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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