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By MARVIN BAYNHAM CANDIDATE FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER
With the elections quickly approaching, I’d like to use this week’s column to highlight some of the key differences between my incumbent opponent in the race for County Commission District 3, John Allocco, and myself. While no one likes negative campaigning, I think it’s important to stick to the facts and his record while contrasting how I plan to govern differently.
First and most importantly, John has voted to raise taxes. When he voted this year in favor of a 1% sales tax increase in the form of a ballot measure, he was indirectly supporting a tax increase. Although he may attempt to hide his desire to raise taxes behind a ballot referendum, John did not remain neutral after voting for it; he often speaks enthusiastically while persuading voters to substantially increase their own taxes this coming election day.
Whether he wants to call it a consumption tax or a “penny tax”, a tax increase is a tax increase, plain and simple. This will cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars over 29 years. Don’t be fooled when he implies that much of this will be paid for by out-of-county visitors; while we are blessed to live in this beautiful county, we must acknowledge that Hernando County isn’t a tourist mecca or employment hub like Orlando, Tampa, or Miami. Most of that increased revenue will come directly from our resident’s pocketbooks.
That leads me to the topic of term limits. John has repeatedly stated the importance of only serving two terms (“if it’s good enough for the president, it’s good enough for a county commissioner”), yet is now campaigning for a third term. John recently claimed at a Hernando Beach Property Owner’s forum – where he made his original pledge in 2020 – that he is backtracking on his original commitment to voters because he didn’t realize at the time how slowly the government worked.
When John made that statement in 2020, he had already served four years. I find it difficult to accept that he was too naive after four years on the county commission to understand that government bureaucracy isn’t known for speed or efficiency. This also begs the question: What does he want to accomplish that he hasn’t been able to for the past eight years in office?
Let me make something clear: When I make a promise to voters, I view that as a sacred commitment and I expect to be held accountable. Not just around election time, but every vote I make at every county commission meeting.
John epitomizes government gone wild, acting as a rubber stamp for out-of-control developers eager to Pasco our Hernando. With that comes increased taxes, crowded schools, traffic… the list goes on. I am not beholden to developers or shadowy organizations that want to see our history, charm, and quality of life deteriorate.
If you’d like to know more about me, please visit my website at baynham4hernando.com or find me on Facebook. I ask for your vote for Hernando County Commissioner of District 3 in the Republican Primary on August 20, 2024.
Marvin Baynham is a Christian husband, father, firefighter, and conservative. Public service comes easy for Marvin because he does it for a living as a firefighter. Marvin understands the power of servant leadership and how to bring the community together.
Marvin’s website: https://www.baynham4hernando.com/
Paid by Marvin Baynham, Republican, for Hernando County Commissioner District 3.
