voteheather2008.com Blog

The Key West Citizen is working on a story about the race for County Commission District 3, and has sent a questionnaire to the candidates. Because it is unlikely that the paper will print responses in their entirety, I’m sharing mine with you below. Enjoy the “scoop!”

WHAT QUALITIES OR SKILLS DO YOU HAVE THAT MAKE YOU FEEL YOU COULD BE A SOUND COUNTY COMMISSIONER?

I am a good listener, a creative problem solver and a solid negotiator. I understand budgets, I have experience working with architects and contractors, I know the challenges of making a payroll, providing benefits and motivating and supporting employees. I have proven leadership experience not only as a business owner, but through my involvement with many boards and organizations. And I have worked with a broad range of people through many different experiences throughout my life, from corporate types, to kids in after-school music programs, to parolees when I taught literacy through my church in Manhattan, to the diverse folks of the Keys and conservative leaders in Tallahassee.

I have always been involved in civic activities in the Keys (Business Guild, Lodging Association, running for City Commissioner, etc.). When everyone in the Keys began receiving outrageous windstorm rates, I decided to commit an enormous portion of my time and talents to fight this inequity and joined FIRM at their second meeting. As part of this county-wide team, I demonstrated how I could work with others for a common goal. I leveraged my talent as a communicator, organizer, researcher, motivator, presenter and leader to help thousands of folks reduce their windstorm rates. Understanding a problem that impacts thousands of citizens and working with others to help the public has been an extremely rewarding experience. In addition, it has helped me further hone skills that this project required like patience, tenacity and the ability to present and negotiate on the political stage of Tallahassee.

I believe I have demonstrated that I possess the skills and qualities that will allow me to fairly and effectively represent all citizens of the Keys.

WHAT EXPERIENCE DO YOU HAVE WITH EITHER ELECTED OR APPOINTED BOARDS OR IN ELECTED OFFICE? PLEASE ELABORATE ON WHAT DUTIES OR EXPERIENCE CAME WITH THE ELECTED OR APPOINTED POSITION THAT YOU COULD US AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

I was appointed by Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty to the state’s Task Force on Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Claims Handling and Resolution. On this Task Force, we listened to insurance consumers around the state explain their situations, and directed Citizens Property Insurance on how to provide improved service. I had to understand legislation, insurance operations, claims flowcharts, the real impact of red tape and bureaucracy on people’s lives, and how to work through the system for real change. We followed specific procedures for hearing “testimony,” soliciting input, working with the Sunshine Laws, and helping to draft legislation, and operated in fairly strict accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.

HOW FAMILIAR ARE YOU WITH BUDGETS, GOVERNMENT OR BUSINESS? DO YOU HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WORKING ON BUDGETS FOR A BUSINESS OR NON-PROFIT OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY?

I have lots of experience with budgets. As early as my late twenties, I oversaw multi-million dollar marketing budgets for Better Homes & Gardens Book Clubs. That kind of oversight continued with my work as Director of Marketing for children’s book clubs at Bantam Doubleday Dell. I was responsible for making sure that dollars were spent in a cost-effective manner, resulting in the highest possible return on investment. As a member of my co-op board in New York City, I participated in making decisions for expenditures for capital improvements.

On all the non-profit Boards on which I sat, I participated in making decisions about budgets: how much money would we need to raise to meet our goals, how best do we spend what we have, how cost-effective are our efforts. On the Lodging Association board, I supported monthly financial reporting to the Board, and annual reporting to the Association’s members. I wrote the business plan for our guesthouse, a requirement to acquire financing, which included a budget and multi-year projections. As a business owner, almost every day my business partner and I evaluate our income and expenses, and regularly adjust our marketing efforts and expenditures to stay in the black.

HAVE YOU EVER RUN YOUR OWN COMPANY OR BUSINESS THAT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR EMPLOYING PEOPLE? IF SO, WHAT TYPE OF BUSINESS AND HOW MANY EMPLOYEES?

I’ve been hiring and managing employees for twenty years. The largest department I ever managed was of 43 people (at Bantam Doubleday Dell). I am the co-owner of a guesthouse with 38 rooms, a bar and a small restaurant. We employ 19 people, from full-time f&b and general managers, to full-time maintenance staff, to full and part-time servers, bartenders, front desk clerks and housekeepers. Some of our staff is salaried and some are hourly. All full-time staff are eligible for health insurance, the premium for which we pay 85%. In addition, we occasionally hire folks like landscapers, pool maintenance workers, architects, contractors, plumbers, electricians and carpenters.

HAVE YOU EVER OPERATED A BUSINESS OR HELD A JOB IN THE LEGAL FIELD IN WHICH YOU HAD TO INTERPRET LEGAL OPINIONS? DO YOU HAVE A LEGAL DEGREE OR STUDIED THE LAW, WHICH WOULD GIVE YOU INSIGHT TO INTERPRETING LEGAL OPINIONS OR UNDERSTAND COUNTY POLICY AS IT REGARDS TO ENVIRONMENTAL LAW OR TAKINGS CASES?

(I actually took the LSATs and considered going into the law, but I realized that I was too anxious to get into the “real world” to spend more time in school. ) Running a business requires some knowledge of the law, from zoning and land use, to employment law, to tax law, to ADA law, to liability issues, etc. I hire and trust counsel to provide honest, thorough opinions on thorny legal issues, and I believe my experience and inquisitive nature help me to craft questions of the legal experts to help understand the full realm of possibilities on any legal issue.

DO YOU OR HAVE YOU SERVED ON THE BOARDS OF NON-PROFITS OR COMMUNITY GROUPS OR AGENCIES? IN WHAT CAPACITY DID YOU OR DO YOU SERVE? HOW HAS THE EXPERIENCE MADE YOU A BETTER COMMUNITY LEADER?

In the Keys, I’ve been on the boards of the Key West Symphony Orchestra, Key West Business Guild, Lodging Association of the Florida Keys, Sculpture Key West, and Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe. I’ve been elected President of the Guild and FIRM, and Chair of the Lodging Association.

As a board member, I think I’ve been successful in helping the organizations with which I’ve been involved reach consensus on key issues and make some tough decisions. When I have chaired boards and meetings, I’ve tried to follow Robert’s Rules of Order, allowing everyone a voice and trying to make sure one person speaks at a time. I also like to make sure that, when a meeting is over, everybody knows what was accomplished and what their “marching orders” are. Without confirming next steps and setting deadlines and goals, progress is not made.

On specific boards: I helped produce one of the Symphony’s most successful fundraisers, an auction at the Audubon House back in 2002. I spoke on behalf of the Guild before the City Commission on issues relating to entertainment licensing and FantasyFest re-scheduling after Wilma. I supported bringing more detailed financial reporting to the Lodging Association and expanding its reach up the Keys. With Sculpture Key West, I introduced a method for targeting fundraising efforts and evaluating their effectiveness. (Ask Karley Klopfenstein about the “pyramid.”) When I sit on a board, I don’t just sit — I participate, I lead.

With FIRM, I’ve been the head spokesperson, doing hands-on work preparing our arguments and presentations for things like the Monroe County evidentiary hearing in August ‘06, State Senate committee meetings in March ‘08, and the Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodologies last month. I had the privilege of speaking before then-Governor Bush and the Cabinet in April of ‘06, and I believe my ability to frame and communicate a persuasive argument helped us lower our windstorm rates. I didn’t know anything about insurance until I got involved with FIRM, and my facility with the issue today demonstrates my ability to process lots of information quickly, and to find logical, effective ways to address challenges that can seem insurmountable.

My board experience has taught me how to listen effectively, how to help build consensus, how to build a persuasive case, how to work with all kinds of different personalities, and how to get things done in a collaborative environment. The breadth of my experience, from arts to business to consumer activist groups, has helped educate me on our communities, and on our relationship with a variety of government entities. I think this has helped make me an effective leader, as my elections as President of the Guild, Chair of the Lodging Association, President of FIRM and Leadership Monroe County’s Leader of the Year demonstrate.

At last week’s Key West Business Guild forum, a question was posed about support for a nude beach in the Keys to fill the void in the naturist market created by the closing of Atlantic Shores. All candidates agreed that a nude beach (like Haulover in Miami) wouldn’t be a bad thing, that it’s in keeping with the “wilder” side of the Keys character and would be particularly popular among European visitors. Given the strength of the Euro these days, anything we can do to attract foreign tourists will help bolster our economy.

With Key West’s “come as you are” reputation, it would make sense to locate a naturist beach in or very near the City. However, the only beach the County owns in Key West, Higgs Beach, sits close to a well-trafficked road, a popular restaurant, a playground, a dog park and two historic tourist attractions — not a secluded or private site by any means.

Both of my opponents suggested converting Wisteria Island in Key West Harbor into a nude beach. The Independent candidate also proposed adding telescopes to Mallory Square so people could peek at the nude sunbathers. That provoked some good-natured guffaws from the audience as well as the panel.

All fun aside, that’s where the agreement between myself and the other contenders for the District 3 seat ended. The problem with this scenario is not one of Puritanism, but one of property. Wisteria Island is privately owned and within the County’s jurisdiction, subject to tougher development regulations and density restrictions than it would be if under Key West’s jurisdiction.

My Republican opponent asserted that he’d already suggested converting the island into a naturist resort to the owners (whether he wants the County to purchase the island or just agreed in advance to support the owner in such a development wasn’t clear). This is at least the second time he’s publicly mentioned private conversations with developers. During a forum before the primary, he mentioned that he suggested to the developers of Safe Harbor on Stock Island that the harbor should be used for container ship traffic to Cuba.

The Wisteria Island discussion between the island’s owners and architect Rojas is another indication that his interests lie with developers, and not the people of Monroe County. If developers want to approach the county regarding land use issues, there is an open and public procedure available to them to do so. I don’t think the citizens of the Keys are looking for more secretive discussions between developers and Commissioners that result in surprise changes to our regulations.

This is the same kind of thinking that led to the Hickory House debacle. Some on the Commission determined that they could make better use of that piece of private property, and over $3 million taxpayer dollars have since been tied up in a parcel that cannot fulfill the vision that was promised when it was purchased.

I do not believe government should be in the real estate business. If a private property owner believes it makes good economic sense to develop a naturist resort, and such use conforms to zoning and development regulations, then such use should be permitted. If there is a market need, an enterprising entrepreneur will step in to fill it.

Government should focus its attention on public safety and health through providing a solid infrastructure, emergency support, protection and essential social services. Government should support business, but not direct it.

Our County reserves are depleted by half at least in part because the BOCC approved non-essential projects like the Hickory House and the Vandenberg. Let’s not add Wisteria Island to that list. Let’s get back to basics, rebuild our reserves, trim our budget, and leave the resort development business to the business people.

This past week, our newspapers were dominated by headlines about former aide Celeste Bruno’s lawsuit against the County for failing to provide a safe workplace in light of inappropriate behavior by outgoing Commissioner Sonny McCoy. This incident seems especially distasteful here, in a community where we claim we’re One Human Family.

The transcripts from the initial grand jury investigation into this, as well as reports from the trial itself, were disturbing. The reported behavior was clearly inappropriate and would have made most self-respecting professionals uncomfortable. The fact that the Commissioner did not understand that such behavior was offensive was perhaps more disturbing, and a clear indication that his actions grew out of experiences from a different generation. Further, the County seemed ineffective in complying with today’s workplace standards.

Indeed, I was stunned to learn that Commissioners are not subject to the County’s sexual harassment policies. Educating staff from the top to the bottom about harassment has been SOP in businesses, governments and organizations throughout this country for decades. I’d propose that immediately the County’s policy be reviewed, strengthened and applied to all County employees, including Commissioners.

I hope this is not emblematic of a larger problem with the County staff: that they sometimes resist raising any issues or giving any opinions that may be difficult for a Commissioner to hear or agree with for fear of losing their jobs. To me, that’s counter-productive and not in the best interests of the taxpayers. It can lead to decisions being made without all the facts being presented, or in a case like this, to a lawsuit. I would hope that, going forward, County staff will feel emboldened by this decision and more willing to share their expert opinions with Commissioners, even if they seem unpopular.

And now, there seems to be significant public support for reconsidering the naming of the new Terminal at Key West International Airport. As a policy, I would support not naming anything after anyone who has not been deceased for at least 10 years. First, that gives our communities enough time to determine if someone’s contributions in life rise to the level of a lasting legacy that should be honored.

Second, it’s very hard to opt for the linoleum over the marble when a living person is being honored with naming rights – and especially so when the honoree is on the Commission making decisions about the project. Keeping living folks out of decisions about spending taxpayer dollars to honor themselves would likely save us all a few shekels.

Commissioner McCoy will be remembered for his length of service, work on wastewater and other issues in Key West, and feats like water-skiing to Cuba. He has already been honored through the Sonny McCoy Indigenous Park, his bust on the golf course, and countless buildings he designed, including the Key West Post Office. There is no dearth of McCoy monuments in Key West.

The Terminal has been plagued with serious problems including major cost overruns, construction delays, a grand jury investigation, inadequate oversight, the tragic death of a worker, and now a sexual harassment trial with its namesake at the epicenter that found the county culpable.
A few county residents have suggested to me that it might be best for the community, in a gesture of healing and statesmanship, for Commissioner McCoy to request that his name be removed from the Terminal.

That may not be such a bad idea.