Seeking a second term on the Walton County Commission, Republican Tony Anderson said this week that he would prioritize economic recovery and infrastructure improvements if he is reelected on November 3. Both priorities, he said, will improve the quality of life for residents in Walton County.
On the economy, Anderson said the county must act quickly to ensure that pandemic-related job losses do not become permanent –– a scenario that could impact business investment and property values.
“For three years, employment in Walton County grew at a faster rate than in neighboring counties, thanks to our strong small business sector in South Walton and the county’s focus on job growth in Freeport, Mossy Head, and DeFuniak Springs,” Anderson said. “Now, we need to make sure we can save those jobs and create even more, with a focus on attracting higher-wage jobs.”
Anderson’s plan includes keeping Walton County’s property taxes low and supporting existing small businesses. To diversify the economy and attract higher-paying jobs, he wants to fast-track the construction of a high-tech business park south of DeFuniak Springs, as well.
The commissioner also said that the county would continue to aggressively pursue state and federal funding for both economic recovery and infrastructure improvements. The two, Anderson said, are closely linked. Using state and federal funding for major projects has allowed Walton County to prioritize its resources to accelerate local projects. Under this fast-tracked model, Walton County has experienced historic infrastructure improvements in just a few years, Anderson said.
He pointed to the new South Walton Sports Complex, improvements at Helen McCall Park, the opening of both Pilcher Park and Grady Brown Park, the building of new turn lanes, and the repair of aging roads and bridges as key accomplishments. In addition, he said, funding has been secured to build a pedestrian tunnel at Inlet Beach to reduce traffic congestion.
If re-elected, Anderson said he will also closely monitor two key issues that residents say matter a lot to them: curbing residential development growth and protecting the public’s right to use the beaches. He remains a staunch supporter of Customary Use and has been outspoken on the need to win the policy battle in court.
“Over the past four years, we’ve also invested $25 million in tourism tax dollars to protect land from over-development. We’ve been very proactive about slowing down development while also increasing the availability of public beaches. So, instead of allowing condo buildings along the beach, we’ve purchased beachfront land and created public beach parks and beach accesses, dune walkovers, and public parking,” Anderson said.
Anderson said he will continue to oppose high-rise condos along the beach and will support maintaining the existing “height limit” policy, which restricts such developments.
“I grew up in Walton County and I want to do everything possible to make sure that we preserve what makes our county special,” Anderson said. “I have three children and three grandchildren, and I want to make sure my kids and grandkids – and everybody’s family – can continue to enjoy this unique place that we call home.”
Anderson faces Democrat Carolynn Zonia on the November 3, 2020 ballot.
Author: SWal Life
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