Commissioner

While Weitz faces criticism for being too combative, Commissioner George Kelvin is criticized for being too passive — and often a yes-man for Mayor Carl Feldman — since being appointed in February 2017 to fill a commission vacancy.

Kelvin, 90, can be credited for improving communications on the town’s government-access TV channel and even his opponents describe him as affable and respectful. But voters should expect more from that position and they could get it by picking Peggy Gossett-Seidman to replace Kelvin.

Gossett-Seidman, 64, is a freelance writer and public relations representative who has lived in Highland Beach for nearly three decades.

While critics say Kelvin at times seems ill-prepared to weigh in on town issues, Gossett-Seidman brings a reporter’s skill for research and communication that would help her shape and guide the town’s to-do list.

She says her top priority for the town is to pursue state, federal and even private funds to pay for infrastructure improvements — from better sea walls to flooding fixes.

Gossett-Seidman supports keeping or lowering the property tax rate.

She supports efforts to improve the town’s public outreach — using technology to modernize town communications and by holding town hall-style discusses in the evenings, when more working residents can attend.

Gossett-Seidman opposes the $2.1 million streetscape project that’s on the ballot. She says the current plan is based on outdated cost estimates and doesn’t adequately address details such as landscaping, crosswalks and lighting.

Two other candidates in the race include Carl Gehman, who lost a race for commission in 2010, and John Ross, an IT consultant making his first run for office.

Gehman, 69, and Ross, 70, are both well versed on town issues and the community would benefit from them staying active in local issues.

But for the commission seat, the Sun Sentinel finds that Gossett-Seidman offers the best chance to bring more civility and progress to Highland Beach.