Osceola County Commissioner District 3

Jeanne Van Meter

Jeanne Van Meter
15 Glendale Drive - Kissimmee, FL 34744
407-973-5186
jeannevanmeter@cfl.rr.com
JeanneVanMeter.com
Republican
Age: 68
Occupation: Realtor
Total Monetary Contributions To Date: $36,150.00
Total Monetary Expenditures To Date: $20,309.39
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Download Financials as of 7.18.08

Previous/Current Elected Office:
Current Elected Office: Commissioner, City of Kissimmee (Vice Mayor)

Previous Campaigns for Elected Office:
N/A

How Long have you lived in Osceola County?
35

What is your history of community service?
I have been actively engaged in our community for over 30 years. Some of my recent past service includes; Valencia Community College Trustee and Foundation Member, Mentor in Take Stock in Children.Currently and for many years, I have been involved in the following:Chairman of Help Now of Osceola County; Chair-elect of Goodwill Industries of Central Florida; Board member: Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Kissimmee/Osceola Chamber of Commerce, Council on Aging, Osceola Center for the Arts, Metroplan, Kissimmee/Osceola Enterprise Zone, Tourist Development Council

Why are in you seeking this office?
Many years ago, I realized that Osceola County needed elected officials that have the vision to plan for the future and the conviction to stick to that plan. I have proven that I can visualize the consequences of actions taken and have been vocal in challenging ideas that might not bring the best results for the community. Single member districts have brought the need for consensus building between Commissioners. I have been a consensus builder on boards and look forward to working with my fellow commissioners to provide the best governance for Osceola County.

What makes you the best-qualified candidate?
My experiences in the work place, my community service and my years as an elected official have given me a valuable background to make good decisions for Osceola County. I: * have a vision that will bring better employment by investing in new and better paying industries. High tech and health services are becoming important in the area and Osceola needs to be a part of that. *believe supporting smart growth and planned development will improve our transportation woes. Active participation in Metroplan can put our needed projects into the regional funding process. *know the importance of protecting our valuable resources for future generations. *am not afraid to make tough and sometimes unpopular decisions based on research and experience. *have long standing working relationships with city, county and state officials that will prove valuable to Osceola. *having lived in District 3 for 34 years I have a good understanding of the issues faced by the citizens and businesses. I realize that with District governance, it becomes very important to be able to build consensuses.

Current or former elected official you most admire and why?
I admire anyone that puts their life into the public arena to serve in an office. There have been some better than others, but I admire an official that is impartial, non-self serving, open to their constituents and does their homework. Former Commissioner/Mayor Linda Goodwin-Nichols would be a good example.

If additional revenue becomes available where would you spend it?
The safety of our residents is our most important issue. That means making sure our fire departments have the best equipment and training as well as giving our Sheriff the funds he needs to protect and serve. After that, comes improving our roads and traffic. Investing in supporting new industry will be revenue well spent. One of our most worrisome areas is that of Social Services. With funding cuts, we have our most vulnerable citizens losing valuable support. Since governments are not charged to be social agencies, this is where cuts are made. We need to find a dedicated funding source for social services.

If revenue falls short, what are the areas you would target for cuts?
As I wrote in the previous question, the social service area is where government cuts in a revenue shortfall.

Under what circumstances would you raise taxes?
As the very last resort! Raising taxes is the hardest thing for an elected official to do but there are times when it becomes necessary . First, government must take steps to cut its expenditures. After that we must find funding to ensure public safety. An elected official must be in touch with the taxpayers to know what is important to them outside of public safety and wellbeing.

What is the top issue facing Oceola County?
It depends on which District you are serving. In District 3 we need traffic relief, a hospital and a large Post Office in the Poinciana area. Countywide we need to 1. Revenue reform and the need to cut budgets without cutting essential services. 2. Address the water issue facing Osceola County and surrounding counties 3. Build a diverse and robust economy(smart growth, planned development, provide incentives to attract business paying high wages) 4. Education (expand Community College campus, support proven programs) 5. Public Safety (additional support for sheriff’s programs, zero tolerance on gangs, proactive and preventative programs) 6. A healthy community(address underinsured, recreational opportunities, foster arts and cultural programs)

What does Osceola County government do well?
Partnering to buy environmentally important land has been a good program. Also, working with Social service agencies has provided much needed programs to our most vulnerable citizens. Unfortunately, these programs are in danger of losing funds if Amendment 1 passes. Starting to set initiatives for the Commission as well as County staff, is a good step to good planning..

What does Osceola County government do poorly?
Traffic management is a problem for all governments in Osceola County. I also think the County should set plans for 30 years out and stick to the plan. Catching up is much more expensive than paying as you go. I think not having a stable County Manager’s office has been a problem for a few years. It is hard to have ongoing programs when there is a new County Manager every year or two.

Rate the job performance of the County Manager.
I have found Mr. Freilinger to be responsive to my inquiries and he seems to understand where Osceola County has been and he has ideas for it’s future. I was encouraged to hear that he wants to set aside time every year where the commissioners can sit down together to discuss and set up goals for the coming year. Osceola needs to have stable leadership in the County Manager. I hope that he will be the one.

How would you help businesses in Osceola County?
There are many types of business in Osceola, to name and few- tourist, retail, manufacturing and support services. Each has needs that are different from the other. To help all businesses we need to promote a diverse and robust economy. We need to identify possible high tech corridors, support commuter rail and attract businesses that pay high wages. We need to invest in infrastructure needed for those businesses. Higher wages promote better housing, better education and encourage consumer spending. By investing in our economy, each segment of our society, including our businesses, will prosper.