I HEAR YOU!

Today I received a phone call from a resident I have never met before.
Her name is Teresa and she lives in the north end of the city.
She called me to ask me the following question:
"What is going on here? What is wrong with those people in City Hall?"

My answer was, they don’t hear us...
they don't seem to want to hear us.

Today is exactly one month since I filed to run for City Commission.
It has been two months since I started attending coffee gatherings in people’s homes all around the City.
It is 26 days to election day MARCH 11th (but who’s counting?).

I want to share today what I hear...
then I want to ask you,
the readers who have been reading this blog,
a question I was asked by a woman in the western communities...
"How did we get here?"

I answered her with one word: "POLITICS."

I want to hear your answer TO BOTH OF THEIR QUESTIONS...
How did we get here? and What is wrong with City Hall?

But first listen to what I have heard...

Faye B.
"I enjoy living downtown, but wish I was better informed about what happens in the City."

Louise D.
"I love the City. I wish politicians would listen more to the people."

Bill W.
"I am a single issue voter. I am concerned about Northwest community area, it is in disrepair and neglect...money has been available but not spent there"

Mr. M.
"Why do I only see the police arresting folk and children, rather then helping them? I don’t understand. We need to help each other with role models and relationships."

George D.
"There’s too much construction."

Ken H.
"Corruption- we got to clean it up, so we can move on, so the right things can happen"

Cecilia P.
"The City is sick – I’ve lived here 3 years full time. The weather is awesome but the City has been dealt an injustice; its outgrown itself. The City should have projected and anticipated all the problems associated with growth. Most of this seems to have been done for selfish reasons. I am afraid downtown will be a dead city in 5 years if nothing is done now. My daughter is not likely to stay here after college, there’s no draw for young professionals."

Jean H.
"I’m just tired of the excuses."

Eric H.
"I like the diversity of my neighborhood. But the City seems to tolerate crime, both white & blue collar."

Denise M.
"City needs a plan for individuals and investors. It feel like government doesn’t care. WPB is growing and becoming more vibrant, but there is a lack of management & urban planning in our City. So many residents are making their own investments in their home and contributing to the infrastructure soundness of their neighborhoods, but the City needs to do more on their part when it comes to our underground infrastructures. We’re not going to stop growth, but we need a plan or we’re not making progress."

Elsa B.
"I wish the City had not allowed the demolition of the Helen Wilkes Hotel along with other historical buildings. We don’t have much historical architecture left. We have a wonderful cultural mix, the Norton Museum, Palm Beach Opera, Kravis Center; it is a wonderful opportunity for us. Unfortunately it now it feels as if the city is not worrying about residents but about tourists. They are not using our tax dollars for us the residents. Decisions must be based on knowledge & reasoning ."

Bette Anne S.
"I have been a student of all plans that have gone before. We must learn from history. City Commissioner must pay attention to working together to fix problems and listen to accomplish something. A District Commissioner is suppose to communicate with the neighborhoods."

Marilyn
"It’s not even safe to be a cop."

Chris P.
"Green space should be meaningful. Development that passes off as a border of grass with some trees as green space isn’t my idea of genuine green space for the public."

Carl P.
"The dishonesty of public officials is cheating us the residents. The City is led by the influence of redevelopment. We have to find a way to bring an end to that."

Barry B.
"Its all about our infrastructure. The water crisis has seemed to disappeared from the diailogue. Why aren’t we talking about a desalination plant? Or a way to get rid of our waste? There are ways to convert waste to energy, why aren’t they talking about the important things? There doesn’t appear to be any structure, commitment, plan or honesty of purpose."

Steve
"Its frustrating dealing with city rules and regulations."

Barry B.
"Permitting issues seem to be illogical. If the State sets the standard for hurricane approved garage doors, and a licenced contractor is installing it, why the big runaround at City Hall to get a permit? There needs to a sensible approach to the each individual process, especially if it is a simple one like installing a new garage door; and why the $150.00 permit fee? Seems excessive for a non-complicated issue."

Rita F.
"I won’t go to the Palm Beach Mall anymore without my husband. Crime is really a scary thing."

Pat
"Culture in the city is excellent, but I won’t go to downtown after 9pm. Driving Okeechobee Blvd feels edgy, people going too fast, and its dirty. Once I leave my community, its ugly out there. So I only go downtown during the day."

Norman L.
"If I was running the City, I would run it just like a business man. I would ask my managers who isn’t doing their job?"

Ann
"I just want honesty in my government."

Bert
"If someone called me to ask about moving to the City I would tell them to move to a gated community. I had the opportunity to do a drive-along in the Northern district with a policeman in his patrol car- it was not a pleasant environment. I am proud of our officers-. I never saw him reach for gun, rather he very professionally would talk himself out of situations."

Betty R.
"I was the victim of crime. They broken into my home. I have been unable to get a police report for 2 months. I wish I knew the status."

Seymore F.
"This is a great city to live in, great climate, in all aspects we are blessed with a great social life. But I am concerned about our school system. There is a disintegration of certain areas that needs to be addressed."

Bert
"We have gorgeous recreation centers, but they appear uninhabited."

Shirley F.
"What’s wrong with our youth? They seem to want to destroy everything. I plant a tree and they knock it down. I don’t understand."

Suzy D.
"People are just fed up."

There are so many more quotes.
Lately they all have to do with water, and you can imagine what they are because we all are saying the same thing about that situation!

So what should we do?
What good is there to complaining?
What can we do?

"Vote to change it", I say.

Change requires courage...

I hope I am demonstrating that courage by running,
and I trust you will too will demonstrate courage on March 11th
when you vote to change the balance of power on the City Commission.

I have not outright endorsed anyone in the other races,
but I believe now is the time to do so.

Change will require
electing Al Vazquez,
re-electing Kimberly Mitchell,
and electing me Alex Vizoso Saylor.

Change will require all of us going to the polls
and taking a neighbor, friend or new resident to the polls.
Tell them that A.K.A.
stands for
AL,
KIMBERLY,
ALEX

a.k.a. stands for CHANGE in City Hall!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!