ENDORSEMENTS

"Carruthers is best prepared to be a leader for change on this commission."
- The Keynoter, 10/29/08

I have been honored to receive the following endorsements as of September 28, 2008:

"In summary, we believe Carruthers' proven leadership and ability to effectively engage and represent all citizens clearly makes her the preferred choice."
- The Key West Citizen, September 28, 2008

- Ocean Reef Community Association PAC

- Teamsters Local 769

- Marathon and Lower Keys Board of Realtors

- The Key West Registerr

- The Victory Fund

- Big Pine and Marathon Free Press, October 1, 2008

Letters to the Editor, The Key West Citizen, November 2, 2008

Carruthers has shown commitment to Keys

I am writing to urge voters in Monroe County to join me in supporting Heather Carruthers as candidate for county commissioner in District 3. I met Heather several years ago when she purchased a business in Key West and became a full-time resident. She quickly became involved in the local community, and I was impressed with her energy and commitment. As co-chair of PrideFest 2003, she was instrumental in the success of the Sea to Sea Rainbow Flag project, which illustrated the diversity and acceptance Key West thrives on. She became active in the Key West Business Guild, bringing to the table her extensive marketing skills and out-of-the box problem-solving talents. She later became the president of the organization, devoting immeasurable time and energy to promote Key West in an increasingly competitive marketplace, while continuing to grow her own business. Her work for Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe again illustrated her commitment to community service. Anyone involved in that organization will attest to the fact that Heather played a key role in negotiating more reasonable rates for windstorm insurance, an issue which affects everyone in Monroe County. Her ongoing contributions have been too numerous to list, with numerous organizations benefiting from her involvement. Heather has shown herself to be a well-informed and effective leader. She has faced each challenge by becoming well-educated about the issues and listening to all sides. Hearing her speak at the local candidate forums, I found that she has already learned a great deal about the issues facing Monroe County and has reached out to all residents from Key West to Key Colony Beach to find out what our concerns and opinions are. She is well-equipped to represent the citizens of Monroe County. I believe that we need to elect a candidate who will bring independent thinking and equal consideration for all citizens to our County Commission. That is why I am voting for Heather Carruthers. ...

Susan D. Kent
Key West

Keys already benefit from Carruthers' work

Having been a member of FIRM (Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe) for two and a half years, I am privileged to say that I have worked with Heather Carruthers, the current FIRM president, and I have seen her in action on behalf of all Keys residents in Tallahassee. Heather does her homework, organizes and prioritizes each mission when we are presenting in front of Monroe County residents, state insurance commissions and our legislators. I have seen her work firsthand. She is always well prepared, has verified factual information, and makes professional, businesslike presentations with proven results. Heather is well-respected for her ability to have shown Tallahassee that Monroe County matters. She is just the county commissioner we need to represent all Monroe County residents as we move forward. As a lifelong Republican, I am proud to cast my vote for Heather Carruthers, a Democrat, for Monroe County Commission. ...

Mary Pridemore
Marathon

Letters to the Editor from The Key West Citizen, 10/30/08:

Carruthers has shown that she is a leader

This has been an extremely acrimonious election year. It has been rife with some of the worst negative campaigning in recent memory, both in national and local races. Because of this, I thought some positive information would be a welcome change.

Every (and I emphasize every) politician uses the word "leadership" in their self- descriptions. "I have the leadership skills necessary ...," "if you want leadership vote for me ...", etc.

However, true leaders can only be judged on the qualities they actually possess, not on their platforms. A true leader possesses both personal and organization effectiveness. A true leader can positively influence others, and thereby effect positive change. An effective leader has a depth of personal character, has built relationships with other leaders with mutual respect, has knowledge of the problems at hand, experience on which to base their decisions, a history of past successes, and the ability to deliver.

We are fortunate to have a real leader running for County Commission -- Heather Carruthers. I have known Heather for nearly 10 years -- but that doesn't mean she'd be a good commissioner. I have also worked with Heather for many years, and know her work ethic -- but that doesn't necessarily mean she'd be a good commissioner, either. No, it's her record of actual, quantifiable leadership that means she will be a great commissioner.

She is a board member and a member of the Media and Strategy Commission of FIRM (Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe). She has represented FIRM before former Gov. Jeb Bush and the state Cabinet. That's real leadership. She was appointed to the Florida Task Force on Citizens Property Insurance Claims Handling and Resolution; she was a former chair of the Lodging Association of the Florida Keys and former president of the Key West Business Guild. She has served on the boards of Sculpture Key West and the Key West Symphony. She is a business owner, and must make the same decisions every day as all of us do.

And finally, she is a graduate of the Key West Ambassador Academy and Leadership Monroe County (Class XI), and was named Leadership Monroe's 2006 Leader of the Year. This is proven, quantifiable leadership.

For these positive reasons, I am supporting Heather Carruthers for county commissioner, District 3, and I hope readers will join me on Nov. 4, and put a proven leader on our commission.

Dean Walters
Key West

Heather Carruthers is a critical thinker

Daily we hear from every possible source that we are in a "critical situation" on every level. This being painfully true, it is clear that we need to elect critical thinkers to reverse our situation. A summary textbook definition states: A critical thinker uses broad and in-depth analysis of evidence to make decisions and communicate his/her beliefs clearly and accurately. It goes on to say that critical thinkers care that their beliefs are true and decisions justified; care that they present theirs as well as others' views honestly and clearly; and care about the dignity and welfare of every person.

I have always envied those people who take the critical thinking process full cycle. Many of us get through some of the steps and some of us get through most of the steps. Then there are those who just get it. They get through all of the steps and are phenomenal leaders.

To my point, I have had the honor of interacting with Heather Carruthers for the past eight years. I worked with her on the Lodging Association as she brought consensus on issues. I was her classmate in Leadership Monroe when she asked the tough and in-depth questions to better understand all facets of the county. She presented several times during my DAC 1 tenure -- hers being some of the most logical, fact-based and persuasive presentations we received. Continuing from my first interaction, I mentally crowned her "Heather Carruthers, Critical Thinker." She simply gets it.

If you research the details of her platform, listen to her speak, personally discuss the issues with her and follow the history of her community involvement and commitment to the Keys, then there will be no question in your mind that she is the only candidate that has the capability and the passion to reverse our "critical situation."

Heather Carruthers is the answer for Monroe County.

Linda Geyer
Little Torch Key

Count on Carruthers to do the hard work

I'll be straight up. I agree with most of one particular candidate's opinions and platform positions on the future of Monroe County and how it should be governed. However, one thing has become vividly clear to me during these times of financial uncertainty and political crossroads -- I can no longer vote on ideology alone.

This year, I am voting for the candidate that works from a place of good intention and who does the time-consuming, tedious homework to ensure complete understanding of an issue. I'm voting for the one who is not afraid to ask the tough questions, hear the not-always-so-pleasant answers and still has the foresight and fortitude to make the difficult decisions that are needed to set a solid course for this county's future. I am voting for the hard worker, for the individual who stands by their positions and convictions and doesn't leave them behind once in office.

So who am I voting for? Heather Carruthers. Not because of her ideology, but because I've seen her in action on the board of Sculpture Key West. She was always prepared for meetings, was consistent in her dedication and ability to successfully help move the organization and its goals forward, and continues, to this day, to volunteer her time and energy even after fulfilling her board commitment.

If you don't want to feel ignored, frustrated by inaction or angry at shortsighted politicians, then vote for Heather Carruthers. You may not always agree with everything she stands for, but you can be confident that she will stand tall for this county and the job you are hiring her to do. And that alone wins my vote.

Carol A. Schreck
Key West