BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Chrissy Thompson believes Starke’s city clerk should play an essential role as a public liaison and government watchdog.
Thompson said she wants to bring fresh leadership, transparency and a renewed sense of community engagement to the role, believing the job is more than administrative in nature.
She is well known as a local business owner and community servant, but many years ago she served on the city commission as well, a role she stepped away from in 2002. She sought guidance when deciding to run for office again.
“I have prayed and prayed, and I have served in a lot of different capacities, served in a lot of different things, and just feel led to serve,” she said.
Thompson thinks the city clerk’s office needs new energy and a liaison who can bridge the gap between the public and city government. She also emphasized the importance of checks and balances, ensuring that no single branch holds all the power and that the public’s interests are always represented.
She said sees the city clerk’s role as more than a record keeper or compliance officer. She envisions the role as someone who ensures transparency, facilitates communication and maintains accountability. She advocates for the clerk to provide all commissioners with the same information at the same time, fostering fairness and informed decision-making. She would also like to host regular town hall meetings to gather citizen input and relay that to the commission.
With a successful business background, Thompson said she will bring a practical, budget-conscious mindset to her candidacy.
“When you don’t have the money, you don’t spend it,” she said, stressing the need for fiscal responsibility. She believes the city should be run like a business, with careful budgeting and a focus on serving taxpayers’ needs. Even if the clerk no longer controls budgeting and finance, she wants to serve as a guardian on behalf of the public.
“I think that the more business minded we are, the more successful the city will be,” she said.
Thompson’s experience as a former city commissioner gives her insight into the importance of cooperation and neutrality when working with other city leaders. She is committed to working with city commissioners and maintaining a nonpartisan approach, she said.
She also knows there are times when you can’t make everyone happy or tell them what they want to hear. She’s been honest while campaigning that the clerk won’t be able to lower anyone’s utility bill or clean up the city through code enforcement. But she said she can keep those concerns in front of those who can.
Thompson wears a lot of hats, and, if elected, she plans to remain deeply involved in local boards and organizations supporting education and other causes. She will continue to balance managing her business and community service. She has delegated responsibilities at her restaurant, Downtown Grill, which will allow her to focus on being city clerk, if elected. She assured voters of her dedication: “I do plan to give the city 100%, and I do know it is a full-time job. … Just like always, I don’t require much sleep.”
She is passionate about encouraging voter participation and ensuring that every voice is heard, especially in elections with typically low turnout. “Everybody seems to have a voice until it’s time to vote,” she said, concerned that an election with single race on the ballot might easily be overlooked.
Supervisor of Elections Amanda Seyfang is conducting the election, which will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 19, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at city hall. Early voting will take place Monday, Aug. 11, to Friday, Aug. 15, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily in the supervisor of elections office at the courthouse.
For information call the supervisor of elections office at 904-966-6266 or visit www.votebradfordfl.gov.
