Recently the SOS Steering Committee sent four questions to the three candidates involved in the runoff for City Commission at-large seats. We’d like to share their answers with you.
Despite several attempts to get a response from Richard Martin, none was returned.
The following questions were sent:
FOUR QUESTIONS
The original Duany plan called for property owners to step back their buildings at four stories. Developers challenged this taking of the air space above the four stories, and won their battle. The city then found a way to achieve the step backs with the gift of public space: an arcade over the sidewalk and three stories of the air space above, deeded to the building owner with no compensation to the city.
1. Do you approve deeding this public space to private owners?
Lou Ann Palmer ------Yes*
Ken Shelin -------------No
Richard Martin -------No Response
2. Will you vote to allow trees on public property to be cut down or removed for the development of private property?
Lou Ann Palmer ------Yes**
Ken Shelin -------------No
Richard Martin -------No Response
3. Will you vote to eliminate the downtown Traffic Concurrency Exception Area (TCEA) and require developers to pay for the increased traffic their projects generate?
Lou Ann Palmer ----Did not directly answer***
Ken Shelin -----------Yes
Richard Martin -----No Response
4. Would you vote for public bayfront land being used as a site for a convention/conference center?
Lou Ann Palmer -----No****
Ken Shelin ------------No
Richard Martin ------No Response
*Already adopted as part of downtown code as recommended by unanimous support of the Planning Board & City Commissioners.
**However, policies and procedures re: tree removal & replacement changed based on the Ad Hoc Committee Tree recommendations.
***Won’t change TCEA unless other options are in place to deal with transportation & congestion management.
****City Commission unanimously supports removing consideration of the cultural center as a site for the conference center.
Our cause requires consistent advocacy, and the strongest action you can take is to vote for the person who best represents your views. You can vote now at the Supervisor of Elections Office at 2001 Adams Lane in the Terrace Building, or go to the polls Tuesday, April 12. Even if you didn’t vote in March (very few people did), you are still eligible to vote in this election. This election is now the most critical, where even ONE vote carries enormous weight, and will influence our city for FOUR MORE YEARS. We only have to spend one-half hour to choose the right person for FOUR MORE YEARS. The benefits of this half hour investment are enormous.
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2 comments:
Does anyone know why Mr. Martin did not respond to the questions?
It would have been good to ask about the candidates views on committing the city to annual financial support for a conference center. So much attention has been spent on location that the issue of permanent cost has been lost. alx
Maybe he thinks the questions are "stacked" against long well reasoned answers. Since no one will read the fine print footnotes... (I didn't)
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