Sailfish City - Stuart Florida Community Site

The Martin County

  Defender

– No. 60

The primary election Circus

SORTING OUT THE GOOD, BAD AND INDIFFERENT COMMISSION CANDIDATES

There are 15 candidates for the three open Martin County Commission positions - eight Republicans, four Democrats, and three Other. Ten are involved in primaries to be held Aug. 11-23, 2008; two have no competition. They include a mélange of people devoted to public service, people devoted to financial interests, people intent on gaming the system, and people giving themselves an ego boost.

The primaries are limited to Republicans and Democrats competing within the same party in each of the districts. If you are a Republican, you are limited to voting for a Republican. Similarly for Democrats. Residents vote for all districts.
 

Write-ins move to the general election ballot with the winners of the primaries, together with No Party Affiliate candidates (Independents).  For those who did not submit candidacy petitions signed by voters, the qualifying fee for those running under a party was $3,414.60. For those who qualified as a No Party Affiliate, the fee was $2,276.40.
 

The primary is so important because it may determine who will be elected. And that will seriously affect our quality of life.
 

YOUR EDITOR’S PERSONAL DISCLOSURE:  I don’t believe in endorsing candidates. I’m not the Political Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. However, I have followed the candidates intently as much as possible, and I want to share with readers - especially those who have asked about my candidate preferences - whom I will and will not vote for …. and why. To the extent that it is knowable, I consider candidate position and history. And since this is Martin County, Character Counts.
 

District 1 - Republicans

 
Doug Smith is the incumbent running for re-election. He rarely encounters a developer proposal that doesn’t earn his support. He voted to plop the monstrous Hinckley warehouse right next to homes in Rocky Point. He is an enthusiastic supporter of the Glatting Jackson report and the pro-sprawl Valliere Rural Cluster Amendment. Smith supported spot zoning biochemical industrial manufacturing next to residences way outside of the Urban Services Boundary (USB). He voted to stretch utility water lines beyond the primary USB to accommodate a developer. An example of Smith’s “understanding” of community economics is his statement: “I don’t understand how growth doesn’t pay for itself.” Hello? Anyone home? It’s the high cost of infrastructure, commissioner. It is no surprise that developer-related interests bestow generous contributions on his campaign. It’s truly time for a change. A vote for Smith is a vote for Browardizing Martin County!.

 
Henry Copeland is Smith’s political nightmare. Copeland is an eloquent speaker. Year after year he is on the front lines fighting against exploitation of the county by politically connected smart money. He works to preserve the Comprehensive Plan. As an attorney, he will bring special skills to the commission to monitor the shenanigans that go on at both the administration and the commission. Copeland’s answers to the key questions posed by residents in the Martin County Consensus survey (not to be confused with the increasingly irrelevant Consensus Inc.) of 1,600 citizens, show Copeland’s well conceived, constructive responses. I will vote for Copeland because it is a vote for progress and preserving our quality of life.

District 1 - Democrats

Tom Fullman , a longtime Republican, switched to Democrat in the hope that he could get on the ballot with little or no opposition. He has said that he is slow growth, but has failed to state his positions on numerous other important matters. Fullman’s publication of scurrilous accusations and false statements in the Stuart News is disquieting. More troubling is his court record (Martin County Clerk of Courts Files #1133746, #0844032, and #1741661). Both the Internal Revenue Service and the Martin County Tax Collector had to drag Fullman into court to collect taxes due. Does that enhance the confidence of citizens who pay their taxes on time that Fullman would make a good steward of public funds controlled by the commission?

Eric Brent has a good background in affordable housing, knowledge much needed on the commission. He kind of came from out of nowhere, so we don’t know much about him. Even so, he is a better choice than Fullman.

BITE THE BULLET! Democrats more concerned with the welfare of the county than their local political party would be better served to register Republican to vote for Henry Copeland in the primary. In the November general local and national election, converts can still vote Democrat … or Green Party, or Possibility Party, or 28 other minor parties if they wish.

District 3- Republicans

Lee Weberman, the incumbent running for re-election, is the commission’s loose cannon. He has earned the reputation of being rude to both citizen and fellow commissioner. Much of what was said about Doug Smith, except for Weberman’s opposition to rural clusters, is also applicable to Weberman. Perhaps more so. When pro-developer commissioners voted to cut added impact fees to a mere $1,000, even that was too much for Weberman, who opposed any increase. Better that taxpayers foot the extra infrastructure cost. Unsurprisingly, he has a big campaign treasury from developer interest contributions.

Patrick Hayes is a rare bird - a water preservationist who supports rural clustering. He has run before for commissioner, and lost. Hayes does not have broad support. We don’t know where he stands on a wide range of issues.

DILEMMA: Since “None of the Above” is not a ballot choice, I may vote for Hayes as the lesser bad, but only in the primary.

District 3 - Democrat

No primary contest here. Lone candidate Martha Bennett offers excellent pro-resident positions on the key challenges that face our county. I’ll vote for her in the general election, and hope other Republicans will rise above partisanship to support her, too.

District 5 - Republicans

Ian Pollack is, in my view, the best of all 15 commission candidates. A former police commander, he’s tough but sensitive to citizen needs, and focused on public service. Since his defeat four years ago because of the split good-guy vote, he has consistently spoken up in public meetings to oppose exploitation of our county, fighting to preserve the Comprehensive Plan that has made Martin County special. His activities on behalf of good causes has earned him wide support from diverse voter groups. I look forward to voting for Pollack.

Edward Ciampi is the candidate of the developer/business organizations, a DiTerlizzi wannabe, but not as clever. He openly supports Big Sugar, the source of so much of our water pollution. Ciampi also supports rural clusters. He is a poor choice for commissioner in my opinion.

John Hockey  has excellent positions on public issues. For example, he supports the 20-acre western rule, would vote to rescind the Valliere Rural Cluster Amendment, will not take campaign contributions from developers, and so on. However, he has not been on the battlements fighting regularly for all these and other causes the way that Pollack has year after year.

John Born is a good man. I know him and his family personally. However, other than his general opposition to sprawl, I do not know where he stands on many critical issues. He has not replied to the questions posed to him. Like Hockey, he has rarely been at the lectern trying to convince commissioners to make good decisions.

NO MORE 2004! The problem with reasonably decent candidates like Hockey and Born is that they do not really match up to Pollack in either history or consistent effort. They do not come close to having Pollack’s wide support. The fear is that 2004 can repeat itself if Hockey and Born chip away just enough votes from Pollack to allow Ciampi to slide through with a winning plurality - not a majority -  just as DiTerlizzi did in 2004. So I hope that readers will rally with me behind Pollack. It will change the complexion of the Board of County Commissioners for the better.

District 5 - Democrat

Linda Green  is a sincere person with the best intentions. She is a bit out of her depth in brutally competitive Martin politics. As JFK is reported to have said: Politics ain’t beanbag.

OTHER CANDIDATES: Joan Wilcox and John Patteson have registered as No Party, and will be on the general election ballot. Donald Gleichman has registered as a write-in candidate.

In summary, my primary votes will go to

IAN POLLACK & HENRY COPELAND

My letter of 6/20/08 in the Stuart News

Change party to vote in Republican primary

If you want to vote for your preferred County Commission candidates, it’s easy to overcome the obstacles being placed in your way.

Recognize that some voting rules for local officials are questionable, such as our closed primaries that restrict voters to the candidates of the party you registered with. Worse yet, some voting rules are ridiculous, such as write-in faux candidates who will not appear on the ballot, but do force a closed primary. That is the legal, but unsavory tactic being employed by some Republicans calling themselves the Iron Claw.

You can turn the Iron Claw into a pile of rust simply by filling out a form to change party affiliation. Suppose you are a Democrat or Independent who wants to get rid of an incumbent Republican commissioner who always votes for developer proposals at the expense of residents. Just become a Republican - at least for the moment.

As described in the Martin County Defender Issue No. 58, just pick up a Voter Application Form at any library, government annex or Tax Collector office. Or go online to www.martinvotes.com, click on “Voter Info/Education” and “Update Your Registration.” Print out the form, fill it out noting party change, sign and mail before July 28 to:

Supervisor of Elections

Stuart, Fl 34995

Presto! Change-o! You can now vote in the primary for good Republicans. Of course, you can vote for whomever you want in the general election in November.

Personal Political Disclosure: I have been an Independent for decades, joining one party or another only rarely when vital primary issues require it. This is such a time. I have become a registered Republican (temporarily) to help preserve our quality of life.

Al Forman

Upcoming Candidate Forums

July 21, 2008 at 6:00 pm.  County commission candidates. Blake Library. Sponsored by Martin County Conservation Alliance.

July 22, 2008 at 6:00 pm.  County commission candidates. Hospice of the Treasure Coast, 1201 SE Indian St., Stuart. Sponsored by Martin county Interagency Coalition.

August 11, 2008 at 6:00 pm. Candidates for two House of Representative districts. Blake Library. Sponsored by Martin County Conservation Alliance.

August 13, 2008 at 6:00 pm. County commission candidates. Blake Library. Sponsored by League of Women Voters.

August 14, 2008 at 6:00 pm. Superintendent of Schools and State Representative District 81 and 82 candidates. Sponsored by League of Women Voters.

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For a free subscription to The Martin County Defender, send request with “Subscribe” in the subject line to:

mc-defender@comcast.net

Comments and requests to unsubscribe may be sent to this same address.

Al

Al Forman, Editor                                  6/28/08

Stuart, FL - Bathtub Beach is open to the public once again but it isn’t back to full capacity just yet and probably won’t be for quite a while.  Over the weekend I took my family up to Bathtub Beach for a nice family day and for the most part was pleasantly surprised.  The thing that drew people to the beach in the first place, Bathtub Reef is still doing a great job keeping the beach nice and calm even at high tide.  My daughter is usually scared of the waves at Stuart beach (she’s only 16 months old!) but at Bathtub she was laughing and giggling in the water.

The difference is in the waves, which at Bathtub is little more than a ripple on the water.  If you are a surfer, this is not the place for you.  But if you have a family, particularly with small children or enjoy snorkeling there isn’t a better beach anywhere in driving distance! 

The beach itself is narrow with the erosion and the parking is very limited for now but it actually made for a nice balance.  The limited parking helped offset the limited beach area and kept the beach from getting overcrowded.  Though it may take you some time to find a parking spot on the weekends.  The water was very calm and clear and you could clearly see anything under the water as far as obstructions.  Just in case, there was always a lifeguard close at hand with adequate equipment to get to any swimmer in distress quickly.  No, no one was in distress on my trip but I did see guards patrolling on four wheelers and kayaks.

The water is a little deeper than I remember but it was high tide and the deepest part of the beach was almost midpoint between the shore and the reef itself, with either end of the spectrum being only four or five feet deep.  Toward the middle it probably got to around six feet. 

Martin County Consensus

Box 1828, Palm City, FL 34991

martin.county.consensus@fast-mail.org 

To promote the free exchange of ideas and opinions 

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Commission Candidate Q&A

Voters should know where the candidates stand on important issues. So first, Consensus surveyed 1,600 residents to learn the most important questions they would like to ask candidates for Martin County Commissioner. 

We compiled the replies, and sent the questionnaire to the candidates. Reply length was limited to an average of about 50 words to keep the project manageable. Candidates who have sensible answers, and are willing to share them in print with the public, are returning the questionnaires. 

As candidate answers are received, we will send you copies, with answers underlined. [SEE BELOW.] You may wish to save them for later reference and comparison. 

Yours for an informed electorate, 

Al Forman   6/21/08

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COMMISSION CANDIDATE REPLIES:

Previously distributed

Martha Bennett - District 3
Ian Pollack - District 5

Presented below

Henry Copeland – District 1
John Hockey – District 5

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Reply from Henry Copeland
Republican Candidate, Martin County Commission, District 1 

What is your view of growth, including both rural development and urban infill? 

Apart from compliant ranchettes on western agricultural lands, growth should occur largely within the urban services boundaries. Existing neighbors will and should take a keen interest as projects are proposed. Infill projects are inevitable and ongoing dialog is essential to prevent overreaching and ensure compatibility with existing development. 

What is your view of changes to the Comprehensive Plan and Urban Services Boundary?

Our Comp Plan provides robust planning rules to balance private property rights with policies to ensure residents’ continuing high quality of life. Urban services boundaries define perimeters within which we have enough undeveloped land to efficiently satisfy growth requirements for the foreseeable future. Neither should be changed frequently or hastily.

How will you cut county spending and hold the line on taxes?

Leadership by example, strict all-inclusive budgeting and reprioritizing to live within our means. We need sweeping reduction of senior staff costs and streamlining reorganization with succession planning. We must examine reserves and capital spending “black boxes” to more publicly prioritize capital projects. Look under every rock – no sacred cows.

 
Do you support or oppose the Valliere Rural Cluster Amendment, and would you vote to rescind it?

I oppose the Land Protection Incentives Amendment and would vote to rescind it. If rescission is not feasible from a legal perspective (e.g., Bert Harris Act claims), then I would work aggressively to impose significant constraints, require detailed planning prerequisites and impose voting requirements beyond a simple majority of commissioners.

How will you maintain good traffic conditions, including the application of road concurrency?

Pay as we grow! I support impact fees that make growth pay for itself. We should resist expedient interim levels of service (LOS), reduced LOS and traffic concurrency exception areas. Road and bridge projects should be reprioritized to relieve traffic rather than expedite new growth, as is the current practice.

What is your vision of Martin County’s future, including buildout?

We are all caretakers of the County’s priceless natural and environmental treasures around which our predecessors built communities benefiting from our fine weather, ocean access, agricultural base and general location. As we degrade or consume these resources we lose Martin’s soul. The Comp Plan serves as guide to compatible buildout.

What should the county do about Witham Airport?

Safety is paramount; better planning and county control imperative. FAA agreements notwithstanding, we should openly and thoroughly discuss declared distances as a possible means of assuring maximum RPZ safety. Witham must be a safe, community friendly and financially sound general aviation facility for users, airport businesses and residents. 

What will you do to protect the environment?

CERP/IRL require more active advocacy, leadership, and support of the Plan Six flowway. Lobbying trips and photo ops, alone, are not enough. More informed advocacy; less footdragging from development and “Big Sugar” biases. I’ll enforce the Comp Plan, rescind/contain the Valliere Amendment and insist on only well-planned, self-funded reasonable growth.

 
Will you accept campaign contributions from developer-related interests?

I do not knowingly accept contributions from donors who regularly appear, or are likely to appear, before the BCC as applicant or advocate. I reject a “pay-to-play” system. Contributions from developers, “Big Sugar” and airport-related interests may be legal, but BCC impartiality leaves no room for any appearance of impropriety.

Do you feel obligated to carry out the wishes of constituents, including possible referenda?

I welcome resident interest and participation in local government, and Florida law requires commissioners to listen and respond to residents. I also reserve the right to apply my best judgment to decisions. I support recall capability of charter government, the Guardian amendment, Hometown Democracy and local referenda for big decisions.

What is your view of the Palm City/Indian Street bridge?

Stuart and Palm City traffic problems require solutions. I do not support the proposed bridge, but respect that it has been approved. It is largely unfunded, costs are rising, and the pending legal challenge may prove insurmountable. We should immediately consider more cost-effective alternatives, especially in view of competing priorities.

What will you do to improve the economy and bring good jobs to Martin County?

Government should focus on delivering services efficiently while encouraging the private sector. This requires better management, clearer direction, low taxes and priorities protecting residents, businesses and quality of life. All permitting should be handled without undue delay. Incentives must pass strict cost-benefit review and not burden residents or existing businesses.

What will you do to keep county employee salaries, especially fire/rescue, under control?

I will start by seeking significant reorganization of senior county staff, to lead by example. I’ll resist micro-managing, but will ask constitutional officers and all unions to help control costs better: Leaner management, efficient deployments, and yes, asking county employees to accept compensation restraint for the benefit of all taxpayers.

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Reply from John Hockey
Republican Candidate, Martin County Commission, District 5

What is my view of growth, including both rural development and urban infill?

To begin with, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Al Forman for giving the candidates the opportunity to express their respective views to this constituency.  Before we can begin any intelligent conversation regarding the issues related to Martin County, we need to define what growth actually is.  For the most part, we use the term synonymously in regards to residential development, industrial development and overall economic development.  But they are simply not the same thing.  I think it is a misnomer to talk about the “Browardization” of Martin County as I do not believe that any candidate is proposing this.  However, there are some clear distinctions between the various opponents regarding growth.  I do believe in the 1 unit per 20-acre rule for our rural lands; however, I am progressive in trying to increase the tax base through economic development.  I feel we could bring businesses to the area which would compromise neither the current urban service boundaries nor the comprehensive plan.

What is my view of changes to the Comprehensive Plan and Urban Service Boundary?

I believe in protecting our urban service boundaries and support the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan.  

How will I cut county spending and hold the line on taxes?

I think we need to elect qualified people to the County Commission.  We need people with management skills and an understanding of the infrastructure needs of our community.  There is nothing wrong with being a lifetime civil servant, but does it qualify you for making difficult decisions regarding taxes, personnel, and budgets?  I have the education and experience.  I have managed multi-million dollars budgets for one of the world’s largest and most successful companies.  I know how to manage people and budgets.  I believe in a two-pronged effort.  The first prong would be an across the board budget cut as directed by the respective departments.  Then, the second prong would be a surgical effort to prioritize those departments which have historically had significant increases over the last few years and make cuts in those departments. Holding the line on taxes is of utmost importance; however, any businessperson will tell you that you have to start working on spending and the revenue problem will begin to help itself.

Do you support or oppose the Valliere Rural Cluster Amendment and would you vote to rescind it?

I have been consistent in my opposition to this amendment and would vote to rescind it.

How will I maintain good traffic conditions, including the application of road concurrency?

I will probably be the only candidate that will answer this question in this manner, but, this is somewhat a silly question in that its only value is in polarizing people.  In reality, no candidate would actually be against good traffic conditions and road concurrency; I would not.  Again, it is about prioritization of the problems that we have to deal with and the funds we have available to solve those problems.  There is no free lunch!   

What is my vision of Martin County’s future, including buildout?

Let me start by saying what it is not: it is not residential sprawl; it is not an overabundance of vacant space; and finally, it is not what we have today. What it is will be a place in which my wife, two children, and I will continue to boat, fish and enjoy.  My measurement of success as a county commissioner will be reflected on a daily basis in the faces of our two children.  I have lived or worked in all but two of our nation, have worked on land planning issues all over our nation, and have the wisdom to apply these life experiences in the planning of Martin County.

What should the county do about Witham Field?

I will start by saying that it is already doing it. The issues are already all on the table, everybody understands the various factions, and it is simply a matter of reconciling and compromise of those factions.

What will you do to protect the environment?

Do all of the above.

Will I accept campaign contributions from developer-related interests?

No.

Do you feel obligated to carry out the wishes of constituents, including possible referenda?

I am a firm believer in representative government and its historical nature in the formation of our country.  Referenda have its place in the democratic process; however, as in the State of California, it is often abused by special interest groups.

What is my view of the Palm City/Indian Street Bridge?

This has been one of the most polarizing issues of this campaign.  Opponents of the bridge would like to suggest that there is some magical solution to our current traffic problems; however, I would suggest that this is more of an emotional response to their respective constituency than a position based on facts.  I am supporter of the Indian Street Bridge, and uniquely qualified in getting the job done.  When I worked for the IBM Corporation I gained experience in programming the construction of bridges.  The key now is funding.  Through leadership and lobbying, I fully intend to make this dream a reality.

What will I do to improve the economy and bring good jobs to Martin County?

I have always used the “green thumb” analogy to describe my position regarding this question.  The role of government is to provide the best soil possible—in which the individual has the opportunity to grow and prosper as unhindered as possible by government.  What has made our country great is its people—not its government.  I am in support of the current efforts taken by the commission in this area.

What will I do to keep county employee salaries, especially firefighters, under control?

Ironically, I have begun my own little study on the emergency services in Martin County and believe this is, or should be, a primary target in reducing our operating costs.  I do not advocate breaking current contracts; however, when the are due for renewal, I think that we should completely reexamine the process by which they are negotiated and how the various parties are represented.

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