Zintiz: You can vote for change on the Gainesville City Commission
Letter to the editor
Hello readers of the Alachua Chronicle, my name is Wyatt Zintiz, and I am an independent candidate for Gainesville’s District 2 City Commissioner seat. I’m a Gainesville native, a Marine combat veteran, a former Public Works leader, and a small business owner with over a decade of public service experience to my country and community. I’m running for office because our local government deeply needs bold, fiscally responsible leadership — and my background uniquely qualifies me to deliver it.
Growing up in Gainesville has been an amazing privilege. It gave me a deep sense of stewardship for this special piece of North Central Florida, so much so that even after traveling all over the world as a Marine, I decided to return here to raise my own family. The city’s perfect blend of small-town charm, natural beauty, and eclectic culture makes Gainesville truly special. Today, however, those qualities are under threat. Rising costs and sprawling development are pricing out locals and forever changing the landscape of this beautiful patch of Old Florida. That’s why I am standing up for the only town I have ever called home and fighting to preserve the integrity of Gainesville for future generations.
I’ve led men on the frontlines and served right alongside them throughout my life, from Operation Iraqi Freedom to the Operations Division of Gainesville’s Public Works Department. In war and in peacetime, I’ve always chosen the work that was closest to where the doing actually gets done. That’s because I believe the best way to create change is to get your hands dirty and be the change you want to see. Now I want to add my first-hand experience to Gainesville’s City Commission and directly bring the change that governing body so desperately needs.
Our city faces serious problems that demand strong, assertive leadership. Gainesville and District 2 need a Commissioner who can hit the ground running, and I have the proven leadership skills and organizational knowledge to take these issues head-on. Marines are taught to improvise, adapt, and overcome any challenging situation they face. No matter how difficult the task and how limited the resources, we always get the job done. If elected, I plan to bring that same ingenuity and determination to the Gainesville City Commission. I will fight for real, tangible solutions to the city’s issues by using its resources adeptly and efficiently. There will be no tolerance for waste, fraud, and abuse. Our local government must find ways to do more with less, just like the people it serves have already been doing for quite some time. Because there is simply no justice when City coffers overflow while household budgets continue to shrink.
This election represents a critical turning point for Gainesville. You have an opportunity to choose a new direction: a truly independent candidate committed to fiscal responsibility who also shares your core social and democratic values. Together, we can restore common sense to local government and preserve the things that make this city such a special place to call home. If you live in Northwest Gainesville, I ask for your vote for District 2 City Commissioner this August 18th. Please visit http://wyattzintiz.com to learn more about our campaign.
Wyatt Zintiz, Candidate for Gainesville City Commission
The opinions expressed by letter or opinion writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AlachuaChronicle.com. Assertions of facts in letters are similarly the responsibility of the author. Letters may be submitted to info@alachuachronicle.com and are published at the discretion of the editor.
First, thank you for stepping up to run for election. It’s truly unfortunate that some are running unopposed and believe it is some kind of mandate from the people. I will be voting for you because serious change is needed. The current commission is on a very dangerous path of bankrupting our community like they did to our utility. Your bravery will be rewarded once again soon.
Wyatt, I know firsthand the honest, hardworking and dedicated man that you are, and that you will work to bring a positive future to this City. I encourage all District 2 voters to support your candidacy.
Wyatt. Great to have met you today at the forum. Doesn’t take long to know when you meet the real deal. I encourage District 2 to not let this man go by. He’s exactly what we need downtown.
I will be voting for you as well, and sending a donation, Mr. Zintiz.
We definitely need someone like you on the city commission and I commend you for trying to make a difference and be a voice for those who aren’t being heard in District 2 and in our City.
I wonder if our wonderful Alachua Chronical editor can fix the typo in the link to Mr. Zintiz’s campaign website?
Here’s the link to his website:
https://wyattzintiz.com
The only problem I see is that Mr Zintiz does a great job of telling us the problems but doesn’t say a word about his priorities or solutions. And like the other GNV politicians he declines to recognize that 40% of GRU customers are outside GNV city limits and totally ignored by the city.
I’ve been saying the same thing for years, almost half of those who have GRU Utilities live outside the City Limits and have no say so in elections that determine the outcome of the Utilities.
Since the CITY commission is no longer over GRU, I’m truly believe the 40% of the customers that live in the county will be taken care of
To both Zintiz & Gardner:
Panhandling and homeless crime is not a legitimate profession…it doesn’t look good, this is a student town, & public safety is an essential service….
How do you propose stopping the panhandling and litter at 39th and Waldo road?
Homeless crime is a serious issue as evidenced almost daily here in the AC…
Do you agree that Chief Moya and Grace Marketplace should be mandated to give monthly reports to the GNV CC on:
1. how they are reducing panhandling, illegal encampments, it’s litter, and the homeless crime problem.
2. provide monthly homeless crime statistics, and prevent and lessen vagrants and prison releases coming here from other places to make that “10 year plan to end homelessness” a reality here?
3. Should homeless services be reduced at Grace Marketplace to 3 days for a hand up and then a bus ticket out so they can be reunited with their friends, family, & church to where they came from…I.e, “return to sender”?
4. Do you agree we should have a zero tolerance policy for panhandling trespassing, and it’s associated homeless crime & litter?
Having an “open arms” policy and buying motels and housing the planets’ 🪐 vagrants and dregs here from everywhere is not an acceptable answer…the taxpayers cannot afford it..
Throwing taxpayer money at it isn’t working…
Law enforcement and the city are complicit about the panhandling, litter, & crime because we can see it and they just drive by in their patrol cars. Shouldn’t they “see something, do something”?
What do you propose the city and law enforcement do to lessen panhandling and the homeless crime problem we are having here?
What % of all crimes in Gainesville are committed by the homeless/unsheltered?
What % of all litter in Gainesville is attributed to the homeless/unsheltered?
I suspect that, by far, the majority of crimes and litter in Gainesville are not done by the homeless/unsheltered.
The homeless indirectly contribute to more trash than they should. It’s the people who feed the cats who are primarily responsible. They give them throw away containers and the homeless throw them on the sidewalks, parking lots and streets. Time to start issuing those old $500 fines to those individuals.
The rest of the trash is left by the lazy, inconsiderate morons who think someone else should clean up after them.
If you ever to decide to run for a seat in the city commission, I will move to Gainesville personally and vote for you. You sound like a politician should sound like.
To both Zintiz & Gardner:
Panhandling and homeless crime is not a legitimate profession…it doesn’t look good, this is a student town, & public safety is an essential service….
How do you propose stopping the panhandling and litter at 39th and Waldo road?
Bull, I went over to this intersection four times this week.
Only one time were there panhandlers there, on Tuesday. On Monday I observed a big black garbage bag, full, on the six foot median on the west side of 39th. The trash had been bagged. But was there unattended.
We cannot stop something that is legal to do. Gainesville allows panhandling on medians that are six feet or more in width and is very tolerant of those that do actually break code that are not impeding traffic or acting out in ways offensive to drivers.
Homeless crime is a serious issue as evidenced almost daily here in the AC…
Do you agree that Chief Moya and Grace Marketplace should be mandated to give monthly reports to the GNV CC on:
1. how they are reducing panhandling, illegal encampments, it’s litter, and the homeless crime problem.
Yes. I am not sure if they do or don’t. That is one of the issues here with this city commission. We don’t have transparency even if they are actually doing what you suggest. That’s a real problem that must be corrected.
2. provide monthly homeless crime statistics, and prevent and lessen vagrants and prison releases coming here from other places to make that “10 year plan to end homelessness” a reality here?
To me, crime is crime. I don’t think we need a Black on Black crime task force or a specific roster of homeless crimes. We also have a robust community that assists “vagrants and prison releases” because it is a proven healthy intervention and they are not doing anything illegal by coming here. The “ten year plan”, like “ZERO” this or that are aspirations, not meaningful goals. It’s just talk when you don’t document and share the data.
3. Should homeless services be reduced at Grace Marketplace to 3 days for a hand up and then a bus ticket out so they can be reunited with their friends, family, & church to where they came from…I.e, “return to sender”?
No. We need to leave the individual interventions up to the professional caregivers. That said, your plan should be offered to every single person entering the system. Going home is not always a good choice for some but it would be the best choice for many if they can get back home with a new outlook, attitude and be committed to a drug free lifestyle. We can offer, but we can’t mandate. This is a free country.
4. Do you agree we should have a zero tolerance policy for panhandling trespassing, and it’s associated homeless crime & litter?
Yes, if it is well documented and there are “plea deals” like community service and a civil review board to “hold court”. Locking people up is not always the right answer and to fine them is not rational to people that have no means. Repeat offenders, may need additional interventions.
Having an “open arms” policy and buying motels and housing the planets’ 🪐 vagrants and dregs here from everywhere is not an acceptable answer…the taxpayers cannot afford it..
Throwing taxpayer money at it isn’t working…
Law enforcement and the city are complicit about the panhandling, litter, & crime because we can see it and they just drive by in their patrol cars. Shouldn’t they “see something, do something”?
Yes. I think the many traffic technicians that we have might be a good choice to offer “warnings” and monitor their “zones”. They are a better choice than beat cops that already have their hands full with violent crimes. Outreach is better than force, at first. Sliding scale for repeat offenders.
What do you propose the city and law enforcement do to lessen panhandling and the homeless crime problem we are having here?
We need to fully and impartially document the metrics. You can not get to where you want to go unless you first know where you are. What works. What doesn’t. Be flexible recognize the trends and capitalize on what works.
And NO! We do not need a new department headed by a “Czar” to get it done.
How about The Alachua Chronicle publish an article listing ALL candidates for City AND County Commisions with EACH candidate’s campaign website?
It will be interesting to see what is the voter turn-out for this upcoming election. Will a minority of all registered voters be choosing our next elected officials?
Good for Mr. Zintiz for taking the initiative to write his letter to the editor (and the voters.) Way more people vote in the general election in November, especially if it is a presidential election year. The people who pay the most attention (for whatever reason) are the ones who vote in the local races and primaries, and the Democrats are way better at getting their voters out to vote than the Republicans are. So, yes, a minority of registered voters will be choosing our next elected officials, as always. It would take a miracle for that to change! It is possible that an atypical candidate can sometimes get the attention of voters and get elected if he/she can get a well-organized campaign going, but that doesn’t happen very often around here. I sure hope Mr. Zinitz gets elected in District 2, and will be supporting him. We need his common sense voice on the City Commission. It will be a lonely voice, if he does get elected (reminiscent of when Todd Chase was elected to the GCC way back when,) but his Marine Corps experience will serve him well, as did Chase’s Navy experience. We do NOT need a leftist Gainesville Sun editorial writer “representing” District 2. Hopefully, there are enough people in D2 paying attention and willing to spend 5 minutes to vote for the atypical candidate.
We get who we do not vote for.
Why do people running for office here not even bother to tell us their agenda or in other words what they want to change and to what?
They do. But you need to read between the lines too. Anyone going into office must find out what IS being done and what does the data say about efforts on the issue raised before a person can offer “fixes”. Or, they can just talk bull to pacify the sheep. Wyatt, laid out the basic issues he is aware of as any prudent and honest person would.
Well, maybe not so fast… I read everything on Mr. Zintz’s website. I respect his service to our country in the USMC, and will probably certainly vote for him (it seems like it always comes down to the “lesser of 2 evils” on Election Day anymore… Someday, it would be nice to vote enthusiastically FOR a candidate again. But perhaps those days are gone, as I have grown too cynical as I have experienced more and grown older.) Anyway, no donation from me.
Anybody will be better and the damn idiots we have in there now I sure as hell can’t do no worse
TS, this primary election has 8 candidates for commission and Mayor. All participated in the forum just held by the League of Women Voters, AC. All have qualified which means they have spent money and time to inform the Gainesville registered voters on many platforms.
Sorry that it feels like coming down to the lesser of two evils. I feel you. But this time is different. Some of the candidates are not the normal party centric, party backed candidates. So, there is a real choice to be made. Candidates can’t force feed voters to look at their campaign literature, websites or social media platforms.
Gainesville is known for being a solid blue community. What does that translate to? Party politics. Pick your party and bubble fill down the line without much other considerations. It’s not supposed to be that way. But the party division and fanatical “loyalty” with both major parties are at a point never realized before.
I am not the lesser of two evils and neither is Mr. Zintiz. We both come with valid credentials and experience to even out some of the party politics on the current city commission.
What exactly are you looking for in a candidate? What would a candidate look and sound like for you to be “enthusiastically FOR”?
Zinitz: you didn’t adress my concerns…is this how you’re going to act if elected?
Zinitz: you didn’t address my concerns…is this how you’re going to act if elected?