Meet the High Springs City Commission candidates

Updated to correct the date of the election
BY DAVID LIGHTMAN
HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – Like many other elected officials across the state, High Springs City Commissioner Steve Tapanes decided to resign last December rather than complete financial disclosure Form 6, as required by state law starting this year. Consequently, the City will hold a Special Election on March 26 to fill the empty seat. Voters have two candidates to choose from: Wayne Bloodsworth, Jr., and Chad Howell. Voting by mail has already started, and the last day to request a Vote-By-Mail ballot is March 14.
Wayne Bloodsworth

Wayne Bloodsworth’s social media presence emphasizes his priorities: being a good steward with the citizens’ money and having a strong work ethic, Christian morals, and family values.
Bloodworth’s social media posts say he grew up in the Alachua/High Springs/Fort White area. He graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1979 and moved into the High Springs city limits in 1985, shortly after marrying his wife. He recently retired after a 36-year career with UPS, working in the High Springs area for 10 of those years.
Bloodsworth is an active member of the First Baptist Church of High Springs, and he is an Assistant Scoutmaster of High Springs Boy Scout Troop 69. His wife also grew up in the area, graduating from Santa Fe High in 1982. She is currently in her 36th year of teaching at Mebane Middle School. They have two sons. Bloodsworth notes that both his parents have lived and worked in the High Springs area for many years.
Chad Howell

Howell was born in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where his United States Marine father was stationed at the time. According to his social media posts, he moved around a lot during his childhood due to his father’s job. He graduated from high school in 1998 and attended college for three years before enlisting in the Marines in May 2001. During his five-year enlistment, he was deployed to Okinawa, Japan and served two tours of duty in Iraq as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. He received an honorable discharge in May 2006.
In April 2007, Howell relocated to Florida to be near his family. He attended the police academy in Sanford and worked as a law enforcement officer for the city of Starke from February 2009 to February 2013. In February 2013, he joined the Alachua Police Department, where he currently serves as a sergeant and supervisor of the Criminal Investigations Division. He has also served as a school resource officer, patrol officer, training officer, and detective.
Howell returned to college while working as a police officer and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree from Saint Leo University. He, his wife, and their two daughters moved to High Springs in 2018. He has participated in community organizations and boards such as the High Springs Recreational Board.
Howell’s statement on Facebook reads: “My hope and vision for this amazing city is that we embrace future growth responsibly. We need policies that protect the rural landscape and natural springs. Encouraging walking, biking, and other forms of transportation will allow people to appreciate our beautiful city. We must understand that supporting our small local businesses is crucial for our economy, and we should do so in a responsible way.” Howell has been endorsed by former Commissioner Ross Ambrose.
Meet the Candidates Forum
A Meet the Candidates Forum will take place on Monday, March 18, starting at 5 p.m., at the New Century Woman’s Club (23674 West Highway 27, High Springs).
Election information
All City of High Springs residents who are registered voters may vote on election day, March 26, at their assigned polling location, Precinct 20 (High Springs Civic Center) or Precinct 60 (First United Methodist Church).
Bring a valid picture ID and signature identification. If you vote at the polls and cannot show picture and signature identification, you must vote a provisional ballot.
The deadline to request a Vote-By-Mail ballot for this Special Election is March 14, 2024.
Visit the website at https://www.highsprings.gov/elections/webform/ballot-request-form to request a ballot.
Requests must include your name, current legal residence address (no post office boxes), date of birth, last four digits of your Social Security Number or full Florida Driver’s License/ Florida ID number (whichever is on file), and signature (the form must be signed, no electronic signatures).
Howell is endorsed by Ross Ambrose. If he like minded like Ambrose then Bloodworth gets my vote. Ambrose voted for higher taxes and seemingly voted for only his benefit. So the endorsement may be Strike 1 for Howell.
I agree! Any endorsement by Ambrose is a no-go for me. I’m disappointed in Grunter but now that Ambrose is out, he’s a little better but….. I liked the position statement by Bloodsworth.
It seems like Ambrose always tries to tell everybody else what to do. I’m not sure I’d make too much of his endorsement when Howell is a Marine Veteran and active police officer. Ambrose is just a small-town sh*t-talker. Maybe he thinks endorsing someone like Howell (someone better than him) will make him look better for some future political aspirations.
So which one is going to keep Nestle from sucking the river dry?
You need to make a correction. This special election is on Tuesday, March 26th not March 29th!
Fixed, thank you.
Wayne Bloodworth has been involved with the High Springs community for many years. Since he decided to run for commissioner he has been reaching out to residents and business owners and has learned a lot. I think that since Wayne is retired he will be able to dedicate more time as a commissioner. My vote is for Wayne Bloodsworth!!
Known Wayne for many years and given his roots, he makes a better representative for the community, (at least the community many grew up in and loved). He’s local grown and has values that have been nurtured and cultivated in the community and church he’s been raised in.
Given Howell’s statement, “We need policies that protect the rural landscape and natural springs. Encouraging walking, biking, and other forms of transportation will allow people to appreciate our beautiful city.” He sounds more like a progressive liberal infestation spreading from Gainesville.
Remember, you get what you vote for.
I didn’t interpret that statement as a leftist looney from Gainesville. I think we DO need to protect our rural landscape. I was attracted to High Springs 20 years ago because of that small town feel. I HATE to see the residential and population growth here. Protect our rural landscape. Last thing we want is irresponsible growth.
Another of those transplants that’s gotten theirs and hopes to keep me from getting mine.
Typical liberal.
Nothing about cutting taxes. High Springs will soon be Gainesville 2.0
We have encountered an individual who is an acquaintance of another sitting Commissioner. In his first year in office, this individual failed to take any action. He even expressed regret, saying, “I’m sorry folks“, I shall try to be better!” Surprisingly, he consistently followed Commissioner Ross’s lead, voting in alignment with him in every decision, resulting in a disappointing 4-1 voting pattern.
However, out of nowhere, this new candidate Chad Howell has suddenly shown an interest in running for this position. We know where this plan to now run was hatched.
Instead, let us lend our support to Wayne Bloodworth, a candidate who embodies integrity and honor. We need someone who upholds these values, rather than someone who engages in the puppets routine. Plus our City Commission should not be buddy night.
Agree 100 percent
Let me state in a very simple way. Both are good people. However, I would not want to spend all day in a boat fishing with Chad. Wayne would be a welcome partner. If you want a commissioner that is there for High Springs. Then Wayne is the one to go for. Chad is a good man. Not a leader in my opinion and could influenced by people with their own interests (Ambrose). BTW Ross the people of High Springs see you for who you are. You are not fooling anyone.
Ross was a joke. I am dissapointed with Grunder’s support for Howell and not Bloodsworth. Mr. Grunder’s and Mr. Bloodsworth’s father worked along side my father with the city of High Springs for many years (>20). If we don’t get more “local” folks in the commission seats, we can forget the “responsible” growth of our once small town. Vote WAYNE for the best interest of High Springs!