MARATHON COUNCIL CANDIDATE QUESTION: WHAT’S MARATHON’S MOST PRESSING ISSUE?

In an effort to provide greater familiarity and communication between the nine Marathon City Council candidates and our readers, the Marathon Weekly sent each prospective council member a series of questions concerning their backgrounds and stances on pressing city issues. The Marathon Weekly will continue to print each candidate’s responses in a Q&A series leading up to the election. Be on the lookout for a candidate forum co-sponsored by the Keys Weekly and Marathon Chamber of Commerce, set for Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. Readers who have questions they would like to see answered by Marathon City Council, U.S. House of Representatives or Florida House of Representatives candidates may submit them to ceo@floridakeysmarathon.com for potential inclusion.

Answers are printed exactly as submitted by candidates, with responses limited to 100 words.

This week’s question: What is the largest issue facing Marathon’s citizens, and how can you aid in pursuit of a solution?

MIKE LEONARD

Marathon has exploded over the last 5-years and frankly the growth is “Out of Control.”  In my opinion, Leadership has painted the City into the corner while chasing growth and the dollars that go with it. The residents need an “Independent Acid Test” of Marathon’s Infrastructure including Sewer, Streets, Bridges and General & Contracted Services before one more shovel of dirt is turned. The residents need to understand their potential liability as taxpayers and so does the City. The report, once completed, should be discussed at a special public meeting of all City Official’s including members of Council.   

KEVIN MACAULAY

Many would point to affordable housing and vacation rentals as the largest issues we face as a city, but I would say the loss of our sense of community and our dedication to one another is truly our greatest current issue.  This decline is linked closely to the affordable housing crisis, but it is larger than just this issue.  I will engage all parties on an equal playing field with understanding, compromise, empathy, and common sense.  We need to listen to, and have compassion for, our neighbors and those who are having different experiences than us.  “One Human Family”.

KENNY MATLOCK

I believe the largest issue is the obviously out of control vacation rental industry. While our current situation with the state makes it very hard to change current regulations, we could make a huge difference for locals by actually enforcing the current rules and holding rental companies accountable. We need to provide code enforcement that works weekends, when most offenses occur. The famous call back on Monday to tell locals the problem checked out on Saturday is a joke. 

WAYNE QUARBERG

Everything has to do with the movement away from being a community. Foremost and above all, catering to big money, developers and investors from outside our city has destroyed Marathon as a hometown. The well-being of our residents and local businesses should come first. I will listen to the residents, their desires and ideas to get Marathon back. 

JEFF SMITH

I believe the largest issue facing the community is the conversion of our residential homes to vacation rentals.  The ratio of vacation rentals compared to affordable long-term housing continues to expand.  The close-knit neighborhoods and strong sense of community that defines Marathon have been diminished.  The upward price pressure on rental rates as a result of this trend continues to displace residents and change our community character.  My background in economics coupled with experience in the affordable housing arena and planning commission provides a firm foundation to advocate for policies to stem the effects of vacation rental in our community. 

ROBYN STILL

Finding a balance between property rights and affordable housing for local working families in our community. It is my intention to seek various incentive programs, including tax credits for long term rentals. I will continue to promote better enforcement of our current vacation laws. I believe in strengthening local programs whose focus is helping community members. I will continue to battle for home rule since we will be best equipped to govern ourselves. I am committed to working together as a community to develop strategies focused on easing the difficulties each of us face in our hometown.

INGRID TYREE

In my opinion, we have major infrastructure issues to deal with. We need help from the Private Sector to resolve the housing crisis at hand. Our small businesses also need our City’s help. We have built ourselves into a corner. We need to lean on our tourist trade for allocated money to fix regulations to assist local work force and local small businesses.

LYNN LANDRY

Affordable housing is and will be an issue for Marathon. I will continue to fight for more affordable housing.   Vacation rentals are always a hot button topic. Due to the legislature, we cannot change our rental rules, but we can do a better job of enforcement for the community.  

RICHARD TAMBORRINO

Marathon residents’ largest concern is affordable housing, an extremely difficult problem to solve on a local level with few affordable building permits remaining, lack of buildable land and a highly desirable investor market. 35% of our full-time residents provide the workforce foundation for local businesses and are at high risk of being pushed out of the Keys, which will have a dramatic negative impact on local businesses and ultimately, our city.

My deep county business relationships will enable me to initiate productive dialogue on this issue and hopefully lead to solutions we can present to the state.