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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-03-11 Village candidates say where they stand (WeekDay)1,\69‹ DAN/ Ate-41' )9 I Tom Valente 11111 By Angelo Tulimiera The candidates for the March 13 Village Council, Group 1, 3, and .5 election, were invited by the Village Council to speak and 10.answer questions at a public forum on March 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Village of North Palm Beach Council Chamber. I i March 6 just also happens to be ' 'the day that the WeekDay *newspaper that you are now reading, is printed. The next issue of WeekDay, if printed according to the normal schedule, will appear after the March 13 election, too late to report to you the issues which might have been brought up by you or your fellow citizens at the 1 forum, and too late to report the I stand taken by the candidates on these issues. What follows is a report, gathered by phone, of what the candidates think the issues are, and their stand on these issues. Also included is their age, occupation, previous political experience, and length of residency in the Village. A VMASE Coui'cti CAN Dx-DATEs Village candidates say where they stan( James Green Jack Ridgeway Meet the North Palm All candidates felt that the Winter Club (Oakes Building) is an issue, and each stated that they, irregardless of their own opinion, would carry out the will of the people, who will decide the fate of this historic building on March 13. Each candidate is aware that if the WIN 1ER. CLUB ORDINANCE is passed, that he or she is obligated to find reasonable means (without requiring the expenditure of Village funds or the levying of additional taxes) to restore the Oakes Building. AND. The council can still go back to Judge Kapner (who placed the ordinance on the ballot) for his judgment as to whether any section, paragraph, clause, or provision of the ordinance is invalid or unenforce- able. Running for Group 1 are Moore, incumbent, and James J. Green. Mr. Moore wants to "give them (the Villagers) the best for each dollar you (the Council) collect, and still give them the lifestyle they are used to." This requires "better management of funds in the Village, and knowing how the dollars flow." Mr. Moore believes that village base has peaked. "There is not much land left to build on without annexing the unincorporated areas, and they don't want anneyatinn " Al Moore each candidates Mr. Moore is the only Councilperson to consistently vote to save the Winter Club and is "thankful its going to the people for their opinion." He feels the building should be restored " so people in the future will know what the Village once looked like. During the interview, Mr. Moore wanted to clear up the issue of the uncompleted recreation building on Prosperity Farms Road, which was supposed to be finished December, 1982. He stated the buliding contract was taken away from the general contractor who was unable to make the flooring right. He went on to say tha the Village's engineering firm is investigating: what needs to be done to rectify the mistake in the flooring; developing a time table for completion; and estimat- ing the completion cost. Mr. Moore stated the general contrac- tor was not paid in full, and this money would be used for completing the building. Mr. Moore claims he is the one who got the $600,000 to build the recreation building. Mr. Moore is 59, a Project Engineer at Pratt & Whitney, a village resident for 21 years, and has served on the Council for eight years. Mr. Green would "like to see the (Winter Club) ordinance defeat- ed." He is "against intrusion of commercial property" at the Country Club. The ordinance would require us to "find money (to restore the Oakes Building) within one year, or we might have Candidates have their say -I'rn always willling to listen to the citizens." Mrs. Nolan stated that she wants the issue of the new Tennis Pro for the Country Club sent back to the N.P.B. Country Club Advisory Board for further study. She also hoped "the people turn out to vote." Mrs. Nolan is 41, an instructional aide at North Palm Beach Elementary and a Council- woman for four years. • Jack Ridgeway feels that if the Winter Club is to be restored it should be done with funds form philanthropic individuals, not be given to local or out of town developers. He is not in favor of the March 13 referendum on the Winter Club but is willing to act as a watchman representing the people's interest if the ordinance does pass. Ridgeway, 64, has been an alternate member of the Village Planning Commission for three years. Running for Group 5 are Tom Valente, incumbent, and Mike Cirullo. to rezone." (It should be noted that the Country Club Restaurant presently doing business at the club is a private commercial adventui-e.) He believes the Oakes Building is a liability ... and an issue that is splitting families. Once the property is gone (into commercial hands), it'll never revert back to public property." Mr. Green went on to say that he would like to see the site where the Oakes Building now stands Running for Group 3 are Harriet Nolan, incumbent, and John NY, Ridgeway. Mrs. Nolan stated that the "on,; issue we did have (Oakes Building) is going before the village where li belongs." She said she "voted against the (Oakes Building's) new roof and its historic preservation," but did vote to grant the people trying to save the Winter Club three months to do so bec Continued on paqP Mr. Valente wants you to realize that of the issues that are being discussed, "we're not talking about crime," and he goes on to point out that the Village has "fine public services." He says the "Council has worked hard" to achieve this. He believes there need to be improvements made regarding the fire department and the paramedic's facilities. He claims it was his initiative which brought in the new fire truck, the fire paramedic, and the night lights at Alamanda ball park. Mr. Valente has voted against restoration of the Winter Club (Oakes Building) in the past, but the "Council will vote for what the people decide." Mr. Valente is 44, manager of Cater's Furniture Company, a village resident for 20 years, and a member of the Council for four years, and is currently the Mayor, an office which rotates among the council. Mr. Cirullo believes "just because something is old (The Oakes Building), it shouldn't be destroyed," and it is a "historical site." He sees private development only as the last of several alternatives mentioned in the WINTER CLUB ORDINAN- CE." He believes there is " enough affluence and interested trades people (in the Village)" to make the "renovation a communi- ty project. Once it's (the Oakes Building) is torn down, it's nermanent." "return to a grassy knoll." Mr. Green would also like to see "the village operate the (Country Club) pool as a community pool for a small fee of $1.00 to $1.50 daily admittance. Mr. Green is 54, retired, formerly a Chief of Construction for a federal management division in Washington, D.C. and member of the N.P.B. Country Cl ih Advisory Committee. This i. first run for political office. Mr. Cirullo said that as a final alternative, he would not object to a private developer, but safegua- rds (as mentioned in the ordinance) would be necessary." He would not be in favor of a thirty year lease, with an opiton to renew for 30 years. The lease should be "no longer than 15 years with a negotiable option to renew." He went on to say he "would hesitate to allow a restaurant there, since it would be in competition with the restaurant already at the Country Club," which is a private commercial enterprise, He believes the Oakes Building would "make nice offices for law, real estate, and accountants" or other professionals. Mr. Cirullo wants to see the "paramedic's facilities improved and to see the 911 emergency number become voice activated instead of dial activated. Mr. Cirullo is 42, works for a mortgage company, a Village resident for eight years, active in civic affairs, and is seeking his first political office.