The Konk Life Questionnaire
Q&A with Margaret Romero
Q:Tell us your name, age, what office you’re running for and any previous offices held.
A:Margaret Romero, age 63, running for Key West Mayor. No previous elected offices held
Q: Explain your platform in a couple of short paragraphs plus why you are running:
A: My platform is simple – Restore trust at City Hall and Think Community. The status quo and business as usual are not cutting it.
We see unrest and divisiveness, unequal treatment of citizens and staff, and the appearance of “back door deals.” We’ve seen projects brought forth that don’t have specific associated dollars or were knowingly underestimated to get approval. Is that how you run a multimillion dollar business?
I am running because we need to stop the “downward spiral” that our city attorney articulated at a recent commission meeting. Continuing to “move forward” without course correction caused the Titanic to sink.
I care too much about our City to sit back and just let things happen. I am a very active community advocate, asking the tough questions, researching topics and pointing out things some prefer to not to hear. Doing the right things for the right reasons is not always easy – but that’s what I do.
Q: Detail how you differ from your competing candidates:
A: I am a strong, articulate woman with experience in both small and corporate business. I am known for attention to detail, fact-based decisions and candid straight-talk. I believe in bringing people together and TEAM – Together Everyone Accomplishes More.
Q: Tell us your personal history — education; professional career; family life and how long you’ve lived in the Keys or the county and your relationship to the Florida Keys and/or Key West:
A: Education:, Mary Immaculate HS (Valedictorian); B.S. (Summa Cum Laud) in Mathematics, Barry University; Various professional courses and certifications.
Professional Career: Dade County – Junior/Senior High Math Teacher; IBM (almost 30 years)– started in sales/marketing and advanced through the levels. Retired as an Executive Consultant. Acquired skills in marketing, project management, business partnering, organizational change management, business strategy and effective leadership / teaming.
Family life: Born and raised in Key West, 5th generation, not a Bubba/Bubbette, single, Auntie of 4.
Relationship to Key West: It’s my home. During my professional career I came home frequently and always knew I would come home permanently. Full time in Key West since late ‘90s. Since I was “too qualified” to get a job here upon retirement, I turned to a lot of volunteering – including projects in the City’s Planning Department.
Q: Touch on your personal passions in addition to the above:
A: I really enjoy cooking, fishing and diving. As far as passion — getting to the heart of the matter at hand — whether it is why the meringue sometimes “weeps,” what led to certain events or why are we doing things a certain way if it can be done quicker, more efficiently or more cost effectively
Q: Describe where, in your view, we are going wrong in the Keys and/or Key West:
A: In Key West we still seem to be controlled by “organized greed” with little respect for non-influential citizens. I see inconsistencies, favoritism of certain “cliques or friends,” and folks who are afraid of change because they think they will lose power, status or ( fill in the blank) if they have to leave the old norms behind.
Q: Tell us the political flash points you expect to encounter if elected:
A: I think the “tip of the iceberg” of behind the scenes maneuvering is just starting to be seen by the public — so I suppose we still might have to deal with the termination of the city manager, Fernandez platinum parachute, garbage contract award, Goombay “ownership,” powerboat race contract, who gets what jobs, perception of certain city departments and boards … and it is all going to have to be openly dealt with. And of course, we will need to stimulate some innovative thinking regarding the perennial projects like livable wages, the role of tourism and what kind, vacationing vagrants and homeless issues, transportation and parking, marine assets and our fishing industry, new development and redevelopment, affordable housing for the workforce and the aging, development of Truman Waterfront for the PUBLIC GOOD… should I go on ??? Is it just me or do some of these topics only come to the forefront when someone (or some group)has a potential gain to be made – or an election to win?
Q: Tell us anything you feel you need to explain or any misapprehension you believe voters may have of you:
A: While I have a low tolerance for mediocrity, laziness and apathy, I am usually among the first to volunteer to give a helping hand. That’s why I believe in the CERT (Citizens Emergency Response Team) programs and giving public credit for jobs well done.
Q: Give us your view on the partisan divisiveness in politics today and any solution to it you might have:
A: My view of partisan divisiveness, whether in the political, social or business arena, often stems from a lack of trust and people wanting to hold on to old norms and fiefdoms. Ways to get to a solution — 1) Engage in straight talk and unfiltered conversations; 2) Provide an atmosphere where people are empowered, valued and held accountable; 3) Utilize business skills to develop common goals and participative action plans.
Q: Given that gender equality, income parity, voting rights and sexual preferences continue as big political issues nationwide today, tell us on which side of the aisle you stand:
A: I stand on the side of our legislated laws. A mayor needs to assure that our various laws are upheld – regardless of our personal feelings. I think the topics presented require more than just a yes or no, left or right, blue or red answer.
Q: And how about immigration, gun control and capital punishment:
A: I stand on the side of our legislated laws. A mayor needs to assure that our various laws are upheld – regardless of our personal feelings. I think the topics presented require more than just a yes or no, left or right, blue or red answer.
Q: Name your favorite movie:
A: Erin Brockovich
Q: Your favorite TV show:
A: The Bill Cosby Show
Q: Your favorite TV talking head:
A: I don’t take a favorite TV talking head or political talking head
Q: Your favorite newspaper columnist:
A: Whichever one has most recently performed investigative searches and presented unbiased facts to the public so that the public can make informed decisions.
Q: Your favorite book:
A: Hardball for Women – a book I picked up at an airport bookstore while delayed by a snow storm. A good read for anyone, male or female. I’ve used it as part of a college graduation gift many times.
Q: Your favorite character in American history:
A: Ben Franklin – a multi-talented man who used many of his talents for the public good — author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman and diplomat.
Q: Your favorite person in Florida Keys and/or Key West history:
A: Eduardo Gato – a good solid business man and entrepreneur who cared for his employees and his community. Note that “Gato’s Village” was one of the nation’s first affordable workforce housing endeavors by the company / owner – and the Mercedes Hospital – was a conversion of a private home for hospital use.
Q: Your favorite quote or proverb:
A: Think it through… Thomas Watson Jr.
Q: Is there any secret strength you’d like to reveal about yourself at this point:
A: I am innovative and think out of the box. I am also assertive and persevering when trying to do the right things for the right reasons.
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I have watched Margaret attending every meeting on this island and have had long discussions with her. In my opinion, where Margaret is concerned, there would be no back room deals, no closing her eyes because someone is a relation nor because they are friends with another. Not that it’s not the norm throughout the world, but not with her involved. In my opinion, she is honest and forthright. She has a litany of problem items to address as she has mentioned in her interview. Can she correct them all, no, but she will make one hell of a dent in them.