Name: Freddy York

Campaign website: yorkforpompano.com

Date and place of birth: 11/29/1978, Lafayette, LA

Overall, is Pompano Beach on the right track or the wrong track, and why?
Pompano Beach is on the wrong track but not by much. Some of the most egregious of the projects they’re trying to pull off are still able to be stopped.

If you are elected or re-elected, would you support or oppose the retention of City Manager Greg Harrison, and why?
I would not support the retention of Harrison. He makes way more money than residents should be paying. $400,000 is abnormal for a city this size, especially since we don’t have our own police.

Does Pompano have a problem with overdevelopment, yes or no, and why?
Pompano absolutely has a problem with development. They have given away so much that nobody wants to bring their projects here unless they’re getting some sort of subsidy.

List in order of importance the three most important issues in your district and briefly explain what you would do about each.
1. People want Commissioner Eaton gone. I’ll beat her in an election.

2. Residents complain that Code Enforcement targets particular individuals who vocalize their criticism of the city. So I would say it’s unequal application of laws and ordinances. The fix is to replace the bad apples. These are people who are blatantly on social media attacking residents who are critical of City Hall, Smith, Eaton and The Mayor.

3. The overwhelming winner of resident complaints among the residents I’ve interacted with is that Rhonda Eaton’s crowing achievement, the street lights, are nuclear bright. It’s like summer in Alaska. The sun seems to never go down. The fix is to replace the LED lamps with dimmer ones as they fail, which is all the time.

Do you support or oppose Amendment 3, and why?
Sticky one, but I promise transparency. My particular veteran status makes me exempt from property tax. For me, that’s new and hasn’t even kicked in.

There isn’t a parallel universe out there in which Freddy York would ever recommend a resident of this country to vote for a tax increase or vote against a tax reduction. I’d recommend residents to vote yes.

Do you generally support or oppose the planned “new downtown,” and why?
There’s no such thing as a new downtown. It’s something they dreamed up 30 years ago and so far all they’ve attracted there is a tea shop. A wonderful little tea shop, but it’s the only new thing there that isn’t subsidized by residents’ tax dollars.

Can you cite a program or service in your city that in your opinion is wasteful or unnecessary?
Water Taxi. It’s 100% wasteful and unnecessary. I have yet to speak to a resident in my district who has ever ridden the water taxi. And when people hear that we spend $73,000 per month on it they flip out. It’s wild. $73,000 per month and we are still asked to pay $38 to hop on and go to Bokampers for a chicken sammy.

Do you support or oppose the use of surveillance cameras known as LPRs or license plate readers in your city, and what changes would you support?
I am vehemently against them. Both of my opponents are supporters of them. You don’t get to surveil free, law abiding Americans in the hopes you might recover a missing Corolla. It’s technology that I’d move to outright ban in the city once elected.

Like all cities and counties, Pompano Beach must comply with a new state law (SB 1134) that prohibits funding or promoting diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Do you support or oppose this law and what impact will it have?
The City of Pompano Beach is out of compliance with plenty of laws. I don’t know why a new one would make them comply.

What factor most distinguishes you from your opponent(s) and why?
I’m not for sale. The paper trail speaks for itself. Rhonda makes a living trading access. Look at her financials. Lawyers, consultants, construction, developers, all the usual suspects. That’s why every salesman they send to city hall leaves with a pile of money.

List in reverse chronological order colleges or universities attended with years of attendance and degrees.
Four years of film school at the Art Institute of Ft Lauderdale and Miami. Digital Filmmaking and Video Production.

List in reverse chronological order your work history for the past 15 years.
I have small business for the last couple years and prior to that I spent 20-ish years in sales after my Coast Guard career was cut short by a severe spinal injury.

Have you ever been a party to a lawsuit, including bankruptcy or foreclosure? If so, provide details of the case and disposition.
No

Have you ever been charged or convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, including an adjudication of guilt withheld? If so, provide charges, dates and terms of sentence.
I’ve never even seen the backside of a cop’s little notebook.

Why should voters elect you instead of your opponent(s)?
Residents of District 2. Like you, I spend my days up a ladder and on roof tops. I’ll be the guy standing up for you in City Hall when you’re still in a crawl space. and making a 6:00 commission meeting is never in the cards for you.