WANT TO BE AN INFORMED VOTER? YOU’VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE!
I’m Sandy Parker. I write the Sparker’s Soapbox blog because I passionately believe in the importance of being an informed voter. I believe the more informed we are as a community, the better and more representative our government will be.
In the more than 20 years that I have been a Florida resident, I’ve seen some very close state and local elections and watched the outcomes of those elections set the direction of our future. I know the importance of every single vote.
I spend hours researching and analyzing the issues and candidates on the ballot and sharing what I learn in a factual, nonpartisan way. In addition to the Sparker’s Soapbox blog, I also help inform voters by giving presentations to community groups, and writing occasional columns for the Naples Daily News.
Welcome to Sparker’s Soapbox! I’m glad you found me, and I hope you find my work useful.
READ MY LATEST POSTS
Collier County Commission District 5 Candidate Forum
The two candidates running to represent District 5 on the Collier County Board of County Commissioners answered several questions at a forum on May 8 cohosted by Greater Naples Leadership (GNL) and Collier Citizens Council (CCC).
Continue Reading Collier County Commission District 5 Candidate Forum
District 3 County Commissioner Forum
Five candidates running to represent Collier County Commission District 3 had the opportunity to introduce themselves and answer several important questions at a forum co-hosted by Greater Naples Leadership and Collier Citizens Council on May 8.
The Valid Election Resolution and Yesterday’s BCC Meeting
The Board of County Commissioners agreed not to adopt or even vote on the proposed “Resolution for a Legally Valid 2024 General Election” I wrote about in Sunday’s post.
Continue Reading The Valid Election Resolution and Yesterday’s BCC Meeting
LEARN THE BASICS WITH PRIMERS ON FLORIDA’S SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT
The laws governing primary elections in Florida are different from those in other states, and some rules even vary by political party. An understanding of Florida’s primary election process is crucial if you want your vote to make a difference.
Learn more … Florida’s Primary Election Process: A Primer Post
The Naples City Council is a seven-member governing body consisting of a mayor and six city council members. They are elected in nonpartisan elections by all the voters who reside in the City.
Five county constitutional officers, together with a Board of County Commissioners, form the executive branch of government for Collier County and 46 other non-charter counties in Florida.
Florida voters elect all judges. Therefore, informed voters must have a basic understanding of the state court system, each layer of which has a distinct role in providing justice across the state.
Learn more … The Judicial Branch of Florida’s Government: A Primer Post
Florida’s executive branch is headed by a governor, an attorney general, a chief financial officer, and a commissioner of agriculture, each of whom is independently electied.
Learn more … The Executive Branch of Florida’s Government: A Primer Post
The Florida legislature is comprised of a 40-member Senate and a 120-member House of Representatives.
Learn more … The Legislative Branch of Florida’s Government: A Primer Post
The Collier County school board is comprised of five elected members who serve staggered terms of office of four years.
The five-member Board of County Commissioners (BCC) is Collier County’s legislative and governing body.
Learn more … The Collier County Board of County Commissioners: A Primer Post
In Collier County, fire and emergency medical services (EMS) are provided very differently. EMS services are consolidated. Fire service is fragmented but has slowly begun to consolidate.
Learn more … Fire and Emergency Medical Services in Collier County