Editor’s note: The following letter is in response to Frank Morelli’s letter “Political Party By Any Other Names Spells Power,” published last week.
That political parties are power, as Mr. Morelli states in his recent letter, is true. That truth is that due to our ever-growing government, we have allowed a system that increases the power of its participants; the elected officials, lobbyists, government staff, public unions and government contractors. They are all jockeying for the spoils of the tax dollars that are the result of this hierarchy of deceit.
Political parties have their place, but I am one who thinks that place is not at the county commission level. The bi-partisan debate that takes place in congress and the state legislatures leads to open discussion of all sides of an argument and the opportunities for consensus that theoretically lead to the good decisions. It works when there are committees and caucuses, and where there is a separation of the powers of the government processes.
This is not the case of county, or for that matter, municipal governments. In the State of Florida, a closed primary state, the partisan commission race creates disenfranchisement of the many voters who are not registered for a party or are registered in a party that does not field a candidate in the election. A closed primary gives power to special interest groups such as lobbyists, unions and interested millionaires who have an organization to get out their voters.
Judge Morelli put forward his opinion of the outcome of our District 6 commission race, but it is just his opinion, because it is short on facts and long on superficial perspectives of the current candidates. I suggest a look at the hard facts. This can be done very easily by checking the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections web site for the campaign reports of each candidate. If you do so, this is what you will find:
For the Democratic candidates, councilman and aide to Commissioner [Jess] Santamaria, Fred Pinto, has no contributions except a nominal contribution from his boss and a small personal loan. Former Wellington Mayor Kathy Foster has local contributions from local residents and businesses and a sizable personal loan. Palm Beach County legislative aide Melissa McKinlay has over $100,000 in contributions from Tallahassee lobbyists and statewide public unions, and no personal financial investment.
This is what I take away from these facts: Mr. Pinto will represent Commissioner Santamaria should he prevail, Mayor Foster will represent the citizens of the district and Ms. McKinley will speak for Tallahassee and the union interests — but you be the judge.
Nick Nicorvo, Royal Palm Beach
Mr. Nielsen writes an astute analysis more complete in factual content but reaching the same point of view as is expressed in my last weeks letter. over the years Mr. Nielsen has from time to time followed up my letters with a reply, leaving some the impression that we are at odds, while we do disagree on some points law and politics, I respect Mr. Nielsen’s point of view, his letters are always rich with factual content to back up his opinion. he like myself has no party affiliation, although my views tend to be more “conservative”, I believe we share a mutual respect for each other, and I enjoy his company.