Page 12 - Boca Expsoure- February '23

Page 12, Boca Exposure
Mayor’s Update: Reasons To Vote Yes

On Question 1 In The March 14 City Election

Scott Singer is the 35th Mayor had an election where all three council seats were filled measure and vote YES on Question 1. The other cities
of Boca Raton and was re- without opposition. The extra year would deepen the pool that have considered this issue have generally voted two-
elected without opposition for of potential public servants. to-one in favor, or sometimes higher percentages, and I
a final term. A South Florida • Long-Term Accountability: I have experienced think we should do so as well. I also think the measure
native, attorney, mediator, firsthand how time on the dais and seasoned relationships would cut down on special-interest influence and partisan
and small business owner, with residents and neighborhoods has helped me and bickering, and enhance accountability and long-term
Scott and his wife Bella live others be more effective public servants. Our current vision. I hope you agree these are good things for our
in Broken Sound with their irregular schedule has an impact on getting focus on community.
two young children. multi-year priorities, which is part of why residents One more note: If you want to vote by mail, you
Boca Raton residents approved the prior change. For example, long-term need to request a new mail-in ballot this year because
will have a choice to vote transportation projects are funded six years in advance. of a change to state law made last year. You can do
on March 14 for a good- Under our current cycle, council members might not so at pbcelections.org, where you can also find your
governance measure that will keep our city elections be around to support the implementation of ideas they polling place for in-person voting on Tuesday, March 14.
nonpartisan, freer from special interests and constant propose. The better cycle would ensure council members Regardless of the term length, I remain honored to serve
politicking, while preserving term limits. Question 1 will can be expected to deliver results while in office. you. Please reach out by email to ssinger@myboca.us
ask if voters want to change the term of office for city For these reasons, I believe voters should support this with any thoughts or requests. Thank you.
council members and the mayor to four years, all while
maintaining the current two-term limit for each role.
Even though I will not be on the ballot, as I’m honored
to have been reelected without opposition, I still think it’s
important that you vote on March 14. Here are several MAKE SURE YOUR
reasons why voters should say yes to Question 1:
• Less Politicking: When Boca Raton residents in
2006 overwhelmingly approved the change from two-year
to three-year terms, it was to focus more on policy and
less on constant politicking with elections every year. Yet
we still have elections either four out of every five years HEART
or three out of five, which impacts long-term planning
and has some costs. The change would reduce potential
impacts of special interests, especially with campaign
cycles lasting longer and longer. Future candidates might
be less beholden to certain interests.
• Nonpartisanship: It is a good thing that our city
elections remain nonpartisan. As a result, we have less of IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
the constant fighting seen in Washington and the nation.
If we do not make a change now, our next election will
coincide with the presidential preference primary in 2024,
and again in future cycles. No matter who is the White
House, the electorate will be more partisan and different
from the voters who take the time to focus on city issues,
with fewer independent voters coming out. If we want to
avoid excessive partisan politics in our city elections and
remain focused on serving the residents on local issues,
now is the time to make this change.
• Consistency: Boca Raton is the only city of Florida’s
25 most populous cities that does not have a four-year
term for mayor or commission members. Eighty-two
percent of the top 50 cities also have four-year terms.
Our other local offices of county commission, school
board, and Beach & Parks District all also have four-year
terms. This reform measure would bring consistency to
the election cycles we already expect.
• Term Limits Still In Place: Term limits remain
completely in place, and the proposal would provide
elections every two years for half the council to ensure Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties
accountability with stability. Unlike many other cities that U.S. News & World Report 2022-23
have no term limits, we would retain the two-term limit.
• Why Now? Now is an especially appropriate time to
ensure more long-term stability on the city council, with TRUSTED CARE FOR EVERY
the city manager due to retire in just over a year and the
city attorney soon thereafter. Both have been on the job
for more than two decades. The change necessarily gives HEART CONDITION.
some council members an extra year, and the experience
may prove for the better for continuity. We also just
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