In Royal Palm, Post endorses Pinto reelection
In the only race on the Royal Palm Beach ballot, The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board endorses Mayor Fred Pinto for reelection.
Pinto’s years on the county’s Transportation Planning Agency, including a term as chairperson, make him particularly knowledgeable about the difficult traffic issues impacting the village, fueled by the growth of the surrounding Acreage community.
Pinto, 73, a financial consultant and retired Army lieutenant colonel, doesn’t mince words on the need for the extension of State Road 7 to Northlake Boulevard, stymied by legal obstacles brought by West Palm Beach.
The first leg of the roadway, from Okeechobee Boulevard to 60th Street, reduced 85 percent of the traffic in the morning on Royal Palm Beach Boulevard, he said.
The extension to Northlake, he added, “should have been done years ago.”
His opponent, the well-meaning Steve Avila, however, had a hard time taking a stand on whether he supports the road extension.
He said he’s willing to bring different parties to the table to discuss the issue further but “hasn’t formulated a hard position yet.”
Avila, 34, who worked for seven months as an aide to County Commissioner Sara Baxter and for several years as a college admissions consultant in China, ultimately conceded that he “approves of State Road 7.”
As his opponent has served on the council since 2003, it’s no surprise that Avila’s main issue is term limits.
Among Pinto’s accomplishments, he points to his support for contracting with the sheriff’s office for police services and getting the village out of the water treatment business.
However, we take issue with his suggestion that the county should build affordable housing, conjuring images of the failed 1960s urban renewal programs.
While large market-rate home builders often shun affordable housing, there’s an entire industry of specialty builders who make affordable housing profitable and attainable.
The county is tapping that with its $200 million voter-backed housing bond.
Thankfully as mayor, Pinto won’t be in a position to act on countywide housing issues. His strength is transportation and for that reason, The Post endorses him for another term.
It’s the only race on the ballot, as council members Jeff Hmara in Group 1 and Selena Samios in Group 3 were reelected without opposition.
Royal Palm Beach Mayor Fred Pinto points to his support for contracting with the sheriff’s office for police services and getting the village out of the water treatment business.