I spoke to Val Screen today and I think she is smart and I am going to support her. She worked for County Commissioner Teele in 1990. She also worked at County Solid Waste. She was an attorney for Government Affairs at a law firm, that is how she compiled the long lobbyist client list. She understood the urban development boundary and the expansion zone and she said that now isn't the time to move the boundary as there are no compelling reasons. She also made the connection that her district was not being helped by developing out West. Duh, did you hear that Audrey (who hasn't seen a Seijas vote she doesn't agree with)?
I think this woman is light years better than Audrey Edmonson. She said that she wouldn't vote with the pack. I hope you all support her.
20 comments:
I agree 100%. Val is extremely capable, and will represent the interests of her constituants, rather than her own.
She will not be beholden to any person on that dais but herself. She will add a voice of reason where there are only a few. There have been some very capable public servants that have come from her former law firm, the old Steel Hector & Davis. Federal Judges such as Patricia Sikes, Jordan, etc., Janet Reno, and Commissioner Carlos Gimenez even had a stint there between public service at the City and County.
Even if you do not live in her district, I urge you to support her, because, at the end of the day, every commissioner, regardless of their district, vote on matters that affect the entire County, and more often than not, on issues that affect other districts.
In Closing, GO VAL!!
I AGREE!! I commend you for actually speaking to the woman and hearing for yourself what she can do and will do to help the District. It's time for NEW ENERGY, NEW ETHICS and I believe she will deliver.
Edmonson has done little except suck up to Seijas. She is an embarrassment to our community.
I think it will be a refreshing walk in the park. Do we actually have someone who understands the relationship of urban sprawl to capital spending. Alas, perhaps she will help to get some projects funded there that deserve to be funded. Go Val!
She is pretty, so I would vote for her if I could. Unfortunately I am Jordan's district.
E-mail:
valscreenfor3@bellsouth.net
Phone:
786-375-7810
Mailing Address:
Campaign to Elect Val Screen
780 NE Palm Bay Lane, Unit 1808
Miami, FL 33138
I live in the district and from what I have read so far about Ms. Screen, I am not convinced she is better than other potential Edmonson opponents. The last thing I want is Art Teele all over again. Here are a few things I want to know from Ms. Screen before I consider granting her my support:
1. When she says "now isn't the time to move the boundary," that doesn't mean too much since she will never vote on the UDB change going on now. I want to know where she stands on UDB votes in the FUTURE. What would she say constitutes compelling reasons to move it in the future? Would she be willing to make a pledge not to change the UDB?
2. I visited her website. She has something in her platform about putting county departments on management watch (which is really a manager/mayor function, not a BCC function). But the only example she gives for an underperforming department is "the Division of Animal Control." I am sure she means the Department of Animal Services, which begs the question: how much does she really know about county government today? Can't she think of a more troubled department than Animal Services (which seems to be one of the improving departments)? What does she dislike about the Animal Services management?
3. What exactly does she mean when she says in her platform, "Release infill housing lots to bonded, licensed, and insured local builders for community beautification and relief of insufficient affordable housing inventory"? Isn't that what got us into trouble in the Miami-Dade housing scandal? Does "release" mean give the land to builders for free? Why not advocate for a trusted nonprofit such as Habitat for Humanity to build affordable housing on these parcels?
4. Here are a few more questions. I could be wrong, but I thought I saw her at that bizarre Roosevelt Bradley "name clearing hearing." Does she think Bradley was wrongly fired by the mayor? Does she support George Burgess as Manager? How would she cut the county budget as money gets tighter?
Genius, if you could also locate some demographic info about District 3 (income levels, party affiliations, race and age breakdown, etc.), I would enjoy reading it. Thx!
Ask edmonson all of that. Actually, this woman is not catching a break with you readers and Edmonson is getting a free ride. Screen is running against an idiot and you are looking for a Rhodes Scholar. Call Edmonson's office and ask her some questions and report back.
Somebody wrote a book two comments earlier but does not know the facts of the district's demographics? For the benefit of those who read this blog, do the math: 55% Black, 22% Hispanic, 15%Anglo. Team up with someone who can appeal to all. If this challenger Val Screen has the guts to file and the brains to lead, I see a clear choice in her favor.
Genius, you are easy to please. Here is my guess on how your interview went:
Genius: I don’t believe now is the time to move the urban development boundary as there are no compelling reasons. Also, I think that District 3 is not being helped by developing out West. Do you agree?
Screen: Yes.
Genius: Is that really your photo?
Screen: Yes.
Genius: Okay. You have my support.
why dont you say she is a republican?
In my April 13th post I said she was a pub...you are not a regular reader.
However, it is not a partisan post so it doesn't matter.
Anonymous above the above one:
No. It went like this:
G.o.D.: Are you Audrey Edmonson?
Screen: No.
G.oD.: Okay, you have my support.
I am very easy to please.
I have asked for some Edmonson comment posts. I am not taking anymore on Screen as it is not fair to the candidate. Let's be balanced. You can email me your complaints about Screen and I will research them.
For all of you with questions about Val, maybe you need to pick up the phone and call her personally like Genius of Despair did. And for the record...she's an Independent and the the race is non-partisan.
Thanks for posting the district stats. It is a majority black district so any serious challenger will need to be black. It is pretty clear that black voters will not vote across ethnic lines if they can avoid it.
However, the white/hispanic/other percentage in the district is still huge (45%) and Screen should focus at least some attention on that group since Edmonson has largely ignored it.
I hope Screen pays attention to this blog and rebuilds her platform using input from comments and opinions voiced here. Her platform, as discussed by a prior writer, really needs some work. She also needs to be honest about her past experience as Teele's aide but at the same time distance herself from his corrupt shadow.
Good luck, Val Screen! I wish you well!
I detest the use of ethnic terms, but if you must use them, please avoid the term "anglo." It is offensive, and I have never heard people describe themselves using that term.
Audrey Edmundson completely ignores her white and hispanic constituents. She makes it clear that they are only good for generating tax dollars for her to spend amongst her friends.
Never heard of Val Screen. The Teele connection is a bit scary. And Val Screen lives across the street from oft-investigated Barbara Carey-Schuler.
Perhaps someone new and fresh could enter the race?
Barbara Carey Schuler put Edmonson in. There have been more comments but I aked people to talk about Edmonson for a while and give the challenger a break. You had two posts to talk about Screen. I gave you her email and phone number, contact her yourself. No more ... You don't listen....
AND, the reader who said she lives across the street from Carey Schuler: She takes her homestead exemption in a condo.
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