Eric Pardee, a 1988 graduate of the Northeast Florida Builders Association Apprentice program, won his bid for the Neptune Beach City Council seat with a budget remarkable for its size. Estimating he spent only about $3,000, Pardee is a model for campaigning on a shoestring.
The mechanical supervisor for the City of Jacksonville, Pardee came close to winning the election for the Seat 2 council seat early in November, but was forced into a Nov. 23 runoff when he came up short of the 50-percent-plus-one margin needed for a win.
Cutting corners on spending demonstrated Pardee’s creativity. Rather than springing for large campaign parties, Pardee relied on neighbors to host two events. His newspaper advertisements were designed by a friend, and his campaign volunteers designed brochures, which they had printed in black and white to save money.
Pardee took his campaign to the streets, walking the community’s sidewalks until he had knocked on all the doors in Neptune Beach - a strategy that won votes and trimmed seven pounds from his waistline.
In addition to graduating from the NEFBA apprentice program, Pardee was an instructor in heating and air-conditioning from 1997 to 2000. He also taught continuing education classes for the association.
“Even as a student Eric demonstrated some of the traits that helped him win the election,” said Laura Laseman, NEFBA training director. “Maybe he represents a new breed of politician - one who is smart, hard working and thrifty.”
Pardee was the first city employee to win the Red Tape Cutter Award.
“Eric found a faster and more efficient way of providing service to citizens who come into the office to apply for a permit,” said then-mayor John Delaney. “Eric is part of the solution.”
The award was created by Delaney to recognize employees who cut bureaucracy for citizens or save taxpayers’ money.