District 1 Commissioner Candidates Address Issues

In a continuation of the race coverage for District 1 County Commissioner, Coastal Breeze News brings you Part Two and the remaining questions and candidate answers.

As a reminder, each candidate was asked to submit responses in approximately 150-200 words per question.

Question Three - Do you believe there is an affordable housing crisis in Collier? How do you plan to address the growing discrepancy of the cost of owning/renting vs actual net income of the residents who contribute to Collier's economy year-round?

LoCastro Response:

We’ve done more for affordable housing in the last three years than in the last three decades. I’ve approved some of the highest-quality affordable units in our county and taken aggressive actions to approve policies and projects to address the issue and partner with teams to make projects financially possible. At times, this has been unpopular with some who say they understand the need but add, “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY). I recently cut the ribbon on one in my district that has 100% of the units priced well below market rates and is open to first responders, teachers, citizens on a fixed budget, etc. This is the first of its kind, even when it wasn't popular among a few in that local area with a NIMBY mentality. I'm also working on another location in District 1 to discuss a similar project that would also be 100% affordable. Not every project makes sense for affordable housing—we must look at each separately. I’ve personally worked with citizens on grants and incentives and to foster partnerships for continued affordable housing needs. It’s unfortunate that some say, “the county has failed when it comes to affordable housing,” but when a project comes to commissioners for a vote, some within close proximity demand we vote no because they “don't want it in their backyard” or come up with other reasons that stall solutions. We will never please all, but we also have to look at the needs of our community. Sometimes doing the right thing is unpopular.

Kendall Response:

Yes, there is an affordable housing crisis in Collier County. To address this:

Zoning Reforms: Update zoning regulations to encourage the development of affordable housing units.

Incentives for Developers: Provide tax incentives and subsidies for developers who commit to building affordable housing.

Innovative Building Materials: Promote the use of innovative materials like Sugarcrete, a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional concrete. By utilizing Sugarcrete, we can reduce construction costs and environmental impact, making housing more affordable and sustainable.

Question Four - With the noticeable growth of residential, commercial and infrastructure taking place within Collier… What measures will you take to ensure to protect and preserve the County’s natural resources and environment?

LoCastro Response: 

I fully support Conservation Collier and ensured it was finally properly run. More environmentally sensitive land (especially in District 1) has been preserved than ever before. I've led improvements to ensure environmental taxpayer dollars aren't merely sitting in a bank but are utilized to purchase and protect sensitive parcels. When some drive by something they dislike, they may not realize that the final project was option #25. For possibly a year, the County was aggressively negotiating to downsize and/or alter it. I stay closely involved in all those discussions.

Before any project is considered, a thorough impact assessment is examined thoroughly. I’ve worked hard to tighten those processes and oversee them closely. However, just because a project may create more traffic or a greater need for infrastructure does not mean automatic disapproval. If that were the case, nothing would ever get built, including communities where most currently live. Instead, there is a long vetting process to consider any project. All are reviewed by Transportation, Environmental, Architectural, Stormwater, Utilities, Fire, Emergency Management, Flood, and Landscaping departments, and it must be proven there is capacity to handle any additional demands.

As a full-time County Commissioner, I work every day with citizens and staff, as I have zero "other employment distractions" competing for my time and attention. There are times I might not love a project, but the law doesn't always allow us to "just say no" because some don't want it built in their backyard. Our job is to control growth to the best of our ability and as the law allows. I’m an environmentally concerned citizen as well.

Kendall Response:

To protect Collier County’s natural resources amidst growth:

Strict Environmental Regulations: Enforce stringent regulations on new developments to minimize environmental impact.

Green Spaces: Ensure the inclusion of green spaces in urban planning and protect existing natural habitats.

Sustainable Practices: Promote and incentivize sustainable practices in construction, waste management, and resource use. For example, using Sugarcrete in new developments can significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional concrete, aligning with our environmental goals.

Restoration Projects: Explore the development of air rights to limit vertical development and focus on restoring natural ecosystems, such as the River of Grass. Additionally, prioritize upgrading water treatment facilities to manage reclaimed water with excess nutrients, preventing runoff that contributes to algae blooms in waterways.

Question Five - With the influx of full-time residential growth along with routine turnout of seasonal residents/tourists, how will you work to improve infrastructure and transportation within the county?

LoCastro Response: 

Public servants must have the expertise to analyze and question County staff, contractors, attorneys, etc., and be able to digest a vast amount of information before any vote. Most importantly, they must be accessible and communicative with all their constituents. I have addressed traffic problems and taken action to improve flow. In my district, I aggressively worked with FDOT to pull projects forward, add stoplights, improve safety, and reduce congestion where possible. I’ve been thoroughly involved in fighting for infrastructure improvements, septic-to-sewer analysis, water quality, and working hard to secure grant money to save taxpayer dollars.

We have a lot to do in this County and limited funds to do it, especially when we have catastrophic natural disasters, infrastructure failures, and the need for upgrades to address growth. When you build anything and add excessive traffic and congestion, many other areas are also affected: water, our environment, safety, first responder support, and the overall appearance of our community.

What I bring to this position to ensure our water quality, environmental issues, housing, overcrowding prevention, controlled traffic, planning, healthcare, security/safety, and protection of vital green space are all priorities is proven and deep prior experience and qualifications in these critical areas—and more. As a Commissioner, I work closely with all staff and agencies to address and implement actions to do everything legally possible to improve infrastructure, transportation, and more. In my 3+ years, I've approved a multitude of projects that have improved our roads, utilities, better prepared us for natural disasters, cleaned and protected our beaches and waterways—and much more.

Kendall Response:

To improve infrastructure and transportation:

Comprehensive Transit Plan: Develop and implement a comprehensive transit plan that includes expanded public transportation options and better connectivity.

Traffic Management: Invest in smart traffic management systems to reduce congestion.

Biking and Walking Paths: Expand and maintain safe biking and walking paths to promote alternative modes of transportation.

Innovative Public Transportation: Encourage creative solutions like a sky tram system to address transportation needs efficiently and sustainably.

Question Six - What is your approach to government transparency?

LoCastro Response:

As a full-time County Commissioner, being 100% accessible, reachable, and available to all citizens is my focus. It doesn’t mean we will agree on every decision or every vote, but often some may not have the full or accurate picture on a topic—and I may not as well. Thus, I welcome open, healthy, and professional conversation. Some who merely vent (often anonymously) on social media don’t help our community improve. If a person is passionate about a topic and desires a specific outcome, talk with your elected officials before a decision is made. I do that every day with concerned and involved citizens. I personally answer every email. I have 80,000+ subscribers to a newsletter I personally write, and I’ve had over 300 town hall meetings across District 1 and beyond. Communicating with citizens in their communities (whether they are full-time or seasonal) is critical to ensure all are fully informed concerning what the County is doing (and that I am as well), how their tax dollars are being spent, and separating rumors from fact. But most importantly, I listen and get their valuable feedback. There are always many sides and opinions to any issue. I pride myself on communicating daily with our citizens—those who agree with me and those who don’t. Hopefully, we all learn a little bit from each other when the conversation is professional, robust, informative, and yes, even if impassioned at times.

Kendall Response:

My approach to government transparency includes:

Open Data Initiatives: Make county data and decision-making processes easily accessible to the public online.

Regular Public Forums: Hold regular public forums and town hall meetings to engage with residents and address their concerns directly.

Clear Communication: Ensure clear and consistent communication from all county departments about their activities and expenditures.

Community-Driven Ideas: Foster a culture of innovation by encouraging community-supported creative ideas, ensuring that solutions are not only effective but also have strong local backing.

ELECTION INFORMATION

To check your voter registration status and confirm that you are registered, visit the Collier County Supervisor of Elections website. If you are not yet registered, make sure to complete your registration before the deadline.

For comprehensive information on voting dates, early voting locations, absentee ballot requests, and other election-related resources, please visit colliervotes.gov. Ensuring that you are informed and prepared will help you make your vote count in this important election.