Jake C. Ross
2. Age: 63
3. 315 Orange Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL
32114
4. (386) 258-8709
7. Candidate for State Representative, District 27
Biographical Data:
8. A. A. degree in Law Enforcement, Daytona Beach
Community College; B. A. degree in Criminology/Sociology, Bethune-Cookman
University; M. A. degree in Criminal Justice, St. John's University.
9. Chief Investigator for the Public Defender's Office,
Daytona Beach. Former Investigator for the State Attorney's Office, 7th
Judicial Circuit, Daytona Beach, FL. Former DeLand Police Officer.
Licensed Private Investigator, Board Certified Criminal Defense
Investigator. Former Chief of Safety and Security for Bethune-Cookman
University. Membership: Volusia/Flagler Police Chief's Association,
Mental Health of Central Florida, Board member of the Volusia/Flagler Coalition
for the Homeless. Adjunct Professor, Keiser University.
10. Two most important issues:
a. ECONOMY. People are
concerned about the economy. We have to develop a strong economy growth
without tax increases - one based not only on tourism, but also on clean
industry, construction, high tech manufacturing...all things Florida is well
positioned to do with support from local and state government.
EDUCATION. I want to ensure that our children can obtain a good
education to propel them into their destinies. I wouldn't cheat the
classroom - I would not take money from the classroom. I would cut
administration first. We must continue to fund the essentials - salaries
high enough to attract good teachers, the technology and supplies kids need,
and the things some people call "extracts" like after school sports,
PE, art and music - theses things are essential.
b. Florida's state government
generates revenues primarily through sales and corporate income taxes.
The budget wasn't good this year. It started out bad and ended up
bad. Public Safety, Healthcare and Education saw their budgets
reduced. Nursing homes took a $1.63 million cut. This means that
disabled will lose and Florida public schools will lose.
11. Legislation I would support to protect and sustain Florida's
clean fresh water, would have to be Growth Management.
12. Redirect taxes and fully fund public education in
Florida. I would not cut from the classroom. I may look at cutting
grant writing, and have teachers go back to the days when you wrote your own
grant. Can I do without a director of math, a director of social
studies? Yes, we may...I would make the budget fit without
touching the classroom.
13. Public Safety. Fighting crime must be a high
priority.