My Pick - District II
Yesterday, I gave you my pick for Mayor - Jack Seiler.
Today, let's talk about my pick for the Fort Lauderdale District II seat.
This is the seat I held for six years, and consider it one of the most fulfilling ( though difficult) times of my life.
Here are your choices for this term -
Rodstrom Ferber Zalewski
Let's discuss them like the Chinese would do - right to left !
Lester Zalewski - The new guy from the beach.
Zalewski's efforts to unseat the incumbent have been the strongest among the competition. He started with a creative YouTube Ad campaign, using his unusual last name as the predicate.
Then Zalewski put up some signs here and there (a few were destroyed), and now he's giving Rodstrom a run for her money with Vote Zalewski T.V. commercials.
And then there was this, just outside my house this morning !!
Yikes...I'm glad I had already had my coffee !
It's clear Zalewski thinks Rodstrom should go. Along with many other beach residents, Zalewski says Rodstrom has shut them out of the picture, and decides for herself what's best for the beach.
But troubling for his candidacy, Zalewski draws criticism himself from many of his neighbors at the beach, for what they describe as a checkered local history and an acerbic public style.
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Michael Ferber - A very interesting guy, self taught, very bright.
But his candidacy is odd!
Michael is running on a platform of ...." I'm not only not going to give you anything new, I'm going to take away half of the things you already have!"...
Rumors abound that Ferber is also a fake candidate (a crimi), put up by Rodstrom to force a primary, but Ferber strongly denies that.
Ferber should be running for Congress, under the Tea Party banner. I doubt he'll get many votes for the job of local City Commissioner (I certainly couldn't vote for him), but Ferber could certainly match wits with Congressman West!
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Charlotte Rodstrom - the incumbent.
The best choice to serve District II for the next three years.
Rodstrom works harder than all the other Commissioners. She's wealthy and unemployed, so she gets up every day and begins to serve her constituents (unless she's in North Carolina!). I've always been able to reach her quickly.
But Rodstrom is controversial. She began her first term telling everyone she was against development, but now embraces much of it.
To her credit, Rodstrom has focused a lot of attention on the most needy part of her District ( South Middle River), and has kept her word about pushing through a CRA for that general area ( and keeping her husband on board at the County level!) Unfortunately, much of that area is still struggling.
Rodstrom does have some bad habits that people whisper about and should be mentioned publicly. She often interrupts her colleagues during meetings, and sometimes disrespects those fellow Commissioners.
She has also adopted the Jim Naugle model " I think I'll vote against most everything and let it pass, and then go around town, and if an effort fails, I can say -" I voted against that "- and that - and that! That's not healthy for the City, and not fair to her colleagues.
Rodstrom is term limited, if she wins, this will be her last term as City Commissioner, (even though her husband has been trying to kill term limits at the county level).......
Still, I say- Vote Rodstrom ( but just this last time!)
Tim
Today, let's talk about my pick for the Fort Lauderdale District II seat.
This is the seat I held for six years, and consider it one of the most fulfilling ( though difficult) times of my life.
Here are your choices for this term -
Rodstrom Ferber Zalewski
Let's discuss them like the Chinese would do - right to left !
Lester Zalewski - The new guy from the beach.
Zalewski's efforts to unseat the incumbent have been the strongest among the competition. He started with a creative YouTube Ad campaign, using his unusual last name as the predicate.
Then Zalewski put up some signs here and there (a few were destroyed), and now he's giving Rodstrom a run for her money with Vote Zalewski T.V. commercials.
And then there was this, just outside my house this morning !!
Yikes...I'm glad I had already had my coffee !
It's clear Zalewski thinks Rodstrom should go. Along with many other beach residents, Zalewski says Rodstrom has shut them out of the picture, and decides for herself what's best for the beach.
But troubling for his candidacy, Zalewski draws criticism himself from many of his neighbors at the beach, for what they describe as a checkered local history and an acerbic public style.
...........................................................
Michael Ferber - A very interesting guy, self taught, very bright.
But his candidacy is odd!
Michael is running on a platform of ...." I'm not only not going to give you anything new, I'm going to take away half of the things you already have!"...
Rumors abound that Ferber is also a fake candidate (a crimi), put up by Rodstrom to force a primary, but Ferber strongly denies that.
Ferber should be running for Congress, under the Tea Party banner. I doubt he'll get many votes for the job of local City Commissioner (I certainly couldn't vote for him), but Ferber could certainly match wits with Congressman West!
.....................................................
Charlotte Rodstrom - the incumbent.
The best choice to serve District II for the next three years.
Rodstrom works harder than all the other Commissioners. She's wealthy and unemployed, so she gets up every day and begins to serve her constituents (unless she's in North Carolina!). I've always been able to reach her quickly.
But Rodstrom is controversial. She began her first term telling everyone she was against development, but now embraces much of it.
To her credit, Rodstrom has focused a lot of attention on the most needy part of her District ( South Middle River), and has kept her word about pushing through a CRA for that general area ( and keeping her husband on board at the County level!) Unfortunately, much of that area is still struggling.
Rodstrom does have some bad habits that people whisper about and should be mentioned publicly. She often interrupts her colleagues during meetings, and sometimes disrespects those fellow Commissioners.
She has also adopted the Jim Naugle model " I think I'll vote against most everything and let it pass, and then go around town, and if an effort fails, I can say -" I voted against that "- and that - and that! That's not healthy for the City, and not fair to her colleagues.
Rodstrom is term limited, if she wins, this will be her last term as City Commissioner, (even though her husband has been trying to kill term limits at the county level).......
Still, I say- Vote Rodstrom ( but just this last time!)
Tim
A vote for Lester Zaleski puts Charlotte on notice to listen to District Ii constituents.
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Poor Lester - even his campaign manager, the questionable and self-promotional (just like Lester) CJ Beck can't spell Lester's name - he left out the "w"!
And what a tepid endorsement for Charlotte! Is this another case of the lesser of three evils, Tim?
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Nothin for nothin Tim, but leave it to you to continue on a downward spiral.
There is a saying "if you expect different results, Quit doing what your Doing"! I am not saying your picks are bad people, what I am saying is they have had their "moments in the sun" to shine and as far as I can tell its still "raining"..new blood Tim, New blood, fresh ideas and a more "conservative approach to managing money and if they take us on a downward spiral as well? I'll be looking for another transfusion next time also..Oh was that a subtle shot at Congressman West? Surely you didnt do that did you?
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There will be a runoff with 2 of them going to March 13.
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Last time, Rodstrom just snuck in and avoided a run-off with 51% of the vote and her two opponents were much stronger and more qualified than these two. Prediction: Rodstrom with 63% of the vote.
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nothing against the commissioner but january 2012 is very different from february 2009 - different issues, economics, outlooks at city county state and Wash DC. we'll know for sure in about 56 hours
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Thank you Tim. Now one more to announce for the primary event also being held Tuesday.
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Tim:
I enjoy your blog.
If District 2 voters believe they have not been listened to in the past 6 years, they should vote for Lester Zalewski.
For the whole campaign I have always signed off with an invitation to communicate. Lester Zalewski - (954) 873 4320 - I will listen and take action!
Visit the Lester Zalewski campaign website http://www.LesterZ.com
Lester Zalewski - Candidate for Fort Lauderdale City Commission- District 2.
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Rodstrom works harder than all the other Commissioners. She's wealthy and unemployed.............
thats not true. She is employed as a commissioner for last 6 years. when did that stop being work even if pay s$cks.
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The campaign appears to be working. People not only know how to say 'Zalewski' but spell 'Zalewski'.
Be sure to vote ZALEWSKI January 31.
C.J. Beck
Campaign Treasurer - Campaign Manager
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"Rodstrom works harder than all of the other Commissioners." So does a hamster on his wheel - but what is ever really accomplished?
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are you implying this is reverse psychology and its not really an endorsement, or just a meanie?
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Lester Zalewski is a breath of fresh air for our community. As a local business woman, I'm all for bringing new businesses to Fort Lauderdale. I voted for Lester Zalewski.
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How funny didnt you date Lester?...its funny the only people making positive comments about this candidate are his friends. Isnt this also the same man who called you a smoking drunkass b%#ch? Come on people lets get it together here....charm is nice but when we are speaking about the longrun we need to vote for C. Rodstrom who doesnt have hidden adgendas....like employment gains and a way to build this mans arrogant ego....I havent seen one comment from the CBA about this man....in fact they want him gone!!!! They fired him from his own residence and kicked him off the board and they arent happy with him and want him gone from a volunteer position...I mean come on these are people who work with him on a personel level. Not one of them can speak kind words where hes concerned. The guy is a joke...has anyone asked him what he did to serve our Country while he was in the service? He taught Windsurfing????? Wow that should make us all proud and feel completely safe!!! Do the right thing when you vote if you want our beautiful beach in good hands....Go Rodstrom!!!
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reply to go rodstrom_____your a gutless coward____a piece of ____ who hasn't a clue...who contributes nothing
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If Im the gutless coward then why didnt you reply with your name....isnt that the pot calling the kettle black. I obviously do have a clue because Rodstrom won....I also pay taxes so that makes me just as much of a contributor as the next guy. So until you can reply with a reply worth reading stop wasting peoples time!!!
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To all my friends in South Middle River and Middle River Terrace: If you want to keep the momentum going in your direction, with a commissioner that is proving herself not only by her words, but her actions...VOTE for CHARLOTTE RODSTROM.
As a hard nosed skeptic in the past, mainly because husband and county commissioner John Rodstrom had neglected the SMR area in the past and I fearful that she would follow suit.
However, that is the past and she has my support and the best choice for NOW!
Remember, our city is only as strong as its weakest link and I believe that Charlotte agrees.
Doug B.
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why do I think that Tim will endorse each of the current commission but just keep us in suspense until March? stay tuned.
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I have been a real estate agent in Fort Lauderdale for 12 years and I voted for Lester Zalewski for district 2 Commissioner. I know Lester is the right candidate because he understands the dynamics of well planned real estate development and how it impacts the community. He has the experience, knowledge and energy to fight for the right decisions.
Judy Van Tuyl
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Lester lost any consideration when he secured Rodstrom's email addresses through a public records request and then proceeded to spam everyone of those emails he got, continuing to do so after being asked to be removed from his mailings.
Not the kind of integrity I'm looking for in my city commissioner.
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Ann:
We remove anyone who asks from our email lists immediately. It's the only polite and prudent thing to do. Most people prefer to remain informed so they have all the information to make a choice. Very few people ask to be removed from our data base. Many of those who do live outside Fort Lauderdale or District II.
Ann, we sincerely apologize if we failed to delete your name. Blame it on poor administration, not the candidate.
If Ann or anyone else wants to be removed from our data base, let us know. Email us: LesterZalewski@yahoo.com.
We will take care of it immediately.
Campaign to Elect Lester Zalewski for Fort Lauderdale City Commission - District II
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I remember how very hard the beach area residents worked to research the Bahia Mar proposal and to inform Charlotte. Perhaps we need someone new who will be watching out for us and keeping us informed. Lester Zalewski isn't afraid to speak out when needed. Perhaps that is why we have heard from several anonymous Zalewski critics-they did not like the truth. Count me as a neighbor and supporter of Zalewski.
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Lesters 30 sec spots trail Charlotte's on several cable news channels, while hers trail the mayors at other time slots. predicting a runoff between both his message has many just asking what if?
bahia mar deal was good for everybody but taxpayers. probably the same for hall of fame pools. guess no one cares just complains while the votes by comm keep approving
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An email blast was sent out today that has the look of a Central Beach Alliance endorsement of Mr. Zalewski.
The CBA wants to be very clear.
THIS EMAIL HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH US.
WE DID NOT ENDORSE THE FORMER CBA VICE PRESIDENT, MR. ZALEWSKI.
The CBA does not endorse candidates.
We sent an email to our members stating that the endorsement email did not come from us, so we hope this clears up any further misconception.
Again, the CBA did not send an email endorsing Zalewski.
John Weaver
CENTRAL BEACH ALLIANCE PRESIDENT
On behalf of the CBA Board
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All I can say is "wow"! If someone is sneaky enough to do something so unethical like this, how can anyone trust him as a commissioner. It makes you wonder to what extremes Mr. Zalewski will go to get his way. That is very scary. The CBA and the residents of the beach should not take this lightly. Hopefully the voters got this information before they went to the polls.
Concerned and Appalled Beach Resident
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are you kidding? are you for real? how long have you lived in broward? you read the paper at all? know how many elected officials have been charged or may have charges pending for unethical and or illegal activities? ever hear of the new voter mandated ethics code county wide that cities tried to and are trying to water down?
sneaky may not be a compliment but it ain't illegal by a long shot.
Welcome to Broward County
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So what was the candidate's name again?
You only mentioned it three times.
You must be kidding.
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Predicting a run off
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