You are running for sonny mccoys seat….. why

In my architecture practice earlier this year I found that the economic downturn was affecting my business negatively. Soon contractors, subcontractors, and regular people like carpenters and product salesmen were coming to my office in search of work. Though I had no work to give to these proud men and women who are hardworking people with families,- I could give them was leadership and change for the betterment of the community. Reading the papers exacerbated my feeling of needing to step up and make a positive change, because McCoy and the other gang members were having their way with the peoples' money and selling out to unscrupulous developers. I am not running because it is something I want to do, but because it is something I feel has to be done. I live in District 3 and so McCoy is the incumbent. It was made more personal because most ar architects feel that McCoy has shamed our profession by his actions. What you see here is a concerted attempt by the majority of good architects and tradesmen to take back their profession and bring it up to the good standing that it has had for generations.

What is most critical in the keys right now

How did the county get in such a financial crises

What are your feelings on affordable housing?

What is most critical right now is cutting government spending and securing funding for the massive wastewater upgrade that was mandated by the State. The financial crisis was brought on by the majority of the BOCC being shortsighted and overspending on bad investments like the Hickory House and the Vandenberg, to name two- but there are many others, including consultants and fancy buildings.

Affordable housing is still a big priority. Perhaps building our way out of it is not the answer. I believe that a change or improvement to the land development regulations to encourage more affordable housing through financial incentive is the most productive way to go. This problem took a long time to get to where it is today, and it will take a long time to fix it.

What is your opinion of Safe Harbor and do you believe there should be allowed a 300 unit hotel? 

How do you feel about the airport hotels being proposed and the way the airport hotels came up during the BOCC?

Safe harbor will never have a 300 unit hotel on it. It is not allowed, should not be allowed, and will not be allowed by myself, most of the other candidates, and the general public. The airport hotels are just a red herring to distract the public from the more serious issues that face the county. They are non starters. As a candidate, I have been in contact with some of the people over there at Safe Harbor, trying to help them develop an alternative use for their property that will be both more in keeping with the preservation of working waterfronts and more profitable for them. Its a vision thing, and a good architect has vision to spare.

What is your opinion of the Development that’s been going on in the Keys?

There has been good development and bad development proceeding together. The best option is to encourage redevelopment of antiquated facilities and discourage new development on virgin land. Keeping the area of critical concern is paramount to protecting the Keys and insuring that good development can compete with the bad.

Are you a vindictive person?

No. What a strange question.

Sloan has endorsed Heather Carruthers - how do you feel about this?

I have encouraged him to be on Heather's side. Heather took it a little too far though. She is using him for her own ends. Sloan is best when he is truly independent, in my opinion.

Describe what you saw at the last BOCC meeting (Wed, July 16)

The usual, except its an election year, so the majority of the BOCC is trying to put a happy face on the Frankenstein that they have made.

As you go out to campaign, what are citizens telling you they are looking for in their next county commissioner, or what is it they need.

They are looking for someone who is honest and sincere, and has a stake in the outcome of the current economic environment. They want a knowledgeable person, and preferably one who is not tied to developers, hotels, or party politics.

Asked about Trailer Parks: What are your feelings about Trailer Parks

I am all about being a representative of the people. So whatever the majority of a particular park wants, that is what I want. In general though, I would say that they provide affordable housing, that the choice of the residents should be respected, and that the existing land development regulations should be applied fairly and correctly to all concerned.

Asked about Trauma Star

I prefer to cut it from the budget. Now the BOCC has made it into a referendum, and I will vote along with the results of that.

Asked about Social Services

They should be cut as little as possible. What I have been proposing is to have the government mimic the seasonal nature of the Keys. In the winter season, the population swells to two to three times its summer size. The government could be staffed in the same way, having a skeleton crew during the summer and be fully staffed during the winter. A concerned citizen recently voiced support for a four day week, thereby saving money as well. I am open to any solution along these lines. It could really turn out well with these time-cost saving ideas. Furthermore, the county has over 20 positions that pay over $100,000.00. I would like to start by cutting those salaries down to about 70,000.00; Cut from the top, not the bottom.