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Southwest Ranches candidate forum spotlights code enforcement, incinerator opposition and business licensing
Summary
Six candidates for mayor and council in the Town of Southwest Ranches outlined differing approaches to code enforcement, commercial businesses and short-term rentals, urged stronger recycling to block a proposed incinerator, and debated legal fees and town finances in a forum moderated by Michael Katz. Candidates also described road, drainage and public-safety plans.
A candidate forum hosted by the Town of Southwest Ranches president's council on the evening of the forum brought six announced candidates before residents to answer consolidated questions on code enforcement, commercial businesses and infrastructure.
Moderator Michael Katz opened the event and reminded candidates of a state statute, section 104.271, prohibiting knowingly false statements about opponents. Each candidate gave a brief opening statement and then answered resident-submitted questions grouped by topic.
Code enforcement became a central fault line. John Gerati said the town’s “code enforcement department has been weaponized by some of the sitting council members that are here tonight,” and described personal experiences he said motivated his campaign and prompted him to take code-enforcement training (he referenced the Florida Association of Code Enforcement) to better understand enforcement procedures. Jim Albritton denied using code as a weapon and said he files complaints…
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