On Sunday, Drew Martin, running for The Board of County Commissioners District 3 (Shelley Vana is term limited), was at the home of Paton White, Atlantis. Ms. White is the president of the Audubon Society of the Everglades.
Drew talked about why he wanted to run for office--to have one more voice for sensible growth in Palm Beach County. He mentioned the humongous development projects in the county as well as in the Agricultural Reserve.
As the Ag Reserve is of special interest to everyone in the County as we passed a bond to protect acreage there, let's touch on that. Residential development is seriously impeding the ability of farmers to conduct large-scale farming operations. Those operations have fallen to thousands of homes, shopping centers and commercial businesses. Because of politicians, our state is being paved over.
According to Drew, Palm Beach County farmland is the biggest in the nation growing peppers, green beans, squash and other vegetables. The nurseries in Boynton and Delray were primarily the ones behind the push to change the land use development in the Agricultural Reserve and the present county commission allowed more development exceeding county rules. Years ago, we approved a $100 million bond issue for the acquisition of environmentally sensitive land and other lands for agricultural use to protect acres of farmland from development. Now things changed with this present commission. With the exception of Paulette Burdick, this county commission always votes for the developer.
The Palm Beach County web site says that Palm Beach County serves one of the largest agricultural counties in the U. S. in value of products sold, exceeding one billion dollars annually. Easing building rules and paving over more of our farmland is what this County Commission did. Shelley Vana in October of last year said, "It's the right thing to do."
Vote for Drew Martin for County Commissioner District 3, a grassroots guy with no hidden agenda; He's for the betterment of our county and all who live here. And he will never vote for a baseball stadium at John Prince Park.
It's about time we get an honest person representing us at the county level. Go Drew.
ReplyDeleteIt's very impressive to hear this man speak. Actually, it's kind of miraculous in our county which is laced so heavily with corruption, paybacks, and pay-to-play. Here is a very articulate voice of reason in the midst of all these 'used car and used developer salesmen (and women).' For me it was a halluliah moment in government and I certainly plan on doing all I can to support him. An honest and honorable man who wants to be elected simply to represent us and the well being of Palm Beach County. No further political aspirations or agendas, not even looking for big money from developers. (How refreshing is THAT in Lake Worth!)He's a rare find and I certainly encourage everyone to take a good look at Drew and imagine what just a few people like him could do for us at the county level. He most certainly well never be one of the crowd of our politicos bought and paid for by special interests. Never underestimate the voice of just one honest man--
ReplyDeleteMary Watson
An honest politician in Palm Beach County?!? Yes,it can happen if we vote for Drew Martin! Go Drew!
ReplyDeleteThis man is a saint.
ReplyDeleteTo the person who tried to post anonymously at 8:35am this morning with a charge against Drew Martin, you need to tell us what he said, when he said it and proof it was a lie. Until then, don't come over here with personal attacks that have zero credibility. Post under a real name.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he is making the development dynasty a bit on edge?? So they have to discredit anyone who is not 100% for overdevelopment? Same old, same old: kill the messenger if the message rings true and people are hungry for representation. And want to preserve our way of life and irreplaceable natural assets. Oh HORRORS!!, call out the goons to speak up for the poor downtroden developers who now own the working machinery of government. And are salivating for more.
ReplyDeleteDidn't take long for a smear commenter to come running in did it? This makes me even more certain that Drew is the right choice. Who's afraid of a little honest competition? Other than the big bad wolf of the development dynasty. Bet they already have a competitor in the wings already picked and paid for to support their agenda.
ReplyDelete3 Candidates for Vana's seat:
ReplyDeleteCounty Commissioner, Dist. 3 Greg Freebold (DEM) Filed
County Commissioner, Dist. 3 David Michael Kerner (DEM) Filed
County Commissioner, Dist. 3 Drew A. Martin (DEM)
UPDATE:
ReplyDeleteFreebold just withdrew from race.
Freebold just endorsed Kerner.
ReplyDeleteKerner raised $126,433 through the end of April while Freebold had collected $15,130 and added $10,000 of his own money. Martin raised $2,375. Commission District 3 is 44.1 percent Democratic and 25.8 percent Republican.
You can see where ALL the money is going. Ask why.
You can also see where the money is NOT going. You need to ask why.
ReplyDeleteWasn't your former "best commissioner ever" a big lobbyist for development in the AG reserve? Why no mention of that? Does Drew still drive that old VW that spews pollution into the environment he claims he wants to save? Looks like you latched on to another real winner again.
But at least you have the ever ready "he lost to developer money" excuse ready and left over from Lake Worth's recent elections. You know the one where Maxwell kicked all yoru assess.
Don't know about Drew's car but he lives within his means...does a lot of volunteer work for the environment.
ReplyDeleteMy best commissioner ever was good for Lake Worth, not the Ag Reserve.
I latch on to people I feel are honest, can't be bought by lobbyists, developers, and special interests who have the people in mind, not stuffing the pockets of developers or even perhaps their own.
Maxwell did kick azz and there were reasons for it. Some are mentioned in this post.
Don't try to denigrate a good person...you just look stupid.