Meet the candidates for Bronson Town Council

Seat 3, meanwhile, is currently occupied by Sherrie Schuler. She is being challenged by Bruce Greenlee.

Lastly, Seat 5 is currently held by Tyler Voorhees. He is being challenged by Reggie Stacy.

As Election Day approaches, the Citizen recently sent a questionnaire to each of the candidates as a way for residents to get to know a little more about who they will be voting for come April 1.

Editor’s note: The information seen below comes directly from each one of the candidates. Responses have been edited for clarity, grammar, punctuation and style.

Rachel Weeks – Seat 1

Full name: Rachel Faith Weeks

Preferred name: Rachel

Current occupation: I own Bourbon Vanilla Bakery and Tony’s Whistlestop and Fuel (Business Owner in Bronson).

Please detail your educational background.

I am a proud graduate of Bronson High School (Class of 1997) – Go Eagles!

I was in every club I could possibly join. I served on the Student Government Council for several years and was the Drummajorette for band, where I won a superior rating in 1997. I was also the mascot my sixth grade year and a cheerleader every year after.

I received my associate degree from Santa Fe Community College. Several years later, I was off to FSU for an art degree, which I did not finish. I learned I was pregnant with baby No. 3 and had to stop traveling 2.5 hours to school two to three days per week. However, I made sure all of my pre-requisites were finished before I stopped, just in case I’m ever able to go back.

Have you held other office?

No, I have not.

What motivated you to run for town council?

Owning two businesses in the center of town opens me up to hear from the community daily. I heard many things that were unorganized, unfair and clearly wrong, but I thought I had no power to help. So, I went on about my business. When it was time for me to ask the town office for help with something, I received the very same treatment I heard so many describe.

The treatment was rude and the process was lengthy, and very costly, just as it had been for everyone else having similar issues. At that point, I knew we needed change. Multiple people asked me to be that change. At first, I said absolutely not. Honestly, I didn’t think I had time. I hate competition, and the town meetings, through the years, have often been filled with contention that would raise blood pressure. But in the end, I know my town needs me and others like me who are honest, hard working and determined to make a difference for the people of the town without focusing on my own selfish ambitions and agendas.

I am determined to bring our community back together and remind everyone that if we don’t work together, our town will continue to slowly die. The contention has to end. Budgeting has to be fixed. Organization, responsibility, accountability and honesty must take precedence.

Our town office should be a welcome center to all who enter. They should feel at home. Receiving a permit should not take eight months. Receiving an email back should not take 2.5 weeks. Water bills should not consistently be wrong. Our town road crew should not be turned away at local businesses because the town accounts haven’t been paid. They should not show up to work on Bronson properties without power because the power bill hadn’t been paid.

Courtesy of the town people and their needs should be our top priority, and an attitude of thankfulness should be offered to every town municipal employee both inside and outside the building. Respect should be given to all employees and all town members without showing favoritism! I believe, If you are not in government for the people, you should step away.

Have you been involved in any community organizations or civic activities? And how has that shaped your perspective?

I was just very much involved in a public fight with the county over the old Bronson gymnasium. This gymnasium was the very first to be built in Levy County and is one of the oldest buildings in our county – and town – still standing. It is 75 years old and eligible for up to $1 million in non-match historical grant money to repair what is damaged. Meaning, we do not have to come up with our own funds to match the money given to us through the grant.

I started a nonprofit organization – the Levy County Preservation Corporation – to help our fight. We had a licensed contractor who offered to donate his time and expertise to fix the building if we used the grant money to purchase necessary materials. We also had a potential lease agreement with an outside source who wanted to use the building for children’s sports leagues. We had several local churches and groups who were praying and hoping to continue to use the gymnasium for outreaches, movie nights and other events. We truly had everything lined up to save this gym, but our Levy County Commissioners denied every single request and never even responded to our offer for purchase.

Both the nonprofit and the Town of Bronson sent in an offer to purchase and neither ever received a response back. The only answer we received was that there was absolutely nothing we could do. The gym building did not fit into their municipalities and it had to go – to be replaced with a parking lot.

This fight stirred up the warrior inside me. We can not allow people in temporary positions to make permanent decisions that hurt our community anymore! Not at the town level, nor at the county level. Not any level. My goal is always to listen to the people and to make the very best decision I can make for the majority. I also aim to honor the elders in our community, give options for our children to participate in safe environments, to help take care of single mothers, and to build our community up, not tear it down.

What qualities do you possess that make you a good candidate for this position?

I care. I listen. I strive for perfection in all that I do, and I’m not a quitter. I have been on multiple mission trips to Third World countries, and I have seen things most people haven’t seen. I have witnessed living conditions most can’t fathom. I understand what matters most. That would be the people, their needs and a sense of unity in our community.

My skills as a business owner are imperative. I understand the importance of keeping a daily check on the budget, paying the bills and paying the employees justly. I understand when to cut back on spending and how to decipher between purchases that are necessary and those that aren’t.

I’m quite the investigator and believe it is extremely important to get to the bottom of things – whether that be a budgeting issue, an issue regarding strife amongst the employees, sports groups or between the people and those same groups. If we don’t spend time diving into deeper issues, nothing will ever be resolved. I don’t sugar coat or mask over what needs to be dealt with.

If elected, what are your top three priorities? And how do you plan to achieve them?

Oh boy. The list is longer than three, but I can tell you that the very first thing I will do is:

1.) Focus on the budget and the pay our employees are receiving and not receiving. This will take me diving into the office and learning the current budgeting system and how it works.

2.) I will focus next on the permitting and building issues in our town. Seat 1 is over infrastructure. Currently, our inspector only works three to four hours on Wednesdays, and it takes months for anyone to get anything accomplished unless they would like to schedule him for extra time and incur extra fees. This needs to be addressed and will also take checking the budget and hopefully making changes to this system.

3.) Recreation. This will not be my seat’s designated focus; however, due to the sad disrespect our town just received from the county – of which we are the county seat – I have promised our entire community that this will be first and foremost on my to do list!

I have a plan in place. I have outside support. And we will march forward with our goals. I can’t divulge any details at this time, but when this is accomplished, it will be good. And I won’t stop until it’s done for our community!

Seat 1 incumbent Robert Partin did not respond to the Citizen’s questionnaire by deadline.

Sherrie Schuler – Seat 3

Full name: Sherrie Michele Schuler

Preferred name: Sherrie

Current occupation: Teacher, coach and athletic director at Bronson Middle High School.

Please detail your educational background.

I am a BMHS graduate (Class of 1993). I have an associate degree from Santa Fe College and a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Florida. I have a master’s degree in Leadership from St. Leo University.

Have you held other office?

Yes, if elected, this would be my second term as a council member.

What motivated you to run for town council?

I teach civics and have always worked to teach my students the importance of participation in government. Before joining the council, I was active in the youth league before it was run by the town as BPR and worked closely with the town clerk. As a lifelong citizen of Bronson, the things that benefit our community have always been important to me. I have never lived anywhere else, nor do I desire to.

Have you been involved in any community organizations or civic activities? And how has that shaped your perspective?

I am a member of New AME church and worked with the youth league before it became BPR (ran by the town). It gave me insight and allowed me to develop connections at town hall. I think that it gave me things that I could share with my students and use in teaching my classes.

What qualities do you possess that make you a good candidate for this position?

I am extremely organized and a lifelong learner. As an athletic director for years at the school, I have experience working with adults of all backgrounds. As a teacher at the school for many years, I have had the opportunity to develop connections with generations of Bronson families.

I have to be an effective communicator, and I think as a council person, you have to be able to listen and communicate even when it’s information that people do not want to hear. I work very hard to be a leader in my community and workplace. I am a worker. And regardless of what my title is, there is no fear to roll up my sleeves and do the work.

If elected, what are your top three priorities? And how do you plan to achieve them?

1.) My first priority is to work to be sure the town is an effective, cohesive work environment. A place where people come to work and do what is in the best interests of the town. I plan to do that by spending time in the office and working with the employees to create the most efficient working environment that is welcome to our citizens.

2.) Another thing that I hope to do is bring in events to Bronson that celebrate all our town has to offer. Events that will celebrate its history and become traditions that we can be proud of. How? I would like to establish two or more annual events, like the Fourth of July celebration, that would become traditions and bring in people and money for businesses.

3.) I would like to do whatever needs to be done for the establishment of a community center for all Bronson citizens. If we are unable to get state or federal assistance, then I would like to develop fundraisers that would be put into a fund specifically for this purpose.

What do you feel are the greatest issues currently facing the town council? How would you solve these problems?

Currently, I think we should build an efficient employee structure at the town to assist in replacing employees that we have lost. How? I would work with my fellow council members to hire the best applicants for the available positions.

I think we need to do work to attract businesses to help with the growth. We have businesses that are vacant, which represents a loss of jobs and services for our citizens. As a council member, I can encourage and reach out to businesses to take advantage of opportunities in Bronson. I hope to work with other council members and community leaders to do what we can to bring in more opportunities.

I think an issue that has recently been on the forefront is the loss of the old gym, which leaves our youth without an indoor facility to practice and attend events. A goal is to work to give our citizens somewhere we can use to host/practice sports and events.

Reggie Stacy – Seat 5

Full name: Reginald Stacy

Preferred name: Reggie Stacy

Current occupation: I have been a substitute teacher for the Levy County School System for 28 years. I am also a singer/entertainer.

Please detail your educational background.

I’m a proud graduate of Bronson Middle High School, Go Eagles! I obtained my associate of science degree as a Medical Assistant at City College in Gainesville.

Have you held other office?

Although I have not been elected to hold a position in government, throughout the years, I have proudly held the following elected positions: President of the Ambassadors Honor Students at City College; President of the American Pride Club; President of Florida Christian Athletes; High School Senior Class Vice President and Homecoming King.

What motivated you to run for town council?

My hometown deserves better. Sitting on the sidelines isn’t good enough anymore. I have a vision that includes smart growth that will uplift our community – a vision that includes developing programs that support our youth. Sometimes, in order to achieve your vision, you have to put yourself out there. That’s exactly what I’m doing here. Put simply, folks are struggling. And I think I can help.

Have you been involved in any community organizations or civic activities? And how has that shaped your perspective?

I’m the founder of the Bronson Cancer Awareness Walk and Rally. This is something very near and dear to my heart because cancer has taken so many of my loved ones from me far too early. These losses really impacted me personally, shifting my perspective, leading me to pursue a more active role in my community, helping foster my desire to work with, be a part of and educate the community that I love.

Additionally, for the last 18+ years, I am honored to have mentored and coached for the youth league, along with middle and high school students.

What qualities do you possess that make you a good candidate for this position?

I am a good candidate for this position because I’m a man of character. I’m honest, dependable, hardworking, willing to learn and ready to listen. I know how to bring ideas and people together and make things happen. This town is not just where I grew up, it’s truly a part of me. And I’m excited for the opportunity to serve.

If elected, what are your top three priorities? And how do you plan to achieve them?

My top three priorities are to work with and, find ways, to develop youth programs; to uplift our small businesses, including farmers, and to protect local government. I plan to achieve them by hosting workshops and contacting my counterparts from other municipalities to learn from their successes. I will also rely heavily on community input.

What do you feel are the greatest issues currently facing the town council? How would you solve these problems?

I believe the biggest issues facing the town council are lack of effective, respectful and productive communication with one another and within the community; lack of resources and funds; and, honestly, a lack of team spirit.

The town of Bronson has been an afterthought for too long. We are the “County Seat” and yet, we’re just barely getting by. I believe through good leadership, we can shift the morale, inspiring active community participation that will ultimately unite us so we can tackle the issues at hand and provide the platform to achieve my priorities mentioned above.

Seat 5 incumbent Tyler Voorhees did not respond to the Citizen’s questionnaire by deadline.