PLATFORM of HEATHER CARRUTHERS

Candidate for Monroe County Commission District 3

My platform begins with my commitment to good government.

• I will deliberate and make decisions in a fiscally responsible way, remembering that the money the government spends belongs to the citizens.
• I will operate in a transparent manner, respecting Sunshine laws.
• I will represent all voters in Monroe County and work to balance opposing interests in favor of the greatest good.

The following are my positions on key issues of importance (in alphabetical order) that have emerged in my discussions with voters throughout the Keys.

Affordable Living

Housing, transportation, insurance and taxes – all of these conspire to make the Keys a very expensive place to live.

I will work to:

1. Keep property taxes low and fair.
2. Find effective solutions to affordable housing.
3. Use my knowledge and experience with FIRM (Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe) to keep windstorm and homeowner insurance competitive with other Florida counties and reflective of Keys conditions.
4. Encourage building an effective bus transit system and bicycle pathways.
5. Re-evaluate FEMA downstairs enclosure restrictions and possible revisions with the goal to provide living space while maintaining flood insurance availability.

Area of Critical State Concern

I support retaining the State of Florida designation of Monroe County as an Area of Critical State Concern.

Economy

A robust economy helps us all afford to live here. I will work on all aspects of the economy including:

1. Balancing the economic importance of tourism with residential quality of life by preserving the unique traits and character of the Keys that make it attractive to visitors and residents alike.
2. Identifying issues and trends that shape the future economy and working conditions, and encourage appropriate alternative industries in the Keys.

Fairness

I will ensure that all citizens are treated equally, that rules and regulations are always applied with fairness and equality.

Financial Responsibility

I believe the County Commission must have a disciplined approach to budgeting and managing our limited resources. As Commissioner, I will:

1. Prioritize citizen safety as government’s primary budget concern.
2. Proactively work with County staff to lower costs, contain project overruns, identify areas of expenditure inefficiencies or consolidation potential and make County services user-friendly.
3. Rebuild and maintain a reserve fund.
4. Urge County staff to consult with front-line employees and managers to improve efficiencies and lower operating costs before jobs or services are cut.
5. Support non-profit organizations that provide essential social services.
6. Leverage technology to make the most efficient use of time and to reduce travel expenses.
7. Encourage new monthly reporting procedures to monitor the budget in real time.

Going Green

I believe Going Green will be a benefit to our County, one of the most sensitive and bio-diverse environments in our nation. Therefore I will work to:

1. Protect the quality of our near shore waters, park system and habitat preservation land by requiring the highest environmental standards to “green” the Keys from wastewater to recycling.
2. Encourage green construction for all new development.
3. Require green construction (LEED standards) for all new county projects.
4. Protect the sensitive and unique habitat of the Keys from the Everglades to Key West as part of our heritage and legacy for generations to come.
5. Amend the “comp plan” to reflect newer green standards.

Maritime Resources

Our surrounding waters are an integral part of our culture, history, lifestyle and economy. I will work to:

1. Preserve fishing industry commercial docks.
2. Preserve private working marinas that service boats, sell fuel and have docks and boat storage.
3. Maintain and expand County public launch sites for boats with adequate parking lots and adjacent picnic areas and restrooms.
4. Provide adequate marine patrol and fire vessels.
5. Maintain and patrol existing beaches.
6. Support waterfront redevelopment projects that maintain our maritime character, improve our economic health and adhere to our existing Land Use Regulations and the Area of Critical State Concern.

Military

The military is a significant part of our culture and economy in the Keys. It is best for our community and our country to cooperate with those who serve us. As Commissioner, I will work with the military to:

1. Effectively and equitably implement thoroughly vetted Naval Air Station KW (NAS KW) Air Installation Compatible Use Zones (AICUZ) and Accident Potential Zones (APZ).
2. Ensure military facilities are as environmentally friendly as they can be in order to protect our ecosystem.
3. Establish a strategic partnership in areas such as community affordable housing projects.

Quality of Life

While quality of life can only be measured by personal degree of well being felt by our citizens, government can move toward making many physical aspects of our surroundings as safe, healthy and attractive as possible.

Public safety, clean air, water and beaches, sustainable growth, a vibrant economy, access to learning, culture and the arts, modern medical facilities, emergency medical evacuation, effective emergency management preparedness including hurricane evacuation are just some of these physical aspects.

I will work for the preservation of the “character of the Keys” as a coral chain of islands that is defined by our subtropical island lifestyle, that has become the signature our residents’ quality of life and the main attraction for our tourist based economy.

Transparency in Decision Making

I believe in an open and transparent government that respects the input of our citizens. I will:

1. Encourage citizen input and orderly debate at County meetings.
2. Conduct town hall meetings.
3. Obey Sunshine laws.
4. Be accessible to all.

Wastewater

Clarity and safety of our near-shore waters and protection of what remains of our living reef are vital for tourism and our fishing industry. As your Commissioner, I will work to:

1. Secure wastewater funds from State and Federal sources.
2. Keep the individual homeowner share of sewer connection fees fair and affordable.
3. Consider on-site solutions that meet advanced wastewater treatment standards where appropriate.
4. Meet the deadlines for completion.
5. Pursue the feasibility of grey-water recycling and water re-use options.
6. Support Everglades restoration efforts.