Rodstrom/Glassman Horserace Neck and Neck
Now this one looks close!
It pits City Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom, wife of County Commissioner John Rodstrom, against the Central Beach Alliance President Steven Glassman. A third candidate, businessman Howard Elfman is trailing somewhere back in the pack.
VS. 
Rodstrom and Rodstrom Glassman
The ironic thing about this race is that Glassman was instrumental in Rodstrom's triumph to the Commission seat just three years ago. In that race, Glassman and other beach activists turned out an enormous beach vote for Rodstrom and she came from behind to beat Jon Albee in the General Election. Glassman now says "he was wrong". In his campaign appearances, he says that Rodstrom is ineffective and divisive, and says she needs to go.
But Rodstrom is part of a political dynasty, a winning one, and all stops seem to be being pulled to orchestrate her re-election. Husband John is raking in the dough for her and Rodstrom is bicycling her way across the District stomping for votes.
Here's what our survey showed"
It's close.
First off, Rodstrom has gigantic name recognition in her District at 94%, where Glassman is only at 45%. He will need to reach far more "Super Voters" by Election Day in order to win. Rodstrom's Positive Number is 67% and Glassman's is 58%, but Glassman's "hard positives" (the die-hard supporters) is 50%, where Rodstrom's "hard positives" fall slightly behind at 48%.
On the negative side, Rodstrom's "hard negatives" (folks that will probably vote against her no matter what) is at a troubling 17%, compared to Glassman's 7%.
Elfman doesn't seem to have made an impact yet, with a name recognition at only 22%.
This is a race to watch!
It pits City Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom, wife of County Commissioner John Rodstrom, against the Central Beach Alliance President Steven Glassman. A third candidate, businessman Howard Elfman is trailing somewhere back in the pack.
VS. Rodstrom and Rodstrom Glassman
The ironic thing about this race is that Glassman was instrumental in Rodstrom's triumph to the Commission seat just three years ago. In that race, Glassman and other beach activists turned out an enormous beach vote for Rodstrom and she came from behind to beat Jon Albee in the General Election. Glassman now says "he was wrong". In his campaign appearances, he says that Rodstrom is ineffective and divisive, and says she needs to go.
But Rodstrom is part of a political dynasty, a winning one, and all stops seem to be being pulled to orchestrate her re-election. Husband John is raking in the dough for her and Rodstrom is bicycling her way across the District stomping for votes.
Here's what our survey showed"
It's close.
First off, Rodstrom has gigantic name recognition in her District at 94%, where Glassman is only at 45%. He will need to reach far more "Super Voters" by Election Day in order to win. Rodstrom's Positive Number is 67% and Glassman's is 58%, but Glassman's "hard positives" (the die-hard supporters) is 50%, where Rodstrom's "hard positives" fall slightly behind at 48%.
On the negative side, Rodstrom's "hard negatives" (folks that will probably vote against her no matter what) is at a troubling 17%, compared to Glassman's 7%.
Elfman doesn't seem to have made an impact yet, with a name recognition at only 22%.
This is a race to watch!
Gee...I wonder if having an electoral voting record engenders high negatives while having no record makes you electable? This should encourage non-entities of all stripes to enter the political arena..Gremlin muses...
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The reporter in me wants to know: how many did you survey and what is the margin of error?
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Well, looks like Charlotte will win again. Maybe though when Howard drops out Steve might pick up his votes...all 10 of them!
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Never count out any candidate - that nearly happened to Charlotte last time and look what we got...Elfman is a good business man, has lots of civic experience and may still surprise some of the residents of the District. Glassman is working very hard to displace Rodstrom so the race ain't over yet!
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OPINION: On 30MAY2008, Central Beach Alliance Recording Secretary Joseph Panico, sent a two page letter to the Fort Lauderdale Central Beach Alliance Board of Directors. (A copy was sent to TimSmith.Com) which outlines serious charges against CBA President, Shore Club President and former Planning & Zoning Board Member, Steven Glassman, who previously was an anti-mega development, key supporter and gay friend of Charlotte Rodstrom. Panico’s letter trashes the character and leadership style of Glassman.
Glassman, will smile at you, while stabbing you. He reminds me in many ways of "nightmare developers tools" like Cary Keno, Carlton Moore, Cindi Hutchinson, etc.
Glassman’s, win at any costs-fairness be damned-tactics—are indicative of on his self centered, devious, manipulative and unreliable character.
Glassman has hijacked the CBA and is using its assets to advance his political career. He has edited the CBA’s vague/nebulous minutes (meetings are not taped) to reflect his view point/priorities, instead of what actually happened. He has done very little to advance the CBA’s Top Ten 2008 Priorities.
Panico, a newcomer has “flip flopped” and now endorses and actively supports Glassman for District 2 Commissioner, After, e-mailing many excuses, Panico still hasn’t done an audit/investigation of the Ireland’s Inn/Fairwinds or of the other controversial projects or the seemingly, fraudulent/rigged/bogus Cortez Hotel vote.
May 30, 2008
From: Joe Panico
To: CBA Board of Directors (Parts were removed to keep it under 3000 letters)
“I take my position as Corresponding Secretary for the CBA very seriously. I am the one in charge of signing up new people and making sure people show up to the meetings, I am in charge of monitoring the door and making sure only paid members are provided with a card to vote.
We are at almost 400 individual members and 43 condo or apartment associations
I became aware of another very serious problem after the meeting when several people at the meeting questioned how the votes were counted. The vote was announced as "14 buildings against the Hotel"
I didn't think anything of this until I (Joe Panico) looked at the sign-in sheet and noticed there were only 11 building representatives present at the meeting (a buildings "super vote" equals ten individual votes) and out of the 11 buildings, I had counted, 5 buildings voted in favor of the project and 6 against. There is no way there could have been 14 buildings opposing the project because there were not 14 buildings representatives present!
It was apparent that Steve Glassman was opposed to the project, which is his choice, but to direct the meeting the way he did meant that the project didn't have a chance of ever passing
Rather than run a fair and unbiased meeting,
It really is important that the CBA be a level playing field because we have such a great impact on the future of development when it gets to the City level like P&Z and
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Subject: Ft. Laud. Election Day
Dear Neighbors and Friends,
We wish everyone a very healthy and Happy New Year.
Just when you thought it was over, another Election Day is coming to Ft. Lauderdale and, as always, it is important to vote. The day is Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 when you will be asked to vote for Mayor and District 2 Commissioner.
From time to time, but not too often, we will e-mail you about the beach candidates who are Charlotte Rodstrom, Howard Elfman, and Steven Glassman. We will share information/facts that are generally not published in our local newspapers.
Do you remember that a former city commissioner conducted an opinion poll in 2007? A full 70% said the Ft. Lauderdale beach is already overdeveloped. A full 83% said the city's development rules should be changed to reduce mass, height and setbacks. Even the insurance industry warned in 2007 that Florida's east coast is a hurricane disaster waiting to happen because of the "seemingly unabated coastal construction." And do you remember all the talk about shortage of water and other natural resources and how excessive development is hurting us?
So three years ago residents got together and overwhelmingly voted for our present commissioner, Charlotte Rodstrom. Our mandate to her was control development (as well as other issues).
Consequently, Charlotte Rodstrom has voted down every (except one) high-rise, high-density, massive building. She has proven to be a hard working, caring, and honest commissioner who had not forgotten her campaign promises and the reasons she was elected.
Unfortunately, Mayor Naugle and the other commissioners were "persuaded" long ago to give developers whatever they wanted. So, with the coming election and a new mayor and new commissioners, Charlotte will have the votes for redevelopment instead of over or excessive development. She will have the votes to preserve, protect, and enrich our quality of life and our unique and fragile environment. Charlotte believes that buildings should be compatible with neighborhoods and in harmony with the environment. She believes in smart growth.
And though the current economic situation has temporarily stopped these massive buildings, the developers have been busy going to the Planning & Zoning board and City Commission getting their approval to build when times get better. We need to change this now before it is too late. We need to support Charlotte Rodstrom again.
Hope all is well. Happy New Year
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While, I certainly agree with the content, I didn't write the Friends and Neighbors, Election Day is near letter. Art Seitz
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Was the CBA board elected legally Thursday Jan 22nd? Did the police act lawfully? Was the CBA election process followed? Why was there no discussion regarding the proposed slate of candidates? Why did President Steve Glassman not re-admit the ejected candidate Art Seitz, and open up nominations from the floor for Art Seitz and Miranda Lopez? Was Steve Glassman's use of the police to eliminate Art Seitz appropriate?
A candidate properly calling for a quorum count (it turned out that only 23 of about 400 CBA members were present and had signed the sign in sheet), albeit rather undiplomatically, was ejected from the meeting. Nominations from the floor were not allowed. Two potential candidates were denied the right to stand. The use of police force to quash dissent and eliminate a candidate from the election is chilling. The police need to be questioned about their actions by the City Manager and Police Chief. If this sets a precedent it will constrain future debate in the CBA. We all know Art Seitz and his manner. His bellicose behavior was not unusual. You may chuckle at Art Seitz's predicament but next time it could be you. You'll think twice when you want to raise an objection or talk at the CBA or the City Commission. Is this how the new City Commission intends to operate? This sets a bad precedent for democracy and debate in Fort Lauderdale.
C.J. Beck
The Illini Association Inc
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