In Defense Of Judah,
And Support Of Others

Special Guest Opinion by Richard Diamond
Diamond is a Lee County Resident and a retired newspaper publisher and columnist   

Historically only about 20 percent of Lee County’s registered voters participate in our primary elections. Due to this low voter turnout, the newspaper’s endorsements could make the difference. Here are two alternative choices.

In the District 3 county commissioner race I support the reelection of Commissioner Ray Judah.  The News-Press, in endorsing the election of Fort Myers Beach Mayor Larry Kiker, still referred to Judah as a visionary, who championed causes like the waste to-energy plant, the Conservation 20/20 program, and economic diversification with a focus on bio industries. However the paper concluded that it is time for new fresh views.

There are three main criticisms of Judah:

1) He is been in office too long. At age 58 he is still two years younger than Kiker.

2) The County paid too much for some 20/20 land. Yes they did, but the fault lies with the way the appraisal process was set up. A recently appointed study committee should recommend changes.

3) Critics contend that Judah, who handled most of the new stadium negotiations with Red Sox management, should have considered the option of bringing the Baltimore Orioles to the now vacant City of Palms stadium as a less costly option, or as a bargaining chip with the Red Sox.

Judah’s greatest accomplishment is his endless efforts, since day one, to protect the health of the Caloosahatchee River, along with our estuaries and beaches. He has been especially critical of the South Florida Water Management practice of back pumping storm water runoffs from the agricultural areas into an already polluted lake. A recent water discharge from the lake into the river was filled with contaminated algae.

Let’s not put Judah out to pasture. We need his experience and expertise.

In the District 2 commission race either former Fort Myers Councilman Warren Wright or former County Manager Don Stillwell would be a good choice. .

In the District 2 school board election, I support Robert Chilmonik, who served on the school board from 2000 to 2008. The News-Press backed incumbent Dr. Jeanne Dozier for a fourth term.

At a recent debate, Chilmonik stated, “With the other four school board members solidly behind Superintendent Dr. James Browder, I had difficulty getting answers to budgetary questions. I never wanted to be a financial “watchdog”, nor do I intend be one again if elected. .

In 2006, there was reason for concern. The district’s financial system could not keep up with the explosive growth and the board hired its own CPA to audit the books. In early 2007 the auditor warned the board that the financial system in place “was at high risk for fraud and manipulation”.  The board disagreed with the auditor’s findings but. shortly after the auditor resigned, the board installed a new $26 million computer system.

Dozier has always insisted a superintendent be selected from our school system. Back in 2001, the board’s unanimous choice was Dr. John Noennig, the highly regarded school superintendent in Rochester, Minnesota. However once Dozier insisted on some contract changes, Noennig bowed out.  Dozier also declined to make Dr. Joseph P. Burke’s selection as our new superintendent unanimous.

In 2003, Browder, the principal of Fort Myers High School was chosen as superintendent.  The board in 2008, with only Chilmonik dissenting, rewarded Browder, who had initiated some needed improvements, with an overly generous contract regarding severance pay.  Unfortunately, Browder will be remembered by many for the $500,000 plus “golden parachute” he received when he left in 2010.

Our school community will be better served with the election of Chilmonik and the election in District 3 of Dr. Les Cochran, the retired president of Youngstown State University.

Finally, I applaud the News-Press endorsement of Attorney M.C. Fernandez for the Circuit Court.  His elevation to the bench is long overdue.

This is the original version that Diamond sent to the News-Press, but they altered it and ran their version on Wednesday July 25, 2012.

Reprinted through permission by Richard Diamond July 28, 2012.