KWTN’s Election Endorsements

Early voting starts Monday, so it’s about time that we tell you about our endorsements, for your consideration.

STATE ATTORNEY— MARK KOHL
This one is a no-brainer. Incumbent Mark Kohl has been State Attorney for two terms. Eight years ago, as an underdog candidate, he defeated Kirk Zuelch, who had been in office for 20 years.

Kohl has lived in the Keys for more than 20 years and, for 16 of those years he has been associated with the State Attorney’s Office, eight years as an Assistant State Attorney and eight years as the State Attorney.

Kohl oversees 58 employees, including 18 lawyers in three offices in the Keys. They handle 10,000 cases a year. Let’s contrast that to Dennis Ward, Kohl’s opponent. Although he did work here as an Assistant State Attorney for less than two years and is currently a public defender, his legal residence was in Miami Beach for most of that time. He didn’t change his legal residence or his voting registration to Monroe County until one day before filing to run for State Attorney here last December.

In fact, in 2005, he ran unsuccessfully for city commissioner in Miami Beach.

Finally, we need to report to you that Mr. Ward has never defended or prosecuted a felony case in his entire legal career! When he worked briefly for Mark Kohl, he handled only misdemeanors. Dennis Ward might be able to talk the talk. After all, he is the former head of a police union. But he simply is not ready to become our State Attorney. We recommend a vote for Mark Kohl.

SHERIFF— KEN DAVIS
Why don’t good candidates run for public office? We ask that question a lot during every election season. But this year, we have an outstanding candidate in the race for Monroe County Sheriff— Ken Davis.

He is a 28-year veteran of law enforcement, as an agent with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and as a Coast Guard investigator. Most recently, he headed the DEA operation here in the Keys.

We believe that Ken Davis can and will clean up the Sheriff’s Office.

Davis’ primary opponent in the race is Capt. Bob Peryam, who has been with the sheriff’s office for 27 years. In our opinion, he is part of the problem. In fact, if you are a regular reader of this newspaper, you know that we have repeatedly labeled Peryam as a near-criminal.

Most recently, a Big Pine Key woman says she caught Peryam— a married man with children— having sex with her young daughter in her house.

After that, she said, Peryam ordered his deputies to harass her husband and son. Sheriff Roth conducted an investigation but that investigation was closed without a finding of fact.

Peryam says he was cleared “by investigation,” but that is not true. If you want to see the official documents, including the mother’s hand-written complaint, check last week’s edition of Key West The Newspaper at kwtn.com.

Several years ago, an official report from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) suggested that Peryam tipped off one of his deputies about questions the deputy was going to be asked during the FDLE investigation.

The deputy, reportedly a longtime friend of Peryam, had been caught sexually molesting a 13-year-old girl. Peryam has never denied that he leaked information about a confidential investigation to his pal— even when we asked him about it.

Other allegations have surfaced from more than one source that Peryam’s wife and others did many of his homework assignments for his on-line college degree. He has never denied this— even when we asked him about it.

Another candidate in this race, Sandra Downs, has added a lot of color and truth-telling to the dialogue. She has been a critic of the sheriff’s office for years, but only after she summoned up the gumption to run for the office did she get the platform to tell her story and express her opinions. She has not had the finances to compete with the big boys, but we admire her courage.

Perennial candidate Bob Horan is also running again. For Sheriff of Monroe County, we enthusiastically recommend a vote for Ken Davis.

COUNTY COMMISSION, DIST. 1— BILL ESTES
Two candidates are vying to replace Dixie Spehar in the District 1 County Commission seat— Bill Estes and Kim Wiggington. Neither are what you might call super candidates, however.

We have had more exposure to Estes, in the community and when he has been a candidate for other offices. He seems to be passionate about his politics, but he has a history of being unable or unwilling to run serious political campaigns.

Wiggington almost defeated Spehar in the 2004 election and she did beat her in the Republican primary election last August. And she is continuing to run hard.

A problem we have with Wiggington is that she might be too close to bad boy County Commissioner George Neugent. If elected will she and Neugent form a new Gang of Two or team up with another Commissioner to create a new Gang of Three?

We recommend a vote for Bill Estes for County Commissioner District 1.

COUNTY COMMISSION, DIST. 3— HEATHER CARRUTHERS
In last August’s Republican Primary election, Carlos Rojas did what many other candidates over the years were never able to do— defeat Sonny McCoy, a two-term County Commissioner and a former five-term Mayor of Key West. And he did it without hardly running any campaign at all.

But in the upcoming November 4 election, he is facing Heather Carruthers, who is running a professional, well-financed campaign. Rojas is still hardly running any campaign at all.

Perennial candidate Sloan Bashinsky, also a candidate in this race, has said publicly more than once that he doesn’t really want to be a county commissioner and, in fact, has endorsed Heather Carruthers. But now, he says he is in it to win it. Our vote in this race goes to Heather Carruthers.

COUNTY COMMISSION, DIST. 5— SYLVIA MURPHY
Incumbent Sylvia Murphy is being challenged by Sal Gutierrez, whose primary claim to fame is his colorful and irreverent website. We recommend a vote for Sylvia Murphy.

SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS— HARRY SAWYER JR.
While it is impossible to get inside the minds of political candidates who challenge popular incumbents, we sometimes suspect that they’re just running to try to get a good job. We suspect that’s the case in the race for Supervisor of Elections.

Incumbent Harry Sawyer Jr. and his staff do such a good job that this office is a model for other election officials across the state and across the nation. Not a hint of scandal here. ‘Nuff said?

We enthusiastically recommend a vote for Harry Sawyer Jr.

PROPERTY APPRAISER— ERVIN HIGGS
This is another one of those “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” endorsements. Ervin Higgs has been the property appraiser here for a long time— and he has done a good job for a long time.

He does have an opponent this year— Chris Sante, who is in the mortgage business in Islamorada. Sante says it’s time for a change. And he says he has taken some courses in property appraising and that he is now a “property appraisal trainee.” We recommend a vote for Irvin Higgs.

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS— RANDY ACEVEDO
We are endorsing incumbent Randy Acevedo for Superintendent of Schools. Despite spirited attempts by challenger, Fred Colvard, to discredit the accomplishments of the school district under Acevedo’s leadership, the fact remains that we have the highest percentage of A rated schools in the state (92%). Since Acevedo took over as Superintendent, the number of students achieving at their grade level has improved and graduation rates have increased.

Acevedo and the current school board were able to reduce the district’s 2008-09 budget to a level below the rollback rate without eliminating teaching positions. In fact, while teachers in other districts are still working without a contract, our teachers received a raise that keeps them the highest paid in the state, which lends to our increasing ability to attract and retain the best teachers.

Acevedo’s challenger, Fred Colvard, has a resume that is less impressive than he touts, if you consider the brevity of the many positions he’s held in districts across the country.

We do like Colvard’s apparent desire to reduce standardized testing, but in Florida, money for schools is tightly tied to measurable achievement. Colvard is promising many changes if elected, but he would be required to operate under the same restraints that Acevedo must.

A common perception at Marathon High School, where Colvard served briefly as principal, is that he made promises he could not keep. We have seen no credible reason to believe it would be any different at the level of Superintendent. We are concerned that his perceived inability to connect with students, parents, and staff will hinder further progress in the district. We recommend a vote to retain Randy Acevedo as superintendent of the Monroe County School District.

CIRCUIT JUDGE— TEGAN SLATON
We are fortunate that two excellent candidates are vying for the seat on the 16th Judicial Circuit bench being vacated by Judge Sandra Taylor— Tegan Slaton and Mary Vanden Brook. In the primary election in August, Slaton was the top vote-getter, with Vanden Brook coming in second.

As we did before the primary, we are endorsing Tegan Slaton. We have had the opportunity to watch him perform over the years as a magistrate (appointed by Judge Taylor) in traffic court and as a hearing officer and special master in civil court, family court, mental health proceedings and probate court. He has also handled numerous final hearings, motions and evidentiary hearings in family court. He is also the conflict of interest special magistrate for the City of Key West.

But experience on the bench is not the only reason we recommend a vote for Tegan Slaton. The other reason is demeanor. We have seen him in action. The citizens who come before him are treated with courtesy and respect.

MOSQUITO CONTROL BOARD— JOAN LORD PAPY AND BILL SHAW
Two of the five commissioners on the Mosquito Control Board are up for reelection this year— Joan Lord Papy and Bill Shaw. We are lumping our recommendation that both of these incumbents be reelected into one endorsement because they were both instrumental in cleaning up the worst case of political corruption in the history of that board. In the political world, they should be considered heroes. If you’ve lived here long enough, you know the story. If you are new here, you should know the story.

Back in the early 1990s, the word went out that Key West Mayor Dennis Wardlow needed a job. And in Bubbaland, that means a government job, if possible. So some of Wardlow’s influential supporters were able to convince a majority of the members of the Mosquito Control Board (MCB) to create a new assistant director job there.

They went through the motions to “search” for candidates, but it was obvious from the beginning that the job had been created and fixed for Wardlow.

At that time, Joan Lord Papy was a newly-elected member of the board. She, along with the chairman of the board, protested. But to no avail. And so it came to pass.

Dennis Wardlow became an assistant director of the Mosquito Control Board. He came and went as he pleased and spent much of the time he was in the office working on City business. A City courier would deliver a package of City documents in the morning and pick it up later in the day.

When longtime MCB Director Lois Ryan protested, she was forced into early retirement by the same three members of the board who voted to create the job for Wardlow.

But in 1996, two of those members were up for reelection— and they were being challenged by Bill Shaw, a former pilot for the MCB, and Steve Smith. They promised, if elected, to unfix the Wardlow job. And they were elected and, with Joan Lord Papy as the third vote, they were able to unfix the job— even though they were sued by Wardlow and smeared by his supporters.

Our opinion is that Papy and Shaw should be rewarded for their courage and integrity. We recommend votes for Bill Shaw and Joan Lord Papy.

PS: Did we happen to mention that Commissioner Papy’s opponent, Andy Williams, just got out of jail? He had been in the slammer for violating his drug-related probation.

SPECIAL REFERENDUM ON TRAUMA STAR
There is a non-binding referendum on the ballot— the last item on the back of the second page— to see if you would favor legislation to set up a special taxing district here to continue to finance Trauma Star, the government-owned air ambulance. Such legislation could add $15 for every $100,000 in taxable property value annually. The Trauma Star helicopter is operated by the sheriff’s office at an annual cost of $2.4 million to county taxpayers.

Some have questioned the need for local taxpayers to have to bear this expense— especially in view of the county’s multi-million-dollar budget shortfall— and since there is a private company, LifeNet, currently providing this service for the Lower Keys.

But those pushing for passage of the referendum point out that LifeNet could pull out of the Keys at any time if the service becomes unprofitable.

On the other hand, County Administrator Roman Gastesi says that company officials have assured him that they would give the County a seven-year commitment.

Air ambulance service to Miami is essential for the Lower Keys. Few would disagree with that. But that service is now being handled efficiently and professionally by LifeNet. If the County can get a longterm commitment from LifeNet or another private air ambulance company, we wonder why taxpayers here should have to absorb an additional tax burden to provide redundant service “just in case” the private company might pull out.

We recommend a “no” vote on the special referendum.

STATE JUDGES
Once again, you will find a list of State judges on your ballot that will allow you to vote on whether or not to “retain” these judges on the bench. We have written here in past years how silly we think this procedure is.

A State judge is appointed by the governor for a six-year term. At the end of that term, he or she must go before the voters for a retention vote. No one is allowed to run against them. So it should not be surprising that no State judge has ever been removed from the bench because voters voted not to retain him or her.

We love democracy and the one person, one vote concept. But we gotta tell you that, in the case of voting to retain or not retain State judges, your vote is virtually meaningless. So, when you get to that section on the ballot (the back of the first page), you’re on your own. Vote “yes” to retain or “no” not to retain, or leave those little elongated circles blank. It just doesn’t make any difference. But do note that, at the end of the list of State judges, at the very bottom of the page, is where you can vote for Slaton or Vanden Brook for our local Circuit Judge. Don’t miss that opportunity to vote.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE STATE CONSTITUTION
Your ballot will also include six proposed amendments to the State Constitution. Here are our recommendations.

AMENDMENT 1: Declaration of Rights.
If passed, this amendment would remove any power by the legislature provided by the state constitution to regulate inheritance or ownership of real property by people who are not eligible for citizenship. Opponents say it is unnecessary because they believe there is no current statute addressing this issue directly. But proponents believe passage of the amendment would remove outdated and discriminatory wording from our Declaration of Rights. We recommend a vote of YES on amendment 1.

AMENDMENT 2: Florida Marriage Protection Amendment.
Passage of this amendment is portrayed by proponents as a protective measure ensuring that the legal union of marriage remains between one man and one woman. But that is already the legal definition of marriage, and passage of this vaguely worded amendment could result in interpretations of the law that adversely affects domestic partnership benefits—including heterosexual domestic partners. We recommend a vote of NO on amendment 2.

AMENDMENT 3: Changes and Improvements Not Affecting the Assessed Value of Residential Real Property.
Passage of this amendment would essentially encourage homeowners to make improvements to their properties that would increase wind resistance to homes and encourage alternative energy usage by prohibiting these changes as factors in assessing the property’s value for taxation purposes. Basically, passage would help ensure that homeowners would not be punished with higher property taxes for making safe and green improvements to their homes. We recommend a vote of YES on amendment 3.

AMENDMENT 4: Property Tax Exemption of Perpetually Conserved Land; Classification and Assessment of Land Used for Conservation.
If passed, this amendment will provide a property tax exemption for owners of property that has restricted uses because of perpetual conservation easements. Essentially, it encourages continued land conservation. We recommend a vote of YES on amendment 4.

NOTE: There is no amendment 5.

AMENDMENT 6: Assessment of Working Waterfront Property Based Upon Current Use. Passage of this amendment offers some measure of protection for owners of working waterfront properties in terms of assessing the taxable value of their property based on current use, as opposed to highest and best use. It would encourage owners of small businesses on working waterfront (e.g. family fish houses and small marinas) to keep doing what they’re doing. Developers would also have some incentive to keep some of their shoreline as working waterfront instead of developing every inch to high end. We recommend a vote of YES on amendment 6.

NOTE: There is no amendment 7.

AMENDMENT 8: Local Option Community College Funding.
Passage of this amendment would shift some of the burden of community college funding from the state level to the local level by giving counties the authorization to levy a local option sales tax to supplement community college funding. It could increase funding to community colleges, but perhaps most importantly, it could improve local accountability and give community colleges more incentive to be very proactive in communicating with and meeting the needs of the communities they serve. It is important to note that, even if the amendment is passed, voters would have the option of denying any proposed local option sales tax increase. We recommend a vote of YES on amendment 8.

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Comments

[Vote for Bozo]

This is proof of the American Dream. Any useful idiot can start a newspaper print it and even sell it to other useful idiots. I want to add Bozo the clown for Preident of the united states. The reason is because even though we will be going down in flames at least we will be able to laugh at our pain and sufferings. This is a hoot of a paper! Thats why Sonny was a columnist for it. Trash hangs with trash.

[Rhonda Saunders]

Bozo,

Our paper is free, as is your unrestricted access to this blog so you can tell us what you think of us, anonymously of course.

We're happy to be able to provide both. Thanks for your interest.

Rhonda Saunders

[John]

I thought the Davis endoresment was right on the money. I would leave my name but hey I need the job. I gotta support the family.

[Bozo]

Like I said Rhonda trash with trash!

[ex davis supporter]

I was a Davis supporter UNTIL I learned that he talks out of both sides of his face. Davis is telling everyone that he has the ethics and integrity to lead the sheriff's office. What he isn't telling anyone is that he had a self-professed extra-marital affair.

Davis was married and working in the Drug Enforcement Agency when he met his current wife, Heidi, who was also working in the Drug Enforcement Agency. Davis saw this "beautiful woman" and walked out on his wife of five years. He showed up at Heidi’s doorstep and asked her if he could move in with her so they could begin a sexual relationship. Heidi, who "didn't want to date a married man" took a few seconds to think about Davis' offer and then let him move in with her.

I guess Heidi's definition of "married" isn't the same as most. I guess Davis' definition of morality and integrity excludes his sordid past.

The accuracy of this information can be verified in the May 19, 1997 issue of “People” magazine. You guys love to go for the easy kill. Maybe a little investigative journalism would have made you think twice before you luanched your viscious attacks on Bob Peryam.

These endorsements always did Mandina a lot of good.

Didnt you guys support Dixie and Sexy Sonny!
Now Kohl and Randy. Isn't that nice. Corruption votes this year for sure! Nice! Thank you trying for screwing the tax payers again!

[Famous affairs in people magazine]

in the spring of 1988. Ken Davis, who was then married and working cases on the Mexican border, noticed Heidi her first day on the job: "I'm up at the division office, and I see this beautiful woman, and I'm like, 'What's she doing here?' " After working with Landgraf a few times, his wariness turned to infatuation, but she refused to get involved with a married man. One afternoon that summer, Davis appeared at Landgraf's apartment complex to announce that he had separated from his wife of five years-and to ask Heidi if he could move in with her. "I remember looking at him and saying, 'I need to think.' Then about two seconds later I said yes," recalls Landgraf. They were married the following summer.

Did the source mention whether or not Davis then used his position of authority to harass and intimidate her family? That is the more important component of the Peryman scandal, from my perspective.

What's slimier--cheating on one's wife with a young girl in her parents' house then instructing your underlings to stalk and harass her (actual) daddy and family because she's mad at him? Or leaving one's wife then marrying somebody else?

Maybe they're both slimy, but I'm going with the less slimy of the slimeballs.

Didnt you guys support Dixie and Sexy Sonny!

GOOD POINT!

[Bill]

I wish you had given Chris Sante a closer look, as he has a good record, and is his own man.

If you really like Erv Higgs, the best thing you can do for him is send him off to a happy retirement, rather than let the ambitious sycophants run really run his office manipulate him for another term.