Economy top priority for District 30

Candidates talk about space future, cost of homeowners' insurance

BY MICHELLE SPITZER
FLORIDA TODAY

The opponent is different, but the issues are the same for Ritch Workman, Republican candidate for House District 30.

"I am who I am," said Workman, who easily defeated Tres Holton in August and faces Democrat Amy Tidd on Nov. 4. "The issues are the same now as they were in the primary.

"The primary is not the place to go deep in your plans because you are against your same party and the proposals are often the same. Now the conversations are far more in-depth than before."

Tidd, a Rockledge resident and community activist, said the major difference between her and her mortgage-banker opponent is that he's "running to get rid of government, where I believe the government is there to assist people when needed."

Workman said during the primary season that government needs to shrink instead of interfering in citizens' lives. He still believes that, even when it comes to the ongoing bailout.

Both candidates list the economy as their top priority in the election and think the space program is vital to the future of Brevard County and the state.

Tidd, a community activist, would like to work with state and federal officials and agencies to bring new jobs to the space industry and increase funding for the program.

"We need to come up with a solution to the space job loss, the housing issues and get our economy moving again," Tidd said. "There is no problem too large for our talented citizens to solve if we work together."

Workman said he would work to ensure Brevard is a leader in the space industry by bringing industry providers to the area.

"I will fight to keep the shuttle flying until Orion comes online," he said.

The Melbourne resident also expressed concern about losing tourism dollars while NASA gears up for the moon program.

"We have nice beaches, but if you are going to come all the way to Brevard County, you are also going to be taking your kids to see the space center, or a shuttle launch or see the Astronaut Hall of Fame," Workman said.

"The beaches alone are not going to bring people here."

Workman on homes

Workman, who owns his own business, would like to see Citizens Property Insurance Corp. phased out during the next five or 10 years.

At the same time, a private-public partnership would be formed to allow carriers to offer low-interest loans to consumers who "harden" their homes.

He said that would help homeowners improve their houses and attract new insurers.

Workman also said hurricane-preparedness equipment should be tax-free all year, not just during a tax-free week.

"By hardening your home, you increase the value of it and you're a lot safer," he said.

"The government is betting that a big storm won't hit, and I don't want to take that bet."

Another of Workman's main issues is property tax appraisals, which he wants to change from a person's opinion to an assessment of square footage.

"It eliminates the blame game," he said. "It's also great for the county because they can budget. They can say, 'We've had 15 new permits pulled. We're done.' No guesswork."

OK,0039.01þTidd agrees with Workman that something needs to be done regarding homeowners' insurance, but has different proposals.

She said homeowners often tell her they are afraid of losing their houses because their insurance rates are too high.

"To further protect our communities, we need to continue to put legislation in effect to regulate the home mortgage industry," she said. "We need to work at a state and federal level to stop the predatory lending that is putting Brevard families out on the street.

"When a family loses a home, it not only devastates the family but the entire neighborhood. Houses sitting vacant and not cared for bring down the property values of the whole neighborhood and lead to increased crime."

Political experience

Tidd, who has a lengthy volunteer record, gained interest in serving her community at an early age. When she was a fifth-grader in North Carolina, she started a petition because only boys were allowed to raise the American flag.

The following year, the policy was changed, she said.

The Navy veteran went on to chair Preserve Brevard, which was behind the expansion of the Environmentally Endangered Lands program to protect natural resources.

She's also fought for growth management during Brevard's building boom and served on the county's Citizen Budget and Review Committee and Port St. John Advisory Board.

She understands Brevard is a Republican-heavy county, but she's hoping to gain some of those voters in the next few weeks.

"I do believe Republicans want clean water, good schools and safe roads, so I do believe I will get a lot of crossover votes," Tidd said.

"There is no problem too large for our talented citizens to solve if we work together."

Although Workman has never held a political office, Gov. Charlie Crist appointed him to the Home Ownership Promotes the Economy task force.

He said he is not a career politician and that he is running because he wants to "undo some of the wrongs that have been done.

"I am a true free-market candidate who believes the government should concentrate on basic government functions like roads, police, fire, and allow the free market to work," Workman said.

Contact Spitzer at 242-3722 or mspitzer@floridatoday.com.