Entertaining Run-Off News, and Recap !
Well, for all you political punditers, Fort Lauderdale's Municipal Primary on Tuesday held few surprises, but the run-off might be getting much more exciting!
It went down Tuesday pretty much as many had expected, though Seiler won the Mayorship with a much greater margin, and Rodstrom kept her seat in the primary while most thought there would be a run-off.
Pundits were divided over the District III race between Adams and Dubose, but Dubose won a resounding victory of 49%, just one point under the threshold for an outright win ( I bet he wished he had made a few more phone calls!!) ...... No word yet on who the third and fourth place finishers will back in the run-off.
In District IV, the battle,( as expected), is being waged between the 'Old Guard', represented by Romney Rogers (and Naugle and Shaw) and the new kid on the block, Coleman Prewitt. Again, no word yet on who the third and fourth place finishers will back.
That's not the case in District I. Incumbent Teel won the Primary, but with only 47% over Roberts 44%. The third place fininsher, Garcia, who grabbed only 8 % of the tally, could be an important voice in the run-off.
outspoken Garcia
Garcia backed Roberts right after the results came in Tuesday night, and in an interview with me this morning, says that a "majority of the voters voted against Teel". She says she will happily do whatever she can to see to it that Roberts beats Teel in the General Election on March 10th. She says she has lost "total respect" for Teel.
Garcia added that Teel didn't give "any respect to anyone that challenged her", that she "shakes hands like a wet fish", and is too uppity for politics - "isn't her boat named Ms. Priss ?".
Looks like I'll still be in the blog business for awhile!
It went down Tuesday pretty much as many had expected, though Seiler won the Mayorship with a much greater margin, and Rodstrom kept her seat in the primary while most thought there would be a run-off.
Pundits were divided over the District III race between Adams and Dubose, but Dubose won a resounding victory of 49%, just one point under the threshold for an outright win ( I bet he wished he had made a few more phone calls!!) ...... No word yet on who the third and fourth place finishers will back in the run-off.
In District IV, the battle,( as expected), is being waged between the 'Old Guard', represented by Romney Rogers (and Naugle and Shaw) and the new kid on the block, Coleman Prewitt. Again, no word yet on who the third and fourth place finishers will back.
That's not the case in District I. Incumbent Teel won the Primary, but with only 47% over Roberts 44%. The third place fininsher, Garcia, who grabbed only 8 % of the tally, could be an important voice in the run-off.
outspoken Garcia
Garcia backed Roberts right after the results came in Tuesday night, and in an interview with me this morning, says that a "majority of the voters voted against Teel". She says she will happily do whatever she can to see to it that Roberts beats Teel in the General Election on March 10th. She says she has lost "total respect" for Teel.
Garcia added that Teel didn't give "any respect to anyone that challenged her", that she "shakes hands like a wet fish", and is too uppity for politics - "isn't her boat named Ms. Priss ?".
Looks like I'll still be in the blog business for awhile!
Tim,
'Kudos!' for your insight, pre-election analysis and 'on the money' forecasting of the primaries!
Would strongly recommend that some of your readers actually buy and READ your book, POLITICS 101...found some great lessons to be learned and applicable to THIS election, still! With behind the scenes info and some great (funny and not-so-funny) true stories, I truly do think this is 'must reading' for civic-minded Fort Lauderdale residents (and beyond!). And this is NOT a paid political announcement!
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I was surprised how strong the old guard is and disappointed, I believe to get beyond some of the issues we need new leadership. I get the feeling there are a lot of pushing back about new ideas and changing of the guard and the unwilling to let some one else run the city not because there ideas are bad, but the Old Guard feels they must keep control at all cost. I wonder why if the person willing to serve is qualified and if you agree with their Ideas why not give them a chance .I suggest that if the old guard really wants to do the right thing for The City of Fort Lauderdale they should let someone else get involved is the only way. I feel the All Inclusive City will take hold.
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Amen Brother - the blog business is thriving! Garcia called it correctly when she said that Teel gives no respect to others running for office and has often been overheard making unpleasant remarks about her opponents. She doesn't offer much respect for her fellow commissioners are she currently serves. Roberts took no personal run at Teel, his former boss, and stayed on his talking points the entire time - the right approach.
Dubose is the guy - he earned the seat in most peoples book and probably will take it in the general. He has worked very hard for a very long time to get here and again - stayed on his points and didn't engage in arm wrestling politics like some of his opponents.
Rogers and Prewitt is the race to consider. Both are staying on point with their platforms but one is using the old boy system to gain a leg up. Trading on family name and other family members success doesn't make someone a good candidate. Having Naugle stump for him makes his credibility a little questionable for many. Romney will have to up his A game to have some substance for anyone to convert. Certainly his speech about privitizing or outsourcing service, work hour reductions, wage reduction and the like raised much ire among city employees already doing a lot of extra work for less money. He should look to the top of his food chain instead the rank and file and perhaps talk to his public about what they want to see changed as well. Prewitt has stayed on his talking points and brought some innovative ideas out for consideration...is this the old versus the new - the answer is yes and sometimes the old is just that - old ideas and old methods that are now outdated. The public will ultimately decide what will do the most for recovery of our city but in the end we are fortunate to have had such a great group of candidates and we should thank them for their willingness to committee to public service.
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Yes Teel is a dead fish...not Sopranos speaking, but personality speaking. I voted for Garcia, and I am not ashamed of it, and now I will vote for Roberts. I have also done work on Garcia's campaign helping by waving signs and such. This is how wonderful our current Commissioner is, I was given a drive by finger. Apparantly Ms. Teel didn't think I would know who she was or what she drove, or if she is that much of an idiot to not realize, she has her name scattered over her car or what, but I am saying Christine Teel gave me the finger. Do I think Bruce Roberts played the cleanest possible game...not a chance. Probably the same chance that Jack Seiler is a decent guy with real morals. But Teel...I hope you realized that in just the one part of the election, you are not as safe as you thought!
ROBERTS in 09'!
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Inger Garcia is right on the money in her opinion of Christine Teel. We don't need another term of "Edith Bunker" representing District I. Congratulations to both Jack and Charlotte. I am thrilled for both of you as you both have the experience and class to represent our city. I, too, will do everything in my power to encourage everyone in District I that I know, and hopefully even some that I don't know to support Bruce Roberts in the upcoming runoff.
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Tim,
Kudos to you on a great job covering the Fort Lauderdale races. You blog has been and will continue to be great resource for residents to learn about the candidates.
I am very proud of my role with Team Seiler. What I am most proud of is that our campaign never went negative or attacked anyone. It is rare these days to go wire to wire without any negative campaigning or negative campaigning through ECO's or 527's. I must also give credit to Dean for running a clean campaign as well.
It is refreshing to see that a candidate can win without going negative despite being wrongfully attacked himself.
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Tim wrote:
Looks like I'll still be in the blog business for awhile!
Won't you continue to blog after the election? With so many new faces, it's going to be fun to watch how well candidates turned commissioner/mayor will live up to their campaign promises, don't you think?
Plus, you do seem to have the pulse of the City. Don't think you've had a wrong prediction/endorsement yet. So you should keep this up after the changing of the guard.
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Does Inger know that Roberts was thrilled she was in the race so he didnt have to run just in the general. BTW, the things that were said about Inger by Bruce supporters might just shock her. Teel isnt the friendliest but at least she doesnt gossip behind your back like Roberts does. One is kinda dry(Teel) but Bruce is a backstabber...Inger you are a fool to support anyone!
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It's really sad that in a city that is suppose to be "world class", the masses could care less about who their leaders are and won't take a few minutes to vote. I was thrilled to see Sieler win and hope he will be a great mayor. It took me a while to decided but I emailed Jack a day before the election with a few concerns; he called me that afternoon to talk. We had a long discussion and he answered as I had hoped and came across as a regular guy. I was impressed by the quick response, especially in the final day before the campaign. After Naugle, there's no way to go but UP! I was disappointed that Rodstrom was able to pull just above 50% but it shows you the power of money, name and connections; a hard combination to beat. She probably spent more money on her TV commercials than she will make as Commissioner next year. Her opponents worked hard but could not compete on that front. I had hoped to see her in a one on one run off; she did not deserve to get off by the skin of her teeth like that. Hopefully she will take note and be a more effective, responsive Commissioner this time around. We did have some great candidates this go round; hope it's a sign of good things to come.
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Wake up!
Sorry the Earl Kool Aid didnt rub off on anyone else. It was not about the old guard it was about what had earl done in the community since he lived here, zip. Charities? nope, Citizen volunteer boards? nope. Nothing.
Earl was the creation of Dan Lewis and Steve Kelly. The people smelled the bs of these two a mile away. They tried to make up lies about Seiler and everyone saw right through it.
Earl was a liar. Gay Dem today, implied straight republican the next day. No need to go into his sordid past.
Sorry buddy face it you backed a liar, fraud and loser.
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Re: HURRAY FOR THE VOTERS!! GOOD RIDDANCE TO TURN COAT DEVELOPER'S TOOL STEVEN GLASSMAN
Dear District II Resident “she did not deserve to get off by the skin of her teeth”:
Plaudits to the multi-talented, articulate, refreshing Mr. Elkman, who came from no where, ran a clean race with fresh ideas and ended up with almost as many votes as nasty gay megalomaniac -- Mr. Glassman.
While smiling all the way be it on TV or in person, Vice Mayor Rodstrom, the lady with the red dress on and her politically oriented family –- with help from thousands of supporters, including her son, who carried a sign, supporting his mom, on election day in front of the Gay and Lesbian Center, absolutely kicked Glassman’s butt—winning by a 2:1 margin.
IT WAS ONE OF THE WORST LOP-SIDED SLAUGHTERS IN THE HISTORY OF FORT LAUDERDALE POLITICS.
Well, it turns out the gay and straight voters, who turned out in record numbers to elect native son Jack Seiler and Charlotte Rodstrom, are a lot smarter, than generally given credit for and that is good news for our city. MR. GL ASSMAN DIDN'T’T EVEN CARRY THE BEACH OR HIS HOME PRECINCT.
For the Central Beach Alliance members, Lauderdale Beach Club residents and other beach residents, Glassman, had previously screwed, it was pay back time. Sweet revenge!
In the north-west lobbyist, and developer’s tool, in the tradition of her mentor, the infamous Carlton Moore, Pamela Adams came in second and is lucky to be in a run off against nice guy front runner Bobby DuBose, who has picked up endorsements from the other black candidates. PLEASE SUPPORT AND VOTE BOBBY DuBOSE.
Local royalty and semi-comatose Commissioner Christine Teel, who is being backed by her fellow millionaires, the developers and FPL is about to be shown the door by former top cop -- man with a vision, former Police Chief Bruce Roberts. PLEASE SUPPORT VOTE BRUCE ROBERTS.
After, running one of the dirtiest campaigns in Fort Lauderdale History, mean spirited and vindictive Mr. Glassman was rumored to have been last seen, on his knees, begging his money men at the El-Ad, Cortez, Orion, Bahia Mar Park and main piggy bank Ireland’s Inn (which may have just lost it’s Mandarin-Oriental Flag), for a one way bus ticket back to Buffalo.
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Art, it is clear that mathematics is not your friend.
Fort Lauderdale has 133,878 registered voters. The Mayor was selected by 9,210 voters, which is less than seven (7) percent.
It is clear that the voters of Fort Lauderdale did not consider the selection of a new Mayor to be important.
114,505 registered voters in Fort Lauderdale voted “NONE OF THE ABOVE” by their boycott of the ballot.
The "slaughter" was as damaging as dropping a feather. Instead of a "slaughter" we had a YAWN.
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Poor Art Seitz - please get some counseling. We are proud of Steve; not you. In Tuesday's Shore Club Board election, you received 6 votes out of 192 apartments(the lowest in our history)and ran dead last out of seven candidates. Stop the madness.
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nancy (didn't know you knew how to turn on a computer), had i voted for myself, which i didn't, i would have received seven votes. after the shore club board of directors candidate's night q & a -- dozens of my neighbors thanked me for saying, what needed to be said, about glassman--and a few thanked me again for the a1a traffic light and crosswalk, that helped them return home safely.
turncoat, glassman took the lowest of roads and got his butt kicked.
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Mr Seitz,
I don't know you but it appears you are the one getting your butt kicked. From the things I've heard about you and the things posted here, I'd say you need to get a life and maybe a little sense while you're at it!
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One. The final assessment of the results of this election will wait until there are some results from the newly elected Mayor. I read his statement of priorities in the Sun-Sentinel – issue statements he was not willing to make before the election. Except for his preposterous position on George Gretsas, it appears that he has taken the ideas of Earl Rynerson as his top priorities.
Two. It is very ironic that our new Mayor does not believe in raising our property taxes. Why, you may ask, is this ironic? Seiler has never paid any property taxes to Fort Lauderdale. I wonder if we will see the new Mayor move to Fort Lauderdale and begin paying taxes like the rest of us who are bona fide citizens of Fort Lauderdale.
Three. Fort Lauderdale has 133,878 registered voters. The Mayor was selected by 9,210 voters, which is less than seven (7) percent. It is clear that the voters of Fort Lauderdale did not consider the selection of a new Mayor to be important. As Thomas Jefferson said, “We in America do not have government by the majority, we have government by the majority who participate.” 114,505 registered voters in Fort Lauderdale voted “NONE OF THE ABOVE” by their boycott of the ballot.
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Mr. Seitz,
Although I agree with you 1000% about Glassman, you are wrong about Teel. It is Roberts who is being funded by mega-developer attorney Ron Mastrianna and his team of Big Team Developers. Teel has voted AGAINST most projects like Rodstrom. I also cannot stand Glassman, but why must you use words like comatose for Teel, is it because of her age? maybe you should get Roberts and see where that will take you. By the way, look at Mastrianna office with his big ROBERTS signs and also isnt it interesting that his signs are on the owner of the Seminole Isle home where they want to fill in the intracoastal. PLease vote for Teel, she is anti-development....ROBERTS IS A GLASSMAN!
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Earl who? Who is Earl.
All the best to you and Steve Kelly.
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I received a mailer from Teel where she blames Bruce Roberts for the high pension costs. Who is she kidding; Roberts never set policy and never negotiated any benefits, that’s what the commissioners do. Was Teel asleep during negotiations and forgot it was her job to set policy (not a police chief). Also she voted for three police and fire contracts since becoming a commissioner which all included the current pensions. It’s amazing how when being faced with a viable opponent she now is against the very thing she voted yes for.
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Roberts DOES support the newest contract which asks for a 18% increase in pensions which will cost us $100,000,000. over the life. Teel and the other commissioners voted for the previous contracts but only at a 3% increase.
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Rose, I don't know what Teel is telling you, but there are no "new" negotiations, only the contracts Teel voted for. In fact she has voted yes each and everytime to increase the budget from $350,000 to 605,000. If you are insinuating the a retired police chief voted on anything I have a bridge I would like to sell you. Her votes are public records.
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As a long time fan of Wheel Of Fortune (and Vana), Ms. Garcia, I can assure you there is no letter "R" in Teel's boat's name.
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