Robert Mounts is ready to tackle affordable housing, cultural changes in city governance, and ensuring fiscal responsibility. That’s why he’s running for City Commissioner in District 4 in Gainesville, Florida.

Native Gainesvillian, Robert Mounts spent 25 years on active duty as Judge Advocate General lawyer in the U.S. Airforce and 18 years as Special Assistant to the Deputy Commander, U.S. Forces Korea for International Relations and United States Secretary to the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) Joint Committee in South Korea.

Once retired he returned to Gainesville, ready to become an “active citizen” and work to make his home a better place.

On the issues, Mounts has expressed majors concerns with GNV R.I.S.E., the controversial affordable housing plan that would incentive developers to build affordable units. As former chair of the College Park/University Heights CRA Board, he led the neighborhood opposition of the bill. Additionally, Mounts spoke out against the biomass plant acquisition and GRU transfer.

Mounts believes in putting citizens first by encouraging public comments before meetings and maintaining transparency throughout the decision-making process. He promises to take one-on-one commissioner meetings with Charter officials, believing that Gainesville residents should come before developers.