To further assist our readers in making educated decisions when voting in November, we have sent a list of questions to each candidate running for the District 2 Commissioner of Parkland, FL.
Jordan Isrow
- What is your full name and what position are you running for?
Jordan Isrow – Parkland City Commissioner (District 2)
- Where are you originally from?
Boca Raton, FL
-Why did you choose to move to this city/county/school district/state district?
While working in New York City as an Assistant Attorney General I met my amazing wife, Jessica, who grew up in Parkland. We fell head over heels in love with one another and eventually made the joint decision to move back down to South Florida together. After visiting her family in Parkland multiple times, meeting a number of their friends and fellow residents, visiting the parks, learning about the A-rated schools, and getting a great feel for the tight-knit community, we both knew that this was the place where we wanted to raise our family.
-How long have you been here?
7 years
- Why are you running for this position?
Parkland is my family’s home and is going to be our home for the next 20+ years. Our City is at a critical juncture right now in its evolution with an influx of new residents and a substantial amount of new development still remaining to be built. The strategies and policy decisions that are made over the next two years will dictate what Parkland looks and feels like for many years to come. I’m running for Commissioner to ensure that our great City maintains all of the phenomenal things that attracted us here in the first place – top-rated schools, beautiful green spaces, and robust sports and recreation programs – while still preserving Parkland’s special character and family-friendly environment. It’s not just important for our two kids, Parker and Maya, but for all of the families in Parkland.
-Have you run in the past?
No.
- If elected, what is your first point of action?
My first point of action will be to work with the Mayor and other Commissioners to prepare and finalize a Master Plan for the City so that we have a thoughtful and comprehensive blueprint of what we want Parkland to look like in the future, as well as a roadmap on how to get there. This will include plans for the potential annexation of new properties, enhancements to City services and programs, and investments in capital infrastructure to support the growing needs of our residents; both the young families and our rapidly growing 55+ age group.
-Why?
Without a Master Plan, we will be left in the untenable position of having to be reactive as opposed to proactive. In my view, there is too much at stake to not have a cohesive plan for the future of Parkland, otherwise, we risk becoming like our neighboring cities that have become overcrowded in terms of capacity and less connected as a community.
- What mission do you feel most passionate about?
There are a number of important missions for Parkland that I am passionate about, but safety will always be my number one priority.
-Why?
If residents don’t feel safe in our community, there is little else that we can do as a governing body to improve our quality of life. Being able to enjoy our parks, schools, and local businesses without having to worry is why people move to Parkland in the first place. We, unfortunately, learned a tragic lesson in 2018 with Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and it is incumbent upon our City Commission to do everything in its power to prevent anything of the sort from ever happening again.
- Where do you feel our city needs improvement?
Generally, we are fortunate to live in a well-planned and well-run City. However, there are changes and growth on the horizon and therefore we must have a well thought out Master Plan with sufficient flexibility to account for the future growth, including the possibility that in the not too distant future Hendrix Farms may annex into the City.
-Why?
Parkland is anticipating that approximately 1,100 new homes will be built over the next four years. As the population grows, we need a long-term plan that provides a conceptual layout to guide the future growth to avoid undue traffic congestion, overburdened public facilities and services, and the erosion of Parkland’s unique character.
- Where do you feel our city stands above the rest?
The overall look and feel of Parkland — including the beautiful parks, trails, and green spaces — is unrivaled.
-Why?
This certainly does not happen by accident. It is all thanks to exceptional planning by past leadership who upheld their fundamental commitment to keeping Parkland as green, open, and accessible as reasonably possible. I promise to carry the torch and see to it that we protect and preserve this going forward.
- How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in our town?
To me, it is all about communication. Whether through community outreach on social media or speaking with my fellow neighbors out and around town, I plan to keep an open line of communication with all Parkland residents and make myself readily available to talk through the decisions I will be tasked with making as the next Commissioner. I also have a plan to utilize the My Parkland app to notify residents of important issues that will be addressed at upcoming commission meetings to increase public awareness and add the ability for them to pose questions or comments on specific topics to be considered by the Commission as part of their decision-making process.
- If someone came to you with a proposal to build a new piece of public infrastructure in our city (road, bridge, etc.) how would you evaluate whether that project was worth implementing?
My first step would be to assess whether there is an actual need for the new piece of public infrastructure. This would entail speaking with City Staff, residents, and other stakeholders to understand the underlying basis for the proposal. Assuming that the research showed there was a legitimate need, the next step would be to perform a technical evaluation of what the project will require in order to operate as needed. This would include calculating the overall cost for construction, future operating expenses, and the timeline in which it is expected to be completed. Next would come an environmental assessment to ascertain the environmental risks and impacts associated with the project. Assuming that the cost of the project is justified by the expected benefit to the community, and the environmental impact is minimal, I would make the recommendation to move forward with the new piece of public infrastructure.
- What neighborhood do you live in?
Watercrest
-Why?
When my wife and I were finally ready to buy our first home we toured a number of different developments in Parkland, but Watercrest stood out above the rest for us. The neighborhood was filled with young families with kids of all ages playing outside and at the clubhouse pool and there was a noticeably strong sense of community pride among the residents.We fell in love with one of the model houses and made the decision to build on a lot backing up to the nature preserve, which provides breathtaking views of all the natural wildlife that surrounds us every single day.
- Where are your favorite places to spend time in our town?
Pine Trails Park, Liberty Park, Barkland, Farmer’s Market, Carmela Coffee Shop, Family Bagels of Long Island, Déjà Blue, Bluefin Sushi, Pizza Time, Los Bocados.
Jordan Isrow
Derek Olivier
- What is your full name and what position are you running for?
Derek Olivier and I am running for Parkland City Commissioner District 2
- Where are you originally from?
I am originally from New York but I have lived in South Florida since 1993, so I consider myself a Floridian.
-Why did you choose to move to this city/county/school district/state district?
My wife and I moved to Parkland for the school district and safety as we were planning on starting a family.
-How long have you been here?
On October 28th, we will have lived in Parkland for 5 years.
- Why are you running for this position?
Service to others is a pillar in my faith and is written in my DNA. It was one of the prime factors why I left corporate America and started my company and it’s the reason why I spend the mornings of my birthday helping different charitable organizations in South Florida. Our country is going through a lot of turmoil and when I had my first child 6 months ago, I looked into his eyes and felt like I needed to do more. I know what I am capable of and that my experience as a business owner, my real estate knowledge of 17 years, and my understanding of accounting principles makes me uniquely suited to help in this moment of crisis. Knowing I am the best person for the job invoked a sense of duty to step up and give back to a city that has given my family an amazing place to call home.
-Have you run in the past?
No, I never thought I would ever run for office, but I feel compelled to do something as I see the qualities I love about Parkland changing.
- If elected, what is your first point of action?
Help the hurting retail business in Parkland. Parkland businesses add to the culture of our community and give a space for our residents to commune. As a business owner myself, I have a unique understanding of the many challenges businesses in Parkland are facing and have created a simple but effective 8-step plan to help increase their sales. I have listed them on my website, DerekGetsItDone.com. One of the most obvious steps is to add a Parkland business Icon to the homepage of our city website.
-Why?
Even before COVID hit, Renee and I witnessed a revolving door for the small business owners of Parkland. When we first moved here, we would take our nieces and nephews to SubZero in the Parkland Commons Shopping Center. SubZero closed its doors a couple of years ago. My wife fell in love with I Heart Mac and Cheese, and it also closed. I helped create a social business networking group in Parkland we called PBNG. We had over 50 members and had monthly meetings at Bahama Grill on 441. Bahama Grill closed its doors about a year ago. Now with COVID, almost all of the business owners I spoke to are suffering. They need the city to step up and help them navigate through this tough time. Let’s relax the signage laws on 441, let’s work on getting them PPE equipment since the city is requiring them to provide it for their workers, and let’s get them some additional advertising opportunities to help them help themselves.
- What mission do you feel most passionate about?
Getting a Parkland Police Force and Keeping Businesses in Parkland.
-Why?
a. Safety is important to me and although I believe BSO has some amazing officers when you have 2,800 officers in 14 cities, I think it’s challenging to manage your force. After speaking with the people of Parkland, I have learned of many of the challenges they are experiencing with BSO and many of the surveys have shown that the people of Parkland want their own Police force. I am in total agreement. I believe huge Police forces set up officers for failure. I believe policing should be personal, a more community-style policing where officers live in the city they serve. Officers should be a part of a community they serve and know the names of the people in the community. Officers who are the neighbors of the people they serve will be even more motivated to act in moments of crisis.
b. I built 2 businesses from the ground up and I know the blood sweat and tears it takes to start and run your own business. My first company was a 2,600 SQFT video game center similar to Chuck E Cheese called GameBreakers that I started in 2006. GameBreakers was a LAN center that utilized the power of at-home gaming consoles. Although home computers were the standard at that time, I believe consoles would be the new standard. We called ourselves the purveyors of fun. We focused on daycare centers, colleges, birthday parties, and group events. We started making some headway and was featured on the cover of the Sun-Sentinel business section. But due to the crash of 2008, the fun did not last and we were forced to close our doors. That was one of the worst events of my life. I know how hard business owners work. I know firsthand what getting up at 6 am and working to 12 am, just to do it all over the next day feels like. I know the weight of having employees, I know about paying your employees before you pay yourself, and how helpless you feel when you see all the things you worked so many years to vanish in a couple of days due to an economic crash. To lose my company in that way was heart-wrenching. COVID has debilitated so many South Florida businesses in the same way. I know firsthand what the business owners of Parkland are going through and I want to do whatever is in my power to help them not experience what I did in 2008.
- Where do you feel our city needs improvement?
We need our own police force, we need to help Keep businesses in Parkland, we need to stop overdevelopment, we need to work through the issues with Pine Tree Estates, we need to elevate our parks.
-Why?
a. We need our own police force because the people of Parkland want community policing at a level BSO cannot provide. BSO leadership can change every 4 years and we as a city do not have much say on who gets elected. Also, according to the CSPM study, having our own police force would be cheaper by about 3 million a year.
b. Parkland businesses are hurting. As a business owner myself, I have a unique understanding of the challenges they are facing and have an 8-step plan on how the city can help increase their sales.
c. Parkland is experiencing growing pains, including excess traffic and the loss of natural landscapes. With my experience working in accounting and real estate development, I am ready to get to work on this issue.
d. A city should never get sued by its residents. We need to figure out a way to resolve the issue with Pine Tree Estates.
e. Our city is called Parkland, and I feel like we should have the best parks. But currently, many of our parks are having challenges. The city has taken steps to correct the issues and I want to continue what was started and see if there are any steps to improve.
- Where do you feel our city stands above the rest?
I believe Parkland is one of the best cities to live in.
-Why?
I am originally from NY and when I first moved here, I fell in love with the fact that I could see so many stars at night. Parkland offers that small-town feel in a big city. Also, the people of Parkland have been so welcoming to us, the parks and events like “Eats and Beats” bring a sense of community and the school system can rival some of the best in Florida. I am proud of my city and feel obligated to do my part to help.
- How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in our town?
Social media is a great way to keep residents up-to-date on what’s going on. I also plan on hosting monthly zoom meetings, going to events, and taking advantage of any opportunity to get face to face talk with our residents to explain what’s going on and understand developing issues.
- If someone came to you with a proposal to build a new piece of public infrastructure in our city (road, bridge, etc.) how would you evaluate whether that project was worth implementing?
a. One of the first considerations is the residents of the area. Are they interested in the structure?
b. What impact will this have on traffic and what are the implementation costs?
c. What added functional use will this project provide the city? Is it purely decorative?
d. What are the thoughts of the planning and zoning department and city manager?
e. What will this structure add to our community?
f. How long will the build out take and what contingencies can we put in place to prevent them from not meeting their timelines?
g. I would need to know there was an RFP done to ensure we are getting the best price. h. I would want to know the accreditation of the structural engineer and know that proper steps would be taken to ensure structural integrity.
i. I would need to understand the past work of the builder and speak to the city members on their past jobs.
- What neighborhood do you live in?
Parkland Isles
-Why?
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Renee and I felt Parkland Isles was one of the prettiest communities in Parkland.
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Each home in the community had a little more land between them than many of the newer communities.
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For all the amenities offered, we thought the HOA was reasonable compared to others.
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The people in our community have been so awesome. We have made lifelong friends.
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Our community is super close to the highway so it makes it easy to get anywhere in South Florida quickly.
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It’s in Parkland and zoned for the schools we wanted.
- Where are your favorite places to spend time in our town?
a. Pine Trails Park- I love playing flag football.
b. Eats and Beats- Date nights with Renee.
c. Bahama Grill- Social meetups and happy hour.
d. Bluefin- Date nights with Renee.
Derek Olivier