Page 12 - Boca Club News - February '23

Page 12, Boca Club News

Government

Mayor’s Update: Reasons to Vote Yes

on Question 1 in the March 14th City Election

Scott Singer is the 35th Mayor of Boca elections remain non-partisan. As a result, we have less of the better for continuity. We also just had an election where all
Raton and was re-elected without constant fighting seen in Washington and the nation. If we do three council seats were filled without opposition. The extra
opposition for a final term. A South not make a change now, our next election will coincide with year would deepen the pool of potential public servants.
Florida native, attorney, mediator, the presidential preference primary in 2024, and again in future • Long-Term Accountability: I have experienced first-
and small business owner, Scott and cycles. No matter who is the White House, the electorate will hand how time on the dais and seasoned relationships with
his wife Bella live in Broken Sound be more partisan and different from the voters who take the residents and neighborhoods has helped me and others be
with their two young children. time to focus on city issues, with fewer independent voters more effective public servants. Our current irregular schedule
Boca Raton residents will have a coming out. If we want to avoid excessive partisan politics in has an impact on getting focus on multi-year priorities, which
choice to vote on March 14th for a our city elections and remain focused on serving the residents is part of why residents approved the prior change. For
good-governance measure that will keep our city elections on local issues, now is the time to make this change. example, long-term transportation projects are funded six
non-partisan, freer from special interests and constant • Consistency: Boca Raton is the only city of Florida’s years in advance. Under our current cycle, council members
politicking, while preserving term limits. Question 1 will ask 25 most populous cities that does not have a four-year term might not be around to support the implementation of ideas
if voters want to change the term of office for city council for mayor or commission members. Eighty-two percent of they propose. The better cycle would ensure council members
members and the mayor to four years, all while maintaining the top 50 cities also have four-year terms. Our other local can be expected to deliver results while in office.
the current two-term limit for each role. Even though I will offices of county commission, school board, and Beach & For these reasons, I believe voters should support this
not be on the ballot, as I’m honored to have been reelected Parks District all also have four-year terms. This reform measure and vote YES on Question 1. The other cities that
without opposition, I still think it’s important that you vote measure would bring consistency to the election cycles we have considered this issue have generally voted two-to-one
on March 14th. Here are several reasons why voters should already expect. in favor, or sometimes higher percentages, and I think we
say yes to Question 1: • Term Limits Still in Place: Term limits remain should do so as well. I also think the measure would cut
• Less Politicking: When Boca Raton residents in 2006 completely in place, and the proposal would provide elections down on special-interest influence and partisan bickering,
overwhelmingly approved the change from two-year to every two years for half the council to ensure accountability and enhance accountability and long-term vision. I hope you
three-year terms, it was to focus more on policy and less on with stability. Unlike many other cities that have no term agree these are good things for our community.
constant politicking with elections every year. Yet we still have limits, we would retain the two-term limit. One more note: if you want to vote by mail, you need to
elections either four out of every five years or three out of five, • Why Now? Now is an especially appropriate time to request a new mail-in ballot this year because of a change
which impacts long-term planning and has some costs. The ensure more long-term stability on the city council, with the to state law made last year. You can do so at pbcelections.
change would reduce potential impacts of special interests, city manager due to retire in just over a year and the city org, where you can also find your polling place for in-person
especially with campaign cycles lasting longer and longer. attorney soon thereafter. Both have been on the job for more voting on Tuesday, March 14th. Regardless of the term length,
Future candidates might be less beholden to certain interests. than two decades. The change necessarily gives some council I remain honored to serve you. Please reach out by email to
• Non-Partisanship: It is a good thing that our city members an extra year, and the experience may prove for the ssinger@myboca.us with any thoughts or requests. Thank you.
Council Corner:

Staying Safe, and Enjoying Our Great City!

By Monica Mayotte, who was Please be patient; don’t drive/walk/bike around gates that Food Truck Friday - the next event will take place on
re-elected to another term on are down. They are down because a train is approaching. March 3rd at Patch Reef Park from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
the Raton City Council, and who And please don’t walk on the tracks or parallel to the tracks. Boca Raton Libraries are always providing interesting
is CRA Chair. Ms. Mayotte has Not only is it extremely dangerous, but it is considered activities for all ages. Go to BocaLibrary.org for more
been a resident of Boca Raton trespassing, for which you can be arrested. Please stay safe! information.
for more than 20 years, active in On a happier note, there are some exciting events coming Boca Raton Historical Society holds lectures on many
the community both in our local up in March. Here are a few: historical topics related to Boca Raton history several times
schools and as a city advisory Festival of the Arts runs from March 3rd - March 12th. Go to a month. Go to BocaHistory.org for more information.
board member. FestivalBoca.org for information on performances and tickets. As always, I am available via email: mmayotte@myboca.
Since this is my first column of 2023, I want to wish For families, the city’s Touch a Truck event is back! us or cell phone, (561) 212-5543 if you have anything you
everyone a happy and healthy New Year. It’s being held at the Spanish River Library on March 18th would like to discuss.
I know everyone is aware that our Brightline station from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon. All the Best…
is now open. It is truly exciting to be connected to so
many other South Florida areas. But I can’t stress enough
the importance of safety around the tracks and track
crossings.
There have been two fatal incidents (as of the writing
of this article) on the tracks in Boca Raton recently. These
tragic incidents are happening up and down the corridor
much too frequently. I implore everyone to be aware as March 5-26, 2023
you approach the tracks, either in your car, on a bike
or while walking. The Brightline trains travel at higher My Festival...My Way,
speeds than freight trains, so they approach the crossing
very quickly. a multi-access festival
both virtually and in theaters
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