| By Erin Skipper- Erin Skipper for School Board | ||
| My Clay County roots run deep with both of my parents being long time Clay County residents. My mom, Sheri Benton, has spent more than 34 years teaching in the Clay County Schools. This gave me a first hand perspective of the struggles teachers face everyday, raising a family and grading papers at night. My father, Harry Benton, ran a small business and worked throughout Clay County. As a family we were not wealthy, but we were loved. I was blessed to be born and raised in Clay County and have many wonderful memories of my childhood. While growing up, I attended various schools throughout Clay County and graduated from Middleburg High School. After graduating from high school, I married my “blue eyed” high school sweetheart, Joshua Skipper. Shortly after being married, Joshua enlisted in the U.S. Navy. While serving his Country, I was able to fulfill my life long dream of being a Nurse. I attended and graduated with honors from Oklahoma City University, with a B.S. in Nursing. Both Joshua and I missed living in Clay County and upon Joshua leaving the U.S. Navy, we returned home. I then began my nursing career at the St. Vincent’s-Riverside Emergency Department. After starting my career, I was able to fulfill my biggest passion. Being a mom! I am mom to our two girls, Kannyn (4) and Ansleigh (2). I am the voice for my children and passionate about quality education with school choice. I continue to be closely involved in my daughters’ education. I volunteer as a Parent Ambassador and Room Mom. This has shown me just how important parent’s voices are when it comes to education and the continuing struggles that teachers face in today’s teaching climate. My faith and community have always guided me. We have attended church throughout my life and Joshua and I have volunteered throughout the Clay County community. We are small business owners. Our family business has been involved in and led multiple events to assist those in need throughout Northeast Florida. We have always believed in giving back to our community. We believe in teaching our daughters "service to community" by setting an example. As an Emergency Room Nurse, I deal with issues that will transcend into my role as a School Board member. Good management and organizational skills, how to work as a team, critical thinking, assessment of needs, dealing with families in crisis situations, and working under pressure at a fast pace, to name a few. Most importantly, it has taught me how to be a champion for those most vulnerable. I decided to run for Clay County School Board, District 1 to insure that parents and teachers have a strong voice, and most importantly our children have a strong voice. This is not a job; it is a calling. I believe that our children should be taught how to think and not what to think. I believe that they are our schools and our tax dollars should be used wisely to support our teachers and schools. Safety of our children and staff is priority number one and should continuously be reviewed. I believe in school choice, because one size does not fit all. I believe in parents, teachers and children having a voice. I want to be that voice on our School Board. With your vote, I will be that voice! I ask that everyone vote Erin Skipper for School Board, District 1 on Aug 23. | ||
Hello, my name is Ray Forbess, and I am running for Clay County Judge. Judge Collins is set to retire at the end of the year after three decades of public service to Clay County. Judge Collins can never be replaced, and the next elected Judge certainly has large shoes to fill. I am a resident of Green Cove Springs where I live with my wife, Sarah, and our six year old son Beau. I grew up spending time with my family at Camp Blanding and Kingsley Lake while my father was a Company Commander of the 20th Special Forces Group. I have many fond memories of spending my summers at Strickland’s Landing. I am actively involved in the community with several nonprofits: youth mentor as a baseball coach, and a Special Olympics golf coach. I graduated from the University of North Florida with an Accounting degree and earned my Juris Doctorate from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2008 where I received a Pro Bono Service Award. I continue to provide well over 150 hours of Pro Bono work every ye...