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City Commission Candidates: Most Newcomers are No-shows!

Posted by Bob Gernert on August 21, 2007 at 2:55 pm

The Chamber hosted an interesting breakfast forum for City Commission candidates this morning … interesting in part because three candidates who have filed to run campaigns failed to show. Bob Jardine, Macy Butler and Don Drefke, candidates for Seats 1, 2 and 3 respectively were not present to answer questions from the business community. Only Drefke sent regrets.

Mayor Nat Birdsong, Commissioner Jeff Potter and Candidate James “J.P.” Powell were on hand and fielded questions on a variety of topics relevant to Winter Haven. Among them:

Insuring the health of the Chain of Lakes for future generations - All three candidates pointed to the area chain as an asset unique to Winter Haven and important to protect. Commissioner Potter mentioned (and all agreed) the stormwater runoff fees already in place help provide necessary resources to further protect water quality. Mayor Birdsong mentioned his interest the city’s program for obtaining environmentally sensitive lakefront property for public enjoyment. Candidate Powell would have the City and the Canal Commission work more closely together to maintain the canals free of debris while sharing advice and information.

Greatest Transportation Need - Birdsong, Potter and Powell all cited Dundee Road as as a priority. Birdsong and Powell both included Thompson Nursery Road as a top need. Candidate Powell mentioned reworking the intersection of Havendale Blvd. and US 17 (in his words an “absolute disaster.” Commissioner Potter also felt strongly the access and egress to and from Cypress Gardens Adventure Park must be corrected.

Downtown Residential - Birdsong, Potter and Powell all point to downtown residential as bringing additional vibrancy to that area. Birdsong also pointed to recent impact fee reductions that he believes will serve as a catalyst for further residential development in the downtown core.

CSX Intermodal Facility - Commissioner Potter feels the CSX facility will be a positive for the Winter Haven community. He supports the project “with the understanding that all issues must be addressed.”

Mayor Birdsong termed the CSX project a “win-win for the City, County and State” adding that roads and traffic will be the challenges. He noted there is no way to have a major project without significant challenges but that tax revenue generated by the project will help address the infrastructure needs.

Candidate J.P. Powell stated, “Bring it on!” Powell felt this area has needed such a development for years. He notes the boost it will provide Winter Haven and the area will create jobs and the tax revenues to provide the enhancements to parks and other amenties that are traditionally hard to fund.

Water - Birdsong, Potter and Powell all point to consumption management, conservation education and maximizing the introduction of re-use water as keys to future needs. Commissioner Potter favors a permanent restriction on lawn watering noting it will take changes in mentality and lifestyle to meet future needs.

Hometown Democracy Amendment - This initiative is actually designed to, if successful, place a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution on the 2008 ballot. Currently organizers continue to collect signatures. To date it has not met the requirements to be on the ballot.

The amendment being proposed would, simply stated, place all local land use changes on local ballots for approval. Some estimate that upwards of 2 - 300 such ballot approvals may be necessary depending on the county. There is a real fear of “ballot-gridlock” and “don’t know-vote no” outcomes. Candidate Powell was not familiar with the concept and will seek background information. Commissioner Potter is not in favor of the concept and feels it will encourage governments to look for ways to circumvent the system. Mayor Birdsong noted that the current comprehensive plan, site plan reviews and regulatory safeguards are onerous enough on the development process and are a far more effective form of home rule.

The election for the Winter Haven City Commission will take place on September 4. Polls will be open throughout Winter Haven that day. You may vote early at the County offices at the Gill Jones Center on Highway 17 North just past Winter Haven Ford on the left.

Candidates are as follows:

Seat # 1 (vacated by Charles Cone)

Candidates Bob Jardine and James “J.P.” Powell

Seat # 2 Mayor Nathaniel Birdsong seeks re-election

Candidate Macy Butler opposes Birdsong

Seat # 3 Commissioner Jeff Potter seeks re-election

Candidate Don Drefke opposes Potter (Note: Our original post listed Bob Jardine as opposing Commissioner Potter. We regret the error.)

See other entries filed in: Perspective, Political Scene