The Hometown News sent the same list of questions below to each qualified candidate in the Aug. 18 Primary Election for the District 2 Martin County Commission seat.
Question 1: What do you view as the most serious issue facing Martin County and how would you propose addressing that if elected?
Question 2: There will be a referendum this year on raising the Homestead exemption and potentially cutting ad valorem property tax income significantly to municipalities. If you are elected and that passes, what areas of the county budget would you suggest trimming or cutting out altogether if need-be?
Question 3: Where do you stand on Martin County’s current plan to fund the Brightline train station and potentially relocating that to the county fairgrounds site?
Question 4: Do you think the County Commission should address the lack of affordable housing, and if so, in what way?
Question 5: On June 23, the County Commission majority voted to approve the Business Development Board’s annual $450,000 funding as part of the Consent Agenda. District 1 Commissioner Eileen Vargas cast the lone opposing vote, insisting the BDB become self-sufficient like the Economic Development Council of Martin County and potentially merge with that entity. If elected, would you support the BDB’s current funding or side with Commissioner Vargas?
Question 6: The possibility of data center applications, particularly in the Indiantown area, have been very divisive. Have you studied this issue yourself, and if so, how do you think it should be addressed if you’re elected?
Question 7: If elected, how would you work to improve the quality of life for Martin County voters?
Christopher ‘Doc’ Collins
The Hometown News contacted Candidate Collins by telephone on July 29 after he failed to respond to multiple email requests and voice-mail messages. He told the reporter that day that he did not have time to answer the questions, due to his busy campaign schedule.
Earlier this year, the former Stuart city commissioner filed a legal challenge seeking to remove fellow candidate Susan O’Rourke from the August primary election ballot, arguing that she was not legally a Martin County resident when she qualified to run for the office. A judge overseeing the challenge dismissed it in mid-July, allowing her to remain on the ballet.
Susan O’Rourke
1. Fear of development and the impact of traffic. I understand the development process and am prepared to review and analyze applications brought before the Board. As a transportation expert, I will bring a sharpened review of applications and Public Works requests. I will propose changes to the review and mitigation assigned to applications brought through growth management. I will propose changes to how impact fees are used so improvements can more closely track project impacts. I would prioritize roadway improvements that address the cause of crashes on the roadways to make our roadways safer.
2. I share in the frustration of the residents I have spoken to regarding the need to reduce housing costs. However, the burden to provide services will remain with the local agencies while the funding is cut.
If the resolution passes, I would suggest a three-prong approach:
1. Lobby the state for a transfer of a portion of sales tax back to county of origin to keep locals making decisions on how their taxes are spent while reducing taxes overall for the residents.
2. Examine life-cycle costs and new programs as the first areas to cut spending.
3. Entertain new fees or private sector partnerships to support the continuation of desired services where ad valorem revenue is cut.
Emergency services such as Fire-Rescue and the Sheriff’s Office should be priorities in the budget process.
3. As I understand it, the county is revisiting the plan in the context of their financial agreement with Brightline. A full package that examines the feasibility of using the fairgrounds has not been prepared such that I can give a firm response. However, I have some concerns about the proposed grade separation project at Monterey and Dixie that could complicate a station at the fairgrounds. Also, the fairgrounds site currently has limited walkability and transportation linkages. The Stuart site already has the linkages, walkability and users that could benefit immediately from the station. I am prepared to thoroughly review the site and cost options within the time limits relative to the agreement from an engineering feasibility, cost and policy standpoint. I do support a Brightline station within that general area and the competition for grant money to build the station.
4. Yes, commissioners should address housing affordability in Martin County in direct and indirect measures. Affordable housing is a quality of life issue and a business need for the county. Martin County recently adopted rules that allow accessory dwelling units. Diversifying housing options provides reduced cost options for various ranges of incomes. I have been working on affordability options with House of Hope and Habitat for Humanity. I would continue to explore additional options for our residents as a commissioner. There are also indirect decisions the county commissioners make that affect housing affordability: Decisions that bring good paying jobs to Martin County elevate the income for people; new taxes decrease resident’s available income; regulations on housing increase the price of housing; and long permitting processes increase the price of housing.
5. The BDB provides a transparent process for the residents of Martin County to see and participate in economic development. Ms. Vargas’ approach is to move it all to the Economic Council, which is a private entity, denying residents access to the economic development process. As a commissioner I will review and assess the impact of the BDB relative to the appropriateness of the budget, but I support the BDB in its current configuration.
6. The evolution and use of AI have increased the demand for data centers. I would ensure the land-use process includes the appropriate safeguards to protect the Martin County way of life. If new processes or rules are needed, they should be explored prior to an application coming forward. The impacts on water, power and other resources would need to be fully explored and assessed before any project could move forward.
7. I would support the rules and relationships that help keep our water clean and our lands protected. I would then focus on transportation projects and improving the overall transportation system for improved travel times and safety. With my transportation background, I can identify alternatives to meet the project shortfalls, improve project scheduling and rewrite traffic requirements to ensure timely improvements. I would encourage communication between law enforcement and the engineering department to link the analytical application and design of engineering with the real-world knowledge of first-responders who enforce the rules of the road and respond to crashes.
Althea Wiley
1. Affordability of housing, taxes and the cost of daily life for everyday people. I’d address it by pairing housing policy with real wage growth and attracting employers who pay livable wages and not just outsourcing jobs or importing labor, so “affordable” housing is actually affordable to the people living here.
2. I’d want a service-by-service accounting before cutting anything and not just abstract cuts. We already know Fire Rescue leadership has said further reductions could force closing Station 23, straining the busiest remaining stations and likely raising homeowners insurance countywide. I opposed this amendment because free is not free, and it protects some homeowners while shifting the burden onto renters, non-homeowners and small businesses. It risks the quality-of-life services that make Martin County what it is.
3. I’m not in favor of taxpayers being burdened with the cost. If the fairgrounds site is funded through grants rather than local tax dollars, I’m in agreement with it there. It would bring real job opportunities to the county.
4. Yes, but housing without income isn’t affordable housing; it has to come with real jobs and wages. I’d push for smart growth tied to infrastructure capacity and for keeping local jobs local instead of outsourcing or importing labor while residents can’t afford to live here.
5. I’m still learning the details of the BDB, and right now I’m not convinced it’s clearly benefiting the average, everyday resident. Before taking a firm position on the funding – or on merging it with the EDC – I want to see where that money is going and who’s benefiting from it.
6. Right now, from what I’m understanding I’m not in favor of these data center proposals. Indiantown residents deserve full transparency and a real seat at the table. Their current water-supply issues need to be addressed with transparency, and I haven’t seen that this process has given them one.
7. By making sure the people who already live here aren’t overlooked by connecting residents to resources that already exist but go unused; staying accountable and visible at every meeting; and keeping the county’s proven quality of life – such as parks, libraries and infrastructure – protected rather than risked.