voteheather2008.com Blog

“As a candidate for public office in Monroe County, I believe political issues can be freely debated without appealing to prejudices. Positive campaigning promotes citizen involvement.”

Thus begins the “Statement of Ethical Campaign Practices” I signed to complete the paperwork for qualification this week. (I had submitted over 600 petitions two weeks after I declared.) I was thoroughly surprised, pleased and honored to read and sign the document. It is a pledge from the candidate to focus on facts and issues, to comply with campaign finance rules, to “tell the truth” and to not condone any unethical activity. I’ve posted a link to the document on the Issues page of my website.

I was surprised by the document simply because we’ve seen some prior campaigns in the Keys that, while perhaps legal, have not always walked the ethical path, and because such a document should not be necessary, that folks should without question seek to do what’s ethical, what’s right. I was pleased because, if candidates and their supporters truly abide by it, the result will be issues- and qualifications-focused discourse that can produce the best for the people of Monroe. I was honored to sign it because I take the responsibility of public service very seriously.

I have a patriotic strain that runs deep in my family. My dad spent 22 years in the Navy, and both of my parents had siblings who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Though I have not always agreed with decisions made by our leaders, I have always strongly believed in the fundamental principles of democracy on which this nation was founded, in our representative form of government, in the separation of powers, and in the opportunity that democracy provides to give individuals real power and a voice through the elective process.

That’s why I got choked up when I had the privilege of speaking before the Florida Cabinet and then-Governor Bush two years ago. Being able to respectfully and responsibly be part of the political process is at once humbling and invigorating, and a reminder of the greatness on which our government and nation stand.

So I was honored to sign this “Statement of Ethical Campaign Practices.” I am eager to follow its guidelines, and hopeful for a fair, honest and honorable campaign season ahead. I hope you are too.

We were all a little perplexed at Mayor McCoy’s announcement at the last BOCC meeting that he wanted to “step down” from being the County Mayor. There was no real indication of why he’s unable to perform the Mayor’s duties. But on a subsequent interview with Bill Becker on US1 Radio, he stated that he had spoken to then Vice Mayor Di Gennaro about passing the gavel. Di Gennaro has friends in Tallahassee, travels there frequently and holds fundraisers at his home for the Governor, so Mayor McCoy thought Di Gennaro would make a good Mayor (he’s held the position in the past). McCoy asked Vice Mayor Di Gennaro if he would accept the appointment, and he agreed.

Now-Mayor Di Gennaro disputes Commissioner McCoy’s recollection, and insists that the two never discussed the issue. No finding of Sunshine violations has been found.

To me, there are several problems with this incident, and here are three. First, there’s the casual way in which the leadership position was passed off through a proclamation from Mr. McCoy, as though one individual alone has the authority to determine the leadership for the entire County. It was simply presented at the end of the BOCC meeting (when at least one Commissioner was out of the room), without a full vetting or questioning by anyone on the dais, and when most in the audience had gone home after a very long day.

Second, it seems quite clear from a reading of the administrative statute that such a passing of the gavel can only take place for the duration of the meeting in which the request is made. If a Mayor is unable to perform Mayoral duties for longer than the length of that meeting, then a new election for a Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem is required. Mr. McCoy wants to step down until November 4, 2008. The BOCC meeting was adjourned before this could even be addressed. That seems like a violation of the very laws that govern our government.

Third, the possibility that this was discussed out of the Sunshine speaks to the lack of trust citizens have in their Commission. If deals are made — or even if the public perceives that deals are made — outside of the sunshine, behind closed doors, between “friends,” then how can the public ever feel confident that democracy is being practiced, that their views are being represented?

Transparency, to me, is essential to democracy. The government exists to serve the citizens and taxpayers who fund it. They should be aware of the factors that go into decisions that are made in their behalf — whether we’re talking about setting insurance rates in a quasi-governmental agency or determining appropriate land use or selecting our leaders. Improving transparency in our County government is one of the reasons I am running for the Commission.

Heather

The last meeting of the Board of County Commissioners in Key Largo was an interesting one — as they all seem to be. In the midst of a cloudy economic climate, there didn’t seem to be much discipline when it came to spending choices. For instance, County staff suggested postponing some aspects of construction of the Murray Nelson Government and Cultural Center. These elements — primarily to augment the theater space that will double as the new BOCC meeting room — could all be added back at a time in the future when money is not quite so scarce.

When originally proposed, the project was planned to cost around $8 million. After bids were received, it was budgeted at $10.8 million. Change orders approved in May of 2007 actually reduced the projected cost by $451,000 for a new total of about $10.4 million. (The Keynoter has reported that the actual cost may end up at around $12.9 million.) In the construction process, several unanticipated items emerged, resulting in a predicted new change order that will increase the cost by about $358,000, bringing close to the amount budgeted in 2006.

Certainly, anyone who has contracted to renovate or build from scratch expects, unfortunately, the actual cost to come in over the bid. Construction inevitably uncovers unforeseen obstacles or items that must be addressed before a project can reach completion. That’s why, in the business world, you budget internally to account for cost overruns, and/or you negotiate a contract that provides the builder with a financial incentive for coming in under budget and on time. You might even include in your original specs items that you know could be scaled back if necessary. (This project was expected to be substantially completed by May 31, 2008 according to the project status on the County’s website — which has not been updated since July 2007.)

Things are obviously a little different when you’re dealing with public money. Your budget has to be open — you can’t “hide” those extra dollars a business might set aside for overruns. You have to adhere to specific codes and regulations regarding public construction and financing. And you also should ensure that judicious, cost-effective use of public money is your priority.

County staff understood that several other items in the Government & Cultural Center might be able to be postponed in order to keep the ballooning budget under control by saving $262,000 to offset the anticipated $358,000 increase. All the items on that staff list were indeed promised to the community, are very important components of a meeting room and theater, and were part of the original plans. Arguably, if the BOCC had not dedicated capital money to other projects (Hickory House, Vandenberg), there might be additional dollars to cover these overruns now.

Since the initial budget approved in 2006 for this project, we’ve seen new restrictions on our ability to tax imposed by the state, declining tax revenues and a budget deficit. Yes, some of this may have been due to mismanagement in the past. But the job today is to face today’s reality. Isn’t this the time where we start looking at what we absolutely need versus what we really want, where we start considering other options for providing these things? For instance, have we given any thought to offering private donors naming privileges for the theater space in exchange for the $262,000 staff is looking to save? And where did that $451,000 saved a year ago end up — in a contingency fund for this project, or siphoned off to another project or general revenues? The BOCC chose to cut nothing, but never really addressed where additional money to cover the new overruns will come from.

Another example. The new park on Big Pine Key could open this August, and will cost $18,000 per month to operate (plus $22,000 in a one-time expenditure for equipment). Staff presented an option to delay opening for two months until the next budget has been finalized, but the BOCC decided to move ahead. I guess I would have asked for a more detailed accounting of why it will cost so much to run a park each month, and would have suggested waiting those two more months to open it until we had a clearer picture of the financial road ahead.

On wastewater. Former Mayor McCoy “pontificated” [his word] on the bonding efforts initiated under his leadership when he was on the Key West City Commission that led to the city’s completion of advanced wastewater treatment. To me, this begs the question: Where has his leadership on this issue been on the County Commission? Why are we two years from a deadline for completion without a plan to finance the outstanding balance?

Isn’t it time for a change? I think so. Restoring a sense of fiscal responsiblitiy to the BOCC is one of my goals in running for the Commission.

Heather