Konk Life Candidate Questionnaire: Chuck Weitzel Candidate County Commissioner, Dist. 2

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.

A. As a Certified Public Accountant, I work with hundreds of my local clients. I understand the problems that we all face. I will work to solve our problems.

Q.  What specifically are the top four factors you believe qualify you over the assets of any other potential candidate?

A. My Education, Experience, Deep Love and Respect of our environment, and my ability to work with others to overcome obstacles.

Q. What is your personal view on the state of the nation in this year’s particularly interesting political season?

A. I am happy to see our economic engine working to reduce unemployment, provide housing, and keeping inflation in check.

Q.  Given your personal awareness of governance in Southeast Florida, are you optimistic about relations between the public and the powers that be?

A. Taxation without representation is wrong. The additional property tax for the benefit of Baptist Hospital in Marathon was not handled properly.

Q. Do you feel that the general tenor of political discourse is becoming less polite in Monroe County or staying about the same?

A. I have the ability to disagree on political issues without being disagreeable or rude. Logic and facts should always prevail.

Q. Tell us more about your personal history –- your work and family life –- and how they relate to your political ambitions.

A. As a CPA, I am a trusted advisor to my clients and friends. As a scuba instructor and charter captain I have a deep respect and love of our environment.

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?

A. Control over the number of visitors and residents is necessary in order to protect the quality of life which we enjoy. The Keys cannot possibly accommodate all of the potential visitors and residents.

Q. What do you personally love most about Monroe County and the Florida Keys?

A. The environment is the reason I am dedicated to Monroe County and the Florida Keys. I love to spend time in, on and under the water on a regular basis.

Q. What troubles you the most about today’s Monroe County and the Florida Keys?

A. The constant increase in the cost to maintain a home in Monroe County is unacceptable. Increases in property taxes, electric utility rates, permitting fees, waste water rates, etc. is putting additional financial burdens on all of us.

Q. What planning or political mistakes do you personally believe were the worst to be inflicted on the Keys over the past decade?

A. The purchase of the Hickory House, the proposed purchase of Murray Marine, the lack of assistance following Hurricane Irma, the adversarial approach taken by the building and code compliance departments.

Q. Who is your favorite character in the history of the keys?

A. Wilhelmina Harvey, the “grand dame of the Florida Keys” made me an honorary conch and was a real pleasure to be around. I miss her and will always strive to protect the keys that she loved so much.

Q.  Who is your least favorite character?

A. Any of the poachers that have illegally taken or destroyed our natural resources.

Q. What is your favorite book?

A. Ernest Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea” has been one of my favorite books since my early youth.

Q. What is your favorite movie?

A. The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise is one of my favorite movies and includes my favorite quote below.

Q. What is your favorite quote?

A. At the end on The Last Samurai, Emperor Meiji ask “Tell me how he died” and Nathan Algren responds “I will tell you how he lived.”

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