MEMBER NEWS: Alan Grant's Son Steven in March 29 Boynton Beach FL Run-off Election for Mayor

Posted 
on Mar 16, 2016
 

March 29 runoffs are next for Boynton Beach mayor, March 29 runoffs are next for Boynton Beach mayor, commissioner races photocommissioner races

By Alexandra Seltzer - Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

It appears it’s back to the polls for Boynton Beach.

The top two candidates for the mayor and District 3 commissioner races had to win the majority of the votes plus one to claim the seats, and no one did. Now, the top two candidates in each race are headed to the March 29 runoff.

For the five-candidate mayor’s race, incumbent Jerry Taylor, 80, won the most votes and will go up against political newcomer Steven Grant, 33. For the three-candidate commissioner race, newcomer Christina Romelus, 27, took the lead and will face incumbent Mike Fitzpatrick, 62.

This would be Taylor’s sixth term as mayor. While the main competition early on was between him and outgoing Commissioner David Merker, Grant attracted those residents who are looking for a new direction in the city. Grant is an attorney who lives in the Heart of Boynton and is the former chair of the city’s financial advisory committee.

“A lot of people are ready for a change in Boynton Beach,” Grant said when reached by phone at the Twisted Fish.

 

But Taylor says he’s confident heading to the runoff and said Grant is “inexperienced” in how to deal with city issues.

“I have the experience and the knowledge and I know how to take the city forward,” Taylor said when reached by phone at Don Che Bistro.

Taylor, who raised $44,300 — the most of all Boynton candidates — said if elected he plans to continue what he has done, including more development and businesses to the city. The Golfview Harbour resident and one-time city commissioner Merker, who lives in Hunters Run and works in the insurance field, were the candidates most at odds with one another, which was a sharp contrast from just three years ago when the two ran together for office.

“The only thing I have to say is the people spoke and that’s it. I lost and I accept it,” Merker said when reached by phone.

Merker’s District 1 commission seat has been filled by Justin Katz, a 32-year-old school teacher who ran unopposed.

In the District 3 commission race, Fitzpatrick made pensions a main issue, and called for reform for the city’s firefighters, police and general employees’ plans. That cost the former city firefighter endorsements from the police and fire unions. The fire union backed Romelus, a self-described mother, entrepreneur and educator.

Fitzpatrick expected a runoff, he said from Banana Boat.

“There’s been a lot of indications,” Fitzpatrick said when reached by phone. “With early voting, they did a good job with absentee ballots so I got hurt.”

Romelus said she decided to run against one-time commissioner Fitzpatrick to speak for those residents who live in the southeast district of the city whose opinions are not heard and are underrepresented.

“I think the city of Boynton Beach is excited. They really wanted some fresh blood in that seat,” said Al Jacquet, one of Romelus’ campaign advisors. “We’re looking forward to the next round.”

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