Tim Smith's Fort Lauderdale

     It was billed as a Fort Lauderdale Candidate Event for those seeking the Mayoral post and the District I Commission seat.

     The candidates all arrived, with a good showing of some of the City’s top activists.
                      
                               
                               State Rep candidate Chris Chiari
                             chats with Commissioner Rodstrom
                               as Commissioner Teel looks on !

     But the crowd, for such an important civic event, seemed paltry. Where were the Galt Milers? Only a handful were there, and they appeared to mostly come from one Condo.

     The Galt Ocean Mile has always been critical to City candidates, because the mature residents there always turn out to vote in big numbers. It was apparent that this event was not widely publicized. 

     Soon the mystery answered itself. It wasn’t your standard Q&A candidate forum at all, but more of an ambush, seemingly set up to attack one candidate.

     And that District I Commission candidate was local condo attorney Inger Garcia. Garcia has been critical of the leadership of many of the condos along the Galt for years now. In her column in the Fort Lauderdale City News, a newspaper known for its’ controversial offerings, Garcia has continually warned residents to watch their Condo Boards. 
                                    
                                
                                       District I candidates
                                  Garcia ….. Roberts …. Teel

     She has written about the new State Condo laws that improve transparency and “punish the wrongdoers”. She recently wrote that condo unit owners should report any suspicions that Board Officials have ” made decisions based on their own financial interests”.  

     After an abbreviated Q&A session, Galt President Pio stated that there were “a few questions”. Then came the ambush. Pio called up only two residents to the microphone and they both blasted Garcia. They chastised her for “implicating corruption”, and for calling them “crooks”. Another in the audience defiantly “shot the bird” at Garcia from his seat.  

                                      
                                          The Ambush

     No other questions were entertained.
 
     The candidates left the stage, while those in the crowd with no affilation to the condo just seemed shocked. It was a bad day for the Galt.

    

     The ‘good ole days’, when you could leave your doors unlocked in Fort Lauderdale are ancient history. 

                            
                         Fort Lauderdale Police in safer times


     And this year, things have only gotten worse. Fort Lauderdale’s crime is on the rise. Robbery is up 8%, burglary up 17%, and vehicle burglaries up 21% over this time last year.

     Something has to be done. And the responsibility falls on the shoulders of the new Police Chief, Frank Adderley, who has only been on the job for a matter of months.

                                  
                                   Chief Adderley

     But a new effort by a new Chief might be just the ticket. And that is what’s happening.

     So local thugs beware; Fort Lauderdale’s new Street Crimes Unit is on the job! And Chief Adderley has picked one of the toughest and most respected Cops on the force to lead the new unit, Captain Luis Alvarez. 
                                            
                                                    
                                                      Alvarez 

     The creative team is made up of Forty Police Officers….all hand-picked…the tough and assertive kind…. often dressed in all black…. criminal intimidators!…. ready to roll……… they’ll probably take prisoners, but only because they’re required to!

     And it might be just in time. With the economy tanking everywhere, and even harder in Florida, many experts believe crime could spiral totally out of control.  

     This hand-picked Special Force was cobbled together by combining positions from numerous “Special Teams” that have been around for quite some time, but many felt had lost their effectiveness. They were the “Raiders”, the “Tac Team”, and the “Special Problems Unit”. Now, the new name is not splashy, but their firepower, and make-up, is impressive.

     Chief Adderley released the stats today of the first month of operation for the new team.

     a small sample of their 350 Arrests this month – 

      ….. a Cocaine dealer, dealing outside a school in Dorsey Riverbend
     ….. a thug with a gun in Edgewood, arrested after attacking a Police Officer
     ….. a child molester on the beach
     ….. a man arrested after stabbing a man on Broward Blvd.
     ….. a carjacker arrested in South Middle River
     ….. a burglar who held a knife at a homeowner in Flagler Heights

     ….. and so it goes. Chief Adderley thinks this new effort, with it’s ability to swarm an area and make substantial progress – quick, is the way to go.
      It’s proven Police strategy that if you fix the “broken windows”, in this case the street thugs that prey on our community, crime rates fall.

      We hope he’s right!

   

     

     

    

     Carlton Moore’s political days in Fort Lauderdale are nearly done.

     After serving as the District Commissioner for District III for the past 20 years, Moore will say goodbye on November 4th. Moore’s final term in office will be cut short by about 4 months, as he had to resign (effective November 4th), when he got into the County Commission race against incumbent Commissioner John Rodstrom and lost.

     Moore would have been term limited out of his Fort Lauderdale Commissioner’s seat in March, regardless.

                                
                        Moore thanks supporters after losing County Commission bid
                                
     An interim Commissioner will now be appointed by the City Commision to serve out Moore’s term. This temporary Commissioner will serve until the City elections next March, when a new Commissioner will be elected for a three year term to serve District III.

      Most observers believe that the Commission will pick someone that agrees to only serve temporarily, and not run in the general election in March.

     So who’s in the running for that temporary, yet prestigious position?

     There are at least eight District III residents in the running, but the focus will probably revolve around three that are on a list that’s being offered up by a ad-hoc citizens group.

     The citizens group plans to weigh in to the City Commission and influence the choice for the Temp-Commissioner and here’s who they like:

     Pam Adams – President of Adams Consulting Group. Adams has served on City Boards and has been active in the community for years. Rumor has it that Naugle will oppose her since she is a registered lobbyist.

     Bernadette Norris-Weeks – A local attorney that has been drawing attention as an up and comer in the District for the last few years.

     Dr. Magdalene Lewis  – A retired educator that has a long history of community involvement.

     The Commission is not restricted to this citizen group list, and Naugle is known to be partial to Durr’s neighborhood President Mickey Hinton. One well founded rumor had Naugle actually delivering Hinton’s application form for him.

     Moore has not publicly announced his favorites, but the list of three are all known to be close with him.

     The Mayoral contest in Fort Lauderdale is going rough and tumble!

     While the focus for most of us has been the Presidential race just weeks away, the City elections that take place in February and March look to be cruising toward a boil.

     The biggest reason for that boil is Mayoral candidate Earl Rynerson.

                                     
                                    Rynerson with Victoria Park Resident

     Rynerson is a businessman and Gulf War Veteran that is described in the Sun-Sentinel Political Blog as a “tile store owner”. That description even brings Rynerson to a simmer. He worries that title belittles his stature in some voters’ minds compared to the descriptions given his opponents; lawyer, lawyer, and lawyer.

     One thing is for sure, Rynerson is hell bent on being relative in this year’s race.

     Rynerson faces an uphill battle because he’s mixed up in a race that has well known and respected local pols, the likes of State Representative Jack Seiler, and former Commissioner and well known gay activist Dean Trantalis.

      Rynerson’s latest attempt to get notice involves money – and lots of it. The latest campaign contribution reports show Rynerson with more money in his campaign war chest than the other candidates. His totals were at about $90,000, Seiler’s about $75,000, Trantalis’s at $16,000, and Rossi at about $3000. He sent out a Press Release touting that fact yesterday. 

     But what Rynerson failed to clearly say in his release was that most of that money was his. Rynerson loaned his own campaign $77,000.

     Seiler, and other local activists say that Rynerson is being dishonest with the voters in his press release. Seiler says he is not worried about Rynerson’s deep pockets, but is offended that Rynerson is “trying to make it look like he has more real contributions”, than Seiler, and that is clearly not the case.

    When asked about what he plans to do with all that scratch, Rynerson says he has a few “out of the box” ideas, that he wasn’t ready to divulge, and that he will be using the money “in a variety of ways”.

    

     

    

     Obama or McCain, that’s the choice!

                   

     And the candidates that are running for the Fort Lauderdale Mayor and Commissioners’ seats have to make that choice in November just as you and I will !

     I asked them all recently who they are supporting for President. One thing was a constant. Most preferred not to answer the question at all! And didn’t!
      You see, city races are non-partisan. That means that the candidates don’t declare their party affiliation. And the candidates knew that answering the question might hurt them with one party or the other. 

     But this Presidential election is an incredibly important one, and who our local leaders support seems important and germane. So I was persistent, and most of them gave me at least some sort of answer. Quite a few dodged me altogether. If more replies come in, I’ll update this blog post. Here are the results so far!


Mayoral Race 

Steve Rossi – no reply

Earl Rynerson – “I don’t like either one of them and I think it’s a stupid question to ask in a non-partisan race”

Jack Seiler – “I am supporting the Obama-Biden ticket.  Senator Obama is a dynamic speaker who will hopefully enhance our image around the globe, instill some hope and optimism here at home, and energize our country (especially our youth).  Although Senator Obama lacks experience, I feel strongly that Senator Biden provides the necessary experience, veteran leadership, and foreign policy expertise.  Together, they make a pretty good team.

I will also add this: we do not need to knock down Senator McCain to elevate Senator Obama.  Although I support the Obama-Biden ticket, we need to recognize that John McCain is a decorated war hero, a distinguished veteran, a hard working public servant, and a well respected Senator.  Senator McCain has served our country well, he has earned our respect, and he deserves our gratitude. 

 

In closing, the Obama-Biden ticket offers a greater chance for positive change, meaningful reform, and much needed relief for our middle class and working families.”  

 

Dean Trantalis – ” I believe Barack Obama and a Democratic administration is our only hope for renewal and optimism. We don’t need four more years of the same failed policies that have brought us economic ruin, international disdain, and a darkened pall that burdens our spirit. It’s time to move on.”

District One

Inger Garcia – “I am still investigating my vote“

Bruce Roberts – “I only wish the Fort Lauderdale City Commission could have such influence and sway in the Presidential election and Washington D.C.. Seriously though, I believe it is much more effective and efficient to keep our city elections non-partisan. Non-partisan means we work for the good of all people regardless of political beliefs or party affiliation. Non partisan avoids polarization and promotes clear and objective reasoning. Thanks for asking, but I’ll just keep my presidential voting to myself.

    Obama’s surge in the polls seems to be making some racists quite nervous.
 
     I know, because I’ve received numerous racial rants recently by e-mail, warning of dire consequences should Obama be elected President. I get lots of unsolicited e-mails, being a former Commissioner. I try and ignore the nutty ones, but the latest missive was so insane, I just had to respond.

      It was a rambling manifesto not only about Obama being a Muslim, but also being a  part of a terrorist plot to control the world. It went on and on about the “proof” that the “mainstream media” was “covering up”. Quite kooky! 
 
      I sent a short reply; – “It is unfortunate that you have drank so much kool-aid that you actually think Obama is a Muslim plant running for President to take over the free world….so sad……. but I will pray for you none-the less….

     I had clicked “reply all”, just to let the whole 50 or so on the nut note know how I felt, and …..
 
     A phantom bigot e-mailer replied back –  “Madam or Master, whoever you are, I don’t drink kool-aid and don’t need your prayers.  I saw the light YEARS ago and am a diehard Republican.  If you can’t see that that nigger is a muslim, then God help you.  If you wanna pray for anyone, pray for the dumb-ass populace, that are stupid enough to vote for the black bastard.

     We have much work still to do in America!
     

    

                                                  
     It looks like Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom will have to work really hard for her re-election after all.

     Rodstrom was the last of the Commission to draw an opponent, but they seem to be making up for lost time, and the rhetoric is getting heated and charged early. 



                                                               
   
                                         Rodstrom the Candidate!

                                                                

     So far, two challengers have filed to run against her and more might be on the way.

     Last week, Steve Glassman, President of the Central Beach Alliance and former key Rodstrom supporter, jumped in the race. And yesterday, Victoria Park resident and  activist Howard Elfman entered. 

     Poinsettia Heights President Mike Vondermeulen has recently announced by e-mail to many of the District’s leaders that he is exploring a run also, and will be in contact with them soon. 


                                          
                                         Candidate Glassman
                                           
     Glassman has been a long time, popular President of the CBA, and worked hard, alongside Rodstrom, in pushing for more restrictive building rules along the Fort Lauderdale beachfront.  He was substantially credited for Rodstrom’s first successful run in 2006, when he and other beach activists turned out the beach vote in big numbers. Most of Glassman’s colleagues and supporters on the beach are opposed to new large high rise development.
 
     But what a difference a few years can make. Glassman now says he is launching a “strong” bid for her job, and had this to say about her service over the last three years;

     “her neighborhood neglect, unresponsiveness to the community and unbelievable lack of leadership” are the motivating factors behind his candidacy.

     Glassman is a sharp professional bureaucrat, and will surely give Rodstrom heartburn along the campaign trail.

     I’ll give you more on Rodstrom opposition as it becomes available.

    

     The latest dust up over Mayoral candidate Steve Rossi’s inappropriate joke (see the last post if you missed it) at the Chamber of Commerce’s Mayoral debate last week got me thinking.

     This guy just might win!

     Afterall, the last few Mayors of Fort Lauderdale were very popular and have said some mighty crazy things!

                           
                                 Rossi cracking up at Chamber Debate

   
     Take former Mayor Bob Cox for starters.

     When asked by a fourth grader during an appearance at Dillard Elementary (a nearly all black school) what it took to be Mayor, Cox replied “anyone can be Mayor of Fort Lauderdale, you just need to be free, white, and 21” ! Apparently Cox forgot what decade it was! 

     And Cox’s plan to control the homeless was to “put Kerosene in the dumpsters”.

     And, then of course, you have our current Mayor – Jim Naugle.

     Some of his Naugle’s  colorful quips ;

     ” I use the word Homosexual. Most of them aren’t Gay, they’re unhappy!”

     And Naugle on the ACLU,… “they’re the Atheists and Criminal Lobbying Union”.

    And he refers to his City’s local newspaper (the Sun-Sentinel) as the Scum Sentinel!


     So, …….. note to Rossi …. keep those zingers coming !  


 

      


                             

     All four Fort Lauderdale Mayoral candidates met the business community early this morning at the Bahia Mar for a cordial debate. Here they are:

                                                
                     Steve Rossi                                               Earl Rynerson
                 
                                                 
                             Jack Seiler                          Dean Trantalis
     

     The function was arranged by the Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and drew a room full of interested business owners and City big shots. Commissioners Teel and Rodstrom were in attendance as well as Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson, who dropped out of the Mayoral race last week, but drew a standing ovation from the crowd for her decade of service.

     It appeared to be the first time many in the room had heard from the candidates, but the frank discussion surely helped them form opinions.

     Below is a short compilation of some of their answers, the funniest (or weirdest)comments of the morning, and my take on who won this first round!

Questions and Answers

“How do we take the City from good to great?”

Rossi – wants the City to adopt “green technology”, a “green silicon valley type City”
Seiler – says we need to improve relationships with County,State and Feds, preserve and protect natural resources, plan future growth and development, and have the Mayor be the “public face” of tourism 
Rynerson – says the City needs to develop more tourist “destinations”. Says some areas that could work would be South Andrews Business District, Sistrunk Blvd. (as a cultural area), and NE 13th St. Wants to fix the underdeveloped areas of the City 
Trantalis – wants to make sure the City “embraces all the citizens”, bring down crime, and make all feel welcome.

“What is your position on future growth and development?”

Rynerson – He further developed his “destinations” plan, and says that the City government is always in “reactive mode” and needs to approach redevelopment and the vision for it proactively.
Seiler – says redevelopment is not a four letter word, wants to see where we need more redevelopment, but opposes zero lot line and encroachment of commercial into neighborhoods.
Trantalis – opposes more beach development, but wants to be a Mayor that “compromises,cajoles, and gets the Commission to work better together.” Says the City Manager “has not been given direction” on redevelopment
Rossi – says we should develop the tourists’ areas, and that the City needs to make tourism a year-round event.   

Funniest (or weird) Comments: 

      Top award in this category goes to Rossi. In his opening comments, Rossi told the crowd that though they might not have heard his name, they knew his face since his lawyer advertisements were on all the bus benches around the county. And then he added (and probably wish he hadn’t), “more people have sat on my face then any candidate in the race!” You could hear an audible gasp.

     Second place goes to Rynerson, a businessman,  who after all his colleagues were introduced, who are all attorneys, said “ I guess that makes me the alternative to attorneys!”

      And Rossi also wins third place – when describing how the homeless can be mainstreamed back into society, Rossi said that he had a client that was a Doctor that due to mental illness was living under a bridge. Rossi said that the Doctor “took one pill and was back to practicing medicine!”. 
                    ……………………………………………………………
     
     So who won Round One ? (in my humble opinion!) 

    Seiler won Round One. He came off as the most prepared and was totally at ease with the crowd. One civic activist called me just after the debate and said he went in uncommitted, but came out ” sold on Jack”.

    Rynerson should be proud of his performance. As an unknown, he introduced himself to the group most professionally and showed he had been developing new ideas for the City.

    Trantalis was off his game, but never count him out. He is very bright, and if he finds his voice, and figures out why he wants to be Mayor, could come on strong.

    Rossi was entertaining!


     

    

     So just after hitting the button on my last blog compiling the list of candidates for the Fort Lauderdale elections in March, the news came in:

     Cindi Hutchinson drops out of Mayoral race!

     The rumor had been around for a few weeks that Hutchinson was considering dropping out, but could not be confirmed. 

     State Representative and Fort Lauderdale Mayoral candidates Jack Seiler and former Commissioner Dean Trantalis will probably benefit most from Hutchinson’s departure, but that’s only conjecture at this point.

     Seiler says that he was surprised by her announcement, and that she has had an “outstanding career” and shouldn’t be judged by “a mistake”, (referring to last summer’s inquiry into inappropriate campaign mailings coming out of Hutchinson’s campaign office). He says it won’t change the way he’s campaigning for the job – “one voter at a time”.

     Mayoral candidate Earl Rynerson was also surprised at the news and said he thinks it makes the race “more interesting for sure”. He added that he believes that Hutchinson and Trantalis are responsible for the ballooning City Budgets over the last 5 years and that neither should be in the race. He says he is going to go after those who were loyal to Hutchinson and try to talk them into supporting him.

     Rossi and Trantalis could not be reached at the time of this posting.