Gainesville mayoral candidate David Arreola addresses high GRU rates, affordable housing in one-on-one interview

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) -Nine candidates are on the ballot for Gainesville Mayor, including current District 3 Commissioner David Arreola. He is serving in his second term in the role.

Arreola said his campaign focuses on renewable energy, affordable housing and addressing the high Gainesville Regional Utility bills people are currently dealing with.

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“On the short term we’re going to reduce what the city commission is spending of GRU’s money, for two years now, we have reduced that spending by $2 million. I am pledging for my first term as mayor for four years I will continue that reduction that will result in $42 million saved for six years in perpetuity for that spending.”

Arreola faces eight other candidates. You can learn more about him via his campaign website linked here.

Ed Bielawski, Ansaun Fisher, Gary Gordon, Gabriel Hillel, Adam Rosenthal, Donald Shepherd, July Thomas and Harvey Ward. Gainesville residents pick their next mayor August 23.

GNV MAYORAL COVERAGE:

Gainesville mayoral candidate Ed Bielarski talks about ‘GRU piggybank’ in one-on-one interview

Gainesville mayoral candidate Gary Gordon says community activism is key in one-on-one interview

Gainesville mayoral candidate July Thomas calls for culture shift within city hall in one-on-one interview

Gainesville mayoral candidate Harvey Ward says action over words reflects his campaign in one-on-one interview

***Disclaimer*** As Gainesville’s mayoral race is a congested one, the TV20 news management team decided on 3 criteria as objective markers to determine which candidates would be invited for a live interview. The criteria are based on an active social media page, an active website, and at least $500 in reported monetary contributions over at least two reporting periods. Candidates who did not qualify were invited to submit one campaign photo and a brief bio for a cumulative online article featuring every candidate qualified for the race according to the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office.

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