Candidates differ on the most important issue in Martin County Commission race

MARTIN COUNTY — One candidate says water is the most important issue in this year's election for the District 1 seat for Martin County Commission. The other candidate says the top issue is growth.

"To continue my work on all things water, water, water," incumbent Doug Smith listed first among his reasons for running for reelection.

"People live here to be around the water," Smith said, emphasizing his 20-year commitment to water issues, a commitment that is well-documented, he said.

Challenger Eileen Vargas said growth is what Martin County voters care about most.

"People are angry," she said, "about growth that is unplanned and unnecessary." Residents also don't feel represented.

The water issue will never be rectified unless Martin County curbs the building, Vargas said.

"I think it would be unrealistic to say 'no growth,'" Vargas said, but "we need to put the brakes on it."

She would work with property owners to avoid zoning changes that have led to the current level of growth and give them options so they can honor the rules and regulations in the county's Comprehensive Plan, which helps govern growth. But she may also consider allowing an expansion of the urban services boundary, she said.

Asked what he would do to address the county's water issues, Smith stressed his previous work.

He's been involved in the emerging treatment of biosolids in Florida. He's been to Tallahassee and to Washington, D.C., to advocate for Everglades restoration, and he's worked on the U.S. Coral Reef Conservation Act.

"Florida is the only state in the continental United States with extensive shallow coral reef formations near its coasts," according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Florida's coral reef starts at the St. Lucie Inlet and goes to the Dry Tortugas in Monroe County.

Addressing the water issue in Florida is a full-time job, Smith said.

He's also worked on water issues through the County Coalition, a group of 16 counties in the vicinity of Lake Okeechobee. The County Coalition stretches from Orange County to Miami-Dade County and from Lee County to Palm Beach County.

"Whatever we can get accomplished there directly benefits Martin County," Smith said.

Vargas wants to maintain the small-town, gentler atmosphere of Martin County, in comparison to the larger counties to the north and south.

"I'm the last hope," Vargas said.

MARTIN COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 1

Position : County Commissioner

Term : Four years

Salary : $78,905

Who can vote : Only registered Republicans

Next steps : The winner of the Aug. 20 primary will face a write-in candidate in the general election Nov. 5.

Doug Smith, incumbent

Age : 62

Profession : Martin County Commissioner, President of Florida Association of Counties, past Chair of National Association of Counties Environment Energy and Land Use committee, Chair Regional Planning Council, Board member of Florida Local Government Investment Trust.

Time in office : 24 years on Martin County Commission

Eileen Vargas

Age : 68

Profession : Wealth advisor, real estate experience, teacher in Florida and overseas, author

Time in office : This would be her first role as an elected official.

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Keith Burbank is TCPalm's watchdog reporter covering Martin County. He can be reached at keith.burbank@tcpalm.com or at 720-288-6882.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Candidates differ on the most important issue in Martin County Commission race