Carl Persis, 63
Ormond Beach
Retired principal, Volusia County Schools
Challenger
Q. What do you see as the biggest issue for the office you are seeking?
A. The economy is the number one issue. I want to help our small business owners. Many businesses would expand and hire more people, but the cost of complying with governmental regulations stops most of them. My goal is to minimize regulations and expenses to incentivize small business owners to grow and add employees.
Q. What are your qualifications for the office you are seeking?
A. My entire professional 35-year public service career is in Volusia County. This includes being a county councilman for more than seven years, Mayor of Ormond Beach for two terms, city commissioner for four years and a public school principal for 28 years. I am knowledgeable about the past issues, the present issues, and how to address the tough challenges ahead.
Q. If you win, what's the first issue you will tackle?
A. In December, I would meet privately with the county manager and share with him many of the concerns I heard from citizens and city officials throughout the campaign. The county needs to establish a business-friendly climate, have better relationships with our cities, and deliver outstanding customer service to our citizens.
Q. If you lose, will you continue in politics?
A. I enjoy helping people so whether I win or lose my focus will be the same; to use my leadership and consensus building skills to help people and improve my community in any way I can.