Patricia Northey, 63
Deltona
Retired healthcare administrator
Incumbent
Q. What do you see as the biggest issue for the office you are seeking?
A. Putting people back to work. From funding a business incubator; to suspending impact fees; to passing a local preference ordinance; to reducing permitting red tape; to private sector job creation through Team Volusia; growing jobs has been job one for me. We must continue our aggressive efforts to grow jobs.
Q. What are your qualifications for the office you are seeking?
A. Experience matters. Since I took office in 2007, our county government has reduced taxes in the general fund by $50 million and reduced staff by more than 500 positions. We have consolidated services, merged emergency dispatch services between the cities and the county and developed a new service model for fire transport.
Q. If you win, what is the first issue you will tackle?
A. Jobs. It's my goal to bring our Interstate 4 hostages home to good-paying jobs on our side of the bridge. It is important we promote our local businesses and work to grow them by reducing the costs of government, reducing regulation, and providing assistance through the economic development department.
Q. If you lose, will you continue in politics?
My campaign is about positive leadership and commitment, not politics. I have a history of strong public service dating back to the early 1980's when I served as a Cub Scout Den Leader and served in PTA. I will continue serving my community in ways that will promote good public service.