Candidates Return Developer's Donations To Destroy two Florida Golf Courses
Tamarac City candidates are returning campaign donations from the developer who has advanced an unpopular plan to convert two Florida golf courses into residential developments.
Prestige Homes owns Sabal Palm and Monterey Florida golf courses, both located near Commercial Boulevard and the Florida Turnpike. The company's proposal to build more than 700 homes on the property has drawn considerable opposition from residents. Some residents questioned during meetings last month whether the company's contributions might play a role in future votes.
Financial disclosure records show Prestige Homes donated about $2,000 to five of the seven candidates running in Tamarac, and company president Bruce Chait donated another $1,500. Business associates of Chait's contributed an additional $3,500.
Three of the candidates receiving money said they intended to return the donations, while one said she didn't have any of the money left. The fifth candidate, unopposed and thus already elected, was planning to donate all of his remaining funds to two charities.
"At the time of your contribution to my campaign, you did not inform me of your pending project before the city of Tamarac," mayoral candidate Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, who received $2,000, wrote in a letter to Chait. "Therefore, I am returning your contribution to avoid the appearance of impropriety."
Mayoral candidate Mae Schreiber and District 2 candidate Patricia Atkins-Grad both said they planned to return the donations, $2,500 and $1,750, respectively. Karen Roberts, a sitting commissioner and candidate for mayor, said returning the $500 donation she received would be impossible.
"I'm running a grassroots campaign here," she said. "There's no way I can return it. It's already spent. It's gone." Guess he does not golf on a Florida golf course.
Running unopposed for one commission seat was Harry Dressler, who said Wednesday he intended to split his remaining funds with donations to a children's charity and an Alzheimer's disease charity. He received a donation of $250.
Neither Prestige Homes officials nor their attorney could be reached for comment on Wednesday. The matter of converting the Florida golf courses to residential will come before the Tamarac City Commission on March 22.
Prestige Homes owns Sabal Palm and Monterey Florida golf courses, both located near Commercial Boulevard and the Florida Turnpike. The company's proposal to build more than 700 homes on the property has drawn considerable opposition from residents. Some residents questioned during meetings last month whether the company's contributions might play a role in future votes.
Financial disclosure records show Prestige Homes donated about $2,000 to five of the seven candidates running in Tamarac, and company president Bruce Chait donated another $1,500. Business associates of Chait's contributed an additional $3,500.
Three of the candidates receiving money said they intended to return the donations, while one said she didn't have any of the money left. The fifth candidate, unopposed and thus already elected, was planning to donate all of his remaining funds to two charities.
"At the time of your contribution to my campaign, you did not inform me of your pending project before the city of Tamarac," mayoral candidate Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, who received $2,000, wrote in a letter to Chait. "Therefore, I am returning your contribution to avoid the appearance of impropriety."
Mayoral candidate Mae Schreiber and District 2 candidate Patricia Atkins-Grad both said they planned to return the donations, $2,500 and $1,750, respectively. Karen Roberts, a sitting commissioner and candidate for mayor, said returning the $500 donation she received would be impossible.
"I'm running a grassroots campaign here," she said. "There's no way I can return it. It's already spent. It's gone." Guess he does not golf on a Florida golf course.
Running unopposed for one commission seat was Harry Dressler, who said Wednesday he intended to split his remaining funds with donations to a children's charity and an Alzheimer's disease charity. He received a donation of $250.
Neither Prestige Homes officials nor their attorney could be reached for comment on Wednesday. The matter of converting the Florida golf courses to residential will come before the Tamarac City Commission on March 22.
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