By Susie “Toni” Collins

NOTE: I submit this response to the person or persons from C.A.R.E., Citizens Against Republican Elitism, who sent me the enclosed letter:

Dear C.A.R.E. member:

It is quite obvious that whoever penned the enclosed letter to me besmirching Brian Gore’s name SHOULD NOT be elected to the Office of Clerk of Court.  The person or persons failed to perform research, a major element of the job.

Perhaps you did not know that I served as a Levy County Deputy Clerk from October 1998 to April 2004.  I am also a Certified Legal Assistant.  In those six years, I gained some knowledge of the type of person who would best serve in the position of Clerk of Court.   

When I formed the not-for-profit Levy County Cemetery Association in 2004, I requested the assistance of the inmates to provide the care and maintenance for several of Levy County’s 105 cemeteries located throughout the county.  For a number of years, the inmates have performed these tasks.   

The inmates under the direction of Brian Gore refurbished the Pat-Mac Locomotive Exhibit in Gulf Hammock because the wayside park was neglected by Levy County, the owners.  The historic locomotive was given to Levy County by the State of Florida in 1992.  Lancaster Correctional Institute has no financial interest in the Pat-Mac Exhibit.

Please ask Brian Gore the questions you have proposed in your letter.  And when you receive the answers, then show me why Brian Gore is not the best candidate for the position.

Susie “Toni” C. Collins

PS I am not a registered Republican.  I have been registered Non Partisan since 2021.

Editor’s Note: It appears that when Spotlight on Levy County Government published the article PAT-MAC WAYSIDE PARK GETS REFURBISHMENT sent in by Ms. Collins, have upset some folks. After some discussion with Ms. Collins, my concern was the unprofessional treatment she received when she called the government center administration office about the lack of maintenance for the locomotive. No one seemed to know about the 1992 donation from the state nor

that it was Levy County’s responsibility to maintain the donated locomotive. There is a new construction maintenance director who most likely had no idea the donation existed and his responsibility. There are no checks and balances or accountability in this loosely run county government. The problem is the lack of leadership and poor upper management that falls at the feet of County Coordinator Wilbur Dean. 

Below is a copy of the letter sent by C.A.R.E, Citizens Against Republican Elitism to Toni “Susie” Collins:

———————-

Posted May 22, 2024