Cedar Key’s democratic process proved alive and well as four candidates vied for two open seats on the Cedar Key City Commission at the Tuesday, April 30 Candidate Forum in the Cedar Key Library’s Upstairs Meeting Room.  

Running for Seat One are Heath Davis and David Malinowski.

Running for Seat Three are Nickie Rucker and Jim Wortham.

Candidate Heath Davis arrived well before the starting time of 5 pm, followed quickly by candidate Nickie Rucker. Their early arrival allowed the gathering audience time and access to question these individuals individually instead of before a full room.  

The Cedar Key News-sponsored forum worked from a simple agenda: opening statements, questions from the audience and the News, followed by closing statements. The event ran overtime until 6:40 pm.

Expertly moderating the forum was local artist and potter Amy Gernhardt. Gernhardt’s degree is in history; she has served as past executive director of the Cedar Key Historical Society. Equally expert at her time-keeping task was Jeri Treat. Treat is a Cedar Key News Board of Directors.

Cedar Key News staff will do their best to publish an audio-tape of the event online.

CANDIDATES’ OVERRIDING EMPHASES

Malinowski’s emphasis was that the city has too many regulations and that, if elected, he would work to eliminate them. He also repeated his belief that currently there is too much government interference in the lives of private citizens.

Wortham emphasized maintaining, strengthening, and preserving Cedar Key’s unique geographical advantages (pristine surroundings, clean air and water, and lack of over development).   He stated his belief that he could knowledgeably work with federal and state governments to gather grant monies currently available for small communities which will help preserve the Cedar Key area as it is.

Davis’s emphasized that he continues to learn every day in his current position as commissioner. Just as constant as his learning is his emphasis that “change is constant” in Cedar Key, always has been and always will be. Fundamental to the commissioner’s job is managing how the city moves with that change.

Rucker emphasized that she is a long-time resident of and was born in Cedar Key. She believes that as a sitting commissioner she has helped IFAS help the city.

VISION OF CEDAR KEY

When asked about their vision of Cedar Key five years from now, ultimately the four candidates agreed upon the fact that Cedar Key should retain its current culture, appearance, and character. Davis, Rucker, and Wortham voiced support of wanting to know directly from science the best ways to maintain Cedar Key as it is.

“COMMISSIONER COFFEES”

Candidates responded favorably when asked about informally meeting, individually, with the public several times a year over cups of coffee.   Wortham rerepeated his belief that the role of the commissioner is to represent the voters; he averred that he would not wait for coffees to seek out opinions and concerns. He welcomed the coffees. Malinowski stated that he would respond to any call at any time of day or night. He, too, welcomed the coffees.  Davis supported the coffees and further remarked, “I’m coming to you more often, instead of just listening,” in the future. Rucker, too, welcomed the coffees.

HOUSING

The cost and availability of housing for individuals working in Cedar Key is a problem, all acknowledged.

Wortham expressed his belief that the county-owned and operated properties designed for affordable public housing and located in Cedar Key might well be rethought regarding their density. Perhaps more living units could be made for those who wish to work here.

Davis furthered the housing discussion to the difficulties of attracting not simply hotel and restaurant workers but such professionals as plumbers, electricians, and the like.

COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, LAND PLANNING AGENCY

City commissioners function not only as commissioners but also as acting members of the Community Redevelopment Agency and the Land Planning Agency.   When asked what they knew about the two agencies, Wortham cited the agencies’ responsibilities, current debt, and intentions, while Malinowski said that "he was sorry but he was not familiar with these two programs."

LAND PRESERVATION

David Malinowski declared that sea walls are the way to protect properties in Cedar Key. He believes that silt ought be removed from creeks and sea walls erected so that water will not erode the banks and kayakers might enjoy the waterway.

Wortham declared his commitment to retaining Cedar Key’s land mass, as well. He  reiterated his desire not to change things but, instead, to make them stronger:   keeping offshore drilling away, preserving estuaries and saltmarshes, and developing more living shorelines.

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