At one week before Election Day, my campaign is still moving forward to win this election on August 26. We are still knocking at the doors of the residents and businesses of Kissimmee and urging all voters to go to the polls.

Early voting in Kissimmee is now open at the Library in Downtown Kissimmee, at the Library in BVL, and at the Office of the Supervisor of Elections on US192 and Partin Settlement Road until Saturday the 23rd of August.

I take this opportunity to advise that these are not only Primary Elections, for those in the City of Kissimmee these are also General Elections and you can vote even if you are not registered as Democrat or Republican. City Commission races are non-partisan.

I am Jaime Matos, and I am running for Kissimmee Commissioner Seat 3 against the incumbent Jerry Gemskie. I believe voters will not have any problem in deciding whom to vote for since they have two very different candidates to choose from.

Here are just a few of my differences with my opponent:

Mr. Gemskie raised the property taxes in 2005, I was totally opposed to that; Gemskie approved the redevelopment of Lakefront Park the same year including construction of more than 700 condos, I opposed the plan; Gemskie agreed to the location of Lynx station behind the Civic Center in detriment of the peaceful living of the residents of the area, and again I was opposed to that; my opponent proposed an amendment to allow commissioners to be re-elected with no term limits, and I opposed it too.

And now, just like a weather vane, Jerry Gemskie lines up with the political winds of the moment and is changing his mind. Conveniently, now he takes side with the people and opposes taxes and agrees with moving the Lynx Station to its original site next to the train tracks.

I do not, and will not spin around like a weather vane. My vision has been clear since 2005 till now in time for elections and I will not change my stance because I am running for office. My main concern for Kissimmee is the economic development. I will work to attract diverse industry in order to increase the number of jobs available to our residents, and I will vote “NO” on projects that compromise the well being of citizens.

Unlike my opponent, I will listen to both parties in conflict; I will listen to residents and business owners before making a decision on any issue. I will work to implement crime prevention programs to help some of our neighborhoods retake their streets and tranquility.

I have recently been endorsed by the police and firefighters of Kissimmee and want to take this opportunity to thank the Police Benevolent Association for such a high honor. I believe our officers, as well as anybody in the City Government must be treated with dignity and respect, something my opponent has failed to do as well.

On August 26,please don’t forget my name for City Commissioner Seat 3.

Thanks,

Jaime R. Matos