English Wants to Finish Job

BARTOW | County Commissioner Bob English wants a second term on the County Commission to finish what he says he started in his first term: "a bridge to the 21st century."

"The first four years were spent building the bridge; the next four years will involve crossing that bridge," he said.

That "bridge," which English said is a key to improving quality of life in Polk County, consists of better roads, new fire and ambulance stations, and an expansion of the county utility system, which he feels will make Polk County the place where businesses want to locate, bringing jobs and prosperity.

"All of the heavy lifting has been done," he said, referring to the engineering and right-of-way purchases.

He said he expects construction to begin in his second term as roads such as Lakeland Highlands Road, County Line Road and Pipkin Road are widened.

It is all part of something English dubbed the "Renaissance Plan," which was financed with controversial tax increases English and a majority of his Republican colleagues voted to approve in 2005, the year after he was elected.

English won the election after ousting incumbent Don Gifford, who had opposed tax increases.

That tax increase that English supported early in his first term included additional taxes specifically earmarked for roads, parks and libraries.

English, who has lived in Polk County since 1974, said the tax increases were necessary to reduce the multi-million-dollar backlog of public works projects that was hurting Polk County's image and economy.

That was consistent with his campaign platform in 2004 in which English called for the need for leadership to deal with the county's growth costs.

But the 70-year-old Lakeland businessman is being challenged by three fellow Republican candidates - including Gifford - who think his bridge is overpriced, paid for with what critics have called the biggest tax increase in recent county history. But it won't be just Republicans deciding the race Aug. 26. Because only candidates from the GOP are running, the primary is open and everyone can vote.

Gifford supporter Al Whittle criticized English's approach.

"It didn't solve the problem and he seemed uninterested in public input," Whittle said.

English dismisses the criticism, saying critics aren't looking at the long-term benefits, or the facts.

English said the county property tax rate - excluding the voter-approved environmental lands tax - is the lowest it has been since 1990.

"It's (taxes) a big deal among the ideologues, but not among most people, who care about jobs and roads," English said.

"I want to make Polk County the most prosperous place in Florida," he said.

English has drawn substantial support from the business community.

One of his supporters is Lakeland businessman and former state legislator Tom Mims.

"He's done a fantastic job as a commissioner taking a leadership role," Mims said.

He said Gifford had an opportunity, but didn't exercise the same kind of leadership.

English said the fact that the election will be open to non-Republican voters shouldn't have a great influence on the results because he didn't think many Democrats will turn out because there are few races in which they can vote.

As an incumbent, English is drawing the expected broad financial support, leading in campaign fundraising with $64,042. He has spent $57,349.

County commissioners are elected countywide and serve four-year terms. They are paid $40,092 a year.

[ Tom Palmer can be reached at 863-802-7535 or tom.palmer@theledger.com. Read more views on county government at http://county.theledger.com. ]