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.

That would be incumbent Joy Carter, a Realtor. If re-elected, Carter could serve for 10 years. She won a special election in 2014 to fill out the term of Tom Powers and then won a full four-year term in 2016. Though commissioners may 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 department was 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 from COVID-19, she believes that two percent cuts in all departments and Federal Emergency Management reimbursments for Hurricane Wilma expenditures will enable Coral Springs to balance next year’s budget. She calls City Manager 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 also worries about the continuing threat to home rule from Tallahassee, with the Legislature seeking to preempt cities and counties from passing regulations. She wants the city to repurpose some of its facilities and to keep pushing downtown projects.

Cathy Remy, a pediatric neurology nurse at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, is challenging Carter. Remy said she could not attend the Sun Sentinel’s candidate interview because of job demands. We would 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.” She would 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. “I was as lost as everyone” when the pandemic took hold in mid March. The Sun Sentinel recommends Joy Carter for Seat 5 on the Coral Springs City Commission.

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