A packed turnout greeted county commissioner and school board hopefuls during the Island of Key Largo Federation of Homeowners Associations’ Candidate Forum on July 1 at the Key Largo library. 

Through a series of general and individual-specific questions posed to the candidates, the public was provided valuable insight into the policies and characters of five people running in the August primary.

BOCC District 5

The event began by focusing on the three Republican candidates for Monroe County Commission’s District 5 seat, which encompasses North Key Largo to Tavernier. Melissa Ptomey introduced herself as a candidate synonymous with integrity. In her opening statement, Ptomey called out incumbent Mayor Holly Raschein for her community “betrayal” in approving the development of a Publix and workforce housing project at MM 92.5, which had faced stringent opposition from the county’s Planning Commission and the Planning Department, as well as many other local interests and individuals. 

Ptomey was struck by Raschein’s supposed dismissal of what Ptomey saw as a decision lacking widespread support from the community at large, and had provoked concerns over increased traffic, environmental impacts, safety issues and corporate interests. 

“Holly is such an out-of-touch politician she thought that tonight, five days after she betrayed us, in a deal that benefited her client, the developer, would be a good night to sweet-talk her way out of controversy,” said Ptomey.

Raschein in her opening remarks listed several key issues she’d try to address during her next term, including a lack of workforce housing, high costs of living, and the poor status of local reefs, along with emphasizing her qualifications and track record. “Relying on someone with my background is critical,” she said. “I’ve served the Keys in one capacity or another over the past 20 years because I love this place.”

Key Largo resident Paul Wunderlich focused on his concerns of overdevelopment and its corresponding environmental impacts, which he had a “firsthand view” of as a longtime employee in the Florida Keys in his opening remarks. Wunderlich recently retired from the county engineering department. 

A general question was given to the candidates regarding the most pressing issues facing the Keys. Ptomey, an environmental biologist, voiced concern of overdevelopment, and promised to fight for the working class during her tenure. Raschein spoke on the high costs of residency, the need for affordable housing and a need to support middle-class workers like teachers and first responders. Wunderlich again spoke of his concerns on overdevelopment and the potential need for raised roads due to sea level rise. 

Individual questions were then given to each candidate in turn. Ptomey raised concerns over the rising county budget and proposed the hiring of an external audit to help find cuts of up to 20%. Asked what the county could do to counteract the decline of its coral reefs, she suggested more sustainable land development and stressed the importance of hammocks, mangroves and seagrass in protecting the reefs.

Raschein was asked about the appropriateness of the current 24-hour hurricane evacuation window, which Raschein voiced support for while cautioning for a more thorough review of infrastructure and housing and stressing the need for public input. Asked about the adverse effects of tourism and the need to find a balance between environmental and economic support, Raschein highlighted her qualifications as a board member of the Tourist Development Council and the crucial importance of environmental stewardship. 

In his responses, Wunderlich emphasized the need of state and local communication in addressing the Keys’ traffic problem and expounded upon the need to combat flooding through the raising of roads or building of walls, and the potential positive environmental impacts of such projects. To the question of how he would measure his success as commissioner, Wunderlich replied that his idea of success was giving the community a voice. 

In addition to her closing remarks, which emphasized her many years of experience and community dedication, Raschein issued a response to Ptomey’s earlier jab. 

“The allegations that Ms. Ptomey shared with you all are undeniably false, unequivocally untrue, and the fact that she would think that I would ever betray our community is beyond belief,” Raschein said. 

Ptomey continued to target Raschein in her own closing statements. “We can either keep getting betrayed, or appoint a real fighter that represents the voice of the Keys,” said Ptomey. 

“I’m going to take the moral high ground and not respond to that again,” said Raschein.

School board candidates

Prospective school board members Zach Bentley and Yvette Mira-Talbott, seeking to secure a seat in District 2 held by the outgoing Andy Griffith, gave their opinions in the latter half of the program. Bentley introduced himself as a commercial fisherman and proud parent.

“I’m running for a couple of reasons. Number one is empathy. If you have children you know that is your most precious asset,” said Bentley. “Number two is that it doesn’t seem to me that our schools are in as great a shape as when I went there.”

Mira-Talbott introduced herself as a mother of daughters who’d been in the school system and who had dedicated more than 30 years, through coaching, fundraising and as a Take Stock mentor, to serving children in education.

They both spoke similarly on the need for teacher support and retainment. 

“The best thing we can do to retain teachers is offering them not only a place where they can feel welcomed but appreciated,” said Mira-Talbott.

“Teachers demand to be treated well,” echoed Bentley. 

Both Key West-based candidates spoke about their connections in the Upper Keys and their dedication to serving their neighboring towns. 

The candidates were finally asked how they’d measure success in schools. 

“Measuring success is about having happy, satisfied students,” said Bentley. “A child that finds what they were destined to be in this life is the ultimate gift. … It’s the goal of school to bring this out.”

“Success will be measured by outcomes, high graduation rates, how well we help our children succeed. … That’s the only way to measure it,” said Mira-Talbott. 

After their closing remarks, the event concluded, allowing time for community members to voice their thoughts and concerns to candidates. Voters throughout the county, regardless of party affiliation, can vote in the BOCC and school board races on Aug. 20.