Konk Life’s Political Questionnaire:

Konk Life has invited every candidate in the upcoming elections to answer the following questions about themselves and their candidacy. 

Ron Martin Q&A

Interview conducted by Mark Howell

Tell us your age, what office you’re running for and any other offices held.

I am 66 and I am running for reelection on the School Board District 5 seat, which I currently represent.

 

Explain your platform plus why you are running. I wish to continue to work for what is best for students, teachers and all stakeholders. This district has come a long way in the last four years. The bus is out of the ditch and heading in the right direction. I plan to continue to work on teacher morale and make Monroe County the No. 1 district in the state.

 

Detail how you differ from your competing candidates.

Simply by my experience at all levels of education and my vested interest in Monroe County schools as an employee for 37 years.

 

Tell us your personal history — education; professional career; family life and how long you’ve lived in the Keys or the county and your relationship to the Florida Keys and/or Key West.

I have 37 years with the Monroe County School District, all at Coral Shores as teacher, AP and principal. I am married, one son and four grandchildren. I have a BS degree in distributive education and a Masters in Educational Leadership. I am a Veteran who served in Vietnam (1968 to ’69) with the 4th Infantry Division. My wife is a retired speech therapist from the district.

 

Touch on your personal passions in addition to the above.

Sailing and spending time with my grandkids.

 

Describe where, in your view, we might be going wrong in the Keys and/or Key West:

We can always strive to improve.

 

Tell us the political flash points you expect to encounter if elected:

Teacher performance pay. Pros and cons of standardized testing; we are testing too much.

 

Tell us anything you feel you need to explain or any misapprehension you believe voters may have of you.

I have a big smile under this beard.

 

Give us your view on the partisan divisiveness in politics today and any solution to it you might have.

Stop watching cable news shows.

 

Given that gender equality, income parity, voting rights and sexual preferences continue as big political issues nationwide today, tell us on which side of the aisle you stand.

Everyone has a right to be an individual.

 

How about immigration; gun control; capital punishment.

Immigration is a mess, I believe in more gun control, I do not believe in capital punishment.

 

Name your favorite movie

“ Capt. Ron.”

 

Your favorite TV show

“ Big bang Theory.”

 

Your favorite TV talking head

I stay away from them.

 

Your favorite character in American history

My father

 

Your favorite person in Florida Keys and/or Key West history

Too many to list.

 

Is there any secret strength you’d like to reveal about yourself at this point?

No secrets, just a guy who cares about people.

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