Indian Trail Improvement District Seat 3 incumbent Supervisor Ralph Bair and challenger Alan Ballweg advanced to November’s general election ballot after receiving the most votes in a three-way primary Tuesday.
Bair garnered 1,281 votes (41.3 percent), Ballweg took 1,134 votes (36.6 percent) and David Bradley pulled 684 votes (22.1 percent). A total of 3,099 votes were cast in the election, which saw third-place finisher Bradley eliminated.
“I’m excited we won,” Bair told the Town-Crier on Wednesday. “We’re going to move on to the general election.”
Bair said he wished he could have won the race outright by taking more than 50 percent of the vote.
“Everybody would like to do that, but we’re focusing on what’s coming up in the general election and to raise more money and send out more information,” he said. “We’re looking forward to it.”
Bair said his goals include concentrating on the southern expansion of Acreage Community Park, finishing State Road 7 and “keeping the ship upright.”
Bair noted that both he and Ballweg appear to agree on no increased density for Minto West, which received transmittal approval from the Palm Beach County Commission on Wednesday. Bair was not happy with the outcome.
“It looks like it’s going to be something we have to deal with,” Bair said, “but we’re going to try to preserve the Acreage lifestyle just like we have all along.”
Bair said he would be diligent in seeing that Minto West is held to its pledges of rural parkways on 60th Street North and Persimmon Blvd., although he will resist Persimmon as a thoroughfare at all. “We’re going to see if there’s some other way to do it than go through Persimmon,” he said.
Ballweg said he that he was proud of his primary election showing.
“I’m very pleased with my results,” he said. “I did very well going up against an incumbent with a 16-year name recognition, and I look forward to the general election.”
Ballweg said he campaigned on his values, qualifications and dedication, explaining that the issues he has raised since the Tropical Storm Isaac flooding and, more recently with the proposed Minto West project, illustrate those principles.
“I believe that drainage is one of the most important issues, and also the threats that we’re facing from the effects of overdevelopment to our local area,” he said. “Other issues will come up, of course, over time, and I will react to those and develop positions on them based on my dedication, my qualifications and my commitment to serve the community first.”
Bair has campaigned on his knowledge of special districts, and Ballweg, who has attended numerous district and district-related meetings, said he thinks he understands its workings as well.
“I have read the 298 Statute and it’s very straightforward,” Ballweg said. “It’s for drainage control districts, and Indian Trail is founded on the original founding documents, as well as the 298 Statute,” he said.
Ballweg said he has attended every ITID regular board meeting for the past two years, listening carefully to the proceedings. “I think I’ve gotten a very good background on how the relevant legislation applies,” he said.
Aside from the Bair-Ballweg race, two other ITID board seats will up for grabs in November. ITID Seat 1 incumbent Supervisor Jennifer Hager is being challenged by former Supervisor Mike Erickson, and ITID Seat 5 incumbent Supervisor Carol Jacobs is being challenged by Betty Argue.
I find it very interesting Santamaria is donating funds for an ITID campaign. What’s his motivation to endorse a financially irresponsible candidate like Alan Ballweg. If Alan cannot manage his own money there’s no way he should be allowed to handle any residents tax dollars. It’s absolutely ridiculous someone like him is even running.
Ralph Bair has the most knowledge, the most experience and the most integrity. Definitely the best man for the job. It’s refreshing to see someone run for Public office who is truly a good person. As resident of the Acreage for 25+ years Ralph understands the needs of the people. He is truly a public servant. My vote is for Ralph Bair ten times over!
I have also seen the data as presented on the Palm Beach County Comptroller website which shows many liens, judgements, and foreclosures surrounding Mr Ballweg’s properties.
On another note I also have questions regarding campaign financing as according to the PBC elections website Mr Ballweg has accepted $5000 to date from Mr Santamaria or his subsidiaries.
Mr Ballweg needs to explain why he thinks we should trust him with our tax money.
He has many properties here and in St. Lucie county being foreclosed on. He rented one of his foreclosed condo units to a single mom on a year lease, knowing it was being foreclosed. He has also ignored her pleas to fix a flooding problem in the condo.
He is irresponsible and and not fit for public office. Ralph Bair has my vote.