stephenkorka.com<\/a><\/p>\nDate and place of birth: 9\/4\/80, Buffalo, NY<\/p>\n
In your opinion, is your city generally on the right track or wrong track, and why or why not?
Financially our town is doing great. The budget is managed very well and we have a great credit rating. The town prides itself on it\u2019s trails and parks which are beautiful and an essential part of the town\u2019s culture and history. Where the town has failed like many in South Florida is the mass influx of development, especially in the multi-story apartment segment. Of course there is demand. There is demand all over South Florida which paired with COVID inflation has driven prices to very difficult levels to manage. Add to that the educational corridor in Davie and it\u2019s demands puts you in the situation we\u2019re in now. Historical Davie Rd looks less and less like the western \u201ctown\u201d Davie has been known for. The term \u201ctown\u201d almost seems comical, nostalgic, when really Davie is now a major suburban city. The four lane road is beyond congested and will get worse when the apartment complexes currently under construction are finished. Pair that with the bottle neck of Reese Rd with only one entrance and exit on to Davie Rd north toward 595 and you get a headache for commuters and residents. The town council will give so many excuses as to why they were approved. All of them were the choice of the council though. None of them fall under the Live Local Act, an act you don\u2019t need education on but is horrible with it\u2019s ability to handcuff city councils from doing what\u2019s best for their residents. It\u2019s a logistical nightmare that makes me question why anyone on the council thought it was smart development. If that wasn\u2019t enough, they have relaxed the building codes that require the storefronts to look like the \u201cold west\u201d. Everything going up now has a more modern take with a chic western flare, but nothing like what has given Davie it\u2019s charm, look and feel making it aesthetically a visual standout from anyplace else in the South Florida. Though this detail does not hold real consequences and struggles for the residents I feel it\u2019s very important and the pull back from it has also been a driving force for me to run.<\/p>\n
List in order of importance the three most important issues in the city and briefly explain what you would do about each.
I have already spoke about two issues important to me above:<\/p>\n
1: Over-development first and foremost. For this, I\u2019m in the business of saying no to any and all future projects at a minimum for the near future if not for the length of my term if elected. Land is at a premium. I am very pro-environment and not in favor of rezoning. That leaves the only option for developers is to move upwards and I\u2019m not for it. Yes, I fully understand that that could drive demand in Davie up even more over time; increasing housing prices, outpricing a segment of the population (i.e. Surfside). Though those aren\u2019t my goals, those possibilities do not outweigh the effects this town will face if we continue to approve and build upward. Now of course, projects filed under Live Local present challenges for any council and there may be instances in that example where my hands would be tied.<\/p>\n
2: Culture, aesthetics, maintaining the \u2018western\u2019 look and feel of traditional Davie \u2013 I moved to Davie in 1985 and have been between Davie and Cooper City pretty much my whole life and I have seen the changes but I also remember what was. The western look aggressively used to extend East to West from Turnpike to University Dr and North to South from Stirling Rd to SR84. I honestly don\u2019t know what can be done about what is there now, but I would do anything in my power on the council to assure that anything future goes back to that. It is part of Davie identity and culture and should not be watered down.<\/p>\n
3: Flooding \u2013 everywhere in South Florida. I think Davie has been working on this and needs to continue doing so. We need to work with the SFWD and neighboring cities to have smart infrastructure, assure that in areas we raise elevation we don\u2019t create new flooding zones and hazards to residents and commuters. Focusing on our water supply, salt water instrusion, pumps, it\u2019s all essential in this region. South Florida is an amazing place to live and property values and demand to live here make us a top 5 region in the country. None of that will exist if the flooding gets substantially worse than what we are already seeing. I have this at number 3 because it is the hardest to get done with real results but it honestly should be number 1 for all cities in the region.<\/p>\n
Do you support or oppose Amendment 3, and why?
I won\u2019t be worried whichever the way voters vote. There are both good and bad things about the proposed amendment. First and foremost, as a homeowner myself the property taxes are insane and continue to go up. I find a way to manage but I have heard from many people that have had to sell their homes because they couldn\u2019t afford the raising property taxes. I\u2019m also concerned about seniors. I know someone who is retired, a widow and in her early 80\u2019s. Her and her late husband bought a house, paid if off and retired. Now she can\u2019t afford the taxes. She is seriously debating leaving her home. This is unacceptable and shouldn\u2019t be a fear for our seniors. It\u2019s not what I would want for myself so why would I be ok with it happening to others? Something needs to be done. If not amendment 3, something.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t need to waste anyone\u2019s time highlighting the flaws and challenges cities will face if this is passed. What I will say is that if elected and if it passes I have no interest in cutting essential police, fire and EMS services. That doesn\u2019t mean we shouldn\u2019t look at spending in those departments and look where we can cut but nothing that would effect essential services. My trade is in entertainment and I know when budgets are tight, entertainment is the first to go. So if I\u2019m looking to cut costs that\u2019s the first place I\u2019d look. We have to assure utility services are intact and updated. Roads need to be maintained, etc. It\u2019s a lot and if this is approved every city needs to buckle down and face real challenges. I also believe that people no matter what thrive in challenging situations. We find creative solutions. If this is passed, something will happen to keep the gears running. It may be at the city or county level. It may be at the state level, but something will happen that will find solutions for the municipalities to assure life goes on safely. I actually have a solution that mathematically works. I\u2019m keeping it close to the chest though and will come out with that solution post election regardless of the outcome. I wouldn\u2019t want another candidate to take my ideas lol.<\/p>\n
I really haven\u2019t answer the question. I\u2019ve yet to vote and I\u2019m on the fence honestly. I\u2019m fearful this issue won\u2019t be properly addressed again if it fails. I\u2019m fearful if passed, lawmakers will do stupid things instead of smart decisions that will effect residents all over. If I think about my pocket, or my senior friend who I know there are more of like her, yes. I\u2019m a yes. If that yes means where we live becomes less safe, more flooding, derelict roads, then I\u2019m a no. There is no clear answer and I don\u2019t know honestly what I\u2019ll do at this moment. It is very much in my thoughts though.<\/p>\n
If you are elected and Amendment 3 passes, you will have to reduce services or raise other fees. Can you cite a specific city program or service that is wasteful or unnecessary?\u00a0
Please see above.<\/p>\n
How would you assess your city\u2019s ability to manage growth, development and related issues such as traffic, noise, pollution and demands on city infrastructure?
I\u2019m going to say see above. I\u2019m against over-development firmly. There comes a point where things just don\u2019t fit anymore. The hotel has no-vacancy. You can\u2019t squeeze people into a space that doesn\u2019t exist. I think housing options will always exist in South Florida and Davie. I just can\u2019t say what they\u2019ll be priced at.<\/p>\n
What single factor most distinguishes you from your opponent and why?
I\u2019m in a four way race. I don\u2019t know much about Jordan or Toula (other than she\u2019s a small business owner, most notably Flashback Diner) so I won\u2019t comment much. To put your hat in takes a lot so I don\u2019t think there is anything sinister. I\u2019m sure their thoughts and concerns are close to mine. Whether they would govern better than me? I couldn\u2019t say. I just hope they\u2019re honest. As for Starkey, I met her and she was very nice to me on multiple occasions. I don\u2019t think she means harm. She clearly has the most experience. I know she\u2019s done many good things for the town. I just can\u2019t understand why her and the council as a whole would approve some of the projects I am seeing. You can continue growth all you want, but it\u2019s not even smart growth. I didn\u2019t mention it above but there\u2019s another neighborhood on Flamingo Rd and Orange Dr that is literally cookie cutter houses on zero lot lines starting at $1.4 million. It\u2019s an eyesore of a community and totally goes against the look and feel of western (the direction) Davie. Why was that approved!? I know no matter what I will remain honest and do for others what I would want for myself. I\u2019m not saying that separates me as I don\u2019t know any of my opponents enough to say so, but it\u2019s what I would do and I think that matters above all.<\/p>\n
List in reverse chronological order colleges or universities attended with years of attendance and degrees.
Broward College \u2013 Automotive Technician \u2013 \u201923-26<\/p>\n
Florida International University \u2013 BA in Hospitality Management \u2013 \u201999-04<\/p>\n
List in reverse chronological order your work history for the past 15 years.
Korka Comics \u2013 Owner and operator<\/p>\n
Korka Inc \u2013 Owner and operator<\/p>\n
Seminole Gaming<\/p>\n
Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood<\/p>\n
Have you ever been a party to a lawsuit, including bankruptcy or foreclosure? If so, provide details of the case and disposition.
No<\/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.
No<\/p>\n
Why should voters elect you instead of your opponent(s)?
I kind of already spoke on this in an above question, but again, I\u2019m approaching this campaign with honesty. This is my second go around as I\u2019m sure you know I ran for state rep in 2018. I learned a lot about the business then. I know Starkey is the safe choice and she really hasn\u2019t done a bad job, but maybe it\u2019s time for fresh thoughts and ideas. I have answered quite a few questionnaires this cycle with responses I know the groups I were talking to wouldn\u2019t like. I could easily give the answers people want. Instead I want to say what I think and feel. It also allows me to not have to juggle responses and come off contradicting myself. Politicians spend so much time dodging questions, telling you what you want to hear. It\u2019s rare that any of them are being honest with you. I hate that. Up until I got involved I always thought the entertainment business was the worst, filled with fake self serving individuals that go out of their way to get facetime with people that help benefit their end goals. I was wrong. It\u2019s politics. The level of fake, clique like high school drama is horrible. I can\u2019t tell you how many times I\u2019m at some politics meeting talking with a fellow candidate or just someone there and I see their eyes scanning the room on who they need to see next as they\u2019re talking to me. It\u2019s gross. You know, I always voted for Bernie Sanders when he was on the ballot. Not because I agreed with his entire platform but because I believed him. I want to believe the people that represent me. I want to represent people and have them believe me.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Name: Stephen Korka Campaign website: stephenkorka.com Date and place of birth: 9\/4\/80, Buffalo, NY In your opinion, is…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":426736,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[483,249,251,250,482],"class_list":["post-426735","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\/426735","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=426735"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/426735\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/426736"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=426735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=426735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=426735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}