In an effort to inform readers about candidates and issues important to residents of Indian Trail Improvement District, the Town-Crier asked a series of questions to each of the six candidates competing for ITID Seat 2 in the Tuesday, Aug. 20 primary.
Five candidates are challenging incumbent Supervisor Keith Jordano, who is seeking his second four-year term. The other candidates are Lou Colantuoni Jr., Kirk Ljongquist, Stian Oksavik, John Rivera and Richard Vassalotti II.
The top two vote-getters will advance to the November general election, unless a candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote and is elected outright.
LOU COLANTUONI JR.
Why are you running for the ITID board?
I decided to run because after having the privilege of living in The Acreage for 45 years and raising my children here. I want to do everything possible to preserve our rural living standards. The taxpayers of this community deserve better communication and interaction from ITID. It is absolutely crucial we elect strong leaders.
What special qualifications do you have?
Since 1980, at the age of 20, I’ve been self-employed operating my own companies with as many as 35 employees at one time. I’ve had to make budgets and stick to them. I’ve been responsible for making over 2,100 payroll cycles. I’ve bid on government contracts. I’m familiar with federal bid systems and their quality-control standards. I’ve worked with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office on preventing local crime and helped the PBSO train its first marine crime unit. I am familiar with the unified land development code, zoning and code regulations.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing ITID?
ITID’s challenges will come from land developers wanting to access our roads, water and easements, and the county because it will try to use its power to allow developers what they want, and municipalities will be looking toward annexation. I call for “unification through communication” because uniting the community in these times is job one.
With the influx of new development, how would you protect residents from tax increases for road maintenance and road safety concerns?
I would keep taxes under control by continuing to support ITID, which won the lawsuit in our defense against Minto land development. Our roads are privately owned by our citizens and are not dedicated to the public. I would work with the county commissioners to speed up and complete road projects (that are lagging years behind).
Do you support building, paving and expanding 60th Street North as a thoroughfare from Seminole Pratt to State Road 7?
I will continue to support the completion of this road project as long as it meets the ITID mobility plan.
Do you feel it is important to maintain ITID’s agricultural, residential and equestrian lifestyle?
As an agricultural-residential zoned community of about 16,000 lots and 46,000 residents, it is important to most residents to protect our rural lifestyles. The equestrian and farming that remains today must be protected at all costs.
KEITH JORDANO
Why are you running for re-election to the ITID board?
This is one of the most important elections in ITID history. We are facing annexation issues on our northern, middle and southern borders, and we must address the traffic congestion that is affecting our community. Additionally, we need to remain fiscally responsible to our residents.
What special qualifications do you have?
I have been an ITID resident for 25 years and have been actively involved in the community through social, professional and nonprofit organizations from the beginning. This extensive involvement gives me unique insight into the current and future issues affecting our community.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing ITID?
Annexation and traffic congestion. The new developments in our area are causing additional traffic and safety concerns that we must address promptly and effectively. Also, we need unity and not divisiveness, and people who tell the truth, even if people do not believe it, rather than people who lie and get believed.
With the influx of new development, how would you protect residents from tax increases for road maintenance and road safety concerns?
I would work to ensure that all stakeholders contribute their fair share, both financially and through active participation in developing a better traffic grid system. Collaboration is key to addressing these issues without overburdening our residents with tax increases.
Do you support building, paving and expanding 60th Street North as a thoroughfare from Seminole Pratt to State Road 7?
I support this project if it helps prevent traffic from traversing through other roads and supports maintaining our rural lifestyle.
Do you feel it is important to maintain ITID’s agricultural, residential and equestrian lifestyle?
It’s very important to maintain our identity. I have been actively involved in the community, advocating to preserve our agricultural, rural and equestrian lifestyle. My efforts include serving on ITID’s equestrian trail committee and representing ITID in various other committees. Additionally, I work with residents to help mitigate their issues, ensuring our community’s unique character is preserved. Learn more at www.keithjordano.com.
KIRK LJONGQUIST
Why are you running for the ITID board?
The current board has no solid construction background, scheduling, manpower requirements and cost analysis of same, which is why our assessments are astronomical. I will bring a needed experience level to prevent wasteful spending. We currently are operating with a $25 million budget, $3 million of which is from reserves. Services have not changed since the budget was $8 million.
What special qualifications do you have?
As a veteran of 10 years of military service, the mentality of pushing responsibilities onto others (taxpayers) is non-existent. As a landowner of ITID for 35 years, and a Florida construction business owner for 34 years, I bring smart, logical, budget-conscious decisions to our policies and will instill a proactive approach to solving maintenance issues that currently are ignored. There are ways to accomplish quality construction without overspending. The current board has not listened to our requests; that will change.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing ITID?
Securing the privacy of our road system and protecting it from the abuse of outside impacts. To revise our operations, eliminate wasteful spending and streamline our services to ITID residents. To instill a productive and working atmosphere with the taxpayers so residents feel “on the team” and not “on the outside,” which has been the case in the past.
With the influx of new development, how would you protect residents from tax increases for road maintenance and road safety concerns?
Embrace and empower the legal system that currently protects our private easements, owned by ITID landowners, and not for public use by those outside of our boundaries. Our legislative authorities grant many protections that are not being enforced. We need solid thinking minds to force outside influences from abusing our rights and private properties.
Do you support building, paving and expanding 60th Street North as a thoroughfare from Seminole Pratt to State Road 7?
The underlying footprint of 60th Street is now owned by the county and there really is no say in the matter. However, we need to coordinate those improvements to be least intrusive to our community and prevent a “spider-like” access to our road system.
Do you feel it is important to maintain ITID’s agricultural, residential and equestrian lifestyle?
The current lifestyle must be preserved. It is the reason why we all moved here and enjoy the serenity of our community. Decisions must not be made in a vacuum.
STIAN OKSAVIK
Why are you running for the ITID board?
I believe ITID spending has gotten out of hand, leading to higher property taxes for all of us. I would like to play a part in reining in that spending while bringing focus back onto ITID’s primary objective: maintaining our roads, our canals and our swales.
What special qualifications do you have?
My qualifications are simply those of a concerned resident. I have lived in The Acreage for a decade. I think we have numerous challenges ahead of us. I would like to play a part in facing those challenges.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing ITID?
Without a doubt coping with the massive influx of new residents and businesses, both inside and adjacent to its service area. I believe this is a challenge we can meet without increased assessments.
With the influx of new development, how would you protect residents from tax increases for road maintenance and road safety concerns?
I would continue ITID’s efforts to work with neighboring jurisdictions to help pay for road construction and maintenance and look for opportunities to cut back on discretionary spending that does not go toward ITID’s core objectives.
Do you support building, paving and expanding 60th Street North as a thoroughfare from Seminole Pratt to State Road 7?
I am unconvinced of the value of expanding 60th Street. I do agree that additional access into our area is necessary, but an extension of 60th Street would just parallel Orange and dead-end on SR 7 next to the Grassy Waters Preserve. I think what our area needs is an additional road into our area, not another way to cut through our area.
Do you feel it is important to maintain ITID’s agricultural, residential and equestrian lifestyle?
Retaining that lifestyle is paramount. That also means backing small business owners who use their acreage and their homes as a base of operations, and particularly those whose businesses provide goods and services for our own residents. I would expand efforts to not just notify residents of projects that may impact them but provide better opportunities for residents to have input well ahead of time. I would work to minimize red tape and costs for permits for smaller projects by existing residents. I would oppose attempts to build multiple dwelling units per property or otherwise bypass the norm of max one home per acre.
JOHN RIVERA
Why are you running for the ITID board?
I want a chance to make a difference in the community that I live in and love.
What special qualifications do you have?
My qualifications come from the experience I received in the 27 years of owning my locksmith business and being able to maintain a business and a household with kids.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing ITID?
Some of the biggest challenges ITID faces in the next four years are the same challenges we face today. Increased development, high traffic and higher crime.
With the influx of new development, how would you protect residents from tax increases for road maintenance and road safety concerns?
By reaching out to Tallahassee, the county and the developers to get more resources for the impact to our roads. We should not give them access to our roads unless we get adequate resources.
Do you support building, paving and expanding 60th Street North as a thoroughfare from Seminole Pratt to State Road 7?
I support the building of single-family homes in the current empty lots already assigned for residential homes. I support paving roads as long as the money does not come from property tax increases. I support 60th going from Seminole Pratt Whitney Road to State Road 7 only if SR 7 is open to Northlake Blvd.
Do you feel it is important to maintain ITID’s agricultural, residential and equestrian lifestyle?
I feel very strongly about maintaining ITID’s agricultural/residential/equestrian lifestyle. I have owned horses here in the Acreage/Loxahatchee area for 22 years. I will support any organization that starts running equestrian shows at the equestrian park again like the old days. I will also support the current trails and make sure the trails are maintained.
RICHARD VASSALOTTI II
Why are you running for the ITID board?
I love the Acreage and want what’s best for our residents. We have a serious traffic problem that has resulted in catastrophic consequences for many people that I’ve seen firsthand. I know how to fix these issues, and I’m absolutely determined to do so. There are many other issues facing us, and I will stand strong for the best interest of The Acreage community.
What special qualifications do you have?
My 29 years living in The Acreage and 15 years as a captain with Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue in The Acreage has taught me so much about our community and what the residents want. I’ve served seven years on our Acreage schools’ SAC boards and three years on the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency Citizens Advisory Committee fighting for SR 7. To learn more about my qualifications, visit www.electrichardvassalotti.com.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing ITID?
Defending the borders of The Acreage from potential annexation, tremendous traffic congestion and the continual holdup of the SR7 extension.
With the influx of new development, how would you protect residents from tax increases for road maintenance and road safety concerns?
I will make sure that the county continually provides proper maintenance for the major through roads they own. I will work diligently with all county commissioners and traffic engineers to bring awareness to the dangers of ITID roads, help to make them safer and do our best to reach Vision Zero and Florida’s Target Zero traffic safety goals. This, in turn, will help reduce taxes.
Do you support building, paving and expanding 60th Street North as a thoroughfare from Seminole Pratt to State Road 7?
I do support improving 60th. The county is building 60th and nothing is changing that. However, if constructed appropriately, 60th will be vital for traffic relief and the safety of our residents and also help keep traffic off our interior roads.
Do you feel it is important to maintain ITID’s agricultural, residential and equestrian lifestyle?
There are signs when driving into our neighborhood that state, “Welcome to the Acreage, a rural equestrian community.” We are not an industrialized storage compound or a free ride for cut-through traffic from Westlake. I will work with other board members, ITID staff and the county to oppose anyone who wants to destroy our community.
