By Jeff Burlew • SENIOR GOVERNMENT EDITOR
Tallahassee Democrat

Nancy Miller, a well-known community activist and member of the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Commission, announced Thursday she is running for Seat 3 on the Tallahassee City Commission.

“I’m ready to go to the next level of community service,” Miller said during a campaign kickoff at City Hall, where she was surrounded by supporters. “When you see that you have the ability to help — I just have the need to step up.”

Miller, 61, is running for the seat currently held by Commissioner Debbie Lightsey, who recently announced she is not running for a sixth term.

In August, Miller was named one of seven finalists for appointment to the City Commission seat left vacant by the resignation of Commissioner Allan Katz. Commissioners voted to appoint Gil Ziffer to the post.

Miller, an urban-planning consultant and former small-business owner, said her highest priority will be doing all she can to help small businesses thrive. She said she’ll focus on issues ranging from shrinking revenues and unemployment to energy resources and water quality.

“Our water is gold to us,” she said. “That’s a huge asset that others in the state don’t have.”

Miller was a founding member of the citizens group that wrote the Blueprint 2000 and Beyond report, which led to passage of the 1-percent sales tax and creation of Blueprint 2000. Proceeds from the tax go toward widening of Capital Circle, construction of Cascade Park downtown and other projects. She serves on the Blueprint 2000 citizens advisory committee and is project manager for the city’s TAPP (Think About Personal Pollution) campaign.

Leon County Commissioner Akin Akinyemi, who attended her campaign kick-off, said Miller would be a good environmental steward and an excellent commissioner.

“She cares about everyone — not just a select few,” he said.

Miller, who is married to John Buss, has two children and two step-children.

Stephen Hogge, president of the Council of Neighborhood Associations, also has filed to run for the seat.

Nancy Miller, a member of the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Commission, is expected to formally kick off her campaign today for the Tallahassee City Commission.

Miller, who filed to run last week for the seat currently held by Commissioner Debbie Lightsey, is making the announcement at 10 a.m. at City Hall.

Lightsey has announced she’s not running for re-election. Stephen Hogge, president of the Council of Neighborhood Associations, is also running for the seat.