Smart and charming, Blattner provides expertise

HOLLYWOOD CITY COMMISSION, DISTRICT 4

Much of Hollywood’s District 4 lies between Sheridan Street and Stirling Road. The C-10 canal defines its eastern-most edge; the Florida Turnpike a portion of its western edge. But this district looks like a Rorschach test and represents the worst kind of gerrymandering.

Richard Blattner is 86 years old and has served on the Hollywood City Commission for 20 years. City voters have said they want commissioners limited to 12 consecutive years, but a loophole allows Blattner to seek another term that would have him serving 16 straight years.

Blattner told voters in his last campaign that that race would be his last. He’s says it’s a promise he’s made in previous campaigns, too. But yet again, he changed his mind. If successful, the city’s new term limits will ban him from running again in 2024.

All that would seem to be good reason for voters to select someone new. The only problem is that Blattner is smart, charming and incredibly knowledgeable about the often complicated issues facing the city.

The voters of District 4 would be wise to reelect him.

During an interview with the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, he said that he wants to serve one more term because the next four years are going to be vital for the city. Important projects are taking shape and “I want to make sure they’re managed properly.”

For decades, Hollywood has been a city cited for its potential, an unpolished gem between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Now, the city seems poised to blossom. Voters approved a $165 million bond issue and the city will be getting its share of the additional penny for transportation added to the sales tax in Broward County.

With some money, Hollywood is ready to turn its potential into a more vibrant, prosperous city, Blattner said.

“For years we’ve said Hollywood is going to bust open,” Blattner said, “but everyone flew over us.” Developers invested in Miami and Fort Lauderdale instead.

Developers now are focusing on Hollywood, where there’s attractive land to be built on. And that pressure, of course, is causing conflicts between those who support aggressive development and residents who resist it.

Blattner’s opponent, Adam David Gruber, argues that now is the time for fresh blood on the City Commission. Gruber, 45, owns a security firm and has lived most of his life in Hollywood. He clearly cares about the city.

Gruber said on his questionnaire that District 4 “looks old and rundown” and that many residents think that it’s been neglected because Blattner has lost touch with his constituents and the issues facing the district.

During a joint candidate interview, Gruber saluted Blattner for his years of service, but said the incumbent devotes too much of his attention to citywide issues and “has taken his eye off the district.” He said Blattner failed to get enough money from the bond issue for projects that would benefit District 4.

Also, Blattner is violating the spirit — if not the legal requirement — of the 2010 city charter amendment voters approved limiting commissioners to 12 consecutive years in office. Under the amendment, Blattner was allowed to complete the term he was serving in 2010 and was not bound by the amendment until he won reelection in 2012.

“The voters spoke in 2010,” Gruber said. “It’s time for a change.”

Term limits are often beneficial, but in Blattner’s case the voters should be glad he’s taking advantage of the loophole.

During the editorial board interview, he calmly demonstrated his impressive grasp of the issues the city is grappling with and the processes that governments must follow to assure that citizens understand how their money is being spent.

Further, Blattner frankly took responsibility for the fiscal mess Hollywood has created for itself. Past commissions have awarded city workers handsome wages and pensions and is paying for them through high property taxes.

In recent years, the commission has refused to raise its tax rate, Blattner pointed out. He acknowledged that over the years he voted in favor of the generous employee benefits. “The most difficult part of the job is dealing with collective bargaining,” he said. “We’re dealing with it as best we can.”

Despite its fiscal woes, Blattner wants to remain commissioner to make sure the city doesn’t bungle the opportunities it now has.

Also, he said he still enjoys the customer service aspect of the job. If a resident can’t get trash picked up or secure a permit at city hall, they call him.

“I’m the person of last resort,” he said. “I like what I do and I think I’ve done it darned well.”

Blattner