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The core guiding principal I believe in is “and then what?” When faced with a problem or important choice, I analyze the issue from as many angles as I can and ask as many questions as possible to inform the best decision. I also expect there to be an option to iterate or course correct if needed as more and better information comes to light.
No. I am currently the Republican Precinct Committeewoman for Precinct #1723, a volunteer position in the county.
I am fortunate to have a close, diverse circle of friends that I rely on who are deeply connected to the well-being of the community in which we all live. The person I would ask for advice would depend on the advice needed. But ultimately, my most trusted advisor is my husband, Michael. He knows me as well or better than I know myself, and I rest well on the fact that he is always in my corner.
I am running for County Commission because I am deeply concerned with the direction our county and our country has gone and is continuing to go. While I cannot effect change on a national level, I have learned the truth to the saying “All politics is local.” I want to bring transparency and truth back to this seat. I want to hear the people I represent and get them the answers they are seeking. I want to roll up my sleeves and do the hard work without passing the buck if I am asked tough questions. And, most of all, I want to make sure the way I vote and govern makes sense to those who elected me to serve as their representative in the county.
My home is here in Palm Beach County and there are specific problems that need to be tackled here. While I appreciate those seeking “higher” office on federal and state levels, I believe, from the County Commission, I can have an immediate and direct impact on the businesses and residents of Palm Beach County.
I have a multi-pronged plan using these exact resources (PBSC and PBSD) to combat what I deem to be the most pressing problems facing our county now: skilled labor shortages, affordable housing, inflation, and supply chain disruptions. My plan relies heavily on mutually beneficial cooperation from the business community.
The county has fantastic and well-funded programs in place currently regarding homelessness. The problem is, and will continue to be, reaching the homeless where they are and helping them onto a path towards permanent housing. It must be understood that a percentage, maybe as high as 30%, are homeless because of mental disorders or addiction. These are separate and much more difficult issues to manage. Again, the county has the funding and the programs to help with these individuals, but they require increased family and community support.
As for affordable housing, the county also has numerous programs funded by federal, state and county budgets. Each of these programs offer help to individuals who find themselves priced out of the housing market. The problem is, many government programs are difficult to navigate, so it is incumbent upon us to ensure those who stand to benefit most from these programs know they are available and how to qualify.
It should be noted that affordable housing and workforce housing are two different issues and funds come from different places. I am concerned with loopholes in the workforce housing initiatives that allow builders to pay a fee to relocate their expected units of “workforce housing” from within their new developments to other parts of the county and still retain the available gap funding from Palm Beach County taxpayers. The proposed $200 million bond on the ballot in November does not satisfy my understanding of how this money will reach the residents in need of more affordable housing. I would prefer clarity on how much of this money will go to developers building new communities versus first time home buyers, veterans assistance, first responders, and workers in our communities that may need the gap financing to buy a home. Why does the push seem to be on funding developers instead of individuals?
I will end by saying whatever is done by the county to help our residents get into their own homes should be done with the end goal of having them standing firmly on their own two feet and stronger than when they first sought assistance.
I believe business owners generally know best when it comes to operating their own business. I believe the county has an excess of code regulations that even baffles those within the administration. It can be overly cumbersome to open or operate in compliance for many small businesses. The same is true for mid-sized and large businesses as they expand and grow. County government should be an asset not a liability to the business community.
I also know business owners fear code enforcement (and other county departments) being used as a weapon against them. It is not always clear what or who is behind this fear, but the fact that it exists to keep business owners in compliance without the ability to question is disturbing to me. Of course, a certain amount of oversight and regulation is necessary, but not at a level that stifles the creation and sustainability of Palm Beach County businesses.
This is an important question and one that should be addressed, but, as with so many important issues, there is no need to reinvent the wheel. There are three important considerations to encourage people to choose mass transit over driving their own vehicles:
1) Getting from point A to point B, in a safe, clean, and convenient way
2) Amenities that make it attractive and desirable
3) A common purchasing method and reliable coordinated schedule between all the different transport providers to ensure efficiency
We should start with scheduling coordination between the longer distance providers, Tri-Rail and Brightline, and Palm Tran. The time spent waiting for the connecting provider needs to be minimized and made clear to the user. The rider should know before leaving their home the expected duration of their commute AND exactly how they can arrive at their final destination.
A reliable, unified, and punctual mass transit system would benefit workers who cannot afford to live where they work, or those who would rather use their commute time working instead of driving. Last, and not insignificantly, this potentially symbiotic relationship between the three counties would ease congestion on the roads, benefitting all of South Florida.
A great example of how public transportation can be used to deliver riders directly to the heart of the airport is right here in Miami. The people mover from the Tri-Rail station is more convenient than taking an Uber - and, as such, that’s why many opt to use Tri-Rail to reach MIA. My husband and I use Tri-Rail as a convenient, and less expensive alternative, to driving and parking when we choose MIA to travel.
As commissioner, I would review the plan by Oliver Tindale for the 10-year period FY 2022-2031 as an effort to update Palm Tran’s Transit Development Plan. The advice of the planners involved in all three major public transit operations is important, but I would also insist on getting feedback from current users of these systems. I would also want to get to the heart of why so many residents resist using it now and what we could change to encourage uptake.
As I understand the question, we are talking about businesses that are based (and therefore local) in Palm Beach County, so I would say I support this ordinance. I would caution there should be complete transparency in the bidding process and conflicts of interest on the part of the board should be vetted. Part of my platform is aimed at guiding the county toward better relations with existing businesses and their local employees.
As I understand the question, we are talking about businesses that are based (and therefore local) in Palm Beach County, so I would say I support this ordinance. I would caution there should be complete transparency in the bidding process and conflicts of interest on the part of the board should be vetted. Part of my platform is aimed at guiding the county toward better relations with existing businesses and their local employees.
I have worked in a supporting role with my husband in industrial construction. I entered this area working at the corporate office of a technical coatings company in 2002. We moved to south Florida in 2004 where I have worked closely with him and his customers ever since. The projects in which we work are long term, from cradle to grave, infrastructure including water/waste, power, DOT, etc. I worked as a liaison to track and coordinate projects. His territory covers a third of Florida and most of the Caribbean. I worked in our home office in Boca Raton, occasionally traveling with him to various jobsites. My role in our partnership became irrelevant during the lockdowns of 2020. All travel was halted and most of our jobsites were shut down or had limited access. Once the lockdowns were lifted, the new normal presented a wave of technology, apps and Zoom calls that made my position less than part-time.
We have an impending crisis of skilled worker shortages in Palm Beach County, especially in the trades. It is vital we use all resources, many already well funded and operational (i.e. Career Source) to work towards encouraging an interest in the trades for students and young adults. Estimates from trade publications show as much as 40% of workers in skilled trades are over the age of 45 and half of those are over 55. Our experienced tradesmen are aging out and we do not have the next generation lined up to replace them. We must bring awareness to the potential of these career choices with as much fervor as we encourage attending a 4-year college. As commissioner I would work to build a coalition between the county, the school district, community colleges, private businesses, non-profits, and community leaders to encourage our young people to consider all their options. We have a generation that is being left behind and forgotten. These jobs are not only an excellent option for a young person’s future but also instrumental for our society to continue to function.
Recent economic downturns, especially regarding supply chain disruptions, rising prices/inflation and raw material shortages, has exposed the need for Palm Beach County to diversify from its focus on tourism as the major industry for income. I believe it is important to work towards bringing low-environmental impact manufacturing to the area and becoming more self-reliant. PBC has multiple modes of transportation for shipping with trains, ports, highways, and air to make us an attractive option for potential businesses to relocate or build hi-tech facilities that would benefit the county and provide good-paying jobs for existing residents.
Palm Beach County’s budget is $6,700,000,000 (billion). The county is flush with programs and departments that often overlap or are under-utilized. Many of the programs seem to work in silos of isolation instead of in collaboration with other related departments. It is difficult to navigate the requirements for participation in many programs encumbered by the direction of funds, whether it be federal, state, county or municipal. Each division comes with a different list of prerequisites that may be similar but not quite close enough to work in conjunction. It is imperative we streamline the process and make sure money is properly allocated and spent. It is also crucial that we use metrics of output to determine success or failure of a program. It is not enough to simply say it is not working yet, we need more money. We must have the ability and desire to examine results to determine continuation or a change of course.
I would oppose such a targeted measure. Enacting a cap on rent without taking into consideration the impact of inflation absorbed by landlords would worsen the problem. The costs of owning and maintaining rental properties, including higher taxes, insurance, products, and services required for maintenance for their properties cannot simply be swallowed by the owners. Placing an arbitrary cap without regards to the cost to the owner will either push them to sell their properties, leaving fewer rental units, or neglect them, leading to substandard housing. This would be a Band-aid approach to a much larger problem and not one I support.
I have watched this proposal unfold from the sidelines over the last 6 years and it has become, in my opinion, over-complicated and untenable. Too many departments, including federal, state, and local agencies and the private entities involved have been unable to bring this to an amicable conclusion for either of the parties. It is apparent by the number of citizens who took time from their daily lives to attend the latest commission meeting, public opinion is against the proposal. The people must be heard by their representatives, and it was clear to me the people do not want it. After listening to the outpouring of public comment against this proposal I would oppose.
I do not support the referendum. It has not been made clear to me, nor the voters I speak with, how this money would be spent to aid in affordable housing. Earlier this year, when the referendum was first brought forth, it was pointed out the county had access to $100 million that could be used to start projects without going to the taxpayers for more money. Without a metric of output to determine the success of previous housing initiatives how can we as voters approve more money for programs that do not accomplish their stated goals? I do appreciate the commissioners not by-passing the voters and approving the bond. A decision of this magnitude should be made by the taxpayers themselves. My only request would be to give the voters a full understanding of what they will get for their money and who will be responsible for proving results.
I am approaching this campaign as a private citizen running for office for the first time. I am not an established politician but a concerned citizen who can give myself full-time to the position of County Commissioner. I do not enter this with the idea that I have all the answers, rather I have questions and a willingness to learn. My loyalty lies with the residents and businesses of Palm Beach County. I come to you with no strings attached, no conflicts of interest and only my desire to leave the commission and county better than I found it.
Ms. Baker is responsible for over 5,000 employees and managing the county’s budget. She has proven herself to be a leader willing to stand in the gap of decision making when the baton was passed to her by the county commissioners. While I may not agree with some of her policy decisions regarding Covid-19 protocols and procedures, she was willing to take a bold stand on what she thought was right. I wish our commissioners had her disposition to take a stand on what their constituents were asking of them. It appeared the commission wanted to shift the responsibility from themselves, and Ms. Baker willingly accepted. As far as I can tell, from the outside, Ms. Baker is very attuned to working with the county commissioners. She makes sure their requests are met swiftly and accurately. The question should be, what was the performance of the commissioners in utilizing Ms. Baker in her role as administrator?
I am running as a citizen candidate, coming from outside the system. I want to make a difference in my own backyard. It is important to me to have elected officials who represent, not dictate, how people live. Governing through decree, ordinances, mandates, executive orders, etc. does not require, nor desire, input from the electors. When the consent of the governed can be discarded because of a state of emergency, an emergency will present itself when needed. My opponent has stated he did the right thing during the last state of emergency no matter what the latest information reveals. He is not sorry. I approach this position with a level of humility that I do not have all the answers, but I will do my best to represent the people of my county. I also have the presence of mind to understand there may come a time when I am wrong, and I will be willing to correct course, not double down on bad policy.
No
No
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