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Monday, 18 August 2008 |
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Page 1 of 2  In a time when the country is reeling from economic downturn, high foreclosure rates, high unemployment rates, high gas prices and inflation the people who we elect for office should be only those who can adequately represent constituents and advocate for changes that are necessary to improve our quality of life.
As such, the National Weekly Editorial Board is making several recommendations in a number of races in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, for the August 26 primaries.
Some of the most hotly contested races in the tri-county area have highly qualified contenders, but experience, expertise or a record of accomplishments might give a specific candidate the edge.
Broward County
US House of Representatives Dist. 19 - Incumbent Congressman Robert Wexler (D) of Palm Beach, a major advocate in the impeachment hearings of President Bush and VP Dick Cheney, has earned the respect of his constituents for attending to their needs. Most recently, he was a voice of reason in the Democratic Presidential primaries, in which he threw his full support behind Senator Barack Obama. Edward J. Lynch (R) and Ben Graber (NPA) are also vying for the seat. We strongly recommend Congressman Robert Wexler.
Florida Senate Dist. 29 - In this race, four Democrats are vying to replace incumbent, Sen. Mandy Dawson, who has reached term limit. Of the four, Chris Smith (D) has the edge.
The National Weekly strongly recommends Chris Smith as the person who is most capable to represent the district whose constituents are mostly Black, working class people. At 38, Smith has the experience to maneuver his way in Tallahassee, having served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1998 to 2006 and as Democratic House Leader from 2004 to 2006. If elected, Smith will waste no time in addressing the needs of his district which faces numerous challenges. Also vying for the seat are Michael Carn, Terry A. Williams-Edden and Earleen C. Smiley.
State Representative Dist. 94 - There are some very qualified candidates in this race. They all bring different strengths to the table and are likely to represent well, should any of them be elected.
Eric Hammond (D) is honest and earnest in his efforts to serve the community. Hammond, despite running unsuccessfully for office before, continues to show his unwavering dedication to serving his community, even at his personal expense. He has shown commitment to youth development over the years and is currently encouraging developing an interest in science in children, through his Kids In Science (KIS) Science Club. Hammond, a member of the Broward County Brownfields Redevelopment Task Force Board, gives him an insight to the needs of the community as it pertains to redevelopment.
Although Ken Thurston (D) has depth, experience and an understanding of economic and education issues, Lauderdale Lakes Commissioner Hazelle Rogers boasts a long tenure as commissioner, and the young upstart Roshawn Banks (D), brings to the table her youthful exuberance and fresh ideas, the National Weekly recommends Hammond who we think will best represent the community.
Other contenders are Robert L. Lynch and Rubin Young.
Broward County Commission Dist. 7 – In this fiercely contested race incumbent John E. Rodstrom has a formidable challenge in Commissioner Carlton B. Moore. Moore, a Fort Lauderdale Commissioner with 20 years experience who has an understanding of the issues in his district. One of his main concerns is improving the Sistrunk Corridor. Moore is also concerned about fiscal responsibility and wants to reform regional transportation. Also vying are Bryan Caletka and Robert McKinzie. The National Weekly recommends Carton B. Moore for Dist. 7.
Broward County Commissioner Dist. 9 - In this hotly contested race, which also includes incumbent Josephus Eggelletion, Lauderdale Lakes Commissioner John Billingsley Jr. and Allen B. Jackson, we strongly endorse Lauderhill Commissioner Dale Holness. Holness has spent over four years on the City Commission of Lauderhill, and has spearheaded numerous initiatives – the most visible being his beautification efforts in the city as well as his work for economic development, job creation and education. The Commissioner’s work is acknowledged by many persons including Lauderhill Mayor, Richard Kaplan, who describes him as one of the ‘hardest working commissioners’. To this end he was ranked in the top five commissioners in the State by the Florida League of Cities for 2007. There is no doubt Holness will continue his work at the county level.
Broward County Sheriff - In the race for Broward County sheriff, Wiley Thompson, 59, an African American, stands out as the candidate of choice. He is up against S. ‘Shak’ Dhanji, Scott J. Israel, Richard ‘Rick’ Lemack and Bruce Lee Udolf to challenge incumbent Al Lamberti (R). Thompson is highly qualified, having spent 25 years in the FBI, and served as the chief of staff and training director for the Broward Sheriff Office. Thompson’s greatest challenger is Israel. However, Thompson has the sincerity to help build a Sheriff’s office to best serve the needs of the community and in light of the recent scandals plaguing the BSO, his anti-corruption platform is ideal.
Congress Dist. 22 - The National Weekly recommends for Ron Klein (D) for this seat. Klein, whose sole competitor is Paul Francis Renneisen, brings experience to the post having served in the Florida Senate for over a decade. He wants a new direction for the war in Iraq and supports veteran’s benefits. Klein will work to protect social security and improve healthcare.
Congress Dist. 23 - Congressman Alcee Hastings, who is up for re-election in Dist. 23, has spent 16 years in the US House of Representatives where he has championed the cause for affordable healthcare and quality education. Hastings is accessible and has shown the ability to serve people regardless of race, class or creed. He is also a strong advocate for the equal treatment of Haitians. His competitor is Ray Torres Sanchez. Alcee Hastings is our choice for Dist. 23.
State Senate Dist. 31 - Rep. Kenneth ‘Ken’ Gottlieb (D) is seeking to represent constituents in the State Senate Dist. 31. He is up against Tim Ryan and Eleanor Sobel. Gottlieb, who has experience serving on a City Commission and as a Florida State Rep., supports a comprehensive tax reform overhaul and state funding of healthcare. He is also an advocate of education reform. We recommend Gottlieb for Dist. 31.
State Rep. Dist. 92 - Gwyndolen ‘Gwyn’ Clarke-Reed (D), Mark J. LaFontaine and Scott Newton all seek to represent District 92 as State Representative. The National Weekly recommends Clarke-Reed. She has been a public servant for several years. In New York, she was the first person of color to be elected to the school district, when she was elected to the school board and has served on the city commission in Deerfield Beach. Clarke-Reed has worked to improve affordable housing, public transportation and healthcare. She strongly supports tax reform and wants to be able to collect all internet sales tax.
State Rep. Dist. 97 - Todd Goberville (R) is vying for the State Rep. Dist. 97 seat. With a solid background in business, he wants to bring a similar approach to governing. He believes in tax reform and decrease in government spending. His rival is Rene A. Pazmino. The National Weekly recommends Todd Goberville.
State Rep. for Dist. 100 - Incumbent Evan Jenne (D) is looking to hold on to his seat as State Rep. for Dist. 100. For his first term, he has proven himself an advocate for issues like tax reform and restructuring of the Department of Corrections. Jenne wants to change the tax structure which favors corporations over citizens. Also in this race are Robert Kellner and Freda Sherman Stevens. The National Weekly recommends re-electing Evan Jenne for State Rep. Dist. 100.
State Rep. Dist. 101 – In this race Maria Jimenez (D) has the edge over Samuel Lopez and would be best to challenge incumbent Matt Hudson (R). She has education as a top priority and will work to bring about fiscal discipline and oversight.
Property Appraiser - Lori Parrish, who currently serves as the Property Appraiser for Broward County should be re-elected. Parrish has improved technology and operations tremendously since taking office in 2004. She has also significantly increased the number of professionally trained property appraisers in her office. She faces Sara E. Truini, whom she dismissed from the office last year. We recommend that Lori Parrish be re-elected.
Supervisor of Elections - Current Supervisor of Elections, Brenda C. Snipes has brought about well needed changes to the voting system in Broward. She has earned the respect of residents, by restoring a sense of credibility and trust to the office. Elections under Snipes have operated fairly smoothly and she recognizes that it is a work in progress, thus remaining flexible and willing to adjust to ensure that elections are carried out with utmost integrity and accuracy. Adriane P. Reesey is challenging the post. We recommend that Brenda Snipes be re-elected.
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