David Carson on the Patch Podium: Experience

As part of our continuing coverage of Dunedin's upcoming elections, we are launching a question-of-the-week feature leading up to the election. This is the candidates' opportunity to answer some questions that might be on residents' minds, right here on the Patch Podium. 

This week, we asked:

• How will your past work and life experience contribute to your role on as commissioner, should you be elected?

David Carson responds:

I am pleased to share with the citizens of Dunedin my experiences that makes me the most qualified candidate for seat three on the Dunedin City Commission. 

Prior to running for office, I was asked to serve on the City's Board of Adjustment and Appeal, The Stadium Advisory Committee, the Permitting Task Force Committee, and the Stadium Naming Rights Committee which secured a contract for nearly $400,000 for the City. These committees represent the City Government involvement I had before I even thought of running for office. 

I was very fortunate to serve on the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce board for a number of years and Chairman in 2005. I also served on the Dunedin Council of Organizations board for several years and as President in 2004. I enjoyed over 20 years as a Rotarian and I am proud to be a Paul Harris Fellow. I also served our young boys and girls in town as an umpire for Little League. These are some of my Civic Organizations that I have been involved with that helped give me a well rounded background to be a City Commissioner. 

I served as a Director for our State Pest Control Association and as a member of Dow/Elanco's Advisory Board for the Sentricon System for a number of years. My many board memberships has taught me how to work with a wide variety of people and to respect my fellow board members and their opinions. 

I have been an owner or senior manager in business for the past 30 years and I am the only person on the Commission to have employees and I think that experience helps me to bring a different perspective to the dais. I played basketball into my college years and often was the captain of the team and this helped me learn leadership at a young age. As an owner of a business you must lead, and you quickly learn that a leader must be ready to take and accept criticism for decisions you make. As a City Commissioner every decision has a potential of half of the residents not agreeing with your vote. 

My experience over the last three years as your City Commissioner on seat three has allowed me to learn so much from all of you. I thoroughly enjoy talking, debating, and discussing the issues before us. Through these discussions I get to see all views of an issue and it gives me a better insight on the right course of action.    

As a child growing up I had the privilege of being a Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Explorer Scout that taught me about our wonderful outdoors and the need for parks and open space. Scouting also teaches you to be "prepared" and that is exactly what I did prior to running for the City Commission.... prepare. Scouting also taught me to leave a camp ground in better shape than I found it, and that is exactly my goal for Dunedin, make it a better place to live for ALL citizens. 

I would like to ask you for your vote on November 6th.

Related Coverage:

• David Carson 'Just One Person, Working As a Team'
• Carson Vs Gracy for Commission Seat 3

See also, Heather Gracy's response.