Beach & Park District Candidate Forum

Residents filled the large community center room for the Boca Watch sponsored debate by the 6 candidates for the 2 seats.  While all 6 candidates were in favor of saving green space there were some notable differences in their support, or lack thereof, for acquiring and operating the closed Boca Teeca golf course property.

Two candidates stood above the crowd as they clearly understood the importance of this issue and the benefits to the entire community.  Incumbent commissioners Dennis Frisch & Earl Starkoff were both  more aware of the issues facing the district and providing clear solutions that are within their power to implement, as compared to broad generalizations and finger pointing by their challengers.  None of the challengers had even attended a full meeting of the beach & park district which was demonstrated in their lack of knowledge about the details of many issues under the control of the District.

Two challengers are being heavily supported in their campaign finances by fire fighter unions from around the state which certainly raised questions about their motivations for being elected to the district.  Forum moderator Randy Schultz of the Sun Sentinel questioned these campaign finance issues, but there was not a clear answer from the 2 challengers.  What do fire fighters have to do with the recreational mandates of the Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District (GBRBPD)?

At least one residential group announced their endorsement of the incumbents Frisch & Starkoff as the candidates recommended for their members and supporters of Keep Golf in Boca.