Hometown News and Views

By Michael d’Oliveira

Pompano Beach – The race to occupy the mayor’s seat and commission seats in Districts 2 and 4 has brought out eight candidates. Challenging incumbent Mayor Lamar Fisher in the March 12 election are Marcus McDougale and David Baumwald.

Opposing incumbent Dist. 2 Commissioner Charlotte Burrie is Thomas Terwilliger while Dist. 4 Commissioner Woodrow Poitier is up against former commissioner Ed Phillips and Joseph Wells.

Mayor

Mayor Lamar Fisher, 52, running for mayor

Mayor Lamar Fisher has been in his current elected position since 2007. The owner of Fisher Auction House, Fisher’s family has had roots in Pompano for generations.

Fisher cites his Mayor’s Stimulus Package, beach redevelopment, the new bus transit center on Dixie Highway, golf course redevelopment and the planned library and cultural center next to city hall as examples of why voters should re-elect him.

“The proof of our success is now being seen throughout the city and I truly serve the people of our city and want to continue for another term. I fought hard for the land use amendment which will enable the redevelopment of the Dixie/MLK Corridor and prepare for the transit oriented corridor,” said Fisher.

“We need to focus now on our transit station along the FEC railroad and the quality development around that area.”

Marcus McDougale, 40, running for mayor

Marcus McDougale, a native of Pompano Beach and graduate of Blanche Ely High School, said if elected mayor he will focus on childhood obesity, tax incentives for residents and creating a more unified community. “I want to see more economic relief to the communities of Pompano.”

McDougale said he’s employed as an educator and community advocate but declined to say what company he works for. “Now more than ever, I feel like I could be a part of that process of change. I can definitely be instrumental and work with some of the other local community figures.”

David Baumwald, 47, running for mayor

David Baumwald, a member of the Community Appearance Committee and construction project manager for D And M Home Development, has lived in Pompano for over 30 years and wants to see an improved beach area, more tourism, a better economy and less crime.

“The businesses on Federal Highway are going dead. I want to bring jobs and tourism back to our city. And we’re no longer a destination and crime is out of hand. There were 11 A/C units stolen in one day in my neighborhood.”

In 1998, Baumwald was arrested and charged with cocaine possession, intent to purchase cocaine, obstruction of a criminal investigation and served 13 months, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.

“That was a long time ago. I was in a car with someone who purchased it so we both got charged. I was getting a ride home. Wrong place. Wrong time,” he said. “Had I had a real lawyer I would have walked away from this scot free.”

Dist. 2

Commissioner Charlotte Burrie, 68, running for Dist. 2 commissioner

Commissioner Charlotte Burrie, in office for six years and a resident of Pompano for 50 years, said voters should re-elect her because of her accomplishments, including the revamped Greg Norman Golf Course and increased community policing.

But Burrie, who works as an attorney, also gives less tangible reasons.

“I have been working for the residents in the community and I’ve accomplished many things and I will continue to work for my community if re-elected. “I’ve always had an open door and I’m here to serve the community.”

Thomas Terwilliger, 67, running for Dist. 2 commissioner

Tom Terwilliger, a resident of South Florida for 15 years and Pompano for three years, ran for state senate in Michigan in his early 20s and wants to try again for city commission in Pompano.

“Now I’m semi-retired and I’ve got the time to do it. Public service takes a lot more than just a regular 40-hour work week.”

With a background in investment banking, Terwilliger said he knows what it takes to work with city budgets. “I know what it is to run a balanced budget,” he said, adding that he also wants to make government more efficient and protect the civil liberties and rights of Pompano’s citizens.

Dist. 4

Commissioner Woodrow Poitier, 65, running for Dist. 4 commissioner

In office since 2008 when he finished out the term of the late E. Pat Larkins, Commissioner Woodrow Poitier is the owner of L.C. Poitier Funeral Home. “I’m really enjoying the job now a lot more than I did the first time around. And because of that it’s getting easier to do.”

And, he says, “things are happening because of Woody.” Things like improvements to the Northwest Community Redevelopment Area.

“I’m into the job and I’m making things happen. I’m getting progress done on Martin Luther King Boulevard and the façade program is being taken advantage of.”

Ed Phillips, 62, running for Dist. 4 commissioner

Ed Phillips was a city commissioner from 2000 to 2002 and he’s ready to get back on the dais. The owner of PF Insurance, Phillips has been in Pompano for over 50 years.

“I’m running to respond to the needs of Dist. 4. My top priorities will be to listen, to listen, to listen. And then implement.”

Asked if he had any specific plans, “Right now, I just need to listen to what the needs of Dist. 4 are. I may have some ideas but I don’t want to talk about them this early in the campaign.”

The Pelican was not able to reach Joseph Wells in time for publication.