Below are excerpts from an interview with Miami Beach Group 2 City Commission Candidate Sherry Roberts, published today.

Commissioner Candidate Sherry Roberts Offers Insight on Issues Facing Miami Beach

by Joshua Head

Miami Beach, FL – October 21, 2009 ---

I met up with Commission Group 2 Candidate Sherry Roberts . . .and was given an opportunity to ask a few questions.

Q. What do you feel are the three main items that set you apart from the other candidates?  

A. 1. Recent and Relevant Experience in Miami Beach Government; 2. Independent voice with fresh ideas, common sense and a commitment to common purpose and civility to the Commission; 3. Passion for the Preservation of Our Way of Life.

Q.  What will you do to address this large scale problem of allowing new development without addressing infrastructure improvements?   

A.  First and foremost we must let our infrastructure catch up with our growth. I oppose overdevelopment but I am not opposed to progress.

Q. What will you do to address our city's need to over-regulate?  

A.  Besides education [of staff] we need to streamline the process with technology so that plans can be reviewed by several departments simultaneously.

Q. With tourism the lifeblood of Miami Beach, do you feel that Miami Beach should be doing its own marketing?

A.  Miami Beach is not Miami and I think that the marketing of this City should be lead by those who live here, work here and are as passionate about the city as I am.

Q.  what do you propose be done to deal with the lack of parking and the increase of air polluting SUVs and cars?

A. I support public/city partnerships to develop more parking areas. Also we need better public transportation. I support expanding the loop bus routes to all areas of the City.

Q. Traffic enforcement: what do you feel can be done to make Miami Beach a better place for pedestrians?

A. I support cameras to identify offenders who run red lights. Police priorities need to include traffic calming. Penalties should be strictly enforced. . .

See link below.
http://sobegayinfo.com/article/sherryroberts09/sherry-roberts-commissioner_102109.asp
<http://sobegayinfo.com/article/sherryroberts09/sherry-roberts-commissioner_102109.asp>