Big Name about to Jump in Mayoral Race?
It's been a long time since Fort Lauderdale had a Mayor other than Jim Naugle. A long, long time!
Naugle joined the City Commission in 1985 and was elected Mayor in 1991. He has served longer than any Mayor in the history of the City (six consecutive terms). Naugle is finally term-limited due to the term limit law that was proposed by me in 1997, (everybody say thank you Tim!) and passed into law by referendum of the Citizens. The term-limit law passed by about 80 %.
The election for the new Mayor is early next year, and has already drawn two big name candidates - Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson, and State Representative Jack Seiler. Also in the race is lesser known attorney Steve Rossi, and a handful of others have told friends that they are considering running.
Now it looks like another big name is about to get in.
former City Commissioner Dean Trantalis
Trantalis served only one term as Commissioner of District II and it looked like he'd had enough of Politics, but I had been hearing rumors. Rather than hunt Dean down by phone, I just walked into his Law Office on Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors a few days ago. I asked if Dean was in, and a voice rang out of his office ..." Go Away". He recognized my voice! And there was little chance of me going away! We talked for awhile and he told me he had been seriously exploring getting in the Mayor's race. Dean's official response to my question follows:
"I have been speaking with numerous friends and advisors as to the purpose and viability of my running for a position on the City Commission. As the political landscape continues to evolve, and as we identify what goals this city has the power and opportunity to achieve, I am reviewing what role I might play in this process."
Naugle joined the City Commission in 1985 and was elected Mayor in 1991. He has served longer than any Mayor in the history of the City (six consecutive terms). Naugle is finally term-limited due to the term limit law that was proposed by me in 1997, (everybody say thank you Tim!) and passed into law by referendum of the Citizens. The term-limit law passed by about 80 %.
The election for the new Mayor is early next year, and has already drawn two big name candidates - Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson, and State Representative Jack Seiler. Also in the race is lesser known attorney Steve Rossi, and a handful of others have told friends that they are considering running.
Now it looks like another big name is about to get in.
former City Commissioner Dean Trantalis
Trantalis served only one term as Commissioner of District II and it looked like he'd had enough of Politics, but I had been hearing rumors. Rather than hunt Dean down by phone, I just walked into his Law Office on Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors a few days ago. I asked if Dean was in, and a voice rang out of his office ..." Go Away". He recognized my voice! And there was little chance of me going away! We talked for awhile and he told me he had been seriously exploring getting in the Mayor's race. Dean's official response to my question follows:
"I have been speaking with numerous friends and advisors as to the purpose and viability of my running for a position on the City Commission. As the political landscape continues to evolve, and as we identify what goals this city has the power and opportunity to achieve, I am reviewing what role I might play in this process."
DEAN
Trantalis's entry into the race would surely change the dynamics of the race. Some of his former supporters have already committed to either Huchinson or Seiler, and it's not certain if they would jump ship and support Dean.
Damn it's a good year to be a Political Blogger!
Trantalis's entry into the race would surely change the dynamics of the race. Some of his former supporters have already committed to either Huchinson or Seiler, and it's not certain if they would jump ship and support Dean.
Damn it's a good year to be a Political Blogger!
I think I like the current cast of characters (emphasis on characters)..I remember Dean and remain totally unimpressed with his past Commission performance. If he jumps into the fray, I will now have a chance to vote..Nay..
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HI Tim,
Dean is a joke. He was a terrible Commissioner. After being elected he said he thought the job was an honorary position. Did we actually expect him to read all of that information so that he would be informed as to the issue he was voting on? You bet, that is exactly what we expected. He sat at the Commission table unprepared over and over again. Just what Fort Lauderdale needs, another joke.
Ginnee
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if dean comes in he draws the gay vote from cindi, cant see that it could hurt seiler all that much
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With all due respect Mr trantallis, we need a Mayor that has the backing of the Residents, like bottom up Goverment (People First), and the Fire in the belly for a Vision for the City of Fort Laudedale, and the will to do the hard work. Maybe you have some resident support and have the people first quality, but I do not think you have the record of hard working or Vision.
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Lets have Dean in there - he's fabulous! He'll bring humor and intellect to the race, and good looks too.
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Oh Please Conrad! We do not need a Mayor that has humor, or because he looks good! (Dean does not even fit under "intellect" to be our new Mayor)
I have humor, & at my age I still have the looks does this qualified to run for our Mayor?
Where are you really coming from Conrad?
Dean would never get the votes to be our Mayor!
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I was not impressed when Dean held the seat for District 11, I could not imagine him being our next Mayor! I would not vote for him (he maybe a good gentleman) but for my Mayor forget it.
I am certain his past supporters would be from the supporters that support Cindi, & gut feeling tells me that they would go for Seiler. I could not imagine any citizens that support Jack Seiler would change anything other than trying to get the supporters from Cindi for Jack's campaign.
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Not to be disrespectful or anything,but perhaps Dean ought to run for Commissioner again,and try to do a better job than last time,and to understand the rigors of the job that would encompass a mayoral position,to see if he would be able to scale back the time he spends with his law firm.
I think Dean didn't realize the time and energy it took to be a Commissioner last time. Unless he is willing to give it his all,he ought to reconsider.
Another Commissioner run would also gauge his popularity as a politicion, therefore educating him as to whether a Mayoral run would be appropriate at this time.
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I agree. To much time in his law firm & not enough time as a commissioner. From my understanding he did not read the material that was presented to him before a commissioner meetings. Come on, let's be honest here. How can a district commissioner honestly vote on an issue if not truthfully prepared for it?
I sat on a city advisory board for 6 years, never did I not read the material that the city sent to me on the cases that were coming before the board. (advisory boards do not get paid)our elected officials do & I would expect the same of them.
I do not believe that the citizens in District 2 would even vote for him if he should decide to go that route again. To maybe run for the Mayor all I can say ~ Good Luck Dean! (you will need more than luck, but a miracle! You certainly would not get my vote for sure.
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Ginnee,
Your comments are rediculious. Dean was always the most prepared, and well spoken as well as educate commissioner. You should pay attention to the phrase 'those who cann't do write'
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Well, I read into today's paper (June 20th) that Dean is going to run for Mayor. I believe that he might get some of the voters from the gay community that supported Cindi but he will not get them all!
Myself, (my opinion only) he was not really a good commissioner when he held the seat for District 2 ~ always seemed to me that he hardly understood what he was voting on, or seemed to be preoccupied with something else. Never thought that being a commissioner would involve so much time & change his life style. What does he think being the Mayor would bring? Less time & give him back his life style. Oh Please!!!
My vote Jack Seiler all the way.
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