Rodstrom vs. Trantalis
Yesterdays' primary election for the Fort Lauderdale District II seat was mighty close.
Former Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom came out ahead by only 128 votes over former Commissioner Dean Trantalis (Rodstrom 46% - Trantalis 41%). The turnout set a new low record for the District, at a dismal 8.63%, at a cost of $58 per voter.
Since no one reached 50% of the votes cast, there will be a run-off election in March. The third and fourth place finishers in yesterdays' race, Chuck Black and Lester Zalewski, are eliminated - (Black 9% - Zalewski 3%), so only Rodstrom and Trantalis will be in the run-off.
Rodstrom should be nervous. A poll, conducted by the Citys' most established pollster, Jim Kane, a month before the election, showed Rodstrom would win handily. Kane said at the time that Rodstrom was "in the cat bird's seat", but that certainly didn't happen yesterday.
Trantalis worked harder than Rodstrom during the short campaign, and momentum seems to be on his side.
Rodstrom was saved by her own neighborhoods on Las Olas Blvd., where she walloped Trantalis 343 to 95 votes.
Trantalis took most of the center of the District, his best showing in the Middle River Terrace neighborhood, where he trounced Rodstrom 82 to 28 votes. The beach was basically a tie, where both candidates are considered slow growth proponents.
Rumors have it that both eliminated candidates, Black and Zalewski, will endorse Trantalis for the run-off, though that has not yet been confirmed.
Stay Tuned - Tim
Former Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom came out ahead by only 128 votes over former Commissioner Dean Trantalis (Rodstrom 46% - Trantalis 41%). The turnout set a new low record for the District, at a dismal 8.63%, at a cost of $58 per voter.
Since no one reached 50% of the votes cast, there will be a run-off election in March. The third and fourth place finishers in yesterdays' race, Chuck Black and Lester Zalewski, are eliminated - (Black 9% - Zalewski 3%), so only Rodstrom and Trantalis will be in the run-off.
Rodstrom should be nervous. A poll, conducted by the Citys' most established pollster, Jim Kane, a month before the election, showed Rodstrom would win handily. Kane said at the time that Rodstrom was "in the cat bird's seat", but that certainly didn't happen yesterday.
Trantalis worked harder than Rodstrom during the short campaign, and momentum seems to be on his side.
Rodstrom was saved by her own neighborhoods on Las Olas Blvd., where she walloped Trantalis 343 to 95 votes.
Trantalis took most of the center of the District, his best showing in the Middle River Terrace neighborhood, where he trounced Rodstrom 82 to 28 votes. The beach was basically a tie, where both candidates are considered slow growth proponents.
Rumors have it that both eliminated candidates, Black and Zalewski, will endorse Trantalis for the run-off, though that has not yet been confirmed.
Stay Tuned - Tim
Do you have the results for SMR? Their board is the most vocal against many elected officials downtown. Thanks.
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This link
http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/FL/Broward/45102/114619/en/summary.html
found on the browardsoe.org web site has summary and by precinct info (4 tabs total) to compare turnout and votes
Could we have a better turnout on March 12?
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Tim- Thanks for giving me an outlet to try and persuede voters NOT to vote for Charlotte:....1) She has NO INTEGRITY- Just 2 weeks after she got elected last time,she runs for a county seat,being dishonest to the people that voted for her,and gave money to her campaign....2) She touts herself on being tough on crime,when in fact,crime rates have gone way up in parts of her district since she's been in office-perhaps the reason why she got so many votes in the isles is because folks there don't have those problems that us mortals do- but that's extremely important where I live...3)Because of her self serving behavior, a special election cost the taxpayers ALOT of money- many struggling families can't afford any unneccessary fimancial burdens....4} This is the last term she could serve,therefore, there is no incentive for her to do a great job,unless of course,she has an eye on the Mayor's seat-perhaps she'll pull a fast one, leave mid-term and try to run for Mayor if Jack decides to run for Govenor...5) Her constituancy is largely gay- why did she remain unusually mute when the gay marriage issue was on the table????
Hopefully the voters will look at her way too long time in office and realize that she really hasn't accomplished much at all during the time she's been there- is Fort Lauderdale a better place to live as a result of her public service???? See you at the polls....
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I agree with Sam- On the integrity issue,I wonder if she sleeps well knowing she left District II (known for many complex issues) to go un-represented on the dias for many months now....
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I am surprised Dean got almost as many votes as Charlotte. I don't know anyone on the beach that voted for him. My entire building voted for Charlotte since she has always been there for us.
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What a bunch of BS, Dan Lewis. You live in Victoria Park, not the beach and there was NO building that voted entirely for Charlotte (What building was that by the way?). Get back to work on those dirty tricks mailers - two months to go!
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Lester, I guess everyones prediction of you finishing last came true...I had more votes when I ran for president of my highschool class. As for Mr. Black he is a class act and I would be surprised if he endorsed Dean.
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snarky comments like this make me think YOU are still in high school
give it a break and be more positive in such important matters whether you like ot hate the candidate.
obviously few district 2 citizens even care whether this is high school or city comm. when so few even bother to turn out and vote, and decisions by this comm. affect them and the entire city.
Do the voters know it is free to vote?
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Come back and talk to me when you play in the adult world.
PS
Thanks to all the people that came out and voted for me.
Lester Zalewski
954 873 4320
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Lester your efforts are to be commended along with Chuck Black to just simply offer another rep other than those previously in the seat (nothing personal towards Charlotte and Dean).
Sadly personality and egos seem to over ride common sense and if I am to believe this city is desirable for the LIVE WORK PLAY mantra we are always hearing, then WHY do so many (Almost All living here in District 2) NOT vote??
Whats wrong? Can it be fixed? Will Tim still have to post sad crime and gangsta scenarios a year from now because SMRT/MRT get short changed and under-represented? As goes the lesser neighborhoods in Ft Ldle goes the city because the few isolated enclaves cannot carry our reputation and draw new comers in to renting or better buying in the city limits. Silly PR stuff like Safety Street Party or Light Up Sistrunk or Christmas On Las Olas or way too many RiverWalk offers are not sufficient to enhance the WHOLE city. Ever wonder why the turn out is so light at EVERY ONE of these events? Because the citizens and property owners and those with a vested interest in the city DON'T WANT TO BOTHER. Same old same old at City Hall and on the dais. If you think the city is better in 2013 than it was 10 years ago, please post and tell us all why. The voter turnout over the last 10 years is less, not more.
I suggest Tim Smith for Mayor of Ft. Lauderdale! Leadership from the trenches.
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You mean "thanks to both of the people who cameout and voted for me."
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Well that was an intelligent contribution to the dialogue. Why don't YOU run and see how many votes you get?
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What has she done for the less affluent? I can't remember the last time she even referenced the Haitian residents in her district but then most of them can't vote.
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We should all be very concerned with the pitiful turnout and the lack of civic engagement in Fort Lauderdale. Why can't the City send out election reminders by email or some other method? Why didn't the Supervisor of Elections send any notices? God knows it would have been a better use of money than having 28 precincts staffed yesterday for the 1,300 who voted at a polling place. Then again, would any of that even mattered or worked or is there some other underlying problem? How do we get residents to vote - to care about local government? Let's have that City-wide discussion.
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Great points as always Steve. We all get a water bill every month. No room to remind us of a special election we are footing the bill for? They could slap it on every bill rather than just district 2 (too much work for the staff). We get email blasts for Full Moon at Snyder (they just want our parking fees, ha ha ha).
If they keep it up they will kill the heart and soul of the city, if they haven't already. Sure looks like it with 8% voting.
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AFTER Charlotte is reelected we must work on her campaign for Mayor. We need a female mayor for our great city and Charlotte is a great role model for many of our children. you can't stop Progress..VOTE CHARLOTTE
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Danielle- you have to lay off the crack pipe,or you're really stupid, or have no morals like your buddy Charlotte- role model for children???!!! LOL !!! I taught my kids long ago, if you have no integrity, you have nothing at all...Deceptive behavior,dishonesty,and egotistical selfishness is the last thing we want to instill in the youth of America- God help your children if you have any!!!!
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Do you watch the commission meetings? Charlotte is constantly lost and confused until her husband rescues her via texts. Progress would be electing Bobby DuBose the first black mayor. Now he is what you call a role model and that is what you call progress.
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Charlotte finally admits on her own website the John is the one who pulls the strings. I'm sure she'll change it after this post but on her website it states "He has been a tireless advocate for preserving the integrity of our neighborhoods". Get rid of the royal family
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is that going to be a special election for $250 thousand too? because he resigns to run for governor in 2014 so dubose has to resign dist 3 seat to run for mayor? or will dubose wait to challenge the mayor in March 2015? since mayor will not be the gov.
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I am very saddened to see that just 8% of District 2 voted in this election. I took the time to read all three of Dean Trantallis's position papers, on his website. They are very well written and show good insight into the issues facing us all. I can not believe that just 8% of the District (at most) have read these words. I would have happily read other candidates position papers - but there were none. I encourage all readers to spread the word that no matter who you support, it is important to have your voice heard and to Vote on March 12th.
Abby Laughlin
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Listen up, Charlotte lovers- if she was so good at her job, why didn't she just run on her own merits instead of running a smear mailer on Dean on the eve of the primary? Why pay a private eye with campaign contributions to dig up dirt if she's that good? Ooops, I forgot, the Rodstoms are experts on underhanded tactics to get elected at all costs.......
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If you read Nevins' blog story about the election at www.browardbeat.com you will see that some are identifying Alan Jean (Bobby DuBose's campaign manager) as the person behind the attack mailer on Dean along with Charlotte's campaign manager, Dan Lewis, and attorneys/lobbyists associated with the Rodstroms - Scherer, Book, Toothaker, etc.
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How quickly some forget. See the comments to blog post; "Racism ? ... Pioneers, in After Midnight Vote!" http://blog.timsmith.com/2011/11/02/racism-pioneers-in-after-midnight-vote.aspx
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Real different tone and viewpoints here than on Buddy Nevin blog. This election must matter as browardbeat.com covers the city infrequently
http://www.browardbeat.com/fort-lauderdale-runoff-fight-over-gay-vote/
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Charlotte was endorsed by the Sun Sentinel, received the most votes in the election. It is clear to me that she will prevail and lead us to Victory. This city would be upside down if it wasn't for Charlotte. Also, with a city that has half female population don't we deserve at least one female on the commission? A vote for Charlotte is a vote for woman all over the World!
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the s-s has endorsed every incumbent for city elections
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She received the most votes? well I guess if as Tim writes 128 votes more than 2nd place is technically the most votes. for comparison
28,687 registered that could have voted if it mattered
2,472 actually voted
thats less than 9%
if you truly believe what you wrote, you sound like the others on commission when reelected in 2012 saying the voters support the job we are doing
(about 10% voted in 2012 in that reelection)
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I would love to be in that "cat bird seat"-. A win, is a win, is a win. As far as the cheap-shots esp. the statement that Charlotte "is not a good role model for children " etc-be careful w/ your commnents. Talk about role models for children its ok for Dean to state about the "Didler(alleged-please)that everyone is innocent until proven gulity, and Mcegennius(whatever-stick w/ didler in my opinion) wa s not found guilty etc. Boy Dean changed his tune when the crap was hitting the fan. Then he has the emergencey meeting(by the way Dean is on the board @ Broward House) to fire Mcgennuis after the heat was on Dean and after the piece in the paper. So stick up for the "didler" until it bites you in the ass, then retract," My comments where taken out of line etc. Sure. But Charlotte is a bad role model for kids huh? Be careful people w/ your remarks the truth will always set you free ,but @ first it will make you miserable" Or in Dean's case coming in and taking sloppy secounds. Now on to March 12......
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Lot of emotion in these comments. When I look at this race objectively, I can see both sides, but I think it is time for Charlotte Rodstrom to quit. She has had her turn at the job, and I don't see much progress in many of her areas. Also, I hear that she isn't very collegiante with her colleagues, and that they often punish her for it by not going along with any of her proposals. I know Trantalis didn't set anything on fire when he was there, but I'm going to give him a chance now for a term. If he doesn't get going and proving himself, I'll be looking for someone else in 2015.
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What Charlotte means....
C character
H hope
A attitude
R resolve
L lovely
O ovation
T tedious
T tough
E energizing
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Danielle - you're a mess and becoming as ridiculous as Robert Walsh, Charlie King and Art Seitz. Lester - if you really want to thank ALL of your supporters, why not just have the 71 of them (plus yourself for a total of 72) over to your condo for brunch?! Last January you received 350 votes so you have lost almost as much support as Charlotte.
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If she is not elected in March can she run for a full three year term in March 2015?
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Hmm, doubt it. If elected in March her term ends in 2015 as it would have done had she not resigned. So. I think she would have to sit out one full term or run for mayor.
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Last time Trantalis lost because he was caught not pulling permits for his rental property. Lest we forget.
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