Suspense ends…Santamaria says he’ll run again for county commission
by George Bennett | April 2nd, 2010
Santamaria
The 72-year-old Democrat said he originally intended to serve only one term, but was besieged by requests from “complete strangers” to run again. Santamaria ally Michael E. Jackson, who opened a campaign for the seat last week believing Santamaria wouldn’t run, said he’s “surprised.”
Only a few weeks ago, Santamaria said he was torn over whether to run again, describing his job as half rewarding and half “waste of time.”
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April 2nd, 2010 at 7:42 am
No one who knows him should be surprised. His ego is too large to not run again. Well that and the fact that in this economy he cannot play developer like he used to….
April 2nd, 2010 at 8:23 am
Well that’s wonderful. Just 4 weeks ago Santamaria was quoted saying he feels his position “is waste of time on a lot of nonsense (like children with cancer), minutia, insignificant issues (like children dying), having to listen to people who love to (hear) themselves talk during meetings, too many social events, ribbon cuttings, etc., etc., etc.” Who’s going to elect this arrogant a-hole now? This job is not for him. Let him be a Walmart greeter.
April 2nd, 2010 at 9:55 am
Santamaria is a weak representative for the western communities.
He does NOTHING to bring jobs to the area.
He sits like a bump on the log at commission meetings.
It’s a shame that he is running for another term.
But we all know this about politicians: you CAN’T believe what they say. He said 1 term. He should have stuck with that and then retired and done work as a private citizen.
Santamaria is NOT a good representative for the west.
Pearl is an out of towner, who has received donations from people in other states and counties.
Jackson is an ingrate. Santamaria GAVE THE GUY a job in his own office! Time let him lose Jess, and hire someone, try a woman, who will HELP the Glades, not further their own political career.
Urge a conservative to run. Don’t hesitate just because Santamaria took so long to decide.
Sorry, Jess you are not a vibrant, go-getter for the energetic western communities. You are f-l-a-t.
April 2nd, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Santamaria has no vigor. He’s too silent on the board, can’t corral enough votes to support his ideas.
Nice guy…but.
The opponents: a pathetic representative of the Glades who Santamaria gave a job to and now is running against him and a lawyer whose major contributions have come from OUT OF THE COUNTY and OUT OF THE STATE!
That’s not local representation, that’s carpetbagging with no local support!
Don’t elect people with support out of county or state. Their agenda is not a local agenda.
As far as the ingrate; he doesn’t deserve any votes.
Weak representation for the western communities for another go-round.
The local coalitions, business groups need to put forth lively candidates that will HELP the western communities prosper. Come on Palms West, Chamber of Commerce, Western Coalition the other districts reps are walking all over western needs.
April 5th, 2010 at 7:38 am
Jess is a smart man. He got the county to approve inclusionary zoning for low income housing, the type of housing he builds. I guess, there is something else he needs to continue developing in PB County. Can we guess what that might be? Tax incentives for low income builders? This run is way beyond the reach of his tiny ego, it’s about his balance sheet.
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:19 am
I could have told you he would run for more than one term. His ego won’t let him do anything else? He claims he was besieged by requests from “complete strangers” to run again. Was it the 3/4 out of the 25 that come to your monthly forms for free coffee and cookies paid for by the County. I have an ethical question: Can a candidate who has announced he will run again, hand out signature cards to voters so that he does not have to pay the filing fee, at a County sponsored event? After four years in office, wouldn’t Santamaria be aware of the dos and donts of election rules. Of Course not, he’s Jess Santamaria and he can do anything he wants. Hopefully, the voters will watch some previous tapes of him in BCC meetings – asleep. Has not brought forward one single project forward for District 6. Maybe that’s why he feels it’s a waste of time – he sleeps through most of it. Come on Michelle Damone, or Jerry Greenfield of Ibis, or Ed Oppel. Somebody with some brains step up and let’s put this man to pasture where he belongs. Watch for strong signs of dymentia. They are there.
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:29 am
I was raised in Royal Palm Beach when Jess Santamaria was a developer and bought the Royal Inn. Have seen lots of changes in that community. I have an idea – elect Assistant County Administrator Brad Merriman to fill Jess Santamaria’s seat. He tells him what to do on all issues anyway. He doesn’t make a decision without running it by Brad. Shouldn’t all legal decisions be run by the County Attorney – who is brilliant by the way. Oopps – she’s a female and God forbid the egotistical Commissioner should ask a female for her opinion. They have system – Jess talks to Brad, Brad runs to Denise and then runs back up to the Commissioner with Denise’s opinion. I guess that works for them.