"A Change to Better Leadership"

STONE'S 1st ATTACK AD

RAY'S RESPONSE

One-term incumbent, Charlie Stone, is trying to fool retirees and senior citizens by not taking responsibility for his leadership over the past four years. Nowhere on his new direct mail piece do you see the word re-elect, giving the reader the impression that he is not the incumbent.

While Charlie claims he understands the needs of fixed income retirees, it is hard to believe when he has never taken a stance on the issue. It seems as if he is just another incumbent politician trying to keep his job by scaring our senior citizens and driving a wedge between them and the rest of our community. We need a commissioner willing to bring our community together and make Marion County a better place to live.

Stone is also claiming he supports slow, reasonable and smart growth. How ridiculous! The largest residential growth spurt in Marion County history took place under his leadership.

The most amusing of all comments Stone has made recently is that he supports impact fees which force the costs of growth onto developers. This is too ironic seeing that he voted down an increase in residential impact fees needed to pay for growth and 90 days before the election he voted to reduce impact fees to gain political contributions from residential developers and builders.

While Charlie claims he will “lead by example,” he is not even proud enough of his record to let residents know that he is our incumbent county commissioner. Why should we re-elect Charlie Stone?

STONE'S 2nd ATTACK AD

RAY'S RESPONSE

“I could have run for an open (District 1) seat"

“I specifically chose Charlie Stone” Ray Strickland, quoted in the Ocala Star-Banner 8/9/2008

Fact: “I specifically chose Charlie Stone because of his bad record on economic development.” Strickland said. “I could have run for an open (District 1) seat,” Ray Strickland, quoted in the Ocala Star-Banner 8/9/2008.

Shouldn’t we all wonder why Ray moved to take on Charlie?

Fact: Ray Strickland has and still lives in the same home for the past 12 years.

On May 29^th 2007, Ray Strickland lied to the Board of County Commissioners in an effort to win the county’s 20 million dollar health insurance

Fact: Ray Strickland stands behind every word that he said before the County Commission.

Fact: Ray Strickland has never bid on the Marion County government health plan

Fact: There are No sealed bids for group health contract.

Fact: The same insurance agent and insurance company for as long as I can remember have sold the County Commission the group health insurance.

Fact: Charlie Stone’s 2^nd largest political campaign contributor is the insurance agent that sells the health insurance to County Commission. $2,750 contributed to Charlie Stone. In fact, he got so over zealous in giving money, that the Charlie Stone campaign has to resubmitted one $500 donation under another name, because he exceed the contribution limits.

Fact: Risk Manager resigned during bid process, the day after Commissioner Jim Payton states his lack of confidence in his ability to perform his job.

Fact: Assistant Risk Manager resigns to take another job before new health plan is installed.

Fact: Risk Management employee retirees, and is immediately hired by the insurance agent that sells the health insurance to the Risk Management department.

Ray will fight for government transparency, accountability and sealed bids….

Maybe because Charlie stood against Ray in opposition to a 25 million tax-dollar giveaway to a private company.

Fact: Ray Strickland was a private citizen, not entering the race till mid August 2007 and had nothing to do with the E-One proposal. Ray Strickland never made a presentation to the County Commission in support or against the E-One proposal.

Fact: Charlie Stone approved $550,000 tax-dollar giveaway to a private company for 10 jobs.

Fact: Ray Strickland entered the race after Charlie Stone voted not to fund the organization that markets Marion County as a great place to move or expand your business.

One-term incumbent Charlie Stone’s slogan is “Leading by Example”, but he stopped putting Re-Elect on any of his direct mail pieces. His slogan should be “Running from Accountability” as he doesn’t want you to know the he is the incumbent County Commissioner.

STONE'S 3rd ATTACK AD

RAY'S RESPONSE

Ray Strickland’s campaign claims that “Only ONE candidate is a REAL Republican."

Fact: That quote is not, has never been, or will ever be on any of Ray Strickland’s campaign material or advertisements.

Doesn’t pay property taxes.

Fact: Ray Strickland pays thousands in property taxes under corporate ownership.

Has multiple IRS Federal Tax Liens filed against him.

Fact: All IRS Tax Liens against Ray Strickland have been honored and released. The people have a right to a system of grievance resolution when negotiating with the IRS and the government. Tax liens are used to restrict people from liquidating or hiding assets and are released after all tax and financial obligations have been satisfied with the IRS and government.

Ray will fight for your rights when negotiating with the government….

In fact, recent studies have shown that over 41% of Americans who took their cases to the IRS’s appeals division won at least some degree of relief, while others had their penalties wiped out completely.

Did not pay his child support until a Court Order forced him to.

Fact: Ray Strickland was a single father and had custody of his son. Unlike some men that abandon their children monetarily or emotionally; Ray Strickland was and still is a dedicated father that had custody of his son, and did not request a dime of child support from anyone or the government.

WON’T sign the pro-life pledge.

Fact: No one has asked Ray Strickland to sign a pro-life pledge. Ray Strickland does not even know who is in charge of the pro-life pledge. Ray Strickland believes in protecting life from conception to natural death, with the exception of the state execution of convicted murders.

Has received campaign contributions from notable Democrats, including the liberal McKay family.

Fact: Kenneth H. MacKay, III $100. Mr. MacKay contributed to Ray Strickland’s Campaign when it was a universal primary open to Democrat, Independent and Republican voters. Ray Strickland does have Democrat friends, and has promised to work for all of the people, not just Republicans or special interest groups.

Is attempting to buy his seat, putting in over $60,000 of his own money thus far.

Fact: Ray Strickland has loaned his campaign $60,000. It is ironic statement since Ray Strickland has pledged not to accept more than $31,000 as his salary. Ray Strickland believes that it is a worthwhile investment, just to change leadership to get our economy on track and back to creating jobs for the people.

STONE'S 4th ATTACK AD

RAY'S RESPONSE

“The Real Issue is Character"

Fact: “The Real Issue is Character”

Charlie Stone has shown his real character by attacking Ray Strickland personally and attacking his business practices. Ray Strickland believes in Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment, "Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican." Ray Strickland has only spoken or written about Charlie Stone’s failed policies and voting record.

“Leading by Example”

Fact: One-term incumbent Charlie Stone’s slogan is “Leading by Example,” but he stopped putting Re-Elect on any of his direct mail pieces. His slogan should be “Running from Accountability,” as he doesn’t want you to know that he is the incumbent County Commissioner.

“Ray Strickland will say whatever it takes…even if it’s not true!

Fact: Ray Strickland asked County Commissioner Stan McClain to please correct him on any statements that he makes that are untrue or misleading, as he does not want to say anything that is incorrect. Commissioner McClain corrected Ray Strickland on the recent 11% increase in the property tax mileage rate, and Ray has never mentioned it again. Commissioner McClain has never corrected any other statements made by Ray Strickland.

“$550,000 taxpayer dollars for one private company to relocate to Marion County, to create only 10 jobs.”

Fact: Ray Strickland does not support taking taxpayer dollars from poor or working people to give it to a company that pays a few six-figure jobs. Ray Strickland is totally behind IHMC coming to Ocala, but is opposed to giving taxpayer dollars to private companies. Ray Strickland is in favor of tax reductions for those individuals and businesses that risk their capital by investing in Marion County, hiring our citizens, producing a product or service and selling it out to the world.

To the best of Ray Strickland’s knowledge there is no written contract between Marion County government and IHMC, which guarantees the number jobs and income level to be created. The EDC normally requires companies to sign a contract that locks in their commitment to creating jobs in Marion County, holding the private company accountable.

“$300,000 dollars of taxpayer dollars to pay for the largest lobbying firm in Tallahassee.”

Fact: Ray Strickland will accept Charlie Stone’s statement of only $84,000 a year and a return of $235,611.84 for Silver Springs Water and a boat ramp. Charlie Stone invested $84,000 annually of your tax dollars over a three-year period, totaling $253,000 for a return of $235,611.84. No greater statement could be made for a change to an experienced business oriented leader.

“On May 29^th 2007 at a County Commission workshop, Ray Strickland made a sales pitch to the County Commission to try to get the county’s $20 million health care plan. He stated that he could get a special rate from BlueCross/BlueShield of Florida.”

Fact: Ray Strickland never stated that he could get a special rate from Blue Cross Blue Shield. Ray Strickland recommended that the County Commission fire their current agent and hire his firm Benefit Advisors, at which time they would audit prior years and provide a report on performance of the health plan.

“Unlike Charlie Stone, Ray Strickland believes and supports lowering taxes and controlling spending.”

Opinion: Marion County government spending is out of control.

80% increase in total property tax revenues over the past four years. 29% increase in Marion County government employees over the past four years. If they got it, the spent it.

Ray Strickland states facts and opinions. You should be very wary of anyone that tells you they know the truth, the one and only truth. The truth is defined in an encyclopedia as…. Supreme reality, holding the ultimate meaning and value of existence.


	VOTE RAY STRICKLAND, THE BETTER CHOICE, AUGUST 26th

"Political Advertisement paid for and approved by Ray Strickland, Republican, for Marion County Commissioner, Dist. 5"