Jackie Scott Opens Campaign
Long time activist Jackie Scott officially started her camapign last night for the Fort Lauderdale District IV seat, currently held by Commissioner Romney Rogers.
Jackie Scott
The kick-off event was held in the most lovely pooled backyard of Coolee Hammock activist Ann Schumpart.
The soiree was attended by about 30 people, who chatted around the pool waiting for Scott to speak.
Scott was introduced by well know lawyer Jim Brady, who touted Scott's long history in Fort Lauderdale civic work, and said that Scott would "prove us right" .
Brady
Scott, in her talk, said she wanted to "change the culture" of District IV.
Scott talked about her long history in civic affairs, but concentrated on her "disappointment" of current Commissioner Rogers, and her plans to do things different, if elected.
Scott addressed the development issue by saying that redevelopment, and issues like " historic preservation" need not being "mutually exclusive". She said that you could be for redevelopment and for historic preservation at the same time.
Scott finished by saying that she "cared" for those in attendance and for the City and that she was "in it to win it".
Most political observers give the incumbent a big edge, but some consider Scott a formidable opponent.
Jackie Scott
The kick-off event was held in the most lovely pooled backyard of Coolee Hammock activist Ann Schumpart.
The soiree was attended by about 30 people, who chatted around the pool waiting for Scott to speak.
Scott was introduced by well know lawyer Jim Brady, who touted Scott's long history in Fort Lauderdale civic work, and said that Scott would "prove us right" .
Brady
Scott, in her talk, said she wanted to "change the culture" of District IV.
Scott talked about her long history in civic affairs, but concentrated on her "disappointment" of current Commissioner Rogers, and her plans to do things different, if elected.
Scott addressed the development issue by saying that redevelopment, and issues like " historic preservation" need not being "mutually exclusive". She said that you could be for redevelopment and for historic preservation at the same time.
Scott finished by saying that she "cared" for those in attendance and for the City and that she was "in it to win it".
Most political observers give the incumbent a big edge, but some consider Scott a formidable opponent.
I totally agree that historic preservation and redevelopment need not be mutually exclusive and they aren't in many cities. Some cities only save historically significant structures or architecturally meaningful and beautiful ones. History doesn't have to be at war with property values and progress. For some reason though historic preservation has become the antidevelopmentalists primary weapon in this city. The restrictions imposed in Sailboat Bend have destroyed the future of that neighborhood. They are telling people they cannot put picket fences in their own front yard due to the concepts of historic vistas, they are saying no house in the neighborhood can be no higher than a certain house which doesn't allow for a full second story. They tried to save the entire Kennedy Homes complex, a 70 year old low income housing complex, suing the city over and over because preserving 3 of those huts just wasn't enough for them. These rules and takings, and the people imposing them are doing this to control their neighbors and impede any development that isn't done by them or their cronies. If Jackie Scott wants to separate herself from the historical preservationist / antidevelopmentalism crowd, more power to her, but I doubt she will, they were probably the 30 people at this kickoff event in Colee Hammock the other night. The very neighborhood in which a month ago Jackie Scott on the front page of the Sun Sentinel called for a historic district of the 20s, 30s and 40s. I guess it’s only a matter of time before Victoria Park becomes a 50s district and Coral Ridge takes the 60s. I think I’d rather keep my property value and property rights rather than become an exhibit in someone else’s zoo of recent history.
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Public Safety is #1 job of Government
What's Scott's opinion on police union contract and union control of FLPD?
12/17/2011 1:32 PM Charles King wrote:
Well, To me this is a symptom of our police officers not living in our city. If police officers lived in South Middle River and surround neighborhoods, I think something like this would never have been allowed to start to happen in the first place. If the cops are seen merely as exogenous suburban zoo keepers driving through working class neighborhoods in armored cars instead of living in them, this ugly scene above will be the result. Neighborhoods like South Middle River are increasing unlivable for one reason, after dark crime and lawlessness, and having hundreds of our Fort Lauderdale Police Cruisers parked overnight all over suburban neighborhoods in competitor cities does nothing but exacerbate the problem. I would love to see a map of the where our Fort Lauderdale Police Officers live. I'm sure we will never be privy to it for security reasons, but maybe it should be compiled for the Commission to see so that they can begin to organize some incentives for cops to actually live in the city they are charged with protecting and serving. Number one on the list should be no more take home cars and free gas for commuter cops that live outside the city. This will save lots of money and take away the disincentive of free gas and transportation. A lot more needs to be done, but that is the no brainer starting point. And if the reason the cops can’t live here is because of our dreadful public schools, maybe it’s time the city took control of the those as well. If our schools are good enough for cops’ kids, who’s kids are they good enough for? Anyone see it differently, if so I’d love to hear your logic?
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Charles-
you raise good points. Have the public schools become that undesirable that people do not want to send their children to them, whether in law enforcement or not? There are several in law enforcement that park their take home vehicles in my neighborhood. None of them have children. These issues need to be discussed between citizens and elected officials, including during the Visioning study. Will the current commission do this in their next term? I cannot say. I believe the next 5 years are very critical for the long term good of the city.
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This is getting ridiculous. How is a story about a developer running for commission turn into a cop bashing? You know the most amazing thing is, no matter how many negative comments Charles, Earl, Ralph or Mary make when it hits the fan and they call the cops, the cops will respond and put their life in jeapordy to save yours.
http://www.theledger.com/article/20111221/NEWS/111229904/1002/sports
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Dear Steve, the posting above was not put there by me, someone took it from the story about the previous story about the riot and posted it here. I am not a cop basher as you say. I am simply saying that providing personal take home squad cars and free gas to commuter cops that don't live in the city is wrong and is a foolish give away on the part of our elected official that costs hundred's of thousands if not millions of dollars and does nothing but incentivize cops to live away far away as they want. I'm not saying the cops are bad people for accepting this foolish gift on our part. I'm saying it should stop now! Cops that live in the city should be entitled to this perk, and I'm not saying all cops should be mandated to live in the city. A lot of them make enough money per year now that free transportation in the form of a personal car and free gas should mean anything too them.
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Anyone who's paid any attention to the past few years realizes that Fort Lauderdale has turned a corner and is headed into the future...vision statement intact or not. And anyone who's paid any attention to what this person has done over the past 10-20 years knows the only thing she'll do is serve her own vision. I'll take Romney Rogers' and the balanced, considered approach he's exhibited...even to the point of giving an open ear and all of his assistance whenever possible to those who'd turn on him in a minute to serve their own needs, such as Ms. Scott and several others you've profiled here in your blog recently, Tim.
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Amen, Brother!
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Hey Tim, I just saw on Jackie Scott's donor list this Jim Brady guy. Looks like he's "all in" behind Jackie Scott with a $50 donation. Even Art Seitz donated $100 to jackie's cause of no growth antidevelopmentalism.
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