-Juris Doctor, Levin College of Law,
University of Florida
-Bachelor of Science, College of Journalism and Communications, University of
Florida
-Associate of Arts, Daytona Beach Community College
-Attorney, Partner at the Law Firm of Bundza,
Wagner and Rodriguez
-Former Assistant State Attorney, Office State
Attorney John Tanner
-I have diverse training and experience in roles combining
contract review, negotiation, legal writing, accounting, research, budgeting
and public relations
i. One: A major issue of
concern for District 2 residents is the possibility of a tax increase.
When I am in office, I will address this issue by not raising taxes for
individuals or businesses. In fact, I will find ways to lower both
residential and business taxes (see issue 2 below).
ii. Two: The second major issue
of concern for District 2 residents is the continuation of quality governmental
services during a time of major budget cuts. This issue is directly
related to the above-mentioned tax issue. I will find ways to make services
run at a more efficient level while not reducing the quality of service.
We need to end duplicative governmental operations and services. Further,
the operations and services the government provides needs to be managed more
effectively and efficiently. We need to hold all entities and people
accountable, including myself once I am elected. The finger pointing has
to end and we must take a collaborative team approach to make it through these
tough times.
As I mentioned above, a collaborative team
approach should be used by the County Council and cities for many operations
and services that are provided. If the cities need assistance, then the
County should do what is legally permitted and assist with partnerships, such
as mutual aid agreements, or possibly consolidation. However,
consolidation could be a better option for assuming services if such action
saves money. I state that consolidation "could" be an option
because there must be adequate studies and community input before consolidating
services. Mere speculations and assumptions of saving money is not enough.
Studies must be done because the size of our county could potentially hinder a
reduction in cost based on enhanced bureaucracy, transition capital and the
loss of accountability by smaller political voting areas.
I will enhance VOTRAN services to meet the
needs of lower income households by finding a way to bring back the routes that
were recently cut without raising the public transportation budget. I
would also like to mention that enhancing VOTRAN services will also help meet
the needs of our aging community and disabled persons. Recently, the County
Council had almost no other option but to cut many of the VOTRAN routes.
Another option was to raise fares, but was not adopted.
Increased fuel and operational cost has made
the cost of running VOTRAN over budget. As stated above, an immediate
response was to cut routes to make up for the shortfall. However, a
proper analysis needs to take place detailing not only the overall ridership as
mentioned in multiple meetings, but specific data on how many seats are being
filled on a route-by-route and day-by-day basis. By evaluating the data,
it would be possible to utilize many of the smaller buses already owned by
VOTRAN on these specific routes.
Further, the federal grant mentioned in the
"Volusia County Adopted Budget, FY 2007-08" totaling $4,150,966, can
be used to purchase buses, vehicles and computer equipment. I would focus
that grant money on buses and vehicles that could be specifically used on the
lesser traveled routes.
Overall, the adjustments would save money,
allow VOTRAN to provide the routes that were recently cut and would
significantly support fuel conservation. If Robert Frost needs to get
somewhere on a road less traveled, I want him to be able to ride there on
VOTRAN.
One of the most important issues before the
residents of District 2 is who to vote for? There are six candidates in
the race for County Council. If you want to continue with the status
quo…there are a few options. If you want to vote for simply a name…there
are a few options. However, if you want to vote for someone that has a
passion for this community and will bring a fresh perspective to county
government… there is only one option: Joshua J. Wagner.
Have a great
weekend,
Joshua
J. Wagner
Attorney
at Law
Bundza,
Wagner & Rodriguez, P.L.
Phone:
(386) 252-5170
Fax:
(386) 252-5167
Email:
jwagner@bwrlaw.com
Web:
www.bwrlaw.com