SEBASTIAN — For the last time before voters go to the polls, the six candidates vying for three seats on the Sebastian City Council faced off in a public, televised debate, fielding various questions regarding the economy, the budget and the council’s role in both.
Wednesday’s forum, sponsored by the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce, was moderated by local attorney David Hancock, a member of the Chamber’s Legislative/Government Affairs Committee.
Those running for the Sebastian City Council include incumbents Andrea Coy, who is seeking a fourth term at the dais, and Don Wright, who is seeking his second term, and four challengers.
The challengers are David DeVirgilio, Damien Gilliams, and Bob McPartlan, all who have run before for a seat on the council, and first-time candidate Amber Miller.
Each candidate was asked a series of six unique questions ranging from experience and knowledge of how the city operates to what they would change or improve if elected.
In response to one of her questions, Miller said her reason to run for council at the outset was “just for my son, to provide a better future. I know that sounds so cliché.”
As she has gone out into the community, though, her reason expanded to include the “whole family of Sebastian” and to encourage more community involvement and support of small, local businesses.
She was also asked about her understanding of the city’s revenue streams and the Community Redevelopment Area’s purpose.
Hancock asked Miller if she were familiar with the city’s comprehensive plan and if she would make changes to it.
“I am familiar to an extent,” she said, adding that without a full review, she could not say what, if anything, she would change.
DeVirgilio told the audience of about two dozen that the biggest weakness of the current city council is the “lack of independent voting.”
He said that one such independent “outside” vote, that of Councilman Eugene Wolff, is leaving the council dais after two terms.
When asked how he would increase revenue without raising taxes, DeVirgilio said the city would have to find “ways that don’t attack businesses.”
“We need to go after small businesses,” he said of trying to attract them to Sebastian and support them once they are there.
Coy was asked what her top project or goal would be for the first year of her next term if elected.
“Primarily, keeping our ship afloat,” she said, adding that she would like to think of a community center but, given the current state of the city, the council needs to keep staff busy and “earning its keep” but not raise taxes.
Coy told the audience that she does not favor the privatization or merging of city services when asked about her position.
She explained that the Sebastian City Council gets calls from residents complaining about the county’s landfill after the county outsourced its management.
“It was a loss to our citizens,” Coy said.
McPartlan said one of the city ordinances he would like to review for possible revision is code enforcement of abandoned properties. He said the city should take care to fully enforce the code and levy fines and collect them to ensure the properties are maintained and don’t drag down other properties.
He was also asked about the city’s economic development plan.
McPartlan said the city has established an economic development coordinator position, which should have its role defined and incorporated into the plan for future reference.
Gilliams said the three traits or talents he believes are necessary for an effective city manager include communication, the ability to set and accomplish goals, and get along with the city council.
He was also asked what his biggest contribution would be if elected to the Sebastian City Council.
“Commitment,” Gilliams said. “I want to serve my community.”
He pointed to his service to the city’s Code Enforcement Board as one way he has already contributed.
Being in real estate and having a background in marinas and boating, along with broadcast, “I can bring a lot to the table,” he said.
Wright was asked how he would balance the city’s budget – reduce services or increase taxes.
He pointed to the current budget, which was balanced without raising taxes. He explained that a few retirements at the Sebastian Police Department and a reorganization of City Hall helped to bring costs in line.
“We’re about as far down in services and people as we can,” Wright said. “We don’t have much room to cut.”
Wright also fielded a question about the Working Waterfront project – Fisherman’s Landing Sebastian.
He said the project is meant to preserve commercial fishing’s history and boost tourism and the city’s presence.
“I think over time it will achieve those goals,” Wright said, noting more work needs to be done to that end.
The voters will be asked to select three candidates from the field of six on Nov. 8. Early voting begins Oct. 29 and runs through Nov. 5 and will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Supervisor of Elections Office, 4375 43rd Ave., Vero Beach.
