Five questions were posed by Cedar Key News to candidates for seats on the Cedar Key City Commission and the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District Board.
Responses from City Commission candidates Scott Dennison and Paul Oliver are presented below. Also, opposing candidates Michael Day and Dottie Haldeman, who are seeking a seat on the Water & Sewer Board, responded to the questions below.
Oliver and Haldeman are incumbents in their respective positions. Two opponents for a second seat on the City Commission failed to answer the request.
Responses to the questions follow, with the candidates` names presented in alphabetical order. In order of importance, what are the three (3) most important issues in Cedar Key over the next two (2) years? Mike Day: 1.Local property tax increases. This will require closely monitoring the CRA projects and the related budgeting process. 2. Potential increases in utility costs. It will be important to properly identify and plan the capital improvements needed both in the water district and the city in order that they be accomplished in a cohesive and cost effective manner. 3. The development of Cedar Key. In order to have an orderly control of this problem, the Cedar Key Comprehensive Plan must be approved and implemented. Scott Dennison: 1. Determining the impact of our State property tax reforms to our City's budget. Our budget must reflect the essential services for public health, safety and welfare first. 2. Ensuring a fair and comprehensive review by our citizens of the update to the Cedar Key Comprehensive Plan. The city must make a concerted effort to reach every property owner and resident to allow them the opportunity to review and comment on the update. 3. Improving our infrastructure first with our City/CRA funds. Our roads, water and sewer infrastructure needs are very great. These projects must be a priority and they must be done well the first time or we'll suffer from the poor results for years to come. Dottie Haldeman: a)Water quality, b)taxes and c)infrastructure. Paul Oliver: a) Restoring the public confidence in the police department; b) getting the Comprehensive Plan through the DCA approval process; c) preserving the character of Cedar Key while working with the Water Management District to improve the 50+ year-old infrastructure. The Cedar Key Comprehensive Plan is being revised. How do you see the place of the Water and Sewer District in this plan? Mike Day: The Water & Sewer District and City must coordinate closely in order to maximize any cost saving available while minimizing any disruptions in water or sewer service while attempting to stabilize the water and sewer rates. In addition, a feasibility study should be undertaken to determine potential cost savings of combining the Water & Sewer District's services into a public works department within the City. Scott Dennison: Essentially no community can exist or develop appropriately without a safe and reliable system of clean drinking water and sanitary wastewater disposal. The CKW&S District must be afforded the opportunity to participate and comment on the updated comprehensive plan. Our City is dependent upon this service to ensure the quality of our island life. If elected I will work diligently to facilitate an open dialogue with the CKW&S District. Dottie Haldeman: It is important that we manage the growth of our City. The Sewer plant has limited capacity and it is of the utmost importance that we plan carefully for future projects. Communications between the City and the Water & Sewer District Board will play a vital role in the future of our island city. Paul Oliver: We have numerous meetings with the Water Management District and the County to work our a shared plan. Cedar Key elections are ostensibly non-partisan. Is your own party affiliation relevant in this election? Mike Day: No – especially not in this election year! Scott Dennison: No, my personal party affiliation is not a factor in this election. I am fiscally conservative and believe we must focus on the basic services first and do them well. Dottie Haldeman: Not at all!!! I have never had anyone ask what my party affiliation was in the past. People just want to know that I will continue to work, represent and protect their interests to the best of my ability. I appreciate the input I have received from my constituents and look forward to serving everyone in the future. Paul Oliver: City elections are non-partisan. I have never been asked my party affiliation. What suggestions would you make to improve public safety? Mike Day: Improve water flow for fire hydrants that may not meet the standards for minimal home insurance rates. Establish a comprehensive and workable speed limit system within the City as opposed to the confusing array of seven different speed limits currently in practice. Scott Dennison: 1) Improve the communication and connections the police and fire staff members have with their citizens and business owners. I also want our residents and business owners to be afforded the ability to talk with our public safety managers to communicate their praise and concerns. Let's help them to serve and protect with respect. 2) Help the public safety force reach out to citizens, business and property owners to educate us about the difficulties that they are facing in Cedar Key. The actions of a few may be causing us all problems in our community which the City Commission may need to address. 3) Our police and fire protection services are the most essential of services our City provides to its citizens and businesses. It is a task most of us cannot nor would not want to do everyday. However, the costs for these public safety services have risen the greatest for the City over the last several years. In the face of State property tax reforms, the City Commission must address these rising costs this budget year and examine every option to reduce these costs. Dottie Haldeman: We have so many laws, rules and regulations from Federal, state, county and city levels, if we use common sense and abide by current laws then public safety should not be an issue. In saying this, I want to continue to address our water quality for our citizens while also addressing environmental concerns. Paul Oliver: I feel our public is safe. No one fears working at night in the city. I do not agree with high speed chases and responses within the city. While DUIs are important, a lot of citizens feel this is the total focus of our police department, with the "bragging wall" being a symbol of this attitude. Are there any city ordinances or water district policies that are either out of date or unenforceable that you think should be removed or revised? Mike Day: Yes, certain current Water & Sewer District policies and rate structures need to be revised to encourage water conservation. Also, the current policy of refusing to explore the potential cost savings to the customers available by merging the water and sewer utility with the City and District needs to be revised. Scott Dennison: I have walked door to door over the last few weeks and have met 75-100 voters so far. There are some ordinances which always seem to come up in our discussions. The tree ordinance seems to come up with folks who object to paying a fee to remove dead and damaged trees. The golf cart ordinance is mentioned by citizens as they feel they are punished with punitive requirements because the commercial golf cart businesses have created most of the problems. The recent revisions to the noise ordinance have also be labeled as "unenforceable" by some citizens, but I would oppose any effort to diminish our quiet island life. If elected, I would seek to discuss and review these and any other ordinance with City staff, commissioners and the public to see if any changes are required. Dottie Haldeman: Absolutely!! With the changing codes at Federal and State levels, we, as city leaders, should constantly be updating and addressing ordinances and policies to fit today's challenges within our community. Paul Oliver: There are many city ordinances that are "fixed" as they create a problem. I cannot speak to the water district's policies. | 