Do you support increasing the current two-year term limits for elected officials? In addition, would term limits, if adjusted, or increased for the sake of continued good governance on behalf of Surfside’s residents, be necessary?

 

We are currently in our re-election/ election cycle. I have served two terms so far and am currently running for re-election. I support the current two year terms and supported our residents right to vote for or against the four year staggered terms, which did not pass at the last election. In a small municipality term limits may not be ideal, where experience provides value however, in a growing municipality such as Surfside it could prove to be beneficial. For the sake of good governance in Surfside, I would like to see campaign finance reform on the local level in regards to political donations from Developers and their associates.

 

 

Define “service” as it relates to serving the best interests of the residents of Surfside.

 

Town of Surfside provides excellent service to its residents by way of Public Works, Police and our Community Center activities, making it a desirable place to live. Service as it relates to my position as a Commissioner is to ensure those services continue and this is accomplished by protecting our Town's special characteristics through due diligence in researching important matters we vote on and listening to and balancing residents concerns. Public appearances are important for being seen, supportive and approachable to residents.

 

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Are Surfside’s residents’ concerns generally received with the consideration they deserve? (Take, for example, a recent town hall meeting where one or more of Surfside’s residents felt comfortable with articulating his or her viewpoint without fear of reprimand on the part of a commissioner.)

 

Surfside's residents' concerns are generally received with consideration and residents are comfortable articulating their viewpoints however, at times our administration is slow to take necessary action or some who are elected to the Commission are dismissive, leaving some residents rightfully frustrated.

 

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 How long have you resided in Surfside irrespective of your current role as an elected official?

 

My family moved to Surfside when I was six months old. I spent my youth and teenage years here and left for college in New York City. I returned as a resident/ homeowner 9 years ago.

 

 

Have you served in elected office prior to serving the residents of Surfside?  If so, specify when, where, and any past statutory enactments that amplified the integrity and effectiveness of your past positions(s).  

 

I served in an elected capacity for one semester as Treasurer of the student association at my college in a paid position. Prior to that, I was an activist at the college and succeeded in securing OSHA standards of ventilation in the Darkrooms. I believe in fairness, justice and equality and support sustainable environmental efforts.

 

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Is Surfside actually in need of otherwise undesired commercial development, e.g. hotels and parking lots, as a way of preserving, and, potentially, improving the financial solvency the town?

 

Surfside has been through increased development of hotels and high end residential for the past 8 years.

While these new developments improved the financial solvency of the Town, they created a need for increased services. Most of our longtime residents do not want more hotels and undesired large scale commercial developments while some of the new residents welcome this disproportionate growth.

 

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How, assuming that, even if current building regulations remain unchanged, would approving commercial development projects tarnish Surfside’s “community-of-closeness?”

 

During my time on the commission we have tried to change current building regulations with limited success due to developers and their attorneys threats of legal action, backed by State Legislation and split votes on the Commission. The result is more commercial development project approvals that are changing the balance and dynamics of the small town character Surfside is known for.

 

 

Do you believe that new home construction, assuming that builders and their respective contractors abide by current zoning regulations, in Surfside is positive or negative?

 

My personal belief is that some of the new home construction in Surfside could be more creative and harmonious with the existing homes. At issue is property rights and maximizing square footage of lots v.s. the character of the neighborhood and the aesthetics of a beach town community. As the neighborhood evolves, the new developments change the character, charm and uniqueness of Surfside.

 

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What factors play into the collective motivation as far as advocating for commercial development projects beneficial to Surfside’s residents? Are they purely financial? Or is there another component that would, both rightfully and purposefully, promote Surfside’s “community-of-closeness?”

 

The commercial development projects being proposed for Surfside are incompatible or have little benefits with residents in mind and more to do with profit. The quality of life our residents are accustomed to is affected, and for this reason opposition to new development projects is often misunderstood.

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