Konk Life Questionnaire 2018 Margaret Romero Key West Mayoral Candidate
15 questions of the candidate and responses:
Q. Let our readers know the reasons in general that you believe you would make the very best person to fulfill the position for which you are running.
I’m the Reasonable Voice asking probing questions to ensure the Right Things, for the Right Reasons, for the Community.
Q. What specifically are the top four factors you believe qualify you over the assets of any other potential candidate?
- Proven strong leadership skills — trust of character, credibility, communications – listening and speaking skills, courage with fortitude, commitment of time and energy,
- Successful partnership experience in both small and corporate business
- In-depth current knowledge and understanding of city challenges and finances with practical approaches
- Established working relationships across the city and county with residents, businesses, staffs and officials
Q. What is your personal view on the state of the nation in this year’s particularly interesting political season?
Much is being on both sides of many issues. The most common way people give up their power is by their thinking that they don’t have any. There is an increase of people voicing their opinions and becoming participative. Communication, tho’ sometimes difficult at first, is the first step in finding mutually beneficial results and resolutions. I will continue to encourage our local people to speak up with their observations and opinions – for that is the way that we will be able to ultimately produce better and more effective results for the community.
Q. Given your personal awareness of governance in Southeast Florida, are you optimistic about relations between the public and the powers that be?
To me governance means the guidelines, practices, and processes by which two or more parties make decisions and ultimately implement those decisions for a shared relationship or responsibility.
Yes, I am optimistic about relations between the public and powers that be. The reason why? I will use solid skills of listening and speaking to show a commitment to work together, to form additional linkages, to share knowledge and resources, to effect mutual benefits with a predisposition to making it work. I will do this both on a local level, as well as across the county, and thru the State.
Q. Do you feel that the general tenor of political discourse is becoming less polite in Monroe County or staying about the same?
The mood or tone of such political discussions is often based on the parties involved. Many times, such lack of politeness, is when one party is coming from a basis of emotion, with little or no facts, or if one is simply grandstanding. If simple courtesy, consideration, and respect prevail (meaning the actual practice of One Human Family), such poor behavior can be lessened. I will do all in my influence or control to stop to such rudeness from all parties.
Q. Tell us more about your personal history –- your work and family life –- and how they relate to your political ambitions.
I was born and raised in Key West. My parents, Olive and John J owned and operated the local General Electric dealership. Our family was active in community groups, school activities, and team sports. From my family, I learned integrity, good character, and the courage to persevere to do the right things for the right reasons.
I achieved a degree in mathematics while attending college on an academic scholarship. My original intention was to return to Key West to teach – but it was not to be. I taught in Miami and ultimately spent almost 30 years in the corporate world of IBM. The company focus was to THINK Customer! This was similar to the family business belief that the customer was our main focus and the rest would fall into place.
At IBM, my humble start in marketing led to many opportunities up the ladder, creating and focusing on various types of new partnerships, and retiring with consulting expertise in Strategy and Organizational Change Management. From those successful experiences, my skills in dealing with various types of people from different cultures, industries, and positions in life were honed. All of this can be utilized by me is championing “for the best” for our community.
I never had political ambitions – I was an educated voter who placed an educated vote. On my return to Key West, I tried to help an elderly relative obtain an “affordable housing tax credit” on the property she was renting for less than the housing authority rented. I learned such credits were only for developers for new housing. Not satisfied with the answers I got, I started attending many affordable housing meetings, which lead to many commission meetings, which led to even more questions about more things. It was then that I realized how many working people feared speaking up because of potential retaliation. I figured the best way to have their voices heard was to get elected and speak for the community who was “unable” to openly speak because they had to keep a roof over their head and food on the table. That is how I got to where I am today.
Now instead of customer focused thinking, I THINK CITIZENS! and community quality of life.
Q. From your personal experience, would a generally peaceable outlook in the Keys depend upon a measure of control over the number of our visitors and residents?
You can have a very “peaceful” crowd of 7,000 people (I know because I helped organize large events in my past career), yet a small group of chaotic, frenzied and unruly folks can cause tremendous damage. Numbers alone is not the problem. Communication is needed so that people, both visitors and residents alike, know what is envisaged of them, what are realistic expectations, what services and structures are in place for their benefit/enjoyment; what are the acceptable and unacceptable behaviors (whether on Duval St, on the reef, or on our roads). You know the old saying about setting the bar and expectations reached – it doesn’t just apply to school-aged children.
When setting expectations we should be clear, not vague, and have specific “goals”. We should think of the future, but focus on the present. There will probably be a few setbacks along the way, but we can learn from “failure” and missteps – then get back to working towards the goals.
Q. What do you personally love most about Monroe County and the Florida Keys?
While the county seems to have three very different “personalities”, we all share the community spirit and willingness to participate in help to our fellow neighbors – especially in times of need. This is characteristic of both those who were born and raised here, as well as those who have chosen to relocate here and call this home. It’s a place where people smile and greet a stranger – who doesn’t stay a stranger for very long.
Q. What troubles you the most about today’s Monroe County and the Florida Keys?
Those who come here simply to make a good investment, serve their personal greed, take their profits elsewhere and neither participate in nor contribute to the community. To them, our Keys and their piece of the pie is more for show and tell rather than true interest in the community and making it a better place to be a home.
Q. What planning or political mistakes do you personally believe were the worst to be inflicted on the Keys over the past decade?
Those items and poor investments that I refer to as the “cans that were kicked down the road”. Things that served certain egos, matters that were quickly passed or approved with vagaries, undertakings that lacked full implementation details and known impacts. Those items over which some made a big “splash” which left the “clean-up” to future boards and the taxpayers with the financial burden.
Q. Who is your favorite character in the history of the keys?
Eduardo H. Gato – a progressive entrepreneur who participated in the tobacco industry. A man who paid his workers well, tried to better their knowledge while they worked, constructed the first workforce-affordable housing of frame cigar workers cottages near the factory, started the Key West Street Car (a horse-drawn system) to improve transportation in the community and even dedicated a family home to become a hospital – again, sharing the profits of his business endeavors with the community that helped make it possible.
Q. Who is your least favorite character?
No need to dish the dirt on anyone that may still be alive or have living relatives.
Q. What is your favorite book?
Hardball … for women.
Q. What is your favorite movie?
Erin Brockovich
Q. What is your favorite quote?
THINK ! Think it through.
KONK Life / Mile Marker News
Guy deBoer
Office (305) 296-1630
Cell (305 766-5832
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