Issues Expanded

“He who would trade his freedom for security shall have neither.” Benjamin Franklin

On the Issues — Expanded

Following is a series of emails, expanding on core issues, that Frank has sent over the past month to registered voters in Martin County who voluntarily provided their contact information. As always, Frank welcomes all feedback and questions.

Comprehensive Plan – Development & Growth

Question 1 – All the candidates for the three Board of Commissioners seats in this election cycle are pledging fidelity to Martin County’s Comprehensive Plan. What more can you share about your thinking and approach to growth and development decisions?
In addition to adherence to the requirements of the Comprehensive Plan there are four elements that would enter my decision making regarding a development:

Any proposed development must maintain the fundamental character of Martin County. This is critical not only with respect to the Agricultural and Rural Land Use areas but also for development within the Urban Development District. The 6 NAC’s (Neighborhood Advisory Committees – Golden Gate, Hobe Sound, Jensen Beach, Old Palm City, Port Salerno & RIO) operating under the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) play a vital role in gathering and furthering local resident input to ensure that any development captures and enhances the character and ambiance of their community.

The impact and cost of infrastructure improvements: roads, water, sewer, public safety, schools, etc., are borne by the developer/landowner and not by current Martin County residents.

Any accommodation to a landowner/developer that could enhance the value of their property must provide an equal or greater benefit to the existing residents of Martin County. However, I stand firmly against variances on density.

Assuming the first three criteria are met, there must be community support for a project. If not, then a project should not be approved.

Question 2 – We are concerned over who’s funding the various candidate campaigns. How is your campaign being funded? My campaign is not proactively seeking donations. While there is a place on my campaign website to donate if someone chooses to, I am fully prepared to self-fund my campaign.

I will not accept donations from any developers, businesses or individuals in the real estate industry. Given our residents’ concerns about growth and development, it is important that a Commissioner avoids even the appearance of a conflict of interest. Bottom line, it is important that Martin County residents know my allegiance is to them, plain and simple. I view elected office as a public service, and public service as a sacred trust.

Live Local Act

In a political landscape where ambition can overshadow authenticity, I am committed to truth and transparency. Residents have asked my position on the Live Local Act.

This Act passed during the 2022 Legislative Session and circumvents a County, City or Village development approval process, sidelining input from Planning and Zoning and the Commission’s approval process. However, any development proposal must still adhere to the County’s Land Development regulations, setback requirements, parking stipulations, landscape requirements, and other criteria.

To be clear: While I strongly support our property owners and their vested rights, within the context of Martin County’s Comprehensive Plan, I strongly oppose the Live Local Act due to its disregard for vital community and Commission input.

As your County Commissioner I will always fight for our County’s best interests, including traveling to Tallahassee to advocate against legislation that preempts local decision making and detrimental bills like the Live Local Act.

Please feel free to contact me at 561-676-5309 or fdamb3@gmail.com with any questions or concerns you have on this issue or any other topic relating to the County that we love.

This election season, I encourage you to seek the truth, focus on the facts, and make informed decisions. The power of choice lies with you, and I respectfully ask for your vote.

Preserve Martin County

I am honored and humbled by the encouragement I have received from so many residents to seek election to the Martin County Commission District 3. This is the first in a series of weekly emails, leading up to the primary election on August 20th, expanding upon my positions on the key issues and challenges confronting our County. My first priority is to preserve the “Martin County Difference”, ensuring that the fundamental character; the heart of Martin County remains intact as we evolve.

In my career as a public servant, I have been dedicated to responsible and thoughtful development practices that put residents first and prioritize the best interests of our community: Preservation before Development.

Committed to Martin County’s Comprehensive Plan. https://library.municode.com/fl/martin_county/codes/comprehensive_plan
Preserve and procure green space. I strongly support the County’s acquisition of green space for environmentally sensitive zones, parks and open areas.
Stand firmly against variances on density. I believe that development should adhere to established standards to maintain the character of our County.
Advocate for development or redevelopment within the Urban Development District, consistent with citizen input and CRA recommendations, that is architecturally and contextually consistent with adjacent buildings to create a harmonious and cohesive visual environment.
Strengthening our landscape standards to improve the visual environment along our primary and secondary corridors.
Respect for private property rights. Striking a balance that respects the rights of individuals while ensuring compliance with the County’s Comprehensive Plan.
Encourage open communication that is essential to the integrity of our communities and the County.

Public Safety

The first responsibility of government at any level is public safety. Safe communities have the freedom to flourish.

Our police and firefighters play a vital role in keeping our community safe, and by providing them with the necessary resources and support we strengthen our community’s safety net.

Having had the opportunity to run multiple 24-hour shifts with Fire Rescue, I can attest to the necessity of having rescue trucks properly staffed. When transporting a critically ill or injured patient, it is imperative to have a driver and two certified paramedical professionals to attend. It can be the difference between life and death.

That’s why I am particularly proud, when I was Mayor and a Council Member of neighboring Tequesta, to have worked with other city leaders to fully staff each shift of the Village’s Fire/Rescue Department. As your Martin County Commissioner, I will likewise be dedicated to ensuring that Martin County’s public safety departments, police and fire rescue have the staffing, tools, equipment, training and resources they need to do their jobs safely and to continue to provide the highest level of service to all Martin County residents.

Lower Taxes & Term Limits

Taxes: Every tax dollar is precious, and government representatives are charged with ensuring each dollar is spent wisely and in accord with the needs and desires of the citizenry. Absent a housing recession, property taxes already have built-in increases as property values rise. If you are homesteaded it’s capped at 3%; for non-residents and commercial it’s capped at 10%. Revenues from Martin County Property taxpayers have increased from $153,090,000 in 2016 to $303,830,000 in the proposed 2025 budget.

Additional taxes, such as sales taxes — which the county receives a portion of — go up with an increase in sales and the price of goods and services. The clear objective of the Martin County Board of Commissioners over the next four years should be to maintain or better yet reduce the current property tax millage rate. Government, like any family or business, must live within its means.

Term Limits: Though term limits did not make it into the Federal Constitution, Thomas Jefferson was a supporter: “My reason for fixing them in office for a term of years, rather than for life, was that they might have an idea that they were at a certain period to return into the mass of the people and become the governed instead of the governors, which might still keep alive that regard to the public good that otherwise they might perhaps be induced by their independence to forget.”

I believe a two-term limit for County Commissioners is wise. This would provide our residents with the opportunity to elect commissioners with fresh eyes and experiences to champion solutions to address their needs and concerns. Ultimately this decision should rest with the voters. If elected, I will introduce legislation for a referendum to let voters decide at the next election. Further, if the voters of Martin County provide me the opportunity to serve, I will not serve more than two terms.

The power of choice lies with you, and I respectfully ask for your vote.