Questions for the Candidates

     I’m going to ask each of the candidates for the Fort Lauderdale City Commission some questions and post them here on the blog….If you have other questions you’d like to see them answer, post them as a comment and I’ll see if they have a response…

                                                           

     The first victim , is District II candidate Michael Ferber…. 

                                               
                                  here are his questions and answers

     Michael …..I’m writing about the District II race, and here are a few questions for you…

1.) What made you run?  … What makes you feel the current Commissioner, Charlotte Rodstrom, needs to be replaced?….

     Ferber’s answer  …

     I feel like Noah of the Old Testament, I see a financial flood for the City coming. We’re not prepared. I respect all the members of the Commission ( I’ve enjoyed a friendship with Jack Seiler, Charlotte Rodstrom, and Bruce Roberts for ten years or more). Commissioner Rodstrom has opposed budgets and I applaud that. Nevertheless, a culture of “play along to get along” exists. They’re kicking the financial can down the road. We need to be brutally honest in our budget process. I won’t hesitate to speak the harsh truth to citizens.

2.) What would your agenda be once you become Commissioner…

     Ferber’s answer  ….

     Economic vitality secures our families and neighborhoods. Private sector commerce is the lifeblood. Despite years of talk about “right-sizing”…… the scope of City government grows. As a resident since 1971, I recall when Fort Lauderdale ran a very tight financial ship. I would seek to limit the activities of the City government to the essential tasks that it alone can perform. I would seek to eliminate many “bells and whistles”. I respect the City workers who are represented by unions, however, I will not seek any union endorsements as this creates a conflict.


3.) What is your position on the low income towers that were slated for your neighborhood….

     Ferber’s answer …

     I oppose “low income towers”. Fortunately, these weren’t proposed. 3 sites sought a CRA commitment. This was to enhance their chances of obtaining tax credits to build what is more precisely called “workforce housing”. Quality housing for hardworking employees of Broward General and other downtown employers is a longstanding goal of our Land Use Plan. In the long run, Flagler Village will be a great high value neighborhood. I anticipate some excellent new developments being announced soon. There are still vacant sites; the code includes many “of-right” uses. Every time quality housing is built, it uses up a site that could potentially be the location of a legally permitted but less favored use.