Hawthorne election to fill three seats

The Hawthorne City Commission will be seeing changes in the next couple of days.

With three seats expiring, political newcomers could soon be sitting on the commission dais. Election Day is set for June 14 at City Hall, with voting taking place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Current terms of office are expiring for City Commissioners Harry Carter and William “Billy” Carlton, and Vice-Mayor Matthew Surrency

Commissioner Carter, Seat 1, opted to not seek re-election for an additional term and will likely be replaced candidate Tommie C. Howard Jr. in the coming weeks.

Vice-Mayor Matthew Surrency’s term of office is coming to a close as well, but due to lack of opposition, he will regain his position on the commission.

Incumbent Commissioner Carlton is facing off against James G. Franklin, Sr. in the Seat 3 race.

Franklin , 47, is a business manager for an educational non-profit agency in Alachua County, and has resided in Hawthorne for the past 40 years. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of South Florida.

“It’s time to set aside traditional politics. The presence of government is not to make people’s lives more difficult, but we continue to see and experience how government is doing just that with legislation and taxation,” said Franklin.  “Public servants should have the best interest of the people, but because of traditional politics and personal agendas, the people’s interest is lost.”

Franklin believes that people want to be heard first and foremost and they want assurances that their concerns are going to be looked into, not just given routine answers. “People have lost faith in their commissioners. A commissioner is a service position that determines how to make people’s lives better. You have to put other’s interests before your own and somehow, we’ve lost that idea,” said Franklin.

Franklin also believes the city needs sound financial management and needs to find budgetary solutions. “If elected I can definitely help with the process,” he said.

Franklin added he has qualities that will help to move the city forward. “I can bring fresh ideas. I think my opponent has served the city well, but it’s time for a change,” Franklin said.

Commissioner Carlton, 84, is a retired lifelong Hawthorne resident who has worked in a number of businesses throughout his life.

Referencing the city’s financial situation, Carlton said, “I think we have the same problems that everyone else has. We have had problems but I believe they have been cured at this point.”

Carlton added, “We continue to have city managers overspending the budget without notifying anyone on the commission ahead of time about what is happening.”

Carlton believes that current interim city manager Ellen Vause is doing a good job, noting “The budget situation is very tense. When the financial report from the audit comes at the end of June, we will be able to determine what to do next.

“If we don’t know where we are, there’s no way we can go ahead and make intelligent decisions,” he said.

About the election and his opponent, he said, “I’ve served about 20 years and I’ve had business experience all my life. I’ve always worked for myself. I just think I understand everything that’s going on in Hawthorne.

“Franklin has his ideas but I have my ideas and that’s what I’m running on. I’m hoping that I’m successful in the end,” Carlton said.

Howard, 58, who is seeking seat 1, is unopposed and seems eager to start fixing Hawthorne’s problems.  Outgoing Commissioner Carter said he thinks Howard will do a great job, adding that he is well-versed, well-educated, and he is looking forward to the changes Howard will bring in Hawthorne.

Howard is a retired University of Florida ombudsman. He has been a resident of Hawthorne for 40 years and is married with four children and six grandchildren.

“I want to talk to the citizens of Hawthorne and hear their concerns. I want to know what they would like to see the commission do. The public wants to hold the city commission more accountable for their actions,” said Howard.

He is concerned about the city’s budget shortfalls and the impact it will have on residents. “I want to address the budget shortfalls and not do it on the ‘backs’ of the citizens,” said Howard. “I look forward to digging my heels into the trenches. I want to make sure the commission works with and for the citizens and I want the citizens to know that if they have a problem, they should come to the commission meeting.

“I’m going to push for a lot of changes once I get the seat, but Hawthorne has to understand that I’m only one vote,” added Howard. “I only have one voice but it’s going to be my job to try and convince the others to see the situation with their “eyes open,” not closed.”