Konk Life’s Political Questionnaire
Interview conducted by Mark Howell
Tell us what office you’re running for and any previous offices held.
I’m 48 and running for Monroe County School Board District 1. I have never held an elected office.
Explain your platform and why you are running: I believe all school systems should set the highest standards to ensure the integrity of their staff. I believe in public private partnership to ensure opportunity for all students. School boards must reflect the diversity of the community it serves to achieve success of all children.
I am running for school board because we need to refocus education. We need to start focusing on the purpose of our public schools, which is to prepare all our children to be productive members of society.
Detail how you differ from your competing candidates:
My challengers have legal backgrounds, I am a chef. Lawyers make rules, chefs create!
I am about creating a respectful environment for staff so they will be happy to work towards the success of every student.
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:
I came to Key West from Jamaica as a teenager in 1985 and from that day in August I have worked hard to ensure a comfortable life for my family and to pay forward to a community that has been so welcoming to me. I operated Coco Palms Jamaican Me Hungry restaurant for 20 years and now own Destination Catering and Events. I serve on the boards of Habitat for Humanity, Monroe County Affordable Housing Taskforce and have served on the Key West Resident Visitor Advisory Committee and the Bahama Village Redevelopment Committee. My wife Abby is a property Manager for Historic Key West Inns. Our daughter Felicia attends Montessori Charter School and our eldest daughter Alison is a chef in Miami.
Touch on your personal passions in addition to the above:
My personal passion is the Sunrise Rotary Club where I am challenged to be steward to all people, to put service above self.
Describe where, in your view, we are going wrong in the Keys and/or Key West:
Sustainable workforce housing: More needs to be done quickly to get a better handle on this growing problem.
Tell us the political flash points you expect to encounter if elected:
Test scores; demoralized work place; penny tax; teacher contract; technology for the students.
Tell us anything you feel you need to explain or any misapprehension you believe voters may have of you:
I don’t know of any misapprehensions the voters of Monroe County have of me. I want our children to achieve success, as do the voters.
Give us your view on the partisan divisiveness in politics today and any solution to it you might have:
Enough already with the partisan politics!
In my business, if I don’t produce I don’t get paid. Politicians must produce or we the people must hand them a pink slip.
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:
My daughters must have the same opportunity as their male counterparts. Every person must be paid the same for equal work. Every citizen must have the right to vote. All Americans have the right to pursue happiness.
How about immigration, gun control and capital punishment:
Immigration is very fluid and should be dealt with on a circumstance-by-circumstance case. Americans should control their guns. However, if your gun is used to cause harm, be prepared to face the consequences. Premeditated murderers forfeit their lives.
Name your favorite movie
“Oceans Eleven.”
Your favorite TV show
“ Law & Order.”
Your favorite TV talking head
Anderson Cooper.
Your favorite newspaper columnist
Mark Howell.
Your favorite book
“ Chicken Soup for the Soul.”
Q: Your favorite character in American history:
A: JFK
Your favorite person in Florida Keys and/or Key West history
Peter Anderson.
Your favorite quote or proverb
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” — Albert Einstein
Is there any secret strength you’d like to reveal about yourself at this point?
Mammy say “What more than one person knows is no longer a secret.”
[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]
No Comment