×
×
homepage logo
STORE

Forums offer insight on key issues

By Staff | Feb 20, 2019

Two candidate forums last week gave voters the chance to question their potential public servants.

On March 5, voters will choose among incumbent Dennis Boback, former Vice Mayor Rexann Hosafros, former Mayor Ray Murphy, and newcomer Dan Allers, who currently serves on the Bay Oaks Recreational Advisory Board.

Last Monday, they gathered at Beach Baptist Church for a forum hosted by the Estero Island Taxpayer’s Association, and they met again on Wednesday with nearly 50 people in a boat garage at Fishtale Marina called the “Propeller Lounge.”

Several major themes emerged in the public’s questions, from code enforcement to property tax roll-backs to managing the homeless population.

Water Quality

As Gov. Ron DeSantis said recently, water quality is an issue that unites all Floridians, and all four candidates agreed it is the most important issue facing the town.

Murphy and Hosafros emphasized greater advocacy at the state and federal levels.

“We need to be the squeaky wheel. We have not been loud enough,” said Hosafros.

Boback cited actions the town is taking to improve environmental conditions, like banning plastic straws, cracking down on fertilizer use, and suing the South Florida Water Management District to increase water flows.

Allers stressed a personal approach.

“It starts in your own backyard. If you pay attention to what you’re putting in the water, that’s the best you can do,” he said.

When it comes to mitigating the economic effects of another water crisis, Murphy emphasized shopping locally to support Beach businesses, while Hosafros criticized the council’s decision in December to raise the rental rates for sidewalk space in Times Square so soon after last summer’s economic struggles.

“Businesses were devastated…it was hugely insulting to the businesses at this time,” she said.

Code Enforcement Concerns

The candidates fielded several questions about code enforcement, particularly of the Short Term Rental ordinance, which seeks to limit “commercial intrusion” into residential areas by regulating vacation rental units.

But some business owners are feeling targeted.

One question from the public referred to the enforcement of the STR ordinance as the “big brother overseeing of vacation rentals.”

“I’ve heard a lot of people say they are being targeted…whether they are or they aren’t, the fact they feel they are tells me there’s a problem,” said Allers, who stated that he would like to revisit the ordinance.

But Boback said there’s no reason for anyone to be upset unless they’re doing something wrong, and he denied that town staff is targeting anyone with code violations.

“These guys aren’t going out there just looking for something, but they’re not going to drive by something if they see it,” he said.

Hosafros had concerns about changing the STR ordinance again, for fear it could be “thrown out if we keep monkeying with it.”

“We attacked it in completely the wrong way,” she said, explaining that she felt more could have been done to weed out the few repeat offenders rather than initiating a blanket punishment for everyone.

She also suggested prioritizing code violations to make the system “more objective” – code violations that affected public health and safety should be instant citations, she said, but less dangerous violations could illicit warnings first.

Boback agreed that more warnings should be given, and there could be more “common sense” applied when administering violations.

“If people want to take another look at (the STR ordinance), I’m more than willing to do that. There’s some ground there in the middle that can be reached,” said Murphy.

Homelessness Challenges

A contentious issue on the beach in the wake of Dr. Leroy Hommerding’s homicide, the public had many questions concerning homelessness and public safety.

Boback and Allers took a “tough love” stance.

Allers recalled a period in his life where his own family was without a home, and though he understood how hard it is to be on the street, he doesn’t think the town has the resources to meet all their needs.

“There comes a time where you need to stop enabling people,” he said.

Boback has a history of opposition to the church services on the island that provide those who are homeless with food and resources, like the God’s Table program at Chapel by the Sea.

“I went after Chapel by the Sea 10 years ago because they’re not zoned to serve that food,” he said.

“Vagrants should be given a time limit. if you can’t show that after 30 days, you have at least tried to enter counseling, then you don’t get any free food. You’re out of the program.”

In response to a question about requiring background checks before administering services, Murphy, Allers, and Boback were not opposed, but didn’t think a criminal record should necessarily bar anyone from getting help.

But Hosafros, who has been meeting with the Ministerial Association for several weeks as they re-examine their programs, said the churches already require ID and registration.

“When you go to God’s Table, you check in, you have to present an ID. They provide a list every week to the sheriff’s department. If they have an arrest warrant out, Chapel is notified,” she said.

Murphy suggested approaching other municipalities and consulting the Florida League of Cities for solutions.

“We don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time there’s a problem,” he said.

He suggested funding a facility for those who are homeless through taxes.

“Let’s pay a tax to take care of the homeless. No one wants to take care of them, let’s all take care of them and have a facility where they can go and get the attention they need,” he said.

Sunshine Brouhaha

No one was ready to let Boback forget about a citizen complaint alleging he violated the Sunshine Law last year, although the State Attorney’s Office found no statutory violation had occured.

“While there was a complaint filed for Sunshine violations, I did nothing wrong. The State Attorney’s Office confirmed that,” he said.

Hosafros pointed out that it is possible civil violations occurred, and said she was trained to get up and leave if another council member begins discussing anything that could come before council.

“If the greater community decided you made a bad judgment and acted in error, if it were me, I would step down,” said Allers.

Murphy took the opportunity to publicly chastise Boback for claiming innocence.

“You continue to insult our intelligence by saying you didn’t do anything wrong, because you did. Say you made a mistake, maybe we can find some forgiveness in our hearts,” he said.

Tax Bills and

“Government Light”

The candidates were asked how they felt about the “size and scope” of the local government, and whether they would support a tax roll back if home valuations continue to increase.

Murphy said he would, and claimed he has a history of doing so.

Boback advocated for remaining at the current rate.

“We have more people on the island, more visitors on island, and they want more services. Two years ago when we raised the rate from .8 to .87, some wanted to go to 1This year we stayed at .87, and next year we should stay at .87 again in case something unforeseen happens,” he said.

Hosafros said the residents she’s spoken to feel the government has become more intrusive in their lives, and cited long waits for permits as an example.

“The experience of our populus in trying to improve their homes has become abysmal,” she said.

But she added that local taxes amount to a small percentage of an entire tax bill, and she feels residents are ready to move forward with a higher level of services.

“If the people want the services, give them the services. But you can’t have them both ways… you can’t have everything you want and pay a lower rate,” said Murphy.

Allers agreed.

“You can’t say you’re concerned about certain things, ask for money back, and then complain there’s no way to fund it,” he said.