New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer is endorsing the candidacy of longtime City Commissioner Jim Hathaway, as shown here at left, for the dist. 3 seat on the Volusia County Council in the Nov. 6 general elections.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- In the height of this election season, I reflect back on some advice I have received from fellow mayors and people who are more politically savvy than myself.
For the most part, the advice is good and perhaps I should follow it to the tee, but will most likely “veer from that path of advice” from time to time.
I am referring to the advice I have been given about endorsing or not endorsing political candidates for office. The advice was simple: “Do not endorse political candidates because you can never predict the outcome of an election, and may have to work with the unendorsed candidate in the future.”
I am sure there were other reasons, and it gets more complicated for partisan compared to non-partisan races and before or after a primary, etc., but I digress. For three years I have had the honor of sitting next to Jim Hathaway during the city commission meetings.
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Headline Surfer photo by Henry Frederick / The New Smyrna Beach City Commission as shown here in commission chambers at city hall, from left to right: City Attorney Frank Gummey, Commissioners Judy Reiker and Jack Grasty, Mayor Adam Barringer and Commissioners Jim Hathaway and Lynne Plaskett.
While there is no instruction manual for being mayor, I have been fortunate to learn from Jim’s knowledge and wisdom that comes from his two decades of public service to our city and his role as president for the Volusia League of Cities. There were certainly times when we voted differently and shared differing opinions, but that is part of learning and has broadened my own perspective on issues.
Jim Hathaway is a fiscally conservative individual who is steadfast in his convictions and a man of great character.
While there is no instruction manual for being mayor, I have been fortunate to learn from Jim’s knowledge and wisdom that comes from his two decades of public service to our city and his role as president for the Volusia League of Cities. There were certainly times when we voted differently and shared differing opinions, but that is part of learning and has broadened my own perspective on issues. Jim Hathaway is a fiscally conservative individual who is steadfast in his convictions and a man of great character.
So, back to the advice I was given about endorsing political candidates. As I stated, I may veer off that path of advice, like now. With that said, I proudly endorse Jim Hathaway in his candidacy for the dist. 3 seat on the Volusia County Council on Nov. 6.
Editor's Note: Jim Hathaway's opponent in the non-partisan race for dist. 3 County Council is Deb Denys of New Smyrna Beach, a former elected member of the Volusia County School Board.