Sailfish City - Stuart Florida Community Site

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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Stuart, FL - Bathtub Beach is FINALLY going to be re-opened to the public this coming Monday.  Everyone had been expecting the beach to open for about a week now but delays in hiring life guards for the beach have kept it closed until now.  According to a story I read over at TCPalm, there are still waiting for up to four more lifeguards that haven’t responded to the job offers they made them but are planning to open Monday anyway.

The city has cleaned up the parking lot and the bathrooms in preparation for the re-opening but warns there are still under water dangers that were not there the last time you went!  Be cautious the first time you go remembering there are things there you can’t necessarily see, like tree stumps!

Overall it should be a fun and safe place to go to the beach with the Bathtub Reef still providing a barrier from the waves making it a calm place to enjoy a dip or a cool place to go snorkel.  If you do decide to snorkel or just venture out to the reef itself, PLEASE keep in mind that it’s a living reef and is very fragile to the touch.  Look but don’t touch!  Enjoy!

The City commission of North Lauderdale is spearheading a push to separate the state of Florida into two separate, individual states.  There complaint is that South Florida, consisting of Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties contribute much more in tax money to the state than they receive back for their areas from the state government.  Below is the offical resolution being sent to the President Bush and the United States Congress as well as the Governor of Florida.

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A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AND THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO CONSIDER DIVIDING THE STATE OF FLORIDA INTO TWO SEPARATE AND DISTINCT STATES PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY AS SET FORTH IN ARTICLE IV, SECTION 3 OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, ALL MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AND ALL MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE, AS WELL AS ALL MUNICIPALITIES LOCATED WITHIN BROWARD COUNTY AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR BROWARD COUNTY, ALL MUNICIPALITIES LOCATED WITHIN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, ALL MUNICIPALITIES LOCATED WITH PALM BEACH COUNTY AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED MUNICIPALITIES; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

            WHEREAS, Dr. Benjamin Franklin said that “without continual growth and progress, such words as ‘achievement,’ ‘improvement’ and ‘success’ have no meaning”; and

            WHEREAS, in recent years the Legislature of the State of Florida (the “State”) has considered a number of proposals that have had a significant adverse impact on local governments’ ability to generate revenue and effectively perform their essential municipal functions; and

            WHEREAS, many of these initiatives have resulted in a local government regression whereby as a direct result of legislative action certain counties and municipalities are becoming increasingly unable to perform essential public services; and

            WHEREAS, on January 29, 2008, the electors of the State adopted Amendment 1 to the Florida Constitution, a legislative proposal that, while providing some minimal tax relief to citizens and residents of the State, also required municipalities to roll back their tax rates and imposed certain limitations on municipal revenue generating options;  and

            WHEREAS, in its current session, the Florida Legislature is considering a number of proposals which will further limit or recommend limitations on the amount of ad valorem taxes that may be collected by counties, municipalities, school districts and special districts; and

            WHEREAS, House Joint Resolution 949 and Senate Joint Resolution 2190 specifically recommend an amendment to the State Constitution which would limit the amount of ad valorem taxes collected by counties, municipalities, school districts and special districts to an amount not to exceed 1.35% of the parcel’s highest taxable value; and

            WHEREAS, House Bill 715, House Joint Resolution 7125 and other proposals provide further requirements for and restrictions on local governments’ ability levy crucial taxes and impose necessary assessments in order for such governments to successfully operate and perform the duties expected and required by their citizens and residents; and

            WHEREAS, included among the recently adopted and considered action by the State Legislature were proposals which may reallocate funds raised by more populous parts of the State to those areas which are less populated and less able to generate comparable revenue; and

            WHEREAS, this reallocation will have a particularly negative impact on South Florida; and

            WHEREAS, during the recent Broward Days lobbying session, at which time many elected officials from Broward County appeared in Tallahassee to conduct a meaningful dialogue with the State Legislature in favor of and in opposition to certain proposals, a number of State Legislators either refused or failed to meet with Broward’s elected officials to discuss their concerns regarding some of the action recently taken by the Legislature; and

            WHEREAS, a number of these rejections and discourtesies occurred despite previously scheduled meetings between certain State Legislators and certain elected officials from Broward County; and

            WHEREAS, as a result of the recent action taken and considered by the State Legislature, the City Commission of the City of North Lauderdale (the “City”) has concluded that overall the State Legislature has no appreciation for the actual impact of its decisions and no true understanding for how its decisions adversely impact the ability of municipalities to function and perform essential municipal and public services; and

            WHEREAS, the City Commission further has no confidence in the State Legislature’s ability to recognize the practical impact of its decisions or how its decisions demonstrably affect municipalities that directly provide essential public services to the citizens and residents of the State; and

            WHEREAS, the action recently taken and considered by the State Legislature has had an adverse and arguably destructive impact on certain municipalities in the State, particularly in South Florida; and

            WHEREAS, the Declaration of Independence of the United States provides that when any form of government becomes destructive to the extent that it no longer has the consent of the people governed, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish said government and institute a new government based on the foundation in which the people seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness; and

            WHEREAS, given the size of the State and the great differences in needs and priorities between the southern portion of the State and the northern portion of the State, the City Commission has determined that it is in the best interests of the citizens and residents of the State to divide the State into two separate and distinct governing entities; and

            WHEREAS, Article IV, Section 3 of the United States Constitution expressly provides that “new states may be admitted by the Congress into this union; but no new states shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other state … without the consent of the legislatures of the states concerned as well as of the Congress”; and

            WHEREAS, pursuant to this Section, Congress, subject to the consent of the State Legislature, has the Constitutional authority to divide the State into two separate entities; and

            WHEREAS, Dr. Franklin further stated that “the best public measures are … seldom adopted from previous wisdom, but forced by the occasion”; and

            WHEREAS, recent action taken and considered by the State Legislature has forced certain municipalities to consider alternate ways to control the manner in which they are able to generate the revenue needed to continue to provide essential municipal services; and

            WHEREAS, the City Commission deems a division of the State to be in the best interests of the citizens and residents of the State, and urges Congress and the State Legislature to seriously consider all action legally necessary to effectuate such a result.

             NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA THAT:

            Section 1.     The foregoing “WHEREAS” clauses are hereby ratified and confirmed as being true and correct and are hereby made a specific part of this Resolution.

            Section 2.     The City Commission of the City of North Lauderdale hereby urges the United States Congress and the Legislature of the State of Florida to consider dividing the State of Florida into two separate and distinct states pursuant to the authority as set forth in Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution.

            Section 3.     The City Clerk is hereby directed to provide a certified copy of this Resolution to the President of the United States, all members of the United States Congress, the Governor of the State of Florida, all members of the Florida Legislature, as well as all municipalities in Broward County, the Board of County Commissioners for Broward County, all municipalities located in Miami-Dade County, all municipalities located in Palm Beach County, and any other interested municipalities.

            Section 4.     All resolutions or parts of resolutions on in conflict herewith be, and the same are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.

            Section 5.     If any clause, section, other part or application of this Resolution is held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or invalid, in part or application, it shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications of this Resolution.

            Section 6.     This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and adoption.

PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, THIS _____ DAY OF __________________, 2008.

                                                                                                                                                                                                            _______________________________

                                                                        MAYOR JACK BRADY

                                                                        _______________________________

                                                                        VICE MAYOR JOHN CANGEMI

ATTEST:

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PATRICIA VANCHERI, Acting City Clerk

APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM

BY CITY ATTORNEY:

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SAMUEL S. GOREN, ESQUIRE