Martin County is in the midst of elections for three county commission seats. All three of the current commissioners, John Haddox, Doug Smith and Anne Scott, are running for re-election.  Each incumbent has two other candidates vying for their respective seats. Who you should vote for depends on what positions and qualities you want to have in a county commissioner.

As a city commissioner and resident of Stuart, it is very important to me what each candidate’s views on city/county issues are. For example, will the candidate, if elected, work with Stuart to move the city and county forward for the benefit of all residents. The recent vote on the Willoughby extension is illustrative. The city and county has a binding agreement for the county to complete the road. The city, as part of our agreement, paid the county over a half million dollars toward the project. Stuart, further as agreed, obtained rights of way and did wet land mitigation work. Chair Scott, along with Commissioners Fielding and Heard, voted not to go forward. Why then would I vote and support Anne Scott for re-election when she voted not to proceed on this project and reneged on this agreement? How can I trust Ms. Scott on any other agreement we would make.

Over and over, Commissioner Smith has voted against the city’s interest in his tenure as a county commissioner. He has shown a total disregard for issues affecting our city even though he represents a portion of Stuart. Similar to some other county commissioners’ views, he forgets that we are not a ward of the county. Stuart is an independent municipal corporation. His misunderstanding of a city’s role would lead me to support Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch. She is a Sewall’s Point councilperson and former mayor. She understands what municipalities stand for and how both governments can work together for the common good.

In respect to the District 5 race, Commissioner John Haddox understands what cities are about. He has reached out to me as a city commissioner. John has the ability to look at issues individually and base his decision on the facts before him. What more can you ask of a commissioner? I don’t always agree with John, but I know he has no hidden agenda. He understands that governing should be without prejudice and pre-conceived notions.

Every elected county commissioner should base their votes on what they perceive is best for the entire community. You will never have a commissioner agree with you 100% of the time. There does need to be commonality of interest. Ultimately, they should represent your interests more often than not. If you believe a candidate does, then you should elect or re-elect that individual.