First Debate..... Sort Of
There are five debates scheduled where you will be able to see the candidates for the next Fort Lauderdale City Commission, over the next few weeks.
I'll give you those dates in a minute, but first, let me share with you the details of the first debate that occurred (sort of), last night, at the Imperial Point Medical Center.
The debate was sponsored by the Imperial Point neighborhood, which is run by maybe the best, long term volunteer in the City - Betty Shelley.
The crowd turn-out was substantial.
The candidate turn-out was not.
multiple missing chairs
Only one of the three Mayoral candidates showed up, which made it tricky during the rebuttal phase!
Apparently, Earl Rynerson sent out an e-mail ( I haven't seen it) saying not to expect him. No one expected Gabriel Crimi, as we've learned that he has been a sham candidate from the start.
In the District I Commission race ( the debate was just for Mayor and District I candidates), both candidates, the incumbent Roberts, and challenger Mary Graham were both there, which made the rebuttal phase run much smoother!
rebuttler Mary Graham
No news was made during the debate, though Graham revealed her slow growth tendencies, and Seiler gave me a headache with his thorough recitations on budget, pension, and tax informations - ad nauseam!
Here are your next opportunities to see the candidates
January 20th - Downtown Council- at Doubletree on Sunrise (11:30 - $40!)
January 24th - Council of Neighborhoods - City Hall ( 7:00 pm - free)
January 24th - Tower Club - ( 8 a.m. - $45!)
I'll give you those dates in a minute, but first, let me share with you the details of the first debate that occurred (sort of), last night, at the Imperial Point Medical Center.
The debate was sponsored by the Imperial Point neighborhood, which is run by maybe the best, long term volunteer in the City - Betty Shelley.
The crowd turn-out was substantial.
The candidate turn-out was not.
multiple missing chairs
Only one of the three Mayoral candidates showed up, which made it tricky during the rebuttal phase!
Apparently, Earl Rynerson sent out an e-mail ( I haven't seen it) saying not to expect him. No one expected Gabriel Crimi, as we've learned that he has been a sham candidate from the start.
In the District I Commission race ( the debate was just for Mayor and District I candidates), both candidates, the incumbent Roberts, and challenger Mary Graham were both there, which made the rebuttal phase run much smoother!
rebuttler Mary Graham
No news was made during the debate, though Graham revealed her slow growth tendencies, and Seiler gave me a headache with his thorough recitations on budget, pension, and tax informations - ad nauseam!
Here are your next opportunities to see the candidates
January 20th - Downtown Council- at Doubletree on Sunrise (11:30 - $40!)
January 24th - Council of Neighborhoods - City Hall ( 7:00 pm - free)
January 24th - Tower Club - ( 8 a.m. - $45!)
What is going on in Earl's mind? How does he challenge the Mayor and then not show up for the debate? How does he keep his volunteers going door to door for him, one came to my house on Sunday, when he doesn't show up for the debate? Forget about Crimi, Earl might just be a sham candidate himself. I mean I really wonder what he was doing instead during the debate.
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Thank you, Tim, for keeping the public up to date. Who would know that there is an election in three weeks?! The Sun Sentinel is not serving us well and people are not being kept informed. I've been doing an informal poll whenever I speak to people and it is astounding how few know that there is an election on Janury 31. You can't expect the public to go through the holidays and then get caught up to speed in a few weeks. Nor should people have to pay $40-$45 to hear candidates debate! The Charter Review Board should discuss moving City elections to November and changing the terms to four years. We need to do something to get the citizenry involved - 10% voter turnouts are not doing us any favors and the problems out there are real and increasing. Again, thank you for your work!
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The FLL Charter Revision board discussed in June 2011 four year terms and elections in November. Not sure if this will be put to voters.
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Wasnt it lobbyist Judy Stern on CHarter Review who led the charge to not have 4 year terms and moving the election to Nov? Why is a lobbyist on our charter review anyway? I guess the change would not be good for busienss, and/or the rodstrom campaigns she runs?
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New elected commissioners means new appointees to charter review, planning and zoning, etc. Voters can make this happen.
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Hey Tim, Remind me to never let you take my picutre. You made that Mary Graham look like a crazy bag lady in that photo. It looks like you had to burst into the ladies room to get that shot. I think you owe it to all these candidates to give them a 1, 2 and a 3 countdown before snapping the picture. Maybe that's why Earl, was a "no show", he heard you were there with your camera.
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Phew... Charles I was scared when you sounded reasonable questioning Earl's lack of attendance and making a sound argument. It didnt take long to try to save earl, good boy. I guess with all the King World money you can do whatever you want.
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Phew...This guy give me the willies. I don't know what is scarier, the total lack of coherence and logic, the anonymity of Mr. Anonymous or his ad homonym attacks against me personally that having nothing to do with what we are talking about. Tim would you please out this weirdo and reveal his identity or stop putting his stuff up.
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By not showing up, makes me wonder if the candidate would show up if elected? ummmm
MPR
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Thank you Tim for this information. I also agree w/ Steve Glassman regarding the coverage (weak at best). Well now that the newspaper went up to $1.00 maybe now they at the paper will hire more staff. For months I have been complaining to the sun-sentinel to no avail. So guys w/ th extra revenue they will get from raising the price maybe we will get better service. As far as Earl Rynerson not showing up, does this surprise some of you? Tim I idea for your blog. Could you possibly get the transcript from Scott Rothstein depo's and summarize the hi-lites from the Depo? How you will get a tremadous response.
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Depos on this link next to article
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/12/22/2558386/rothstein-says-he-kept-1-million.html
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Tim is to be commended for exceptional reporting on pertinent city issues and events. Without his participation and blog, not only would very little information across city neighborhoods and districts be shared, but the continued perception of the city with no problems or controversial issues would continue. Thank you again Tim and for those that read and participate on his blog.
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Larry Barszewski attended the candidate forum last night. I do not know if he will report on the event. Again the election is important to FLL voters, regardless of how few vote on Jan. 31 and March 13. Thank you Tim for reporting the options.
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I got an email from Earl today trashing the Mayor's flyer.
I put up a comment that merely said that I thought that Earl really didnt have a place to trash the Mayor since Earl refused to come to our meeting last night. That was it, no profanity, nothing negative about Earl etc. For an hour my post was listed as "awaiting moderation" now it is gone. Earl responded to another person who posted saying he would put up posts that did not agree with him as long as the posts were not profane and say bad things about him. I guess merely being critical of him for not showing last night is profane?
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any candidate not showing is questionable so district 2 and 4 guys take notice. if two people, voters, citizens, property owners show up expecting a debate, the candidates all must be there. the next 2 events have a fee. there is one more freebie at city hall.
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Tim: Thanks for your coverage of the event and thanks for attending. Thanks, also, to all the residents of Fort Lauderdale who cared enough to attend the candidates forum. It was an informative and interesting evening sponsored by a great association. Happy new year.
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Good job Mary, I was told you were great.
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David, everything you touch turns to crap. Please hug Earl and Mary
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David saying good job is like Sandra Bernhardt saying someone is cute.
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Tim, the 1/20 event is for District 1 & 2, and is sponsored by Beach Council, Downtown Council and Government Affairs of the Chamber. The Tower Club event is same sponsorship for Mayor's race (although only the Mayor is expected) and District IV
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No Dave, you heard it wrong, the pizza was great, Mary not so much.
You would have been proud when she said certain people should have to live next to a Burger King and it was not the residents of half million dollar homes in District 1. Tim, did you ask Mary if she meant people in your neighborhood or Lake Ridge for example should have to live next to a Burger King? Maybe she meant the North West.
She should be asked to clarify this and who were "those people" she referred to.
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My response -
see Tim's post
http://blog.timsmith.com/2011/12/01/and-the-next-candidate-is-.aspx
My priority number 1
" First and foremost, preservation of residential neighborhoods; no encroachment/incompatible zoning to the detriment of the neighborhood edges, and no retroactive zoning. Desirable and viable residential neighborhoods throughout the City are imperative for the city to rebound economically, short and long term." And I will restate the portion you misunderstand
"......no encroachment/incompatible zoning to the detriment of the neighborhood edges....".
This should apply to all neighborhoods and districts in the city.
The original zoning application before P&Z supposedly was for a Starbucks on this site. The developer did not get a lease from Starbucks. They found Burger King, went back before P&Z and FLL CC and got approval. A Starbucks on that corner MIGHT have been 'compatible'. A Burger King in my opinion is not. The site is too small.
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I guess Charlotte gave you the wrong answer. Just look at the traffic mess the Starbucks has at Davie and Soutg Federal. I'll take a whopper over that traffic anytime
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Charlotte- http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/documents/boa/2010/041410boa_minutes.pdf
http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/documents/boa/2008/021308boa_minutes.pdf
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True
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What the developer could not get a lease from Starbucks? But this is the mighty and powerful Morgan. Morgan stated "Starbucks was one of very few companies that could afford to develop this site."
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is he the same george morgan putting the walgreens on the beach ? just over the intracoastl on las olas?
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Yes
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Did you not say and I quote "those people who live in $400,000 homes should not have to live next to a Burger King"
Tim did you not hear this?
So again Mary, if people in expensive homes in the Landings don't have to live by a Burger King then please tell us who does have to live by a Burger King?
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As you attempt to twist my statement or pull out of context.
My priority number 1
" First and foremost, preservation of residential neighborhoods; no encroachment/incompatible zoning to the detriment of the neighborhood edges, and no retroactive zoning. Desirable and viable residential neighborhoods throughout the City are imperative for the city to rebound economically, short and long term." And I will restate the portion you misunderstand
"......no encroachment/incompatible zoning to the detriment of the neighborhood edges....".
This should apply to all neighborhoods and districts in the city.
The homes east of Federal at NE 55th Court existed PRIOR to the development. A Burger King on a too small site is incompatible. The development should not have been approved by P&Z and FLL CC. "You do not put a Burger King next to $400,000.00 homes." Why do you disagree?
If you recorded the forum or have an official transcript please allow me to read it.
So, please follow along.
Homes were there first.
Proposed Starbucks failed.
Burger King was brought to the table, approved and constructed on a too small inappropriate site.
Responsible entities did NOT preserve the neighborhood and value.
If you buy next to, behind, or across from an EXISTING Burger King, its your choice. I would not.
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What there before? I went to elementary school through high school across the street and I seem to remember a gas station being there. This is directly on Federal Highway, what do you think should have gone there instead?
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We are kicking a dead horse guys.
You are correct, a service station with small customer service area built circa 1970.
What should have gone there? Something that 'fit' on the site.
Geometry of site is 'triangle'. Once you mark off setbacks, and vehicular access onto site at northwest end from Federal, not much 'buildable' area is left. That explains the myriad of variances after zoning change, including those requested while under construction.
See
http://www.bcpa.net/RecInfo.asp?URL_Folio=494212350010
The property has changed hands twice in last year or two. January 2011 purchased by a company in Laguna Beach, CA investment company.
And to the comment above stating Federal and Davie Blvd. Starbucks has traffic and prefers a whopper over the traffic, that site was most likely too small as well, got variances to make it 'work', and I have no idea who owns it.
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