BREAKING NEWS: Palm Beach Post Endorses Keith James

 

(This is the full unedited article as published on March 3, 2019)

Post endorsements: Keith James is best bet to lead West Palm

A decade that began in the depths of the recession has proven prosperous for West Palm Beach. Downtown is dotted by construction cranes, boasts the futuristic Brightline station and is a growing address for residences, not just shops, restaurants and entertainment venues.

But while downtown is growing impressively, many other parts of the city have felt starved of attention. That’s the position of the three strong candidates who are vying to succeed Mayor Jeri Muoio in the March 12 election. All three say they’ll emphasize neighborhoods beyond the city core.

Priscilla Taylor, 69, is a former county commissioner seeking her way back into public office after a surprise defeat in 2016 to Mack Bernard. Unfortunately, she is running against two sitting city commissioners with closer knowledge of city issues.

Paula Ryan, 59, currently represents District 3, where she previously headed the El Cid Neighborhood Association and shepherded the plan to narrow South Dixie Highway, making it nicer for bicycling, walking and the proliferation of shops, restaurants and apartments occurring there. Her goal, she told the Post Editorial Board, is to take the same kind of small-business-centered growth to other parts of the city.

A professional developer of affordable housing, Ryan has notched significant achievements in the usually low-profile role of city commissioner. She attracted an Atlanta nonprofit, Purpose-Built Communities, to help tackle entrenched poverty, and encouraged the city’s adoption of the “Vision Zero” traffic-safety program.

Impressive. Still, the Post Editorial Board endorses Keith James, who shares much the same goals for boosting city neighborhoods as his opponents, but who emphasizes that he’ll take a collaborative approach to running the city — certainly more than we have seen from Muoio. More than the other candidates, James understands that for West Palm to thrive, it must abandon the haughtiness it has too often displayed toward neighboring cities and the county government.

Currently the commissioner for District 4, a sprawling territory west of I-95, James, 61, has already met with County Administrator Verdenia Baker and School District Superintendent Donald Fennoy to explore areas of cooperation. He is also immediate past president of the Palm Beach County League of Cities.

On the campaign trail, he has reached out to residents for their ideas; he says he has collected some 500 names of people interested in participating in neighborhood advisory roles. He says city commissioners ought to be granted a more participatory role in decision-making, and that he intends to make the mayor’s office more open and transparent to the media and the public than it has been.

A Harvard-educated corporate lawyer, James helps clients set up or buy and sell companies — but has a history of trouble in his own finances. Records show he owes the IRS more than $100,000 and was hit with two foreclosures and an eviction judgment. As James explains it, he fell into a financial hole a decade ago when he was going through a divorce, putting two children through college and starting a new business.

“I wish I could come before you as a man without flaws,” he told the Editorial Board.

But those flaws were in his personal life. In almost eight years on the dais, he pointed out, he has been perfectly diligent in overseeing public money. “We have balanced the budget successively for seven straight years; the millage rate has not gone up,” he said.

The same troubling questions about James’ ugly finances arose when he first ran for the city commission in 2011. The Post endorsed him then despite those negatives, citing 20 years of public involvement including service on the county’s budget oversight board, the Quantum Foundation and the Palm Beach State College Foundation board.

We acknowledge the matter will give some voters pause in the present election. But we are also aware that layers of checks and balances exist — a finance director, city manager and independent commission — for just this reason.

Moreover, the Post’s judgment in 2011 has been amply validated by James’ solid performance on the commission. Like most of his fellow panelists, he has mainly followed Muoio’s lead — a Pip, as he puts it, to her Gladys Knight — from promoting livable downtown development and the Okeechobee Business District to fighting the extension of State Road 7.

Notably, he clashed with the mayor over the 2016 elevation of assistant police chief Sarah Mooney to the top spot, saying he preferred to hold a nationwide search for a police chief. In the current campaign, James has not hesitated to criticize the city’s handling of crime, especially in its poorer precincts, noting that of 52 homicides in the last two years, only two have been solved.

We believe James can be relied upon to build upon West Palm Beach’s momentum in the downtown while attacking persistent problems in other parts of the city, such as pothole-rutted streets, neglected buildings, the all-too-public miseries of the homeless and a 17-percent poverty rate.

James is a strong communicator with the ability to draw listeners to his side. His instinct is to persuade, not dictate. He has the humility to own up to mistakes, and the confidence to propose actionable steps forward for the public good.

The Post endorses Keith James for mayor.

By: The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board

Read the article online at: www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/20190303/post-endorsements-keith-james-is-best-bet-to-lead-west-palm

Protecting our water supply

Clean, fresh water. We turn on the tap, and we know it will be there. When I was first elected to the City Commission, that wasn’t the case. In fact, at that time our city faced one of our toughest water challenges as we dealt with drought and water quality issues. I worked with our Mayor and city leaders to make sure that didn’t happen again. And we got a lot done for West Palm Beach.

When our city is facing an issue, I show up when help is needed.  From protecting our water supply at Grassy Waters Preserve to standing up to special interests that wanted to privatize it, I’m on the job working for you.  Today, our city is ready with plans in place to protect our water supply from the next big drought or crisis.

As Mayor, I will make sure our West Palm Beach water is safe, secure and affordable. It’s not just our water, but it’s our future.

Keith James Has Protected West Palm Beach’s Water

  • Opposed State Road 7 and Roebuck Road extensions that would run through our water supply.
  • Opposed any plan to privatize our city’s water supply.
  • Passed a short-term emergency water plan providing enough supply for a 1 in 100-year drought.
  • Passed a drought plan to protect our water supply in times of need.
  • Passed a stormwater master plan to protect against flooding and sea level rise.
  • Pushed for our state-of-the-art water treatment plant.

Read Keith’s Plans

K.E.I.T.H. Plan

Action Plan On Homelessness

Neighborhoods First Initiative

Plan To Cut Taxes

Plans For Our Neighborhoods

The Friday Five

I’m all in for Keith James

This weekend in front of over 650 community leaders, I talked about the need to address our county’s growing homeless population. As Mayor of Palm Beach County, I have made this a top priority.  It’s going to take collaboration between our county and cities to tackle this issue.

That’s why I am endorsing Keith James for Mayor. Keith is a proven collaborator, he brought people together as President of the League of Cities and as Mayor, will be someone I will work with to not only address homelessness, but focus on traffic solutions, workforce housing and other issues.

Keith’s got the experience, plans and vision to move West Palm Beach forward.  Please vote Keith James for Mayor on Tuesday, March 12.

Thanks,
Mayor Mack Bernard
Palm Beach County

 

Read Keith’s Plans

K.E.I.T.H. Plan

Action Plan On Homelessness

Neighborhoods First Initiative

Plan To Cut Taxes

Plans For Our Neighborhoods

 

Keith’s Plan to Cut Taxes


As City Commissioner for the last 8 years, I have worked to keep taxes low, balance the city budget and protect our city’s bottom line. As a candidate for Mayor, I have outlined a plan to cut taxes and save taxpayer money without sacrificing services.

“I am committed to NOT raising our tax rates, but actually rolling back our city’s property taxes once critical needs in our city are met. Read my plan below.” 

My experience has prepared me for the job of Mayor. I have helped create West Palm Beach’s first ever long-term strategic plan and our 10-year budget and finance plan. On the Commission, I oversaw pension reform and made sure we returned millions of dollars to our city’s reserves to protect taxpayers from future economic downturns.

I’m proud to share that I have received the endorsement of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches and our local Realtors Association. These two organizations recognize my experience in managing our city’s budget and that I am the ONLY candidate that has help lead our city through the economic recession.

I have the experience, plan and vision to lead our city forward.  I am asking for your vote for Mayor on Tuesday, March 12th so I can keep working for you.

KEITH JAMES’ PLAN TO CUT TAXES


REDUCING TAXES BY USING INCREASED REVENUES

Over the next year, $1 billion in new taxable property values will be coming into the City.  Keith will review these new projects coming onto the city’s tax rolls and is committed to using the new tax revenues to reduce property taxes, without cutting services.

PROPER OVERSIGHT OF THE CITY BUDGET

For eight years as city commissioner, Keith worked to balance the city budget and get us through the great recession without raising taxes or cutting services. As our next Mayor, Keith understands our city budget and will ensure that city programs are run efficiently.  Keith has a record of protecting taxpayer money.

PROPER OVERSIGHT OF THE 1-PENNY SALES TAX

There are 14 projects and nearly $60 million in improvements scheduled to be completed with the funds from the 1-Penny Sales Tax. Keith has the experience to make sure the projects are completed on time, on budget and with transparency.

 

LATEST: Keith’s Plan for our Northend Neighborhoods

Since I filed to run for Mayor, over 18 months ago, I have made it my mission to make sure government was working better for our neighborhoods and our residents. I have hosted neighborhood meetings in nearly every part of our city and learned the issues that our residents care about. That’s why I launched my Neighborhoods First Initiative.  I am excited to report that since this launch, over 500 residents have joined my Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Group.

Last week, I released my plan for our southend neighborhoods.

Today, I am excited to release my plan for our northend neighborhoods.

I am the only candidate who has released detailed plans for our city – from our neighborhoods, to homelessness to reducing taxes – I am the most prepared to serve as Mayor.

I am asking for your vote for Mayor on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 so I can keep working for you.

A Plan for the Northend of West Palm Beach

Keith James has a plan to make the Northend of West Palm Beach a priority so that we can solve crime, homeless issues, traffic concerns and make it the gateway of the north into West Palm Beach.

Keith’s Northend Priorities

  • The Anchor Site
  • Currie Park
  • Mayor’s Village Initiative
  • Broadway Corridor Investment
  • Market the Northend
  • Oversee Northend Capital Improvement Projects
  • Address Absentee Landlord Issues
  • Move Purpose Built Communities Forward
  • Protect our Parks & Open Spaces
  • Proper Code Enforcement
  • Prioritize Community Policing
  • Connect our Neighborhoods Utilizing our City Trolleys
  • Work with our Local Schools
  • Quarterly Meetings Hosted in the Northend
  • Engage with the Community

The Anchor Site

This site is a game changer for the northend and will provide an economic boost to the community and the density needed to keep people on the streets and in our shops, restaurants and retailers along Northwood.  The project should better connect Northwood Road and the surrounding neighborhoods.  Keith will push to get the project off the ground quickly.
Complete Neighborhood and Capital Improvement Projects

There are over 35 projects valued at over $52 million in the works in the northend as part of the 1 Penny Sales Tax, bonds and other funding sources. These projects are going towards northend parks and recreation, transportation, traffic and pedestrian safety, and infrastructure such as utilities and other critical needs. Keith will make sure these projects get completed and residents are communicated to about the status of the projects.

Prioritize the Mayor’s Village Initiative

The Mayor’s Village Initiative will continue to be a priority. Based on 5 Pillars, the program is focused on preventing and reducing youth violence and improving the lives of young African American males in the historic Northwest, Coleman Park and Pleasant City neighborhoods. On the Commission, Keith supported this program and will continue to build on its success as Mayor.

Invest Into the Broadway Corridor

Revitalize the Broadway Corridor through economic development incentives and rezoning that attracts businesses, retailers and mixed-use opportunities to locate along the corridor.  Keith understands the economic engine the Port of Palm Beach, Rybovich Marina and the marine and tourism industry can have along this corridor. Keith wants to capitalize on the growing need of the business and leisure market and the impact it can have in the northend of our city.  Keith is committed to reviewing how we can expedite permits for businesses looking to move into the northend CRA and how incentives can be used to support local businesses in helping clean up their façade or building to attract tenants and customers.

Protect Our Neighborhoods

Keith is focused on proper code compliance, identify ways to ensure code violations are paid and that routine violators are motivated to clean up their violations or pay the fines. Keith wants to fix the current system so that those who violate code do pay their fines and residents and neighbors don’t suffer due to violations going unpaid or properties not maintained. Keith supports a program that encourages landlords who don’t live locally to properly maintain their property through annual inspections or reviews. Keith supports the idea of hosting the Mayor’s Northend Meeting in the northend neighborhoods quarterly instead of at City Hall.  With a rich and full history, Keith is committed to protecting the character and charm of each of the northends historical neighborhoods.

Neighborhoods First Initiative

Keith has launched a Neighborhoods First Initiative and a Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Group to provide information, share ideas and collaborate together on local issues.  Residents will have a direct link to the Mayor’s office to get regular communications and have input on neighborhood priorities. This is another opportunity for residents and neighborhoods to have their issues heard and listened to.

Safety in our Neighborhoods, Parks and Streets

Keith has spoken to our police chief and supports her work in the community. Keith is focused on more community policing and looking at how technology can make our neighborhoods safer. Keith has a Homeless Action Plan that will put in place community ambassadors to check on the homeless and get them the resources they need while enforcing existing laws that protect our quality of life.  Keith will review our city parks to make sure there is proper lighting, that bathrooms are safe and secure and parks are clean.

Purpose Built Communities

Keith supports the idea behind this public-private partnership for the city. Keith will work with community partners, other agencies and the private sector to help ensure the pilot program is successful. Keith will review the amount of city investment needed and where those funds can come from to ensure the community benefits.

The CRA

Keith is focused on how the CRA can work to remove blight in the community. More direct city control of the CRA is needed, but Keith wants to make sure existing projects the CRA is working on are not slowed down, stalled or halted.  The city can also do a better job of marketing what the CRA does for the community so residents understand what they are getting and how they can be strong partners in the process.