Keep Dugo, bring back Pearce in Greenacres
A year after the decades-long reign of Mayor Sam Ferreri came to an end, Greenacres is poised to take another major step forward with six charter amendments addressing three of the city’s most controversial topics: council term limits; hiring the Palm Beach County Sheriff ’s Office; and firing a city manager.
Also, on Tuesday, voters will decide which two of four candidates on the ballot can play well enough with others to keep the city on its current trajectory.
DISTRICT 3: The dust appears to have settled on the discord that marked many council meetings in recent years. Councilwoman Judy Dugo, 70, has maintained a singular focus on making the city safer. She was a key voice for the 51-member police force merging with PBSO.
While one can argue with the heavy-handed way in which the deal was done, there is no debate about the result. Crime is down, and law-enforcement resources are far better.
Dugo, whom The Post recommends for a third term, considers that a first step in preparing for growth. “We’re now talking about economic growth,” she told The Post Editorial Board, “and hiring a marketing person that can help us conceptualize a vision.”
That vision, she adds, will include improving infrastructure, beautifying medians, code enforcement and “filling a number of empty storefronts in our shopping centers.”
Her opponent is pharmacy owner Brian Willever, 50. He questions whether the PBSO deal is financially sustainable and offers it as an example of the need for more resident involvement in such major decisions.
DISTRICT 4: The Post endorses Jonathan Pearce to return to the council. Pearce, who last year lost a bid to replace Ferreri as mayor, was a solid contributor when he wasn’t sparring with Ferreri. With Ferreri gone, the scuffles should be, too.
The president and CEO of DMJ Holdings is a fiscal hawk who will help the city advance on development issues. He’d like to beef up code enforcement and get accreditation for the fire-rescue department.
Anderson Thelusme, who was appointed to the seat when Pearce stepped down to run for mayor, also sees his financial background as a plus for the city as well as representing “voices that are not being heard.”