Look at the Port St. Lucie District city council candidates.
What sets you apart from the other candidates in your political race?
Linda Bartz Experience. I have been on the city council for the past 3 1/2 yrs. There is a real learning curve involved when you come from the private to public.
Jillian Bauer Elkins no response.
John Haugh I believe what sets me apart from other candidates is that I truly have the areas best interests at heart.
Carl Iken I am running to truly represent the interests of the people of Port St. Lucie. The current council has spent much of their time focusing on the special interests instead of what is best for the folks.
Do you support layoffs?
Linda Bartz There will be layoffs to balance the budget. I prefer to look at furloughs to keep people working and not add to the unemployment numbers.
Jillian Bauer Elkins no response
John Haugh Layoffs are the worst possible solution. The City Council must have the thinking that “There are no jobs out there”.
Carl Iken Yes I do support layoffs. When the economy of the City was booming, the City expanded quickly and often without concern for the long term consequences.
What is your position on the inland port project? Explain your understanding of the project and the impacts it may have on our community?
Linda Bartz I do support the inland port project. This project will provide much needed jobs to the area as well as tax revenue.
Jillian Bauer Elkins no response
John Haugh I can see the concerns on both sides of the issue. The area needs jobs and creating approximately 25,000 jobs would be vital to the area although if I was living next door to the
project I’m not sure if I would like the idea of over 7,000 acres being developed for an extended period of time either.
Carl Iken I am not convinced that the City and the County have the proper infrastructure to support such a project.
Do you support allowing the City to hire a private company to manage and market the Civic Center?
Linda Bartz I support a private company to manage and market the Civic Center if it will save the city money and increase it’s use.
Jillian Bauer Elkins no response
John Haugh there is a pending deal to sell the Civic Center to a group based in China. While I remain skeptical if the sale does go through I am hopeful that the group would work to develop the area into more of what it was originally intended to be.
Carl Iken Yes, I do support this. The City Center is currently a budget nightmare and continues to strain the budget. We should give a private entity the opportunity to run the facility and try to make it profitable.
Do you support cuts and freezes in salaries?
Linda Bartz I support cuts and freezes in salaries with the devaluation in real estate and the loss tax revenue we must balance the budget.
Jillian Bauer Elkins no response
John Haugh A salary freeze may be necessary because in these tough economic times it is hard to justify raises no matter how good the performance. Pay cuts are more difficult to support because often now a days only one family member is working because the other has lost their job, so that family is counting on that one salary.
Carl Iken Yes, the salaries of the supervisors and managers within the City exceed that of their counterparts in the private sector.
Do you support increases in employee contributions to benefits?
Linda Bartz Yes, I do support increases in the employee contributions. In the past, government was a place to work where the salaries were less than in the private sector and the benefits helped to make up the difference. In most cases, that is no longer true and the cost of benefits have sky rocketed. There are government rates provided by insurance companies that are lower than in the private sector, so even with an increase, the employee contribution is considerably lower than the private sector.
Jillian Bauer Elkins no response
John Haugh This may be an necessary situation in order be able to afford to provide benefits. As I said before job protection and creation should be the ultimate goal. Whatever an employer and an employee can work out to make the situation mutually beneficial to both parties is the best solution.
Carl Iken Yes, as stated earlier, City employees must contribute more to their medical and retirement. Port St. Lucie tax payers should not be paying for the medical coverage for the City employees’ families. As in the private sector, if a City employee wants their family to be covered they will need to pay for it. With retirement, City employees, like private sector employees, need to take more ownership and contribute more into their retirements.
What is your position on Amendment 4 which will appear on the November ballot?
Amendment 4, also known as “Referenda Required For Adoption And Amendment of Local Government Comprehensive Land Use Plans,” is on the November 2, 2010 ballot in Florida as an initiated constitutional amendment to the Florida Constitution. The initiative proposes to require a taxpayer-funded referendum for all changes to local government comprehensive land-use plans.
Linda Bartz I will vote NO on Amendment 4
Jillian Bauer Elkins no response
John Haugh Amendment 4 is a very important issue because basically if passed it will take power away from the City Council. Do we want trust those elected
officials that they have our best interests at heart or do we want to slow things down? NO ANSWER
Carl Iken I do not support Amendment 4.
In this time of economic hardship, what will you do to support and promote the growth of our business community, both long term and short term?
Linda Bartz I championed two Business Paloozas. These were free to businesses, with a Port St. Lucie business license. This provided the businesses the opportunity to market/advertise their businesses to the public during this economic hardship. I hope to keep this program active in the future, though unfortunately, the city will have to charge a small fee to cover the cost of staff, electric and advertising. I have also been invited to serve on a committee to bring sustainable businesses to the area. I will continue my commitment to economic development and the EDC to bring employment to the area for our residents and their children. I was a strong supporter of the sign review committee which included residents and businesses input and also abated the sign code for approximately 18 months and allowed businesses more freedom in advertising at the site of their businesses.
Jillian Bauer Elkins No response.
John Haugh In the short term I think it is important to establish tax breaks for businesses that create jobs. I’m not talking about just filling a vacant position I’m talking about, for example adding an assistant manager to an existing manager. In the long term it is important to reach out to other states to lure
companies to the area to either move there home base or establish a new branch of a company that will put our residents to work.
Carl Iken It is important to provide tax incentives for companies that wish to move their operations to the City of Port St. Lucie. Bringing in new business will provide more local opportunities for employment. In addition, it is important to recognize the contribution made to our community by existing businesses. We need to provide tax incentives for these businesses as well so they may grow and continue to be successful.
Port St. Lucie District 3
What sets you apart from the other candidates in your political race?
Joe Diskin I am a proven problem solver and have worked on Community issues and have gone through the process of changing City Ordinances to better the Community and Assist the Citizens of PSL with their Quality of Life issues.
have worked for the City Of Port St. Lucie for 18 years. The last 5 years being assigned to City Hall
Marty Horn I do not have any government background or affiliation besides the Sign Committee and activity at the Botanical Gardens. I come to the council without any agenda except to make Port St. Lucie a better place to live. I am a business man with experience and business wisdom. I make business decisions based on facts vs. emotions, promises or agendas.
I have lived and worked in a businss environment for over 46 years. I have worked for several large corporations as well as being successfully self employed for over 27 years.
Shannon Martin I have the necessary skills together with a personal passion to move the city forward. I will honestly represent the people of the community without regard to past or future political considerations.
Due to my work experience as a paralegal for the last 16 years and my vested interest in our city, I believe that I am qualified for the position
Do you support layoffs?
Joe Diskin No, we have enough of unemployed residents in our city.
Marty Horn Yes, if this is the only way to balance a budget and No, putting people out of work will not help any of us and probably cost more in the long run.
Shannon Martin I am not in favor of layoffs. Doing so only causes higher unemployment and potentially increases the foreclosure rate, neither of which contribute to turning the economy around.
What is your position on the inland port project? Explain your understanding of the project and the impacts it may have on our community?
Joe Diskin Yes,I support the Inland Intermodal Port. I feel it would create jobs for the residents of St. Lucie County.
Marty Horn The inland port could obviously support many jobs but at what cost to our citizens. There are many advantages to this project but there may also be disadvantages to our citizens. I do not want eighteen wheelers running through the streets of PSL and I do not want to pay for the roads that are torn up by these trucks. The goal is to create a hub for commerce and employment.
Shannon Martin The number of potential jobs could be in the thousands and there is little question that the project would have a positive economic impact on our local businesses, as well as our community. As a Council member, I would be responsible and enthusiastic to make the project a reality for the city.
Do you support allowing the City to hire a private company to manage and market the Civic Center?
Joe Diskin Yes, I feel it would be marketed to a wider base.
Marty Horn Yes, definitely. The Civic Center should be a money making project for the city and properly marketed and managed by a professional would accomplish this.
Shannon Martin I support measures that would allow the Civic Center to be properly managed so that it is no longer a burden on the taxpayers.
Do you support cuts and freezes in salaries?
Joe Diskin Yes, I suggest management making over $100,000 should take a 15% pay cut.
Marty Horn Freezes in salaries, yes. Cuts, only as last resort. If you cut salaries you cut spending. If you cut spending you cut local purchasing power from local business.
Shannon Martin I support wage freezes at this time. The City is not in a financial position to provide a raise to any employee.
Do you support increases in employee contributions to benefits?
Joe Diskin Yes. I will pay the increase if it will save employee jobs.
Marty Horn Yes, as a business man I am use to paying high insurance premiums and receive small coverage. The city health plan needs to be better supported by its users.
Shannon Martin I would support some increases in employee contributions to benefits, but I believe that the increases have to be fair for all employees.
What is your position on Amendment 4 which will appear on the November ballot?
Amendment 4, also known as “Referenda Required For Adoption And Amendment of Local Government Comprehensive Land Use Plans,” is on the November 2, 2010 ballot in Florida as an initiated constitutional amendment to the Florida Constitution. The initiative proposes to require a taxpayer-funded referendum for all changes to local government comprehensive land-use plans.
Joe Diskin I support Amendment 4.
Marty Horn I have not made a final determination but feel that by passing the amendment will tie up any future government decisions on behalf of the people. The cost will be expensive and bringing any decision to fruition will not happen. This is why we select our representatives, to make wise choices on behalf of everyone.
Shannon Martin I do not support Amendment 4.
In this time of economic hardship, what will you do to support and promote the growth of our business community, both long term and short term?
Joe Diskin Make some changes to the Ordinances for Business Owners such as changing sign restrictions. Research our Impact fees and Business Tax Receipt fees for our Small Local Businesses. Look closely at our Community and Economic Development Programs.
Marty Horn Buy local has always been a theme of mine. This will help the local business economy greatly. Keep the exposure of events for the public to discover who are the local businesses and what they have to offer. “Local business is good business,” they need our support.
Shannon Martin a city that provides essential services within its economic ability is the best attraction for any present or perspective businesses in the community. I will work aggressively with agencies such as the Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Council, and the County (as well as other agencies) to recruit companies that will bring quality, sustainable jobs to our City that our residents are qualified to do.
Americas Independent Movement endorses the following Port St Lucie candidates for Port St. Lucie District 1 and Port St. Lucie District 3.
District 1 we endorse: Linda Bartz for her experience and sound decision making process.
District 3 we endorse: Shannon Martin for no other reason than Shannon Martin is the best of the group.
No candidate in District 3 even comes close to the quality of the top 2 candidates in District 1. The best thing we can say about District 3 is that Christopher Cooper will not be elected.
Vote for Bartz & Martin for city council.
If there is a famine or other natural catastrophe in the world, we will not ‘interfere.’ They can pray to Allah or whomever, for seeds, rain, cement or whatever they need. Besides most of what we give them is stolen or given to the army. The people who need it most get very little, if anything.