KONK Life’ Candidate Questionnaire: Mary Lou Hoover Office: Key West Commissioner, Dist. 5

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. I have the political will to take on the tough issues and I care about ALL of our citizens. 

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

A. CARING – I really care about all of the people in Key West including my friends who were born here and those I have just recently met while campaigning. 

COMMITMENT – I have demonstrated my commitment to making this island a better place to live demonstrated by my service on the Boards of Helpline of the Keys and the Key West Business Guild and my work on behalf of local non-profits. 

CREATIVITY – I have often come up with solutions to tough problems by thinking outside the box. 

VISION – I will utilize the connections I have made through Leadership Monroe, Girls Night Out and other local groups to come up with better ideas and will build the consensus required to move forward on my issues, including Comprehensive Affordable Housing Solutions, Diversifying our Island’s Economy, Adapting to Sea Level Rise, Restoration of our Tree Canopy and Additional Field Space for Youth and Adult Activities.

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

A. It is time for everyone to thoughtfully consider how well the candidates’ positions represent their views and vote for the best choice.

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

A. I am always optimistic about relations between the people in our community and their elected officials. This year we will see new faces on the City Commission and a new Mayor with a new vision for Key West. I have confidence that those individuals will listen to their constituents and try to make progress on the issues that matter to our citizens.

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

A. So far so good! I hope that our discourse remains polite for everyone’s sake.

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

A. I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. My mom and dad met in Canada during World War II. He brought her back to St. Louis where they raised me and my 3 brothers. I am a  St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan. My dad took me to my first game when I was just 3 years old. I am a former St. Louis Cardinal ballgirl. I was also MS. St. Louis and represented my city at major public relations events for the year. 

My early days of employment included working in the hotel industry for Stouffer’s, Breckenridge Ramada Inns, and Marriott . I also worked for the Convention and Tourist Board promoting major events in St. Louis.

I spent 30+ years in the construction industry, building city, county, state and federal detention facilities and airport security upgrades. My last major project as a contractor was a 1,000 bed federal prison in Brooklyn, NY.  That led to my continuation in the construction industry as a construction consultant to attorneys and surety companies. I gained experience on a wide range of projects including the remodel of a junior high school in Indiana, PA., a EPA Superfund project on the Hudson River in upstate New York, an airport remodel project in Newburg, NY and on the Pentagon, overseeing the completion of the structural steel. I think this experience will be helpful to me as a commissioner in the evaluation of projects the city pursues.

I was active with the St. Louis Chapter of the American Subcontractors Association and started their legislative committee. I worked to pass several pieces of legislation including Prompt Payment for Subcontractors, Lien Law revisions and changes to Hold Harmless clauses on state contracts. I also formed chapters in Kansas City and central Missouri and finally we formed a state chapter. I worked on their contract review committee to help subcontractors get fair contract terms with owners and general contractors. My experience and understanding of the legislative process will be a benefit to me as commissioner to help move legislative efforts forward.

I moved to Key West in 2001, met and married my husband, Charlie who owns Sturtz Lock & Safe. He is definitely my partner in crime and I couldn’t run for office without his support. I have a beautiful daughter, Ashley, who lived in Key West for a couple of years and worked for Market Share. She got married in Key West a little over a year ago. She and her husband now live in Dallas, TX. Charlie has two children who graduated from Key West High School. They live and work in Key West. My home is Key West and I will work to make it a better place for all of us to live and work.

Since moving to Key West, I have been active in fundraising for many local non-profits. I organized and founded Girls Night Out, a networking organization for over 2000 women throughout the Keys. I am a graduate of CFFK’s leadership academy and Leadership Monroe County. As an advocate for suicide awareness and prevention I have been the Out of the Darkness walk organizer for 4 years. I recently organized a SafeTALK training 50 people who are now suicide alert helpers. I really care about this community and will work toward making it a better place to live for all of its citizens.

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. Yes. In order for all of us to live peaceably, we need to look to elevate the level of tourism that we attract by diversifying our marketing plan. I am also looking into other potential industries for the island. Regarding residents, we need to address the affordable housing crisis with a comprehensive plan that identifies all of the issues that are contributing to the lack of affordable workforce housing. We will need the political will and community will to move forward.

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

A. It was the people that drew me to Key West and they are the reason I stayed. I love our diversity and how people from all walks of life and backgrounds spend time together. We are really the best place on the planet to live.

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

A. Everyday I hear from people that are still struggling with their insurance companies and FEMA to get the settlements they are due. They don’t know where to turn. I have helped several of them by putting them in touch with the right people to move their process along. With hurricane season underway, we need to be sure to be ready to help our friends and neighbors who are still in need.

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

A. I believe that our lack of progress on comprehensive affordable housing is the worst failure. Because we didn’t tackle this problem in any substantive way, we are really behind the eight ball after the devastation of Irma.

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

A. There was a group I refer to as The Boys Club who I met at the Chart Room when I first visited Key West. They later became friends and unfortunately some are no longer with us. I am thinking specifically of Bob Smith and  General Geoff Chapman who have both passed away and British Peter, Marty Leshaw and Scotty Robinson who have left the island and Che Kohen who we seldom see out these days.

Q.  Who is your least favorite character? 

A. Bum Farto – I just can’t get over his name.

Q. What is your favorite book?

A. I really enjoy biographies about movie stars, sports figures and political figures. There are too many to name just one.

Q. What is your favorite movie?

A. I was fascinated by Silence of the Lambs but I really like the old classics like Casablanca, Love is a Many Splendor-ed Thing, and Splendor in the Grass.

Q. What is your favorite quote? One of my favorites is, “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says “I’m possible” by Audrey Hepburn.

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