Candidates seem to make quite an issue of their supporters, and in the Palm Beach County Commission race in District 6, this seems to have taken on a life of its own with Democratic candidate Melissa McKinlay. I can’t tell you what her education is or even where she has worked for the 20 years she claims that she has been in government, but I sure can tell you she can rattle off a list of endorsements from Tallahassee to Miami. So I am going to assess her with what she wants to give me, and this is what I come up with:
Endorsements by State Senator [Joseph] Abruzzo and State Attorney [Dave] Aronberg: The Post reported that State Sen. Abruzzo worked in concert with State Attorney Aronberg to use their influence with the State Ethics Commission to investigate the Palm Beach County Ethics Commission. Without going into the full story, it led to the disruption of the voter-supported Palm Beach County Inspector General. So I am guessing she is a “No” on supporting the IG.
Endorsements by West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio and commissioners Keith James and Shannon Materio: The City of West Palm Beach has been at war with the central and western communities to stop all planned, funded and approved roadways desperately needed for safety and vital to economic sustainability of District 6. West Palm Beaches’ actions have included protests, Washington lobbyists, legal suits and influencing Washington politicians to sign letters and slow up the U.S. Army Corps environmental reviews. So I am guessing a “No” on supporting State Road 7, Roebuck Road and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road.
The final endorsement is an oxymoronic alliance between Palm Beach County BIZPAC, the Economic Council and the unions. I have got to ask how this can possibly be. BIZPAC includes in its mission statement: “We prefer elected and appointed officials who appreciate the role of business and the value of the private enterprise system in our community.” The Economic Council pontificates it “create(s) an environment in Palm Beach County that helps business prosper… (by) promot(ing) prudent economic growth.” Unions on the other hand clearly and expressly serve their membership making no excuse for their adversarial relationship with business. So I am guessing a “No” on business, a “Yes” on larger union budgets and pensions; or is that a “Yes” on business and “No” on union interests?
Although I remain convoluted on Ms. McKinlay, I do know where her opponent, Kathy Foster, is in this primary election. I know where she has been, and I trust where she is going. So I will no longer guess when Aug. 26 comes around. I will walk into the voting booth, stand tall, and vote for Ms. Foster.
Thank you for allowing me to share my observations.
Jen Weiler, Royal Palm Beach
Very good points by Weiler. If endorsements are important to the candidates then the position of those endorsing must be considered as the same as the candidate, Melissa McKinlay. I can see that this is the wrong person for District 6.
What the western communities need for safety purposes is the extension of SR 7 to Northlake Blvd.
Knowing that WPB Mayor Muoio and 2 WPB commissioners, James and Materio, are endorsing Ms McKinlay is VERY concerning. All three of the these endorsers are adamantly against the extension of Northlake Blvd.
Be careful for whom you vote. Do not vote for someone just because of their political party, or their promise to give raises to certain groups.
Vote for candidates who will make sure the western communities have a SAFE EVACUATION ROUTE.
Dig into the background of candidates.