Osceola County Commissioner District 5

Fred Hawkins, Jr.

Fred Hawkins, Jr.
3725 Hickory Treet Road - St. Cloud, FL 34772
407-709-1078
fhawkinsjr@embarqmail.com
FredHawkins2008.com
Republican
Age: 40
Occupation: Manager of Government Affairs for Waste Servcies of Florida
Total Monetary Contributions To Date: $74,732.50
Total Monetary Expenditures To Date: $30,208.12
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Download Financials as of 7.18.08

Previous/Current Elected Office:
N/A

Previous Campaigns for Elected Office:
N/A

How Long have you lived in Osceola County?
22 Years

What is your history of community service?
My service has always been tied to the future of this county. Foundation for Education, Planning Board, Boys and Girls Club, County Charter review etc. Whether it be kids or growth management, I have worked hard to insure the future of our citizens is one that is bright and safe. A place they want to remain through childhood, adulthood and into their retirement.

Why are in you seeking this office?
All my community service has focused on issues that are important to our community. Growth, growth management and fiscal responsibility. I have a record of achieving my goals and objectives. I have lived here on and off for many years and am raising my family here. I want Osceola County to be a place that people want to live and work now and in the decades to come.

What makes you the best-qualified candidate?
I worked in our family's business and successfully intergrated it into the company that purchased our interest. As a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, I research our meeting agenda to be prepared, I am proudaa to have given all applicants before our board a fair and objective opportunity to state their position and I listened. I was very accessible to anyone who approached me. I would apply these same qualifications as your next county commissioner, I will not have to learn how to do the job before I am elected.

Current or former elected official you most admire and why?
Teddy Roosevelt, he was faced with many of the growth issues that we are faced with today. Ours are a much smaller scale than a entire country. He saw a need for green space and a national park system. He realized the importance to keep the green landscape part of the planning process.

If additional revenue becomes available where would you spend it?
Public safety, transportation and reducing the tax burden on our residents.

If revenue falls short, what are the areas you would target for cuts?
Hiring freeze, delaying capital improvements not immediately needed, travel outside of the county, cut funds for conferences and conventions, reduce staff cell phone use, explore outsourcing for cost savings, cross train employees and aggressive use of energy savings in county buildings among other ideas.

Under what circumstances would you raise taxes?
Only if mandated by the courts or state law

What is the top issue facing Oceola County?
Growth and Growth management

What does Osceola County government do well?
Supports the Non-Profit organizations of the County.

What does Osceola County government do poorly?
We need to be quicker more efficient in dealing with longer range planning for growth and a better understanding of the impact that this new growth will have on our roads, schools, emergency services and parks.

Rate the job performance of the County Manager.
Too soon to tell

How would you help businesses in Osceola County?
More aggressive recruiting of businesses to locate here, tax rebates and deferents to bring higher paying jobs to our community, continue to hold the line on new taxes that might deter businesses from moving here, coordinate activities with our cities, school district, planning boards and business community to avoid redundant cost and programs.