvements that have been made to NW 8th Avenue, and other proposed multi-modal transportation projects, goodbye. The makeup of our City Commission will definitely influence where the funds from any future County surtax receipts will be spent (i.e, exclusively on asphalt that will benefit primarily car drivers, or on projects that will benefit all road users: cyclists, pedestrians, public transit users, and motorists).
Helen K. Warren (the 3rd candidate endorsed by the GCC Board) garnered 45.14 percent of the At-Large District 2 vote while her opponent, Annie Orlando, got 44.05 percent.
Although Helen won the majority, a candidate must must receive 50% plus one vote in order to win. Because neither did, there will be a runoff election on April 8th between Warren and Orlando. The election was obviously very, very close. A few hundred more Helen supporters could make all the difference we need in the runoff. If each of us can manage to get 5 or 10 coworkers, neighbors, family members, or friends to commit to voting for her during the runoff, we could easily get Helen elected.
I invite you to attend tomorrow's Helen Warren volunteer kickoff event at 5:30 p.m. at the DEC office at 901 NW 8th Ave, Suite A-3 in Gainesville. I plan to be there. Please join us.
-Ally Gill
Vice President, GCC