1710 Plover Ave., Fort Pierce
Age: 48
Occupation: Operational efficiency employee with Becton Dickinson, Stuart office
Official endorsements: Galinis says she’s endorsed by current Commissioner Michael Broderick and former commissioners Jeremiah Johnson and Tom Perona
Campaign website: www.fortpierceforward.com
Any family connections with city staff? No
Political affiliation: Election is non-partisan
District 2 resident: 15 years
By Kathy Jessup
For Hometown News
FORT PIERCE — Jaimebeth Galinis says she fills the bill for Fort Pierce District 2 voters who want a commissioner who “isn’t a politician” and who will prioritize “public safety, smart growth and spending tax dollars wisely.”
She believes her background in operational efficiency — “making large, highly complex processes work better” —could be impactful.
She’s critical of spending for a $100,000 grant to a youth football program without requiring competitive proposals and $75,000 for new destination signage.
“The city’s budget is in the negative and they’re buying pretty signs,” Galinis said. “I’m concerned about how much the city is spending on certain things. I would not approve one dollar to any non-profit without looking at the ROI (return on investment) and that’s not happening.”
She also advocates analyzing why, she says, Fort Pierce Police Department currently has two administrative positions for every one sworn law enforcement officer.
“What systems can we do to reduce duplicative effort and save money?”
Professionally, Galinis has worked in business operations, customer service, and strategic growth and is a senior director at the Stuart office of Becton Dickinson, a Fortune 500 medical supply company.
“My job is to go in and find the root causes of problems. Organizations need measurable goals and the city needs to determine where it’s succeeding and where it’s failing. That skill set is unique to me versus the other candidates.”
Galinis said her campaign style is not to publicly criticize her competitors. But she believes being “new to the political game” comes with advantages.
“The city does need change and a fresh set of eyes on things. Being new to the political game, my eyes are more open and my ears are more available to listen to people. Those who have been in politics are more set in what they will do and seeing what is broken. I go in and find the root causes of problems.”
She said her priorities will focus on economic development and job growth, improving public safety and public works and environmental sustainability, “preserving the natural beauty of Fort Pierce.
“I’m not running because I need a job or the insurance,” Galinis said. “I want to innovate to create a better, more thriving city for everyone. I would be so honored to say I had a role in improving this city.”
She is a former member of the Fort Pierce Utilities Advisory Board, chair of the Fort Pierce Board of Adjustments, vice chair of the South Beach Association, commodore of the Pelican Yacht Club, a member of the Jaycee Park Re-Build Team to help improve family recreation spaces and is founder and director of the Fort Pierce Turkey Trot.
Galinis has lived in District 2 for 15 years.