Mark Meta

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Mark Meta

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 3, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

University of Central Florida, 2017

Graduate

University of Central Florida, 2019

Personal

Birthplace

Winter Park, Fla.

Religion

Christian

Profession

Professor

Contact

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Personal LinkedIn

Mark Meta ran for election to the Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District to represent District 5 in Florida. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Meta completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Mark Meta was born in Winter Park, Florida. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Central Florida in 2017 and 2019, respectively. Meta’s career experience includes working as a professor at Seminole State College.

Elections

2020

See also: Municipal elections in Orange County, Florida (2020)

General election

General election for Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District District 5

Alaina Shaleen Slife defeated Mark Meta and Jimm Middleton in the general election for Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District District 5 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Alaina Shaleen Slife (Nonpartisan)	43.3	217,618
		Mark Meta (Nonpartisan)	33.2	166,975
		Jimm Middleton (Nonpartisan)	23.5	117,965

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 502,558
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Mark Meta completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Meta's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Mark Meta, and I am a 2020 candidate for Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District 5. I am a GED Professor at Seminole State College, and education is my strong suit. I believe in complete governmental accountability and transparency. I am an avid supporter of Florida's conservation lands and local soil and water management practices. Florida is known for its natural beauty, and as our state continues to boom in infrastructure due to our population growth, we must protect and conserve our natural resources.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Accounability
• Transparency
• Education

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Conservation, education, infrastructure improvements, affordable housing, and community activism.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

This office is unique due to its low social and political capital. The position is completely unknown to voters, making it prime to excel with the right members. Conservation is a policy and movement that both political parties can support, making it a great in between the divides.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to JFK, my mother, and one of my graduate school professors.

These three inspire me greatly, both in my ambition and in their ideals.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Charlie Wilson's War

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Transparency, accountability, and work ethic.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am completely transparent, and an extremely hard worker. I worked my way through college, all while being political active in the community. I believe in doing whats right even if it is political suicide, public officials have a duty to their stakeholders, no matter what.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities of someone elected to this office is to increase the boards compliance with Florida Sunshine Law. Not just that, but to make it a useful board for the county stakeholders. Create a great community based government entity with the purpose of protecting and educating others about our natural resources that we hold so dear.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a successful board, with an increased budget, and in agreement with state statutes.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

My first historical event that happened in my lifetime was in 4th grade. I recently had gotten straight A's, and my teacher gave me this golden pencil.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was at Taco Bell, I held the position for 6 months. It taught me humility and respect for all.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Odyssey. I am a huge Greek Mythology fan, and the stories of triumph over adversity is something we can all relate to.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

"Doc" from Back to the Future.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Memories by Weezer.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have always struggled with speaking my mind. I would bite my tongue in the face of corruption, nepotism, and inept leaders. Not anymore.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

This office can create and college sample data regarding natural resources. The county must pay if motioned by the Soil and Water Board.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

While I believe that anyone can hold public office if the people vote for them, I believe that public sector experience is extremely important to be successful in this sector. The public sector is tricky since it uses funding from various stakeholders and those dollars are scrutinized heavily. Each public official must hold at least a little public budgeting experience in both education or previous employment.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

This office needs three skills or expertise to make this board useful. Those are proper budgeting and fundraising experience, experience educating others since it is an education board, and networking experience to create those relationships that'll help the board be successful.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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