Citrus County voters have many choices when it comes to the 2nd District School Board.
The four candidates who will run after the outgoing Ginger Bryant’s The 24-year term includes two teachers, a lawyer and a former city manager of Crystal River:
— Ken Frinka graduate of Crystal River High School who had Bryant as a teacher in his youth, resigned as city administrator after marrying the councilwoman Cindi (Guy) FrinkHe received a temporary appointment to the city council and considered running in a special election, but decided instead to run for school board. Bryant supports her former student.
— Laura Gatling Wright taught in Citrus County schools for 14 years. Now she teaches at Florida Connections Academy, a public, tuition-free online school based in Tampa. Gatling-Wright works from home. She said some students come from Citrus, but most live in Hillsborough County.
— Marie-Luise Merrill is a Homosassa-based attorney who has focused her campaign on student behavior issues.
— Victoria Smith teaches geometry at Citrus High School and is past president of the Citrus County Education Association, the teachers’ union. Her husband, a former state legislator. Jimmie T. Smithis widely known in Citrus County for publish unfounded allegations against public school officials.
Of the four, Frink is the best known. He is a professional engineer who has worked for the Southwest Florida Water Management District, a former Citrus County Public Works director, and the only one of the four with electoral experience in Florida. In 2006, he was elected to the Citrus County Mosquito Control Board, but resigned shortly before the end of his term to take the county job.
Frink’s campaign contributions reflect his standing in the community. After announcing his candidacy in January, Frink quickly received financial support from some of Citrus County’s largest campaign donors as well as former county commissioners. Scott Adams, Nick Bryant (Bryant’s husband) and JJ Kenney.
He also takes Posts by developers at a time when Citrus County residents are expressing deep concerns about residential and commercial growth.
Although Frink reports $54,786 in campaign contributions, that includes $10,000 he added on August 1. He has spent about $39,000 on advertising, direct mail and consulting. Frink has reportedly not spent a dime on his campaign since July 17, aside from bank fees.
Smith also did well in fundraising for her campaign, raising $29,800 and spending all but $4,000 of it, mostly on mailings, signs and newspaper ads.
One of the biggest challenges for Smith was overcoming the Public concern that if she is elected to the school board, her husband will use that connection to continue his attacks on the school district. Smith said she disagreed with her husband’s opinions and wished he wouldn’t be so open in his criticism.
Merrill’s focus is on student behavior. She has volunteered at The centers and is affiliated with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Gatling-Wright has the smallest campaign fund, the fewest signs, and the least amount of money spent, but still receives support from parents. She has two children who attend Citrus County Schools.
And although the school board is nonpartisan, prominent Citrus County Democrats support Gatling-Wright.
Unless the overall winner of the primary election receives 50% of the votes cast, the top two finishers will face each other in the general election in November.
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