Mitchell Harding- Application Packet Received
Mitchell R Harding
635 Jasmine Street
Atlantic Beach FL 32233 NOV 2 5 2015
904352-6064
mitch . harding62 @gmail . com
Office of City Clerk
November 24, 2015
City of Atlantic Beach Mayor/Commissioners
Re : City Commissioner Seat 5 vacancy
Dear City of Atlantic Beach Mayor/Commissioners :
I am writing to formally request consideration to fulfill the remaining term of the recently vacated seat 5,
District 1312 . As a resident and business owner of district 1312, I understand the importance of having
appropriate representation within the city Government. I also understand the importance of having
someone who is invested in our community. I chose to open my business in this district because I believe
in my city and neighborhood in which I and my neighbors live. I also believe that economic development is
equally important in Atlantic Beach . I grew up at the Beaches and attended Fletcher High School before
joining the Air Force in 1980. I have seen our beach community grow and believe I can best serve the
needs of our beach community since I have been invested in the beaches all my life .
Two years ago I chose to get involved and run for commissioner in my district and improve the
representation for our neighborhoods. I walked door to door for three months and found that a lot of
residents felt that they had lost their voice in government. I gained many supporters and this was evident
in the final results of the election by gaining 48 .45% of the vote and winning two of the four voting
districts, including district 1312 . I have continued to stay involved even while experiencing a very tough
life event and starting up three business ventures. I have the Integrity, Experience and Motivation to be
an asset to the City of Atlantic Beach and a voice for the citizens . I live here along with my wife and
daughter and we truly love Atlantic Beach and our neighborhood . I have been asked time and time again
by the citizens of Atlantic Beach that supported me in the last election to step up and run for
Commissioner again and have decided to answer their requests and apply for this vacancy.
I have read Article 2 Section 6 of the Atlantic Beach Charter and I fully meet the requirements of this
position .
I have enclosed my qualifications for your review. I look forward to further discussing this opportunity
with the Atlantic Beach Commission .
If you have any questions please call me at 904352-6064.
Sincerely,
7\ fir . ..0e"'
635 Jasmine Street, Atlantic Beach, FL. 32233 •(904)352-6064•mitchharding62 @gmail.com
Mitchell R . Harding
Qualification summary for Atlantic Beach Commissioner, Seat 5 :
Appointing me to serve as the Seat 5 Commissioner validates the choice voters made in District
1312 in August 2013 . Making the effort to run a campaign and canvassing every street in District
1312, seeking Seat 5 in 2013 educated me on the depth and variety of needs in my area. Meeting
and greeting citizens across the City offered me a chance to learn how diverse and complex issues
can be in this small town. Having won the Seat 5 by a wide district vote count means T will bring
the voice of the people in my district to the dais.
Public service for more than 30 years in the Air Force and out-of-state plus federal law enforcement
has taught me the importance of listening first to the facts, understanding the core problem, and
working with many people to solve complex issues without emotion or political bias coloring the
outcome. Each Commission member brings unique skills to the table, and by working within a team
framework we can best represent the needs of the entire beaches community.
Even though commission members spend a fair amount of time "on-stage" it is clear far more goes
on in this city than meets the public eye. The focus on parks, redevelopment, financials, utilities,
long-term goals for business and residential matters require many hours of research, study and
commitment beyond the hours spent on the dais.
Our town of nearly 13,000 people has a bright future that will continue to be shaped by caring
residents who give their time to get involved with City government. By serving on the City
Commission I plan on being a conduit for citizen input and to gather, analyze and craft appropriate
options for action. I view citizen involvement in our municipal government as an important avenue
for extending the reach of the democratic process. What a great opportunity to build on Atlantic
Beach' s legacy as a wonderful place to live and to preserve for future generations.
Returning with my family after growing up here allows me a unique opportunity to serve and be
committed to Atlantic Beach ' s continued prosperity and hometown values. I appreciate this special
opportunity to apply for this appointment to the City Commission.
Relevant Experience:
• Active in the business community as a small business owner in the City of Atlantic
Beach and both live and operate my businesses in the district I would represent.
• Wining two districts in 2013 indicate my ability to listen and be the voter' s choice
in Atlantic Beach. The margin citywide for the 2013 race was only 88 votes.
• Teamwork comes second nature to me having been a member of a high
performance Air Force Squadron unit. I am used to working out complex issues as
a member of law enforcement management and dealing with people in difficult
situations and when rapid decision making is critical.
• Proficiency in dealing with emergency response and crisis management (during
Hurricane Katrina) plus incident management and police investigations.
• Have strong ties in the beaches community. Grew up at the beaches and graduated
from Fletcher, attended church and school at the beaches and can best represent the
needs of the beaches community.
• Have been actively involved in city government attending Commission Meetings
and events to keep myself aware of the issues involving my City ' s government.
635 Jasmine Street,Atlantic Beach,FL.32233•(904)352-6064•mitchharding62 @gmail.com
Mitchell R. Harding
Summary
Skilled professional with more than 30 years management and Public Service experience interested
in representing his community and neighborhood as City Commissioner Seat 5.Works well as part
of a team. Have the experience and drive to get the job done.
Experience
02/2013—Present Business Owner-MRH Security Services Atlantic Beach FL
• Represent the Business Community as a small business owner in the City of Atlantic
Beach and both live and operate my businesses in the district I am requesting to
represent.I am connected to both the businesses and Home Owners in the district.
• Have been actively involved in city government attending City Commission Meetings and
events to enable me to keep myself aware of the issues involving my city and government.
• Have strong ties in the beaches community.Grew up at the beaches,attended church and
school at the beaches and can best represent the needs of the beaches community.
• Support Athletic Programs as a sponsor for Softball and Baseball Recreational leagues.
05/2013-08/2013 Campaign for Commissioner Seat 5 Atlantic Beach FL
• Qualified for and campaigned to represent my community as a candidate for City
Commissioner Seat 5.
• Canvassed the city of Atlantic Beach door to door and met with the citizens of my district
and other districts to identify concerns and issues with our city and government.
• Was successful in securing the confidence of two voting districts evidenced by winning
those 2 districts in the 2013 election and only being defeated by 88 votes city wide.
• Participated in numerous Political forums and was endorsed by the local Beaches Chamber
of Commerce during the election.
04/1990-01/2014 Police Supervisor/Manager Jacksonville FL
Gulfport MS
• Employed as a Police Mid Level Supervisor/Manager exercising general supervisory
control over all assigned Police personnel.
• Ensured teamwork of assigned personnel to achieve efficiency and expedite task
completion.
• Recognized by my Superior as exceptional performer in all assigned tasks.
• Assigned to Regional Critical Incident Task Force during and after Hurricane Katrina due
to my displayed Professionalism and decision making abilities.
• Developed procedures for the emergency response and crisis management,physical
security,information protection,incident management and investigation units
• Selected to lead the Field Training Officer program
(904)352-6064*bicpd3527@gmail.com
Mitchell R. Harding
08/1980-09/2008 United States Air Force-First Sgt Biloxi MS
Promoted and assigned to Top Enlisted position within the Squadron due to demonstrated excellence and
professional decision making abilities.
Managed more than 140 assigned enlisted personnel.Ensured morale and training proficiency as well as
personal,financial and emotional well being of assigned personnel and their families.
Acted as the Commanding Officer's advisor concerning administrative and disciplinary actions involving
enlisted members of the organization.
Education
2008 Community College Of the Air Force Biloxi,MS
59 Semester Hours awarded towards Associate in Science degree
Munitions Technology,Instructor Methodology and Management
1996 MS Gulf Coast Community College Biloxi,MS
12 Semester Hours awarded towards Associate in Science degree
Criminal Justice
1990 Fletcher High School Neptune Beach, FL
High School Diploma
Job Related Training
Communicating with Older Persons, 8 Hours, 1992.
Tactical Communications Course, 16 Hours, 1993.
Air Force Reserve Quality Awareness Training, 8 Hours, 1997.
Critical Incident Training, 12 Hours,2000.
Traffic Occupant Protection Strategies, 8 Hours,2000.
In Service Training-Cultural Diversity,
Bomb Detection and Investigations Course, 24 Hours,2004.
Introduction to the Incident Command System, IS-100 for Law Enforcement, 8 Hours, 2006.
Incident Command System for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents, IS-200 8 Hours,2006.
National Incident Management System(NIMS), IS-700, 2006.
Air Force Weapons Safety Managers Course, San Antonio Tx,240 hours,2006.
1PTM Hostage/Crisis Intervention,Jax FL 40 hrs, 2006.
IPTM/FTO Manager Course,Jax FL 40 hrs 2006.
Air Force First Sergeant Academy,Montgomery AL, 120 hours, 2007.
References
References available upon request
2013 Atlantic Beach Prim
8/27/2013
Registered Voters:9,217
Ballots Cast:2,937
Voter Turnout:31.87%
Results last updated:9/11/2013 2:31:23 P1
Document Name Document D
AtlBeachResultsByPrecinct.xls Results By Pt
Vote Type: All • Precinct: All •
®Vote type summary ID Pre
MMISSIONER SE;
Vote for 1
Percent
Mitchell E. "Mitch" 44.60%
Reeves. Jr.
Carolyn Woods 55.40%
COMMISSIONER SEAT FOUL
Vote for 1
Percent
Tim J. Anderson 49.11%
Jimmy Hill 50.89%
Vote for 1
Percent
Jonathan Daugherty I 1 1 51.55%
Mitch Harding I I 148.45%
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