- April 23, 2024
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Dear Editor:
A political irony is occurring in Palm Coast: The Democratic Party has endorsed the current mayor, who is a registered Republican and had been a Democrat in her past. The Republican Party cannot endorse a candidate because the mayor and another Republican candidate, Alan Lowe, are running for the same office.
As a lifelong Democrat, I am extremely disappointed to see the Democratic Party endorse Milissa Holland.
The reason the Democratic Party has endorsed the mayor is because they feel that Alan Lowe is a Trumpster. I have spoken to Alan Lowe on several occasions for extended periods, and he is going to vote for Donald Trump as all Republicans will do. And I will vote for Democratic candidates all down the ballot.
I think the issue here is not what happens in Washington but what is happening in Palm Coast. In my discussions with Alan Lowe, he is remarkably close to all of the positions that I campaigned for when I ran for mayor.
Milissa Holland is for extensive residential development. She is for high-density housing. The more real estate developed, the worse off you and all the citizens of Palm Coast will be. This is because your real estate values will decrease due to the increased supply of available housing.
I have talked to my Republican friends, and they are voting for Alan because they do not favor the current mayor. These people have told me that they do not know anything about Alan Lowe's platform. So, let me tell you what some of the issues that Alan and I agree on.
Our first area of agreement is responsible growth. We cannot increase residential housing beyond our capacity to handle water and sewerage needs. Borrowing money to increase sewer capacity because of increased population is simply wrong.
Alan supports financial responsibility, which includes looking at our current almost $200 million debt and not adding to that debt.
And finally, Alan wishes to clean up the mess at City Hall. Within the last two years, a dozen or more city officials were fired or forced to resign. The reason behind this must be determined and fixed immediately.
Alan has adopted a slogan that I coined at the debate run by the News-Journal, and that slogan is “A new broom sweeps clean.”
As a side note, the current mayor did not attend that debate because she had something else to do. It also should be noted that she was given the opportunity to select another date and did not have the courtesy to contact the person organizing the debate.
It is for these reasons that I, as a Democrat, endorse a Republican, and that Republican is Alan Lowe. I ask my fellow Democrats to be more concerned about Palm Coast and vote for Alan Lowe.
John Brady
Palm Coast
Editor’s Note: Brady is a former candidate for Palm Coast mayor. Mayor Milissa Holland was offered chance to respond, and here is what she submitted:
"Here’s an old cliché, but one that’s true: 'There is no Republican (or Democratic) way to fill a pothole.' People of differing persuasions support me because of my proven record of representing that which is best for our community.
"No, Mr. Brady, I do not support 'extensive residential growth.' Property values remain high when a community applies development standards and invests in its infrastructure and prioritizes public safety as we have done over the last 20 years.
"Don’t be misled by Mr. Brady’s comments; the city of Palm Coast has no municipal debt. The debt is that of 'enterprise funds.' It is not paid for with property tax dollars but by the users of its services. When we expand the sewer system (which we must), doesn’t it make more sense to borrow the money (over a 30-year period) so that those who benefit from the sewer expansion (new residents) get to pay their share?
"The way you keep residential taxes low (our city has one of the lowest tax rates in Florida) is to balance residential growth with economic development opportunities. UNF MedNex, a collaborative initiative will bring high-paying jobs and will provide the necessary education for residents seeking employment in the health care sector."
Alan Lowe was also offered a chance to respond, but he declined.
