Should I run for Mayor of Fort Lauderdale? I’ve finally made my decision.
Posted Under: Important Issues for Fort Lauderdale
Should I run for Mayor of Fort Lauderdale?
I’ve finally made my decision.
(Announcement made on Veteran’s Day: November 11, 2011):
I’ve been asked this question a lot over the last few months, even by our current Mayor: “Well Earl, are you going to run?”
I’ve given it a lot of consideration. Over the last three years (since the last election), I have enjoyed providing you my thoughts about what is really going on at City Hall, criticizing the actions of a number of people there, offering suggestions and thoughts on how things should be different.
I’ve also written a “Vision for Fort Lauderdale” (20 chapters in all) that focuses on what we can do to make our City better, more progressive and less costly in the future. This Vision was written with the input of dozens of people here in our City. That document is meant to be a “starting point” from which we can all contribute and refine the future direction we need to go in.
I’ve ruffled the feathers of many of the “Old Guard” here in the City who don’t want to see any change (or improvement). They like things just as they are. These people are generally the wealthy, the well-connected, and special interest groups. They’ve been running things here for decades.
As most of you know by now, I have been particularly disappointed by our elected officials not facing economic realities and looking for ways to reduce spending. Other cities around our country have been successful in making the necessary (and sometimes painful) cuts to their budgets. Yet our budget has grown from $345 Million to $635 million in just the last 8 years. Almost double in size! We have a spending addiction. Our Mayor, rather than reduce spending, continues to hand out pay raises to City employees, and has been raiding the City’s savings account to cover the higher costs.
This cannot continue.
I have asked for advice from a number you on whether I should run again. You’ve been very supportive. One person who was affiliated with Jack’s campaign last time has told me: “Jack has given the go-ahead to certain groups that if you decide to run, they should attack you personally. He won’t do it directly, but his supporters (ie: City employee Unions) have been told to go ahead. And it will be vicious, Earl. The funding for this effort will come from sources outside the City.”
I’m a veteran. I’ve served our Country for 20 years in the military and am a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force. I volunteered for both Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and was in Middle East days after Iraq invaded Kuwait. I’m a small business owner here in Fort Lauderdale and have been successful in my business despite the severe economic downturn. I chose to move here from San Francisco more than 10 years ago because of the quality of life I saw here. I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish so far in my life.
So since today is Veteran’s Day (11-11-11), I think it’s as good a time as any to let you know:
I intend to complete the necessary documents at City Hall in the next few days and file for my candidacy as the next Mayor of Fort Lauderdale.
As Bette Davis said (in the movie All About Eve): “Fasten your seat belts, it’s going to be a bumpy ride”…..
Earl Rynerson
Reader Comments
“Way to Go”.. A wonderful bit of news. A long overdue chance for our City to improve its management. Well Done!
Bill
Hope has arrived with you announcement. It most certainly will be a bumpy ride, but when you arrive to be Mayor of our wonderful city, the new title will bring power, enabling you to implement the vision we are all looking forward to.
Thanks for your commitment.
Lil
BRAVO! I’ll do as much as I can in making you Mayor, just as I did on your previous run. Maybe many will see what a mistake they made at the last election in not voting for you. Let’s only hope that, especially with the downturn in the economy, that many have finally begun to see the light.
Bob DeBenedictis
earl, you will have a tough road. the “old guard” will fund jack like never seen to keep him there, he’s one of them. you can win if you do this logically and appeal to the angry electorate, many of whom feel ignored when they see the wasteful spending that is going on locally as well as nationally.
stick with it, and i wish you luck and well wishes. and will contact you privately to offer my help.
Wow what a great decision, you are truly a brave guy. You’ve been outlining the issues that pesters you most. Here’s your opportunity to change them.
GOOD LUCK!
Earl
Good luck to you. I firmly believe that no one should be reelected without opposition. While I have no problem directly with the Mayor, because of those he chooses to assoicate himself with and it shows how he has gone from a nice guy to a bully.
I look forward to you and the Mayor debating.
Earl, I say bravo as well. You’ve built yourself a support system that will only grow. There’s a reason for everything. Perhaps 3 years combined with a lousy economy and the constant bickering in DC headed nowhere will help build a base here for the people by the people. We are perhaps seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and returning back to basics with a new Mayor that will allow us to do just that. We could be setting the stage for a Better Ft. Laud. and an example for the rest of the country. Good Luck!
I am so happy for you..I will do all I can to help…please contact me so we can discuss!
mark
305-244-4393
you have earned it, your work is well documented on your website, all your publications too. Good Luck!
Good luck. Perhaps common sense and solid business practiceswill
prevail after all!
Earl- yes please run. If its a race between you and current mayor you have MORE than a chance. Now if they dilute the field with spoilers like in 2009, you will need to get in the runoff as first or second top vote getter. And Matt’s comment on the ‘old guard’ may have been true in past elections, but the demographics have changed, which is why re-districting was thwarted till after this election. Fewer than 10% of the voters ever turn out for local/stand alone elections. The primary on January 31 is for Republicans to vote for presidential primary so there will be the usual low turn out unless registered Republican. Don’t worry about money and fundraising as all the money in the world won’t win an election, just voters turning out to vote. I’ll send other info under separate cover. Thanks for courage and conviction in deciding to run.
Let’s us go dear heart. It is about time!
Love, Joan
Let the games begin.
HIP HIP HURRAY!!!!! PUT ME ON YOUR LIST OF WORKER BEES TO HELP YOU W/ YOUR RUN! EARL; I SUPPORT YOU 100%!
I agree you should run for mayor. No one else I know has the energy to do what you do and still run a busines.
Contact me for a campaign contribution and good luck. You can count on my support.
Bob
Well done! You have my support in addition to my vote. I spent 11 years in the Air Force as enlisted man, NCO and commissioned officer and I am convinced you are the right man for the job. I have never met you and know nothing more than what you have written but I think you are doing the right thing for the city and for the electorate. I can’t help you physically because of my health (inoperable lung cancer) but I do have a few bucks that hopefully you can use wisely.
Sierra Hotel!
IF I CAN HELP SPREAD THE GOOD WORD, LET ME KNOW WHEN AND HOW. GOOD LUCK EARL, TIME TO FIX THINGS
I never vote for them anyway!
this time i will for your visions.
I can’t wait to see you on that chair.
When you become the mayor of Fort Lauder dale WOULD YOU WILLING, to make a request for all the state Fl mayors and the commissioners, to raise a red flag against the banks to stop the foreclosures and modify the loans according to the market values?
That mean more tax payers and create more jobs for more buyers=more money go to the cities.
i WISH THE BEST!!!!!!! SURELY:Louis
Great. Make sure the communications keep coming after you are elected so that we can follow your progress as you correct the errors of the past and improve our city.
You’re right about the employee unions. The mayor continues to give them raises, and promises them no lay offs. On the other hand, the 250 non-union city employees have not had a raise in years, and they are quietly being laid off.
I reside in Wilton Manors but you will have my support! Thanks for your hard worked efforts in trying to educate the voters on many issues.
I am sooo thrilled that you decided to run!!! You have some fantastic ideas with a simple approach- government and change does not have to be complicated to be effective. You have my support and vote!!! Thanks Earl!
Way to go, Earl
Good Luck
Dear Earl: When you broached the question of should you run again, I was afraid that you would decide not to. I am delighted with your decision. It is a breath of fresh air. Your analyses of the city’s financial decisions and the comparisons with other similar-sized cities have required extensive research, are very effective, and greatly to be commended. You are the mayor we need. I will help financially as much as possible as a retiree. Somehow, you need to make more residents aware of your website and your articles and comparisons. When I speak to others about your website, most are unaware of it.
Dick FS
THANK YOU!!
I agree with Richard Fremont, not many people are aware of your website. It needs to be advertised more. There’s much information in your site people need to be aware of especially when going to the polls.
Way to go Earl, thank you fOr running for mayor. We need someone who will work for the citizens rather then just the employees.
That’s great news, but you need a team and you need funding. Hopefully, all the good people here who are writing nice things will step up and help you win. I live in Oakland Park, but I’d be willing to help.
You go Earl. You’ve got my vote!!!!
i hope you bury him in a landslide
Way to go Mr. Rynerson! let me know where I can sign up to work on your team.
If Jack won’t change then It’s time we changed Jack and put in someone who really does care about Fort. Lauderdale.
Earl, Well Done. I feel like you’re the only one with honesty & morals to do the right thing for our city. I’m excited!!!!!!!
Bon Voyage to a New Ft. Lauderdale government
of quality and fiscal restraint. You’ve
prepared your path well and we will welcome
a change that was been needed many, many years ago.
Now how to get the voters out to campaign for you! Many blessing on you.
I’m on your side, let me know if I can help.
Let’s pray to god people like you stay out of office. What would our country come to if we decided to not feed our homeless children, brothers, sisters and mothers? This website is a joke and so are you. I’ve got 10 huge boxes of food and I am going to feed to homeless in front of your office so you can meet everyone who is homeless in this city and decide for yourself whether you need morals in your life or not.
Please call (305) 303-5769. Important news. Doris