Name: Rhonda Eaton<\/p>\n
Campaign website: Rhondaeaton.com<\/p>\n
Date and place of birth: May 16, 1960,\u00a0Hinsdale, IL<\/p>\n
Overall, is Pompano Beach on the right track or the wrong track, and why?
This does not mean the work is finished. When I first got involved in civic life, too many parts of the city had been left behind. We had blight, dark streets, and vacant commercial corridors that cost us more than they gave back. Residents in District 2 felt it every day. We chose a different path.\u00a0 We passed the 2018 GO bond. We invested in parks, roads, street lighting, public safety tools and fire stations. We treated redevelopment as a way to grow the tax base so homeowners and small businesses aren\u2019t asked to carry more of the load. You can see the results. Beach improvements, Atlantic Boulevard streetscapes, Dixie Highway upgrades, new streetlights in District 2and a downtown plan that will replace a high-cost, high-crime corridor with jobs, businesses and civic space. Our millage has stayed competitive because we grew value instead of raising the taxes of the same people repeatedly.<\/p>\n
The next job is to keep growth balanced, protect neighborhoods and make sure current residents share in the jobs and housing that follow that investment.\u00a0 We nee to keep taxes as low as we can while police, fire roads and parks stay strong.\u00a0 Right track means we keep moving with discipline, not just declare victory and stop.<\/p>\n
If you are elected or re-elected, would you support or oppose the retention of City Manager Greg Harrison, and why?
Yes.<\/p>\n
Greg Harrison has demonstrated to me that he is an extremely capable City Manager not only based on his accomplishments but also on his creativity in problem solving. His leadership has led Pompano to a place where people want to work and work hard for him. Some have even expressed that publicly. He manages the staff; the Commission sets the policy and holds the Manager accountable in carrying out that policy. The Commission-Manager works best for the city when the Manager manages staff. What I do not do is try and run departments from the dais.\u00a0 When those lines become blurred, employees get mixed signals. When there isn\u2019t a cohesive objective, the city does not work well.<\/p>\n
Greg and his staff have successfully guided the city through bond projects, CRA projects, budget cycles, through COVID and much more, all at the direction of the Commission. The Commission must continue asking hard questions and measuring the results and performance of any Manager and I will continue to do that. In my estimation, based on the successes Pompano has achieved to date, I support retaining City Manager Greg Harrison.<\/p>\n
Does Pompano have a problem with overdevelopment, yes or no, and why?
No. The growth we\u2019ve experienced, primarily in the east CRA has been achieved with a plan and a vision. Growth is a problem when there is no overall vision or plan. The answer isn\u2019t no growth, it\u2019s planned growth. Growth in the right places and managing it responsibly. Leaving land vacant, blighted or underused is not the answer either. The Dixie and Atlantic area proposed for the new downtown already costs the city more than a million dollars a year in policing, code compliance, homelessness response and crime. That is a cost burden for every city taxpayer and could be put to better use. New development also creates new tax revenue. As we grow a commercial tax base we don\u2019t have to rely on homeowners, renters, and businesses to bear the complete cost of running the city.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also important to note that not all growth is controlled by the Commission; in that, there are private properties that have an existing right to develop as they see fit. In cases where my district is impacted, I work with the owners and express the concerns of the neighborhood abutting it. I urge them to design with the neighborhood in mind and with the least negative impact overall.\u00a0 New development also creates new tax revenue. As we grow a commercial tax base we don\u2019t have to rely on homeowners, renters, and businesses to bear the complete cost of running our city.<\/p>\n
My motto is simple. The city sets the rules, the developers do not. Protect Pompano\u2019s character and require a public benefit.<\/p>\n
List in order of importance the three most important issues in your district and briefly explain what you would do about each.
Public safety and neighborhood quality of life. District 2 includes Cresthaven, Pompano Highlands, Leisureville, North Kendall Green and Old Downtown Pompano. Dark streets, cut-through traffic, speeding and problem properties wear people down. I will continue to work with BSO and Code on problem locations, push for justified traffic speed tables. The new streetlights make our streets safer and deter crime. Safe streets are the foundation for a better quality of life.<\/p>\n
Affordability and economic opportunity for the residents who already live here. Housing, insurance, wages and everyday costs are squeezing families. Young people need a reason to stay. I will continue to support the city\u2019s investment in workforce development programs, attainable housing programs, and support local businesses so District 2 residents\u2019 have jobs. Growth that prices out the people who built our community is not success.<\/p>\n
I will continue to support smart re-investment in the district and the city and keep taxes in check.\u00a0 The bond issue that provided for the 33rd Street improvements, our park improvements and our streetlights has been a significant improvement to the district and new sidewalks have improved safety and quality of life. While growth is on the horizon it should not at the expense of the taxpayers in fact it should ease their burden.<\/p>\n
Do you support or oppose Amendment 3, and why?
I support employing various means of making the cost of living more affordable for our residents. That would include reducing our millage rate which I have voted for in this most recent budget just adopted and in several previous years as well. Also we can and have asked the City to tighten its belt, economize and find ways to be more efficient. And yes, some property tax reform would be in order. I want homeowners to keep more of their money. I have spent my time on the Commission growing the commercial tax base which allows Pompano to be in the bottom third of Broward County in terms of millage rate.<\/p>\n
I believe the State Legislature missed the mark when they only addressed homestead property taxes and not the extremely high property insurance rates. For example, I pay twice as much for my property insurance as I do for property taxes. The consequences of this approach, if passed by the voters, will be significant cuts to the very revenue that cities use for police, fire\/rescue, roads, parks and cultural events \u2013 services and programs that the residents want and need \u2013 with no real plan for how local governments make up the difference. The other consequence of this amendment will be cuts to services, higher user fees or a shift onto renters and small businesses that cannot homestead.<\/p>\n
Property tax reform is needed, but It should only be a part of a more comprehensive approach to reducing the cost of living and making Florida and South Florida in general and Pompano Beach specifically more affordable,<\/p>\n
Do you generally support or oppose the planned \u201cnew downtown,\u201d and why?
Yes.<\/p>\n
With planning and a vision, this idea was borne over 20 years ago. Only now with the success of the east CRA and the beach are we at point to create a vibrant and beautiful New Downtown and finally develop the Northwest area of Pompano. It is time!<\/p>\n
The new City Hall and park garage is the catalyst to bring people and private development to the sight. Visitors doing business with the city and employees who will frequent the stores and restaurants that come through private investment will grow our tax base, not shift it to our residents. It is projected that it will bring approximately 1.8 Billion in private investment with new residential, retail, office, hotel and commercial spaces as well as open green space promenades and water features. It will be a place we can be proud of for generations to come and most importantly, It will grow our tax base.<\/p>\n
The finance plan is simple, the investment made by the City and CRA will be paid for from the land sales of City\/CRA owned land. The economic activity created by a new City Hall and new Downtown will pay for the public investments necessary to make it happen. Finally, the site will generate the revenue to benefit the entire Northwest CRA area for years. The vision is there, the plan is in place, the only thing that is lacking is the courage to take the first step.<\/p>\n
Can you cite a program or service in your city that in your opinion is wasteful or unnecessary?\u00a0
No, I cannot cite a program that should be cut. If amendment 3 passes, there is no doubt budgets will need to be cut. I believe this is an area for the residents to be involved with in deciding which ones. Where is do look at first is the process waste: vacant positions we do not need to refill the same way, contracts that can be rebid or shared with neighboring cities, office costs and programs that have drifted from their original purpose, joint purchasing and shared functions with other cities may save us money without closing a park or thinning a fire shift. If a service cannot explain what it costs, who uses it and what happens if we scale back then it should be on the table. Residents deserve that before anyone swings an axe and lose a service that a family relies on.<\/p>\n
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?
LPR have been an effective tool both in solving and deterring crime. The City does not use FLOCK camera we capture and retain our own data and it\u2019s access controlled.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0 you support or oppose this law and what impact will it have?
Pompano Beach will follow the law. That is not optional. I serve every resident in District 2 without regard to background, religion, race or party. That was true before this statute and it remains true after it. The practical impact for our city should be modest if we stay focused on equal service, equal enforcement and hiring the best people we can find. We already run a Commission-Manager form of government that is supposed to treat neighborhoods fairly. I do not believe City Hall should run political training programs that divide staff or residents into factions. I also do not believe we should pretend some neighborhoods do not need extra attention after years of disinvestment. Compliance means we drop what the statute forbids and keep doing the basic work: safe streets, working lights, decent parks and a shot at a job for the people who live here now.<\/p>\n
What factor most distinguishes you from your opponent(s) and why?
I have done this job in this district for 8 years, after 30 years of community activism before I ever asked for a vote. I moved to Pompano in 1989. I served as president of the Hillsboro Shores Improvement Assoc. and the Cresthaven Civic Assoc. I sat as vice chair of Planning and Zoning and on the East CRA Citizens advisory board. I helped pass the 2018 bond that is now paying for District 2 projects residents can see: North Pompano Park improvement, NE 33rd Street and streetlights among many other things. Challengers can offer a protest vote. I offer a record and a working knowledge of how the budget, the CRA, BSO and the land-use process works. I work with constituent\u2019s call. I know which problems are the city\u2019s, the county\u2019s and which need a phone call the same day. Experience is not a slogan in District 2, It\u2019s how the lights and sidewalks get installed and the blights gets replaced.<\/p>\n
List in reverse chronological order colleges or universities attended.
Nova Southeast University \u2013 Governmental Studies and Urban Planning -1 year<\/p>\n
Lynn University \u2013 Art \u2013 Architecture \u2013 Design \u2013 2 years.<\/p>\n
Indiana State University \u2013 Economics and Political Science \u2013 3 \u00bd years<\/p>\n
List in reverse chronological order your work history for the past 15 years.<\/p>\n
Have you ever been a party to a lawsuit, including bankruptcy or foreclosure? If so, provide details of the case and disposition.
In February of 2002 two Remi Properties sued me and my first husband (Daniel Eaton), I really don\u2019t remember what it was about and Clerk of the Court records do not make documents available, but the case was dismissed that year in November.<\/p>\n
After my husband passed away, I was unable to make the mortgage payments on the house that we owned in Hillsboro Shores and in 2012 the bank filed for foreclosure. The case was settled when the bank approved a short sale of the property. Also during that same time-period I was in a dispute with Citi Bank regarding a credit card balance left me by my husband. The case was dismissed after I reached a settlement agreement and payment plan with the bank.<\/p>\n
In 2018, my then opponent filed a law suit alleging that I was not a resident of District 2 in accordance with the requirements of the Pompano Beach Charter. I had evidence that I was a resident, but it didn\u2019t matter, because the Judge granted our Motion to Dismiss as to our Motion for Judgement on the Pleadings.<\/p>\n
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.
Sometime circa 2002 or 2003 I plead no contest to a driving under the influence charge, again I can find no record of this case on the Clerk of Court\u2019s website.<\/p>\n
Why should voters elect you instead of your opponent(s)?
The voters should re-elect for many reasons: First, I have the experience and knowledge both of the issues and challenges facing both District 2 and the city as a whole. Second, I have the knowledge and relationship with the city and its staff which enables me to get things done for the residents of District 2. Third, with eight years of experience as a Pompano Beach City Commissioner, I have the vision and deep understanding of the big picture of what the City is trying to accomplish and where it is going. My opponents lack this vision.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Name: Rhonda Eaton Campaign website: Rhondaeaton.com Date and place of birth: May 16, 1960,\u00a0Hinsdale, IL Overall, is Pompano…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":424276,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[483,249,251,250,482],"class_list":["post-424275","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-fort-lauderdale","tag-commentary","tag-fort-lauderdale","tag-fort-lauderdale-headlines","tag-fort-lauderdale-news","tag-opinion"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/424275","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=424275"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/424275\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/424276"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=424275"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=424275"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=424275"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}