2016 Collier County Commission Forum

3rd & 7 37yd

Good evening and welcome to our live chat.

by Vonna Keomanyvong 10/27/2016 9:13:51 PM
We will be hosting a live forum for the Collier County Commission candidate races for District 3 and District 5 at 5:30 p.m. in our studio.

by Vonna Keomanyvong 10/27/2016 9:14:08 PM
Reporter Greg Stanley will join us here shortly.

by Vonna Keomanyvong 10/27/2016 9:14:18 PM
Here is tonight’s schedule:

District 3 forum: 5:30 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.

Annisa Karim, Democrat
Burt Saunders, Republican

District 5 forum: 6:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

Tamara Paquette, Democrat
William L. McDaniel, Jr., Republican

by Vonna Keomanyvong 10/27/2016 9:14:32 PM
Hi Greg!

by Vonna Keomanyvong 10/27/2016 9:19:32 PM
Hey Vonna, I think we're going to get started here shortly

by Greg Stanley 10/27/2016 9:20:50 PM
First up will be Republican Burt Saunders vs. Democrat Annisa Karim, expect some talk on the environment, Golden Gate redevelopment and what to do with old golf courses

by Greg Stanley 10/27/2016 9:22:10 PM
Chat with @GregGStanley during Collier Commission candidate forum. nplsne.ws/2eRM6xv http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cvzeta5WAAURPtV.jpg

by Vonna Keomanyvong via twitter 10/27/2016 9:24:57 PM
If I had my way, this debate would be mostly about how to prevent our generation from becoming the generation that allows the Cubs to win the World Series, but I'm not permitted, apparently, to ask the questions tonight

by Greg Stanley 10/27/2016 9:25:41 PM
The control room before the start of the Collier Commission candidate forum. We will be live in 5 min.… twitter.com/i/web/status/7…

by Vonna Keomanyvong via twitter 10/27/2016 9:26:40 PM
.@jigsha @NDN_BrentBatten @NDN_bartletta @NDN_PFisher before start of Collier Commission candidate forum. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CvzfdonWAAAwkoE.jpg

by Vonna Keomanyvong via twitter 10/27/2016 9:28:15 PM
Watch live video, participate in chat during Collier County Commission candidate forum. nplsne.ws/2eRM6xv #Election2016

by Vonna Keomanyvong via twitter 10/27/2016 9:30:14 PM
Vonna has promised that will be the last picture of me tonight, so don't feel like you have shut off your computer on my account

by Greg Stanley 10/27/2016 9:30:41 PM
The @ndn Collier Commission forum debate for the general election is underway. @vonna and @GregGStanley covering. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CvzgVJLWEAAOi1v.jpg

by jigsha desai via twitter 10/27/2016 9:32:00 PM
And we're rolling, 2 minutes for opening statements

by Greg Stanley 10/27/2016 9:33:04 PM
Saunders: "When you pick a mechanic, when you pick a doctor, you look for someone with experience"

by Greg Stanley 10/27/2016 9:35:20 PM
The District 3 forum is up first. Watch live: nplsne.ws/2eRM6xv https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CvzhhKdWcAEEOUp.jpg

by Vonna Keomanyvong via twitter 10/27/2016 9:37:14 PM
The District 3 forum is up first. Watch live: nplsne.ws/2eRM6xv http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CvzhhKdWcAEEOUp.jpg

by Vonna Keomanyvong via twitter 10/27/2016 9:37:18 PM
The @NDN debate for Commission seat, district 3 is underway with Republican Burt Saunders and Democrat Annisa Karim. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CvzhqKwWIAEtAhp.jpg

by jigsha desai via twitter 10/27/2016 9:37:49 PM
Karim: "We have to make sure that we have a county commission that is not only diverse in perspective, but diverse in background"

by Greg Stanley 10/27/2016 9:37:50 PM
Do you have a question for the candidates? If so, please submit your questions in the chat and it may be asked during the forum.

by Vonna Keomanyvong 10/27/2016 9:37:52 PM
This is pretty consistent with how the candidates have been running their campaigns. Saunders is pointing to background as a commissioners and state rep. and state sen. Karim saying that the county has enough lawyers, and can't rely on a homogeneous group to make these decisions.. a biologist like her could help

by Greg Stanley 10/27/2016 9:39:28 PM
Do you have a question for Collier District 3 or District 4 candidates? Ask here. nplsne.ws/2eRM6xv

by Vonna Keomanyvong via twitter retweeted by jigsha 10/27/2016 9:41:31 PM
Question about how to encourage more affordable housing. Both Saunders and Karim are very similar on this issue, want to reduce impact fees and offer density bonuses. The two to watch on this question will be the District 5 candidates later tonight, bigger differences there

by Greg Stanley 10/27/2016 9:43:14 PM
Candidates discuss workforce housing on Collier County. That has been a topic of concern with the @ndn editorial board.

by jigsha desai via twitter 10/27/2016 9:43:53 PM
Collier County Commission candidates eye affordable housing, environment
Naples Daily NewsThe Republican primary is for District 3, which includes Golden Gate's working-class neighborhoods.

by Vonna Keomanyvong 10/27/2016 9:44:42 PM
Here's a good question: Where do you put the affordable housing?

by Greg Stanley 10/27/2016 9:44:52 PM
Lot of complaints in East Naples that county is sticking all the affordable houses there, while leaving richer areas alone

by Greg Stanley 10/27/2016 9:45:29 PM
Karim: Primarily it will be in the east, that's where new growth is happening. But reducing impact fees will help spur it in urban Naples, all over the county

by Greg Stanley 10/27/2016 9:46:09 PM
.@ndn interim editor @NDN_PFisher is moderating the debate tonight. Allen Bartlett and @NDN_BrentBatten ask the Qs. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CvzjnJgW8AATiYS.jpg

by jigsha desai via twitter 10/27/2016 9:46:21 PM
Karim: I don't believe it has been treated unfairly

by Greg Stanley 10/27/2016 9:46:27 PM
Saunders, too, says East Naples hasn't been treated unfairly

by Greg Stanley 10/27/2016 9:46:45 PM
Saunders: Not a lot of daylight between my opponent and I on this issue. Need to make sure it's truly affordable for our workforce

by Greg Stanley 10/27/2016 9:47:14 PM
Here's a good question: Where do you put the affordable housing?

by Greg Stanley via twitter 10/27/2016 9:47:50 PM
Lot of complaints in East Naples that county is sticking all the affordable houses there, while leaving richer areas alone

by Greg Stanley via twitter 10/27/2016 9:48:06 PM
"We are playing favorites for the big guy." Annika Karim does not approve of Commission OKing @Arthrex expansion plans. #ndndebate

by jigsha desai via twitter 10/27/2016 9:49:31 PM
Nice point there from Karim: same day county gave a handful of waivers for Arthrex (the big guys) it took away parking exemption from a small business (the Beach Box Cafe) that could shut it down

by Greg Stanley 10/27/2016 9:50:14 PM
"We are playing favorites for the big guy." Annisa Karim does not approve of Commission OKing @Arthrex expansion plans. #ndndebate

by jigsha desai via twitter 10/27/2016 9:50:21 PM
Nice point there from Karim: same day county gave waivers to help Arthrex (big guys) it took away rights from a small biz (Beach Box Cafe)

by Greg Stanley via twitter 10/27/2016 9:51:53 PM
"If we are doing our jobs correctly, businesses will come." Annisa Karim on the commission helping to drive economic growth in Collier

by jigsha desai via twitter 10/27/2016 9:54:03 PM
Big differences here in how the two would handle business incentives. Karim doesn't want any incentives going to "hand-picked" business. Saunders said if they are properly vetted and will help the county, the county needs offer incentives to compete

by Greg Stanley 10/27/2016 9:54:11 PM
Saunders: I would have rolled back tax rate

by Greg Stanley 10/27/2016 9:55:20 PM
Burt Saunders says he would have reduced tax rate. Commission did not reduce the rate this year. "We should share benefit w/taxpayers."

by jigsha desai via twitter 10/27/2016 9:55:32 PM
County has kept a flat tax rate since the start of the recession

by Greg Stanley 10/27/2016 9:55:36 PM
Annisa Karim says she would not roll back the tax rate. These Collier County Commission candidates differ on many topics.

by jigsha desai via twitter 10/27/2016 9:56:48 PM

2016 Collier County Commission Forum

Collier County Commission candidates eye affordable housing, environment