The Palm Beach Post sent out a survey to all candidates that was due July 8th. Despite the fact I was on vacation, I made a point of answering their survey. Here is the link to all candidates. Note the incumbent couldn’t be bothered to complete the survey. Below are the questions and my answers.
“Can you work with the new city of Westlake on traffic and other issues to ensure quality of life in the Indian Trails Improvement District?
The County has limited control over the City of Westlake. Most of the roads within ITID are not County roads. Once ITID roads are open to Westlake on their eastern border, what prevents them from increasing the number of homes? I have been involved with advocating against the over-development that Minto West represents since the beginning. The incumbent for seat 4 has been in favor of Minto’s development since the beginning, refusing to sign a resolution against their development and advocating for them at ITID meetings. This has culminated in a refusal to take legal action to protect the works of the District. Apparently, this was based on a naïve belief that Minto would not incorporate. I believe the residents of the Acreage want someone to represent their interests. I will work with ITID and the City of Westlake on these issues, always representing the best interests of ITID and the Acreage residents.
Some people in the Acreage are talking about the possibility of also incorporating as a city. Do you think this is a good idea?
I believe the incorporation discussion is important and I would support the will of the people. The PLAN group is interested in preserving the rural lifestyles of the Acreage and self-government. Residents want their taxes invested in our community. In order to collect gas taxes, our roads would have to be public. Incorporating enables access to sales taxes and grants from the state. Most importantly residents need to consider property taxes, duplication of services and levels of service. Residents considering incorporation should look at the various models around the county. Royal Palm Beach has no special district. The Town of Loxahatchee Groves has a water control district which operates independently. In the City of Wellington, Acme Improvement District is dependent on the city. I am not in favor of creating another level of government.If incorporating meant eliminating ITID, I would personally consider it. Municipalities have oversight by the Inspector General which I do favor.
Do you think Soil2O is a good solution for controlling dust on dirt roads?
According to ITID staff, ITID has 370 miles of unpaved roads, 20 miles are higher traffic roads (200-250 cars per day) and have shell rock material. The dust problem is from cars crushing the shell rock creating a fine powdery dust. ITID has recently approved a policy for residents wanting dust control using Soil20. The cost is $8,400 per mile, per year with weekly applications. It also requires the conversion of a water truck to apply the Soil20. Application of Soil20 reduces the need to water the roads by 50% and is the most environmentally friendly solution of all that were presented to the Board. ITID should consider removing and replacing the shell rock base with the original dirt/sand base. Dirt roads foster the equestrian lifestyle instead of moving away from it. Dirt roads are also a traffic control. An equitable solution should find a balance between cost, underlying community needs and wants, as well as long term goals.
Click here to see all candidates answers.
