Carter’s our pick to represent in Seat 5
Unlike the Seat 3 race, there is little doubt about whom Coral Springs voters should choose to represent Seat 5 on the city commission.
Thatwould be incumbent Joy Carter, a Realtor. If re-elected, Carter could serve for 10 years. Shewon a special election in 2014 to fill out the term of Tom Powers and thenwon a full four-year term in
2016. Though commissionersmay not serve more than two consecutive four-year terms, the limit does not apply to partial terms.
Carter said she spends much of her time “educating people” on the facts and responding to misplaced anger. Example: A rumor started that the police departmentwas buying paintball bullets, which have become a controversial source of nonlethal ammunition.
Carter said she helped to quash the rumor. She noted that she does not support “defunding” the police department.
During her tenure, however, Carter also apparently has learned from her constituents. She voted to hold a costly special election in 2018 seeking approval of three bond programs. All failed by wide margins. Carter acknowledged that there is no appetite at this time for such spending.
So these days, Carter focuses on the basics. Despite the loss of revenue fromCOVID-19, she believes that two percent cuts in all departments and Federal EmergencyManagement reimbursments forHurricaneWilma expenditures will enable Coral Springs to balance next year’s budget. She calls CityManager Frank Babinec “awesome.”
Debate continues about signs, a regular issue in Coral Springs. As a Realtor, Carter believes that the city should be flexible during the pandemic. Businesses trying to stay afloat and agents seeking to sell homes, Carter said, should get some relief on sign restrictions.
Carter alsoworries about the continuing threat to home rule from Tallahassee, with the Legislature seeking to preempt cities and counties frompassing regulations. Shewants the city to repurpose some of its facilities and to keep pushing downtown projects.
Cathy Remy, a pediatric neurology nurse atNicklaus Children’s Hospital, is challenging Carter. Remy said she could not attend the Sun Sentinel’s candidate interview because of job demands. Wewould note that commission obligations are much more demanding than a one-hour interview.
In addition to her nursing, Remy is a pastor with her husband at The Glory Center in Coral Springs. A Facebook post calls Remy a “Prophetess” who “inspires women to move into their diving calling and destiny.” Shewould focus on preventing evictions and foreclosures and calls the commission “my divine assignment.”
Remy has lived in Coral Springs for only three years and has had no civic involvement. Carter has deep roots, a long and generally good record and a feeling for what so many residents are experiencing during the pandemic.
The city, Carter said, needs to keep communicating and encouraging as much as possible. “Iwas as lost as everyone” when the pandemic took hold in midMarch. The Sun Sentinel recommends Joy Carter for Seat 5 on the Coral Springs City Commission. Editorials are the opinion of the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board and written by one of its members or a designee. The Editorial Board consists of Editorial Page Editor Rosemary O’Hara, Dan Sweeney, Steve Bousquet and Editor-in-Chief JulieAnderson.