Candidate Profile: Palmetto City Commission Ward 3: Eric Gilbert

Candidate: Eric F Gilbert

Office: Ward 3 City of Palmetto Commissioner

Party: Non-partisan Race

Eric Gilbert is currently Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Board for the City of Palmetto. He is one of three candidates running for the Ward 3 seat on the Palmetto City Council, currently held by Brian Williams, who will seek re-election to the non-partisan board on November 4.

The race, which also includes John Geeslin, will be the only one decided on the November ballot. Tambra Varnadore is unopposed in Ward 2. Ward 1 Councilman Charles Smith will ascend to the County Commission after winning that seat in August, and his brother, Harold Smith, who was the only one to file, will replace him.

Gilbert has years of experience in Business management and the Planning and Zoning Board, and claims he is ready to hear the needs of residents and represent them on the city commission.

He says, "Palmetto should be a place where everyone can enjoy the city's culture, heritage and natural beauty. "There isn't a better place than our wonderful Palmetto to raise a family and build a business."

Gilbert asserts that it is his passion to help people achieve more, both out of business and life. For this reason, he works as a trainer/coach and serves his community through his church, the Kiwanis Club and local government.

He has been self-employed, worked in small businesses, franchises and has worked with large corporations in marketing and business management for over 20 years. He describes his ideological views as conservative.

"As citizens, we can achieve a beautiful and business-healthy downtown," says Gilbert. "We must work together for the benefit of our city."

"As Chairman of Palmetto’s Planning and Zoning Board, we modernized ordinances to boost Palmetto’s economy," Gilbert claims. "We have also updated ordinances for health and safety to better protect the people of our community."

Gilbert feels that the experience he's gained is precisely what makes him ready for the seat.

"I bring more leadership experience than any other candidate for City Commission and have more experience at job creation than any other candidate."

Gilbert says his greatest joys come from being a father and a husband. He is married to Tina Gilbert and lives with the youngest two of their five children.

If he was to boil himself down to one motto? "Focus on helping others find success, and in the process you will find your own."