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IRB voters meet the candidates
Fire referendum, density, budget, commission goals highlight discussion
By HARLAN WEIKLE
Article published on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 |
INDIAN ROCKS BEACH – Sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the Indian Rocks Beach Homeowners Association, candidates for the city commission were invited to meet the electorate Monday night in a closed forum question and answer session.
About 120 people were on hand to listen as commission hopefuls Don House, Joanne “Cookie” Kennedy, Daniel Torres and mayoral candidates R.B. Johnson and Bill Ockunzzi took turns responding to a series of questions prepared by the league.
Early on a question regarding the PSF&RD referendum question seemed to set the tone for the evening with the candidates expressing unanimous support for the non ad valorem increase, although for a variety of reasons.
Kennedy said she had not yet heard any discussion regarding the effect that losing local fire protection would have on the cost of insurance premiums. Concerned about longer response times, Kennedy stopped just short of endorsing the fee increase.
House summed up his stand briefly saying, “We have a house valued at $1 million, I’d be dumb to vote against it,” which brought a knowing titter from the audience.
Johnson was equally laconic expressing his support of the increase, this way, “The time has come. Yes.”
Ockunzzi also weighed in his support for the measure provided, he said, “A large portion of the $70 increase was for buildings,” referring to much needed improvements to the district’s infrastructure.
Torres agreed, citing a recent rapid response to an emergency involving his own family.
“It is extremely important to support this service, as a resident, I’m voting for it,” he said.
Other questions followed regarding density, budget, perceived goals for the new commission, support for the Beach Art Center and how to grapple with the task of hiring yet another city manager. With only minor differences, the candidates managed to maintain an atmosphere of equanimity, agreeing seemingly to disagree only a little.
One theme however seemed more than any other to both dominate the evening and unite the candidates – the matter of the commission’s conduct and the perception that somehow the commission and its manner, if not its manners, have become the story. Incivility, raucous behavior and extra chamber shenanigans including blogs, questionable press relations and rumor mills, the forum seemed to agree, have thrown a pall over city politics. Each candidate included improving the commission’s image among their three highest goals for the new commission.
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Article published on Wednesday, March 5, 2008
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