Thank you!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 16th, 2011

Robert Krames Campaign, Gainesville City Commission District 2
PO Box 358753, Gainesville, FL 32635-8753
Robert@ElectRobertKrames.com
www.ElectRobertKrames.com

Campaign Concession Statement

I want to take this last opportunity to say a few things about our country and our city.

But first I want to thank all the volunteers and contributors that supported me and my campaign. I know it really wasn’t me you supported but the ideas we took a stand for. I can’t thank you all enough for your support and encouragement along the way.

I truly believe that if our country is going to make it, we must reduce government spending and focus on core-services. Entitlement programs will need to be reduced. Public employee salaries and benefits must be brought on par with the private sector. Nonessential programs will need to be ended. The status quo of printing money to pay our debts is unsustainable and will eventually lead to economic ruin. These aren’t campaign slogans. The campaign is over. This is simply the truth.

And this isn’t just a national problem. On the local level, the more we rely on federal grants, the harder we’ll be hit when that money finally stops coming. Federal grants almost always require matching funds, and we simply don’t have the money to match them. The reality is the federal government doesn’t have the money to send us in the first place.

The best thing state and local governments can do is reduce their reliance on federal dollars. The way we can do that is by making sure our municipal government goes back to the basics: Law Enforcement, Fire Protection, Road Maintenance and City Infrastructure.

Up to this point, our current commissioners have been unwilling to acknowledge these challenges and have continued to spend and leave us vulnerable to more economic hardships. But they’re not the only ones who are responsible for our condition. We, the voters, share in that responsibility.

Incumbents remain in power (or are replaced by like-minded candidates) but a vast majority of voters remain quiet, inactive and disconnected from the process. This year, we again had a turnout of only 14%. Eighty-six percent stayed home and let a small minority make their decisions for them.

Maybe we voters like the way things are -- though city-wide polls suggest otherwise. Maybe we believe that nothing can change. Maybe we’re afraid that taking a stand will come at a cost. Regardless of the reasons for not casting a vote, our city and our children will be the ones that pay the price for our inaction.

I’ve enjoyed my time as a candidate -- getting to talk to other citizens, learning about the issues that challenge our city, working with others to find solutions. I’ll continue that kind of work, in or out of office. I know others will, too.

As my final act as a candidate for Gainesville City Commission District 2, I want to encourage every voter to cast a vote in the upcoming runoff election. Of the two candidates that have moved forward, I believe one is clearly the best choice for Gainesville.

I encourage all District 2 voters to join me in supporting and voting for Todd Chase.

Thank you and God bless Gainesville,
--Robert Krames

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