Who Should You Vote For?
As a former City Commissioner (and a pillar of the community
) , people always ask me around election time who I think they should vote for.
pillar
Most Fort Lauderdale citizens are just too busy with their own lives to pay close attention - but I do - so here goes!
......................................................................................................
There is a primary on Tuesday, January 31st for two of the Fort Lauderdale Commission seats ( Mayor and District II), because there are 3 candidates (technically) in those races.
Two other seats will be chosen on March 13th, ( District I and District IV), as they only have two contenders, and there is no election in District III as the incumbent was elected unopposed.
Mayor
There is really only one reasonable choice for your vote for Mayor -
Jack Seiler
On your ballot it will say John "P" Jack Seiler, I guess because he's a Catholic and has to have a bunch of names!
Seiler has been a refreshing change for Fort Lauderdale. He has brought an adult attitude to the Mayor's seat. We are no longer portrayed in the national media as some sort of homophobic banana republic, and he and his colleagues are once again running the City, instead of leaving it all to the hired Manager.
Seiler gets some grief for his "parade" leadership, but I think it's a good thing. It's time we begin to think of ourselves as a team, as a great city, something to be proud of - Seiler is helping to make that happen.
parades YEA !
This is not to say that Seiler has finished all of his tasks. There are real concerns with the big increase in burglaries in the City, and a strong return to Community Policing should be led from the Mayor's seat.
Also, the homeless and vagrant problems have not been successfully dealt with, and the tortured decisions about redoing the International Swimming Hall of Fame has not resulted in a plan the citizens like.
We don't have a future vision, as the process has been marked by infighting and stagnation. While not the Mayor's fault, he is the Mayor!
...................................
Seiler has one real opponent and one fake opponent.
real opponent Rynerson
The fake opponent was a put up job by real opponent Earl Rynerson to make sure their was a primary, where Rynerson would have a better chance of getting votes from the more fiscally conservative Republican Presidential Primary voters.
That "fake opponent" is a real, though shady character named Crimi. From here on, any fake candidate put up to force a primary will just be called a "crimi"!
a crimi
Seiler's other competitor, Earl Rynerson, is not qualified to be Mayor. But he is more than qualified to keep an eye on the City budget.
Whether you like him or not, Rynerson is right about the City budget exploding from $335 million in 2003, to $635 million today.
Seiler and the other incumbents tell half the story about spending. They crow about the "operating budget" being reduced, which is true, but the all funds budget, which is all the money the City Government uses each year, and which is taxpayers money, is twice what is was just a decade ago.
Nearly all of that increase in the all funds budget happened during the two terms prior to Seiler, ( Naugle), but a $30 million dollar increase has happened on Seiler's watch, and is a concern.
.......................................................................................................
Vote Seiler on Tuesday.
I'll be back tomorrow to give you my choice for District II.
Tim
) , people always ask me around election time who I think they should vote for.pillar
Most Fort Lauderdale citizens are just too busy with their own lives to pay close attention - but I do - so here goes!
......................................................................................................
There is a primary on Tuesday, January 31st for two of the Fort Lauderdale Commission seats ( Mayor and District II), because there are 3 candidates (technically) in those races.
Two other seats will be chosen on March 13th, ( District I and District IV), as they only have two contenders, and there is no election in District III as the incumbent was elected unopposed.
Mayor
There is really only one reasonable choice for your vote for Mayor -
Jack Seiler
On your ballot it will say John "P" Jack Seiler, I guess because he's a Catholic and has to have a bunch of names!
Seiler has been a refreshing change for Fort Lauderdale. He has brought an adult attitude to the Mayor's seat. We are no longer portrayed in the national media as some sort of homophobic banana republic, and he and his colleagues are once again running the City, instead of leaving it all to the hired Manager.
Seiler gets some grief for his "parade" leadership, but I think it's a good thing. It's time we begin to think of ourselves as a team, as a great city, something to be proud of - Seiler is helping to make that happen.
parades YEA !
This is not to say that Seiler has finished all of his tasks. There are real concerns with the big increase in burglaries in the City, and a strong return to Community Policing should be led from the Mayor's seat.
Also, the homeless and vagrant problems have not been successfully dealt with, and the tortured decisions about redoing the International Swimming Hall of Fame has not resulted in a plan the citizens like.
We don't have a future vision, as the process has been marked by infighting and stagnation. While not the Mayor's fault, he is the Mayor!
...................................
Seiler has one real opponent and one fake opponent.
real opponent Rynerson
The fake opponent was a put up job by real opponent Earl Rynerson to make sure their was a primary, where Rynerson would have a better chance of getting votes from the more fiscally conservative Republican Presidential Primary voters.
That "fake opponent" is a real, though shady character named Crimi. From here on, any fake candidate put up to force a primary will just be called a "crimi"!
a crimi
Seiler's other competitor, Earl Rynerson, is not qualified to be Mayor. But he is more than qualified to keep an eye on the City budget.
Whether you like him or not, Rynerson is right about the City budget exploding from $335 million in 2003, to $635 million today.
Seiler and the other incumbents tell half the story about spending. They crow about the "operating budget" being reduced, which is true, but the all funds budget, which is all the money the City Government uses each year, and which is taxpayers money, is twice what is was just a decade ago.
Nearly all of that increase in the all funds budget happened during the two terms prior to Seiler, ( Naugle), but a $30 million dollar increase has happened on Seiler's watch, and is a concern.
.......................................................................................................
Vote Seiler on Tuesday.
I'll be back tomorrow to give you my choice for District II.
Tim
In thinking back over my voting years, seldom do I recall a time when I was actually in favor of returning ALL of the incumbents to their elected positions. But in looking over the field of candidates this year, I believe the city as a whole would be best served by returning our incumbent Mayor and Commissioners to their elected positions for another term. In each case, they have been responsive and responsible to their immediate constituencies throughout this past term. And, at the same time, they have also been cognizant of the needs of the rest of the city outside their own districts and have tried to work together to address city-wide issues when possible. It's what the term 'public service' is all about in my book.
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Hey Tim, Haven't you ever heard the old saying "that tomorrow is a promise to no one?" Let's hear it already.
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That is a very OLD picture of the Mayor....he looks a lot thinner and more fit nowadays!!! And ready to lead our great city.
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Tim you are just a Siler stooge. To bad you cant see what a waste the mayor is.but then, you are probably on the take.
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Gladys, you sound like such a bitter person. Even if you look beyond how strong the City's budget is, how Seiler kept our tax rate unchanged while every other cig is raising theirs, how he brought back a heartbeat to the City, how he reduced spending and the list goes on, as a fellow woman you have to admit that since he lost weight he makes you moist too.
Oh on a side note Tim is one of the most honest people I know and if you don't like him don't read his blog.
I didn't forget you Tim, yes you lost weight too and look good but I like to ride space mountain and you can't get on that ride
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silliest comment I've read on Tims blog. don't encourage voters/women to vote for candidates who make 'em hot
thats how romney just won FL
I heard on exit poll news some women voted for him because he was bewtter looking than the others
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Rodstrom for district 2
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Tim is right, the numbers speak for themselves. Since the mainstream media gets off on making Earl look like a buffoon, dont be sheep and decide for yourself.
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Mark G makes a point - voters will decide. Anyone thinking this is in the bag and a done deal should hold their breath. Its Tims site, so he can make his predictions and support his choices, but no one should overestimate voters discontent or underestimate there smarts. this ain't the fort ldle of 10 years ago, which explains why thousands of homes in the city and surrounding cities are for sale on zillow.com
sooner or later the piper needs to be paid, and that means higher taxes. get over it or do something about it when you vote.
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Tim, Thank you for your totally honest insight on the candidates, and guidance you give many of us come election time...
I hope Jack appreciates your endorsement,because your word has influence on many people...
I have been involved with many city functions and attend or watch Commission meetings every time they occur, and I am connected with alot of other folks that do the same.
Myself and others I speak with agree that Jack is the best choice, but overall, we agree that he appears to be very thin-skinned when anyone offers constructive criticism,or says anything other than he's great!
I hope he continues to show leadership, and runs into challenges headstrong,regardless of people not liking his decisions-he seems to want everyone to love him,sometimes sweeping problems under the rug,or making them less important if it means someone will not agree with his decisions or actions.
I hope he does understand that there are still alot of issues hampering the greatness of this city,and hopefully his ego will not get in the way of him dealing with them properly.....
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why the petty patronizing? just look at bios on city website for the 5. goofy topics and descriptions from some but ....hey...it hasn't hurt them so far. now narcissism aside look at the mayors. no goal for citizens, taxpayers, little guy....it rambles on like a 10 page resume of time put to lots of efforts for his banner and business not the city residents. he came to the city after term limits were up and going back home to wilton manor wasn't a rung up on his ambitious politico ladder. so he'll bide his time, govern as he sees fit, refuse to take criticism while taking any feedback personnaly and admonishing you for it.....and wait to springboard to the next gig in governing. now that you have the script don't complain when you are just pawns that need to be governed
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I got earl's mail piece yesterday, cant he even spend a few bucks to change it from 09? I counted three election law violations in it. Seriously, how can anyone give serious consideration to voting for Earl when he continually does not pay his debts and cant follow simple rules. It would be the same as voting for Nixon despite being told what would happen with Watergate. Am I missing something?
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I am sure you will continue with your censorship, but I have to ask why do you continue to refuse to allow your readers the chance to hear about www. (the Earl hit piece)
The site does not endorse or support one candidate over the other. There are no pot shots at Earl's lifestyle choice. Simply put it is a repository of articles about Earl so people can be informed. Heck, on the of the articles is your piece on Crimi. All articles are taken verbatim, no editing to make it read worse than what is written.
Let the people be informed.
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Anonymous .... the reason I don't include the link to your Earl hit piece is because you are dishonest in how you offer it...On my site and others, you've been tring to fool the people to think the link goes to some other information..... Politics is ugly enough without this brand of deceit.... If you want that information to be distributed through my site, post it with your real name and offer it for what it is..... Personally, I don't think my choice for Mayor...Seiler , would approve of your deceitful tactics.
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Get'em Tim!
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Tim
It is your blog and you have the right to censor what you want.
As I told the reporter from the paper, I will not give my name because I fear harassment from Earl. This man obviously knows no low to go after those that do not agree with him.
As a staunch conservative I supported Earl in 2009 despite his liberal leanings because I thought he had good ideas on fiscal issues. I was shocked and angered that he and his team openly tried to lie to voters of my party about his party affiliation.
It came to my attention that Earl was planning to run a similar campaign in 2012 attempting to manipulate/flat out lie to conservative voters that he shared our views and values. I compiled a list of articles that I thought the voters should be aware of to make an informed choice so as not be manipulated by Earl and his campaign.
I don't care what the Mayor thinks. I dont support him or any other local candidate. I am so fed up with local politics, I am voting in my primary and that is it.
Dishonest? The site contains unedited of articles on Earl. It does not support any candidate. Its purpose is clear, to inform the voters the truth about Earl. The voters can take it or leave it, but you have no right to say its dishonest.
Point out one lie on the site, you can't. You may not agree how the message was delivered but the message contains no personal opinion and only articles from the media, including yourself.
How can something be a "hit piece" when it is based on unedited media accounts and no opinions are offerd pro or con on Earl or any other candidates?
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desperate smear - must be someone looking to win
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