“Ocala Gazette” Q&A with candidates for County Commission

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Posted March 31, 2026 | Staff report

There are three candidates running for the District 2 County Commission seat (Matthew Cretul, Mike Crimi and Brien Weidemiller) and six for the District 4 seat (Randall Alvord, Jeff Bairstow, Clint Barkley, Anthony Barriner-Massa, Wanda Wimberly Lasher and Sherri Meadows).

The “Gazette” will email a different question each week to all of the candidates, for a total of nine questions over nine weeks. The candidates are given a week to respond in writing and we do not edit their answers. Each candidate was initially sent an email of invitation, followed up by a reminder email as well as a telephone call. The answers from those who chose to participate are presented below in the order in which they were received.

Question number one: Marion County continues to experience rapid population growth and development pressure. What specific policy changes — if any — would you support to balance economic growth with protecting rural land, water resources and quality of life for existing residents?

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Marion County does not have to choose between growth and protecting the way of life that brought so many of us here. I support responsible growth that pays its own way, not growth that leaves taxpayers stuck with the bill later. That means development should be matched to roads, public safety, and infrastructure, while protecting our rural character and water resources. Infrastructure first.

We also have to be better stewards of our springs, aquifer, and open spaces. Growth decisions should be thoughtful, transparent, and made with the next 20 plus years in mind, not just tomorrow or the pressures to just get it done.

I believe in balanced planning, strong public input, and accountability. We can welcome opportunity and job creation, but we must do it in a way that preserves quality of life for the people who already call Marion County home.

—Jeff Bairstow

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As a resident of Marion County since 1970, I have seen tremendous growth. I support several specific policy actions to preserve and protect our way of life. 

* I will require a growth-impact review before major development approvals, ensuring water supply, road capacity, and public safety services are evaluated upfront — not after the fact. Protecting our aquifer and springs must be part of every decision, not an afterthought.

* I will implement corridor-based planning, focusing growth where infrastructure already exists — such as along SR-200 and the Villages expansion — while protecting rural and agricultural areas from scattered, unplanned development. This includes thoughtfully evaluating tools like urban growth boundaries and targeted growth areas to guide development responsibly without infringing on private property rights.

*I will support fiscal discipline tied to growth, so new development contributes its fair share to roads, emergency services, and infrastructure, reducing the burden on existing residents.

* I will strengthen enforcement of our Springs Protection policies, building on my experience serving on the Land Development Regulation Commission that helped shape those protections.

I believe in private property rights — but also in responsible planning. We can support smart economic growth while preserving the natural resources and quality of life that make Marion County special.

What citizens want is a Marion County that maintains the same community feel that has characterized our neighborhoods for decades. My experience and vision are shaped by real people and their perspectives, and I will always fight for what is right, and for the people I serve. 

—Sherri Meadows

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Rural land is, and should remain, protected in places like the Farmland Preservation Area and other sections outside the Urban Growth Boundary. However, economic growth is essential to expanding professional, cultural, and educational opportunities in Marion County, especially in areas where they have historically been limited. Agricultural and equine-related activities are key economic drivers and contributing factors to Marion County’s character, especially as it relates to us being “The Horse Capital of the World.” Any potential development in rural areas or otherwise should be thoughtfully considered, targeted, and reflect the character of the surrounding lands, while still respecting the inherent rights of the landowners. 

I wholeheartedly support policies that focus on updating our road and utility infrastructure.  Research shows that, worldwide, longer commute times are becoming the norm and are damaging to people’s health. The less time we spend in traffic, the better. The voter-approved “Penny Sales Tax” should be leveraged to speed up road construction. This alleviates traffic and the corresponding frustrations, especially on high-volume roads like SR 200, Maricamp, and CR 484. In addition to leveraging the sales surtax, I support working closely with the Ocala/Marion Transportation and Planning Organization to prioritize projects that will bring the most traffic relief. 

From a utilities standpoint, septic-to-sewer programs are vital for safeguarding our natural resources. Removing aging septic tanks and converting residents to the county’s wastewater system is crucial in high development areas such as Marion Oaks and Silver Springs Shores.  These types of programs protect our water and natural areas.

—Matthew Cretul

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On a specific policy change, I would look at balancing the impact fees to match present and future growth. This, in my opinion, is a pragmatic approach in addressing the upgrades needed now and in the future. Preserving and protecting rural land, quality water resources and our overall quality of life is first and foremost while planning our economic growth. This can be achieved with strategic planning and research being the key.

—Wanda Wimberley Lasher

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There are plenty of options to address the need of supporting economic growth while protecting our agricultural heritage, water and quality of life. Most importantly we need to focus on where growth belongs. 

In Marion County we have an area designated as the Urban Growth Boundary that comprises approximately 200 square miles while almost two thirds of our county is in some form of preservation and/or protection overlay such as the Ocala National Forest and the Farmland Preservation Area. In the UGB, utilities are in place, in most areas or accessible or expandable. 

Public safety, infrastructure capacities and even available schools should all be considered. The state in 2011 removed the ability from local municipalities to use school concurrency as a development consideration, which was a huge mistake on the state’s part.

—Randall Alvord

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We don’t need to stop growth—we need to control it, plan it, shape it, and direct it. I support policies that focus development where infrastructure already exists, require growth to pay for itself, and protect our rural land and water through voluntary, property-rights-based tools like TDRs. If we do this right, we preserve Marion County’s character while still growing a strong, sustainable economy.

—Mike Crimi

These candidates did not reply by the deadline on March 31: Brien Weidemiller, Clint Barkley and Anthony Barriner-Massa.