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Delray Beach moves forward on election changes
By Palm Beach Business.com
DELRAY BEACH — Delray Beach city commissioners moved forward on two major election reforms Tuesday despite opposition from business interests, residents and a former mayor.
One change finalized during the meeting will make it easier for candidates for office to qualify for the ballot. The other, which still must go through the ordinance approval process, would let voters decide whether to extend commissioner and mayor terms to three years, and extend term limits to nine years from the present six.
Opponents argued that the changes to terms and term limits should come through a full- fledged charter review.
Commissioners approved an ordinance that cuts the number of petition signatures needed to get on the ballot to 250 from1 percent of the city’s registered voters, which works out to be about 410. The change goes into effect immediately, so candidates for the March 13 municipal election need only to secure valid signatures from 250 registered Delray voters.
Former Commissioner Gary Eliopoulos spoke out against the change, saying the higher standard ensures prospective candidates have a serious interest in running for office.
Dr. Victor Kirson, who is in the process of collecting signatures to qualify for the March ballot as a commission candidate, said 410 was too high a requirement. “It is impossible. It is unbearable. That’s too tough to do the right way.”
The “right way,” Kirson explained, was for a candidate to personally collect signatures rather than use surrogates.
Meanwhile the change to commissioner and mayor terms and term limits still must be approved on two readings by city commissioners before it hits the ballot for voter approval. The change in term length would allow Delray to skip a municipal election every third year at a savings of about $40,000. The change in term limits from six to nine years would allow city officials to rise to leadership positions in various local and state government organizations.
The Delray Economic Leaders Political Action Committee opposes the changes, saying they should come through the charter review process rather than commissioners, the group’s Connor Lynch said. Lynch’s father, former mayor Tom Lynch also spoke out in favor of charter review.
“It’s our feeling that there hasn’t been enough public outreach,” DELPAC Secretary Tom Stanley added. “Personally, two three-year terms would be fine.”
Others argued that the changes, particularly to term limits, were self-serving since they potentially would benefit sitting commissioners. They also argued that current system ensures fresh faces and ideas on the panel.
Commissioner and former Mayor Jay Alperin argued that term limits were “anti-democratic,” and that he supported the change only because it extended the amount of time a commissioner may serve. Alperin was appointed to the commission this summer to fill the unexpired term of Fred Fetzer. He said he won’t run for reelection.
“Democracy works,” Alperin said. “I’m a big proponent of democracy. I don’t like my choices limited.”
Also Tuesday, commissioners:
Agreed to require Boston’s on the Beach to go through the “conditional approval” process if the restaurant wants to provide outdoor entertainment. Boston’s is planning an extensive expansion that will include an outdoor bar, cookery and eating areas. Plans also include a stage for outdoor entertainment. The conditional approval process allows the city to put in place restrictions noise levels and hours of operations and require Boston’s to take measures to prevent noise from disturbing neighbors, much of which it already plans to put in place.
Approved Viva South Florida, a Latin American festival, to take place at Old School Square the weekend of September 14. The event is to kick off Hispanic Heritage month.
Extended a contract with Players International Management to handle United States Tennis Association events at the Delray Tennis Center.
Approved an ordinance allowing alcohol to be served at the Arts Garage.
Approved an ordinance regulating Internet cafes and gambling.
