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Voters Share Views On Elections

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By B.C. MANION | The Tampa Tribune,

Published: November 4, 2008

TOWN 'N COUNTRY – Whether they were for Barack Obama or John McCain, voters in Northwest Hillsborough in Election 2008 had strong opinions about why their man is the best one to lead the country.

Voters exiting polling places at Rocky Creek Village, the Town 'N Country Recreation Center, the Lutz Community Center and Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church gave different reasons for their vote.

At Rocky Creek, about three dozen voters were lined up waiting to vote during lunch hour, while it was mostly no lines and no waiting at the other three polling places in the mid-afternoon.

Parking was tight for the two precincts at the Town 'N Country Recreation Centers, as crews worked to set up a community carnival on the grounds of Webb Middle School.

The Voters' Views

Susan Jonas, 61, marketing director for Rocky Creek Village, voted before she came to work Tuesday. She chose Obama.

"I'm not happy with the eight last years and I can't afford more," Jonas said.

"I think McCain is out of touch."

"I want to retire. I can't afford to retire.

"I have to choose between meds and food. That's not right," Jonas said.

Rocky Creek Village Voters

Sixty-two-year-old Luisa Velez didn't want to say who she voted for, but she did acknowledge that it was the first time she has voted, and she said she had a special person in mind when she came to the polls. "I think he's just the right person," she said.

Diana Coleman, 56, a volunteer at Rocky Creek said she waited an hour to vote.

"I voted for Obama. McCain is going to be like another Bush, four more years and we need a big change."

She didn't want eight years more with a Republican as president.

"If McCain wins, oh my goodness, I'm going to need to fly to the moon."

Town 'N Country Recreation Center Voters

Dan Mondelli, 50, said he voted for John McCain.

"He's a Christian. He believes in positive moral values. I agree with his stance on so many things. The key to me with Obama, the one that got me most was "The answer is above my pay grade." Now, what does that say to you, honestly?"

He was surprised by how quickly he moved through the poll.

"I figured I was going to be waiting an hour or two," he said. Instead, it took about 10 minutes.

Sara Trigo, 48

"I would have originally voted for Hillary, but I think we do need some changes."

Wilfredo Aponte, 70

"I voted for Obama. I believe we need a change in the administration," he said.

"I think it's something any citizen must do."

He's been voting since he was 21 years old.

Miguel Ubiera, 19:

"I voted today because this is history today, really.

"I might not be able to make a vote this important ever again in my life.

"This is the first time, I guess, an African-American man has tried to run. It's the first time he ever got a chance.

"I can't leave it up to the country to make my own decision."

"I support Obama because in my opinion, he sees more of what we need. He talks to the average person, not just the rich or the scholars, as McCain.

"He's real simple with what he wants to do. To me, he's just looking out for the average Joe."

LUTZ COMMUNITY CENTER VOTERS

Joan Fletcher, 74: "I voted for McCain, naturally, because I think he's the best one for the country. He's honest. He's fair. He hasn't been two-faced in anything. He's just great.

"He hasn't run a negative ad."

Winona Jenkins, 86

"I voted for a true American, John McCain."

"I think American needs to remember we are Americans. He can remind us."

Mike Bargstadt, 46

"I voted for John McCain. I just feel more comfortable with him leading the country."

Mason Dixon, Lutz

Mason Dixon didn't want to reveal who he voted for, but did have some opinions about this year's method of voting.

"We went from punching holes in things and then we got this beautiful electronic piece of equipment where we're touching screens and everything went just fine and now we're drawing circles on pieces of paper again. I don't understand. Why did we go back to the Dark Ages again. It's an electronic age, there's so many things we can do with the electronics. I don't understand why we can't go there."

"I know it's our right to vote. Why can't we get it right?"

LAKE MAGDALENE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH VOTERS

Ellen Yost, 64, of Carrollwood, vote for John McCain.

"I just think he's the better of the two candidates.

"It will go down in history as one of the most interesting, I think. It's just very unusual, a woman and an African-American in the same election, that's just a real outstanding, outstanding thing."

Kelly Hallman, 46, of Lake Magdalene Manors: "Everybody had this big idea that it was going to be jam-packed all day.

"I voted for John McCain, and for (Hillsborough County Commissioners) Brian Blair and Ken Hagan.

"Those are my candidates. The two county commissioners are very big on public safety, which you can see, I'm a firefighter. They've been proponents of growth within the fire department.

"McCain – I'm a father and a tax-paying citizen and I want to make sure my children have a future. Between the two candidates, I only see McCain providing that future for my children."

Valerie Marchesini, 68, of Lake Magdelene, voted for McCain. "I would vote for Obama if he were conservative, but I don't like his ideas at all. I am not into giving my wealth to anybody."

She likes Palin, however.

"I liked her as soon as he picked her. Some people don't like her, I like her. I like her way better than Biden."

Reporter B.C. Manion can be reached at (813) 865-1507.

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