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The Martin County 

  Defender 

The e-newsletter for aware citizens – No. 78

NOV. 4, 2008 

COUNTY COMMISSION ELECTION 

Number of candidates: There were 14 initial ballot candidates for the three Commission slots (a write-in and a couple that dropped out early are not counted). 8 were Republicans, 4 Democrats, and 2 No Party Affiliation (NPA). 9 of the 14 were in contested Primary races. 8 of the 14 made it to the General Election - 3 Republicans, 3 Democrats, 2 NPA.

Congratulations …. and Condolences

We congratulate the successful Martin County Commission candidates – Doug Smith in District 1, Patrick Hayes in District 3, and Ed Ciampi in District 5 - on their election victories. The condolences we offer are, perhaps perversely, to the winners rather than the losers. This sympathy is a recognition of the tough job commissioners will face in these difficult economic times; the requirement that they spend the large amount of time necessary to learn the full implications of decisions they will make; and the paramount need for patience and understanding in dealing with citizens who feel passionately about our community. It’s a weighty obligation. 

Financial analysis of the election

Campaign expenditures: A total of about $765,000 was spent by all of the Primary and General campaigns, including an estimated $35,000 which has not yet been reported. This is a record amount, especially notable in this depressed economy. About 60% of the total was spent during contested primaries.

Not included in the $765,000 are substantial amounts spent by independent groups. For example, the Keep Martin Green committee spent $129,065 this year for various issues and candidate positions.

Biggest spenders: For the Primary and General Elections, Doug Smith is expected to have spent about $200,000, Ed Ciampi and Lee Weberman over $100,000 each, mostly from business/developer related sources. They have  claimed that such generous contributions will not affect their decisions on the Commission. These three alone accounted for more than half of the campaign expenditures by all 14 candidates. The median total campaign expenditure for the eight final candidates was $43,910. 

Money matters – but not always: In the District 3 Primary, incumbent Lee Weberman outspent fellow Republican challenger Patrick Hayes $108,305 to $25,489, but still lost. So if enough people are fed up with a candidate, even a 4-to-1 money advantage will not save him. But in all General Election Districts, it was the biggest spenders who won.            

Voting analysis of the election 

THERE IS NO SINGLE FACTOR THAT DETERMINES VICTORY.

The four factors that seem to determine who will win are:

– Running on the Republican ticket

– Spending the most money

– Having multiple opponents split the vote

- Being better known 

In District 1: Running on the Republican line, Doug Smith spent more money by far than his two opponents combined. As an eight-year incumbent, he is well known. Furthermore, those two opponents split the Preservationist or slow-growth electorate. Since there is no runoff thanks to the state law of several years ago, which one can call The Incumbent Protection Act, Smith was elected  by a plurality (49.29%), not a majority.

In District 3: Running on the Republican line, Patrick Hayes outspent his Democratic opponent, a lesser known political newcomer. 

In District 5: Running as the official Republican candidate, Ed Ciampi also spent far more than his opponents. 

This election underscores the importance of the Primary election. So much money was spent on it because it turns out to be the election.

Wrap-up 

Even with two new faces, the new Commission will have more or less the same composition as the previous one – 4-to-1 in support of Expansionist or faster-growth proposals. If Preservationists want to prevail, they will need a more unified leadership.

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

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

Al

Al Forman, Editor                                  11/5/08

The Martin County

  Defender

The e-newsletter for aware citizens – No. 74

A clear-eyed view of the District 1 race …..

With only a couple of exceptions, readers were pleased with our report in DEFENDER No. 73 on the national financial meltdown, and its implications for Martin County.  We stated:

“New twists in regulations and financing will trickle down to Martin County. We expect, or at least hope, that our locally elected officials know enough about the law and about financial management to be capable of looking out for all Martin residents. So if we want at least one commissioner to be well versed in the arcane skills that will be sorely needed in the days ahead, it makes good sense to elect Joan Wilcox in District 1.”

A number of readers tuned in to the fact that the rules governing financial administration will be more complex than ever before, and that a commissioner with exceptional qualifications would be a great asset for the county. Here is one letter we received:

Mr. R: I usually don’t agree with your editorials, but your issue 73 explanation about the need to elect a commissioner with good legal and financial management credentials made sense. I was going to vote for her opponent, but after I went to the Joan Wilcox web site [www.joanwilcox08.com] I decided to vote for her. Her qualifications are super and as you say sorely needed.

It’s heartening to see citizens rise above preconceived political preferences for the good of the county.

….. Versus the view of a smear crew

I have been receiving a few mean spirited, similarly worded comments, the result of an apparent concerted effort, to smear Commission District 1 candidate Joan Wilcox, and to support Tom Fullman. None of them deal with Wilcox’s exceptional experience in financial management, experience that is so badly needed on the Commission. Rather they … well, here are samples to see for yourself:

Joan is a very ambitious lady, need I say more.

She was the supposed “brains” behind her husband when he was a commissioner because he was dumb as a stump.

Are you sure God didn’t tell you to vote for the spoiler Wilcox? 

Wilcox has the typical nasty Republican outlook on life just like her dipstick husband.

Of course, venomous accusations tell a lot more about the accuser than the accused. Nevertheless, following Journalism 101, I tried to uncover facts. I exchanged e-mails with one of the scornful crew:

Ms. H: Who the hell knows who Joan is? (the Spoiler) Do you really think Joan is going to do what you and your people want her to? She has her own agenda.

Editor: Thank you for your comments. As to “She has her own agenda,” could you please be specific about what that agenda is? And what evidence do you have to support your contention?

Ms. H:  I will get back to you on that!  [Never heard from her again – Ed.]

I suspect that Mr. Fullman has not known of these baseless smears, but he knows now. He would be raising the level of political discourse if he told such desperate  supporters to knock off their toxic innuendos.

Unseat the Justice who doesn’t trust citizens

Unlike the straightforward election of local judges, a relatively complex appointment process is set forth in the Florida Constitution for selection of Supreme Court Justices. It requires the creation of a Judicial Nominating Commission composed of persons appointed to staggered four year terms, representing various interests. The Commission must submit to the Governor of Florida between three and six names for each vacancy on the court, from which the Governor selects the new Justice. The Governor’s selection is final and requires no further approval by any governmental body.

After appointment, the new Justice must face statewide voters in the next general election that is more than one year after the date of initial appointment. In this “merit retention” election, voters decide only if the new Justice will remain in office. If not retained in office, the Governor appoints a replacement through the same Judicial Nominating Commission process. After this first merit retention election, Justices face the voters in the same type of merit retention election every six years thereafter until they leave or reach retirement age.

An interesting case, Strand v. Escambia County, was decided last year by the Florida Supreme Court.  Under political pressure, it recently reversed itself. The case revolved around whether the County could issue bonds without the approval of a popular vote. On Sept. 6, 2007, the Supreme Court decided: “We conclude that the County is without authority to issue these bonds without first obtaining approval by referendum as required by article VII, section 12 of the Florida Constitution.”

After extensive lobbying by government officials (technically called amicus curiae briefs) who want to hold the purse strings, the Supreme Court on Sept. 18, 2008 changed its mind and said that counties could load debt on its citizens without their approval.  One Justice who voted against citizen control was Justice Charles T. Wells, who was first appointed in 1994. He is up for retention election. That gives us the opportunity to let the court, and everyone else, know that we do not approve of removing debt control from citizens.

Express your disapproval on the Nov. 4 ballot by voting NOT to retain Justice Wells.

Stuart Group V Commission race

In DEFENDER No. 72, we noted the entry of challenger Robert Steinberg in the race for the Group V Stuart City Commission.  The platform of incumbent Mary K. Hutchinson, running for re-election, has become available. It lists her accomplishments, and her efforts to increase a sense of community in Stuart.

Among Ms. Hutchinson’s goals for the next two years are to use her financial background to keep the City on a sound, fiscal policy, and to push for tougher environmental regulations. She plans to work with the Business Development Board to assist current businesses to grow. A more detailed copy of the platform may be obtained by contacting Ms. Hutchinson at:

mk@hutchinsonartgallery.com

Both candidates agree on various issues, but there is a difference in emphasis. Mr. Steinberg appears more concerned about homeowner protection against increasing density, while Ms. Hutchinson appears more focused on furthering business growth.

COUNTY VOTER REGISTRATION EXCEEDS 100,000

For the first time, the number of registered Martin County voters has passed 100,000. This includes Republicans 50.2%; Democrats 28.8%; Others 21.0%.

NEWSPAPER ENDORSEMENT PREDICTABILITY – 100%

The Stuart News has endorsed all three Commission candidates running on the Republican ticket. The Palm Beach Post has endorsed all three Commission candidates running on the Democratic ticket. What else is new?

HUMBLING THOUGHT OF THE DAY: “No one likes the media. Even the media doesn’t like the media.” – National columnist Peggy Noonan

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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