julianforPG.com
ABOUT GREG JULIAN
Leading the Way
QUALIFICATIONS
Colonel (Ret) Greg Julian brings extensive leadership experience from managing teams, making strategic decisions, and overseeing complex operations, which translates seamlessly into guiding city council initiatives and collaborating with diverse stakeholders. His adeptness in analyzing situations, problem-solving under pressure, and implementing practical solutions is instrumental in addressing local issues and improving services efficiently. Additionally, Colonel Julian's proficiency in long-term planning, resource allocation, and goal setting is crucial for prioritizing city objectives, developing budgets, and aligning policies with strategic goals.
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Effective communication is central to Colonel Julian's military background, enabling him to articulate ideas clearly, convey information effectively, and engage diverse audiences. This skill is vital for representing constituents, advocating community needs, and promoting transparency in local governance. Furthermore, his commitment to high ethical standards and public trust, along with adaptability to changing environments and resilience in adversity, positions him well to understand policy implications and implement initiatives beneficial to the community. Colonel Julian's sense of duty and service, ingrained from military experience, drives his commitment to effective public service, prioritizing the well-being and interests of city residents in local governance.
Meet Our Family
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Greg and Jeri LeMay married December 31st, 1999 on the Millenium New Year! They have six children, Cynthia, Brittany, Sonja, Ashley, Natalie, and Mighty Joe. Three sons-in-law; Marcus, Joel and Enrico and three grandchildren; Jacob, Charlotte (Charlie) and Nico.
After Greg retired from the Army, they hunted up and down the SWF coast to find a suitable retirement town to settle down in. Twice a year over a four-year period they would visit different towns along the gulf. They found Punta Gorda and knew instantly this was the place. They spent two years finding just the right place and January 2020 they found and purchased their forever home in PGI.
Greg and Jeri love to travel in Europe and occasional boating in the local area. They also enjoy woodworking and remodeling their home. Their favorite thing to do though is spend time with their kids and grandkids.
BACKGROUND
Committed to Serving You
COL (Ret) Gregory S. Julian, US Army
Greg Julian was born on 1 August 1959 in Flandreau, South Dakota. He attended South Dakota State University and graduated in December 1984 as a Second Lieutenant of Armor.
From 1985 to 1989 he served in a variety of positions including Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Battalion Motor Officer and Assistant Battalion Supply Officer in 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Following the Armor Officer Advanced Course, he was reassigned to 1st Battalion 35th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Division, in the Federal Republic of Germany. He assumed Tank Company Command and led C Company in the Battle of Medina Ridge during Operation Desert Storm.
After attending Command and General Staff College in 1992, he was assigned as an ROTC instructor at the University of South Dakota until 1995 when he attended the Public Affairs Officer’s Course. He served as PAO at the NATO headquarters in Izmir, Turkey in 1996 and 1997. In 1998 he served as the 7th Infantry Division Public Affairs Officer at Fort Carson, Colorado until Sept 2000 when he was assigned as Squadron Plans and Operations Officer in the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, and participated in Stabilization Force 7 in Bosnia.
From 2001-2002 he served as a Training Simulations Officer in Forces Command at Fort McPherson, Atlanta. He then transferred to Third U.S. Army and served as Deputy Public Affairs Officer in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2002 until 2005. Colonel Julian graduated from the US Army War College in 2006 and then served as Public Affairs officer on the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs staff and established defense-wide senior public affairs officer professional development courses. He deployed in August 2008 to be spokesman for US Forces in Afghanistan and from August 2009 until July 2012, he then served as the Chief of Public Affairs at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe for allied operations in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Libya, counter-piracy off the Horn of Africa, and air policing in the Baltic’s. On July 25, 2012, he began his assignment as the Chief of Public Affairs, United States Southern Command and retired after 30 years of service on January 31, 2015.
Greg assumed his next role as Press Secretary with the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement in the Department of the Interior on 4 May 2015, then moved over to the National Security Agency to be the Media Relations Chief from July 2018 until July 2021.
Greg and Jeri moved to Punta Gorda full time in July of 2021 to enjoy their retirement.
Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce Candidate questions
What is your vision for economic development in the City of Punta Gorda?
I will continue studying the City’s new Comprehensive Plan and Long-Range Financial Plan, and continue meeting with the City Manager and all Directorates to discuss the details of these plans to ensure I have a thorough understanding of their priorities and challenges, with a focus on improving our water service infrastructure and other health and safety related issues to ensure a strong foundation for economic development in Punta Gorda. I’ve already met with the City Manager, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Planning Director and Director of Public Works, and will be doing follow-ups for further clarification as well as meeting with the Finance Director and Utilities Director. I will continue engaging with residents throughout our community to listen to their concerns and ideas about the future of our city so that I can accurately represent their interests in council decisions. I will engage with residents through town hall meetings and various communication platforms that enable transparency and open dialogue about matters that will be presented to council for decisions. I will also continue meeting with small business leaders and economic advisors throughout our community to learn their concerns and ideas about the conditions that contribute to their success and viability as the economic engine of our community. I will advance the idea of a Small Business Advisory Board. I will also focus on the needs of our first responders to ensure that they are prepared for future expansion that comes with economic development. I will endeavor to identify conditions that attract more commercial development and bring more input to our tax base. One of the concerns that has been expressed to me repeatedly is the lack of youth programs that attract younger families to our community. I will work with advisors and community leaders on ideas to improve our attractiveness to this demographic.
What is the City of Punta Gorda’s greatest need and how do you plan to address it?
Both the Director of Public Works and Utilities Director have cited failing “end-of-life” infrastructure as significant matters, yet most of the current council have somehow decided that a massive and inconsistent addition to the city hall is an immediate priority. Our entire water supply system needs extensive replacement and repairs because much of it is at the end of its useful life. In my study of the City Wide Master Plan, which informs the City’s New Comprehensive Plan and Long-Term Financial Plan, I could find little reference to the city’s infrastructure nor the need for a $16-20 million dollar City Taj Mahal. Instead, monies have been taken from other identified needs, such as ADA improvements in the city, to help fund this monstrosity without the consent of the residents and taxpayers.
“Due to our failing infrastructure; aging streets, lighting…our workload has become overwhelming and unmanageable.” – Punta Gorda Right of Way Supervisor.
We need to expand the Reverse Osmosis system from 4 million gallons per day to 8 million gallons per day to meet the needs of the upswing of population and new residential development. The surface water system is at high risk because of the many potential sources of contamination present in the assessment area. Two new water tanks are needed for the Shell Creek Surface Water Plant. We need to replace pumps that are at end-of-life. We need a new generator for pumping wastewater and we need to replace the wastewater collection system.
We should prioritize maintenance and operation of the approximately 237 miles of failing water main piping, serving an area of over 38 square miles. In addition, the Utilities Division maintains 2,100 main valves, 2,003 fire hydrants, and 12,000 water meters. “We are making progress on the water meters, but not enough, more meters are breaking than we are fixing.”- City Manager.
I would redirect our tax money to redress these important infrastructure issues rather than spend them on a massively expensive and incompatible addition to the poorly maintained City Hall.
Why are you the right choice for City Council?
I bring a fresh perspective that is influenced by my military experience and education, and more importantly, by many other members of our community that are also dissatisfied with decisions by most of this current council. My education includes a Master of Strategic Planning from the Army War College which has taught me to analyze complex issues and rationalize expedient and effective courses of action for efficient and effective resolutions. My ability to engage a broader reflection of the entire community in decisions that affect all of us will result in better long-term solutions that will make our community better.
My proficiency in long-term planning, resource allocation, and goal setting is crucial for prioritizing city objectives, developing budgets, and aligning policies with strategic goals.
Effective communication is central to my military background, enabling me to articulate ideas clearly, convey information effectively, and engage diverse audiences. This skill is vital for representing constituents, advocating community needs, and promoting transparency in local governance. Furthermore, my commitment to high ethical standards and public trust, along with adaptability to changing environments and resilience in adversity, positions me well to understand policy implications and implement initiatives beneficial to the community.
My sense of duty and service, ingrained from military experience, drives my commitment to effective public service, prioritizing the well-being and interests of city residents in local governance.
I will focus on:
Fiscal Responsibility – Punta Gorda urgently needs failing infrastructure repaired or replaced. Instead of spending at least $16 million on renovating the City Hall and other misled budget priorities with constant cost overruns. We should be addressing flooding problems and other infrastructure needs, especially our water supply.
Safety improvements – there are numerous traffic safety hazards along pedestrian pathways around Punta Gorda that are much more urgent than a Taj Mahal or an over-budget splash pad.
Responsible economic development – maintaining the small-town character that attracted most of us to Punta Gorda is the core of the Council’s mission and vision. Most of the current council have strayed off track with the new Comprehensive Plan, with greatly increased density allowances and reduced parking requirements.
Serving the Community – Listening to the voices of the residents of Punta Gorda is essential to guiding the Council in making decisions for the community. Residents feel that most of the current council do not care about what they think.
It’s time to get the train back on the track.
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My opponent's responses:
What is your vision for economic development in the City of Punta Gorda?
We need economic development within the city of Punta Gorda. 89% of the
taxes are paid by the residents. The LDR's have been changed the only thing that needs to change now is the interest rates and I believe we will start to see some development within the city. City center the lots along Olympia Ave. All of them are prime properties for development. I am waiting for the first proposal so that I can see if it fits into what is beautiful downtown Punta Gorda
What is the City of Punta Gorda greatest need and how do you plan on to
address it?
A number of streets are prone to flooding and that needs to be fixed even if it takes installing pumps to push the water out into the harbor. The next
item is parking as we continue to grow as a destination city we need to have adequate parking for our citizens and our guests.
Why are you the right choice for City Council?
I have lived here for 32 years attended most City Council meeting over the
last 30 years. I served on the charter review Commission and I know what is needed so that the city can grow responsibly into the future. I have served on City Council for the last two years and I'm ready to serve again. I
physically go to agenda items so I am well aware of want the situation looks like and can vote accordingly