David Strong’s campaign web site promotes this: “During his first term as Mayor, David guided our city through the formation of a 10-year financial plan. Winter Park not only enjoys the highest level of service of any city in Orange County, it is the only city in Central Florida with a 10-year financial plan.” David Strong is referring to the formulation of a 10 year financial projection (far from a plan) that was initiated, undertaken, and completed by City Commissioner Phil Anderson with the help of city staff. What are they thinking? Or, are they thinking? Our city would greatly…
I am soooooo right I can do anything I want!
David Strong funded almost 20% of Beth Dillaha’s 2008 campaign for City Commission, offering $9,000 in contributions that were accepted on October 9, 2007, $8,000 from companies he controlled with the balance personally from he and his spouse. In a City Commission workshop on ethics held November 19, 2007 David Strong said. “I think most of our problems arise in this area [ethics] from conflicts of interest and campaign finance.” Then went on to say, “I think… I think that… campaign finance is.. a.. is obviously a very open book and should be, and I think we need to find…
Sentimental journey to lower service levels, higher taxes, and lost independence.
I attended the campaign forum last evening with both Ken Bradley and David Strong making their case. Ken Bradley is a good man who needs to hone his message of rational, positive, professional leadership. David Strong is lost in his emotions. I was simultaneously touched and troubled by David Strong’s teary eyed reading of a letter from his father, a former Winter Park Mayor, delineating the responsibility each generation of residents has to nurture our city. True, but not sufficient. David Strong’s commitment comes not from a passion for leadership but from a deep well of sympathy and sentiment. Our…
“Forward” is the new “Backward”
David Strong’s first campaign mail piece has the headline: “Let’s Continue Moving Forward.” This is a bizarre, cynical, and disturbing act of propaganda. Is exposing our city to a $25,000,000 liability and spending $4,000,000 of our money to make the post office redevelopment project go away “moving forward?” Is virtually wiping out our general fund reserves by spending the $4,000,000 of our money to make the post office redevelopment project go away “moving forward?” Is voting to increase our millage rate while our property values have fallen as much as 30% “moving forward?” Is voting to decrease the value of…
Misrepresentation
David Strong’s campaign Web site says, “Winter Park remains financially strong, even as Central Florida has entered uncertain economic times.” This is complete baloney. Our general fund reserves had to be bolstered by the $1,000,000 sale of land owned by our water company and the cancellation of over $500,000 in previously approved capital projects (among other “adjustments”). Our reserves would be $5,500,000 higher and would have been available to soften the shock of the economic downturn if David Strong had not mismanaged the post office redevelopment controversy. Currently, revenues and spending (and thus service levels) are falling faster than projected…
Super-Duper
History of super-majority voting in Winter Park: Since 1971 – Any rezoning request denied by the Planning and Zoning Commission requires a super-majority vote of the City Commission to approve. Since 1991 – (same as 1-1.1.5 below) Any proposed amendment of this Comprehensive Plan denied by the Planning and Zoning Commission, shall not become effective except by a super majority (4 votes) of the City Commission. Several new super-majority voting requirements have been added to the Comprehensive Plan finalized in February 2009 as detailed below. These new super-majority voting requirements are intentionally designed by David Strong and his friends to…
Your property is about to be devalued.
In August 2008 David Strong, Margie Bridges, and Beth Dillaha voted to reduce the maximum residential Floor Area Ratio to 38% in the Comprehensive Plan (see page 10, here). What’s the big deal? The big deal is that: The existing maximum Floor Area Ratio is 43% for lots less than or equal to 11,600 square feet. The 43% ratio is only available if the second floor side setback is increased to reduce the mass of the home and its relationship to neighboring homes. This new rule will reduce the buildable square footage of renovated and new construction on over 60%…
Beth Dillaha: Hypocritical. Unethical. #2.
Beth Dillaha, 2007 Campaign Pledge: “In the absence of state or City reform, I’ve implemented my own concept of campaign finance reform. ‘One voter, one contribution.’ Corporations do not have the right to vote, nor do LLC’s. They should consequently not have the right to financially influence an election or public policy in direct proportion to the size of their checkbooks. Accordingly, I will accept no corporate or LLC contributions … only individual contributions. In addition, I am placing a limit on contributions of $250 per person as opposed to $500.” October 9, 2007: Beth Dillaha accepts $8,000 in campaign…
Beth Dillaha: Hypocritical. Unethical. #1.
Beth Dillaha, Fall 2007 Campaign Pledge: “Individuals elected to our City Commission are delegated a serious responsibility by the voters, and must gain and maintain the trust of those voters. When differences arise, such officials must have the ability to subordinate their personal philosophies to those valued by the citizens, who they represent. I can, and will, do that.” Beth Dillaha, Fall 2008 campaign position on Commuter Rail: “In March [2007], the citizens approved a commuter-rail stop in Winter Park, and I fully support the citizens.” Beth Dillaha, January 2008 candidate forum: When asked if elected would she vote to…
David Strong and Political Reality
Our resident anti-growth militant Beth Dillaha has been trying to kill the Central Florida Commuter Rail initiative and Winter Park’s participation in it for years. If you did not know this it is because she intentionally hid her motives from you. Dillaha has been consuming endless hours of City Commission time for months since her election, predominantly on trying to gin up public support against the existing commuter rail agreement with Orange County. Well, Dillaha finally got her chance to call for a vote to terminate the commuter rail agreement on Monday, January 26, 2009 and it failed 3 to…