Current Council & Resident Support for Alexander Cooke

 Please join me in protecting Our Town...
 

PROTECTING JUNO BEACH - ALEXANDER COOKE FOR MAYOR

To protect our town from rapid large-scale residential development I am supporting our current Mayor, Alexander Cooke, for continuing as Mayor of Juno Beach. Alex is not a real estate developer, and can be trusted to support the Zoning Codes that will protect our town, slow growth, and keep it small. He holds developers accountable and is committed to creating smart growth standards that preserve our small-town character and coastal environment. 

READ MORE HERE along with an excellent explanation from Councilmember Halpern on how the commercial district codes work.

I am endorsing Alexander Cooke for Mayor of Juno Beach. He has the vision, fortitude, ethics and the financial and analytical skills needed to lead the way forward for Juno Beach. Indeed, the ability to serve with Alex on Council is one of the reasons I entered the race this year. Juno needs a hardworking team to successfully serve our town and Alex is the best individual to lead that team. Please join me in voting for Alexander Cooke for Mayor of Juno Beach. 

READ MORE HERE

In the Juno Beach mayoral race, one issue is of overriding importance to me:

PRESERVING JUNO BEACH AS THE QUAINT BEACH TOWN WE LOVE. 

This is something that every candidate for any council or mayoral seat routinely espouses.

The question for me boils down to this:

Which candidate has demonstrated by their behavior and by their votes that this is truly a priority for them.

In my observation, it all comes down to this key issue: 

THE 95/5 DEVELOPER INCENTIVE, which ROLLED OUT THE RED CARPET FOR DEVELOPERS.

Though not an intuitively obvious topic for casual observers, this ratio of residential to commercial has been protecting our town for decades.

(How the Caretta people must have celebrated when the Juno Beach council voted to alter our long standing 75/25 residential-to-commercial ratio.)

In terms of the mayoral candidates, that one vote says it all: 

--Wheeler voted FOR the developer-enticing 95/5 ratio – 

--Cooke voted AGAINST this gift to developers, in defense of our protective ratio.

This vote is a matter of record. 

Along similar lines, I’ll add two revealing insights from the recent candidates’ night:

CANDIDATE WHEELER - THE DEFENDER OF DEVELOPERS RIGHTS 

Candidate Wheeler stated at the debate that “developers have a right to build,” as if somehow the long standing 75/25 requirement make it impossible for developers to build. 

One obvious counterpoint is that residents have a right — and an obligation -- to hold elected officials and candidates accountable for properly representing the interests of Juno Beach citizens.

CANDIDATE WHEELER - PROTECTING CITIZENS FROM TOO MUCH CHOICE

Ms. Wheeler characterizes a robust selection of services, restaurants, shopping as “over commercialization” — as if competition was a bad thing.

She asserts that her aim to reduce commercial options to a minimum would protect existing services from too much competition.

I would counter that determining winners and losers --“protecting” existing businesses from competition — is the polar opposite of proper governance.

Overall, I sigh at this situation in our town.

In my view, the emphasis on “civility” in this election is a purposeful distraction — diverting attention from the core issue.  A bright shiny object.

My vote in this mayoral election goes to the candidate who has demonstrated that he:

--has the acumen to accurately predict the downstream implications of policy changes, and

--supports my priorities for preserving the town’s essential character. 

--Cooke for Mayor!

 Alex Cooke deserves your vote for Mayor of Juno Beach. He's not only attentive and responsive to resident concerns, but he also stands by his word. When our building (The Surf) was faced with a developer's plan to drastically change our community last spring, Alex didn't just listen – he took action. He provided valuable resources and connections, empowering residents to protect our neighborhood. Unlike other council members, Alex is committed to ensuring that developers can't manipulate elected officials for their gain. I trust Alex Cooke to safeguard our town from unwanted variances and preserve Juno Beach for generations to come.

To the residents of Juno Beach,

It was with great enthusiasm that I support Mr. Cooke’s mayoral candidacy in Juno Beach for a second term. He has demonstrated all the skills necessary to exceed expectations in fulfilling this role again. He has a firm grasp of town issues, and distills information in a way ordinary people can understand. He has shown great skill in dealing with members of council and our manager. I have witnessed many times when his colleagues’ emotions and personal issues have intruded into the process of town governance; it would be a challenge for anyone to handle this with respect and firmness, yet he did this many times. 

Moreover, the most admirable trait he demonstrates is HONESTY and INTEGRITY! With his own business and a young family, he has zero to gain personally by serving this town. Yet he chose to serve. Unlike his opponent, he accepts neither donations, nor gifts, nor does he throw lavish parties nor is he supported by very well-funded political action committees. He is a gifted professional and family man who also excels in leading Juno Beach now and into the future.

May the best candidate win and that is Alexander Cooke! 

Very truly yours, 

Beverly Gibel, LCSW, ACSW, BCD

Alex, I support your re-election for Mayor of Juno Beach.

Your voting record shows your concern for the residents of Juno Beach.

You voted against Peggy Wheeler’s zoning change that the long standing zoning rule of new development 75% residential and 25 % commercial should be changed to 95% residential and 5% commercial.

Developers want less commercial because it is more difficult to lease and the profits are in residential. 

You tried to stop it! Peggy won! to have Caretta built and if elected she will keep moving forward with her agenda. Even Len Rubin, Juno Beach town attorney said Peggy’s actions would open the door for further development.

Your integrity and commitment to the Town is overwhelming. There are no out of town development political action committees influencing you or controlling you.

Please keep up the good work for the residents Juno Beach.

Sincerely

Steve Allen

 As direct neighbors of Alex Cooke we wholeheartedly and without reservation endorse him for Mayor of Juno Beach.  In the years that we’ve gotten to know Alex and his beautiful family, it remains clear that he is a person of the highest caliber and integrity. Alex is a devoted advocate for the protection of Juno Beach’s character and betterment.  In our discussions on town issues, or hearing his views during Council meetings, we find him well prepared, knowledgeable, and open to other perspectives. 

Alex takes the time to be involved in our community events and always has time to hear people’s views. He is level headed, smart, honest, and direct. We need these qualities in our mayor to bring unity to our town. 

To Whom it May Concern,

This letter is an endorsement of the candidacy of Alexander Cooke, running for Mayor of Juno Beach.

I supported Mr. Cooke when he successfully ran for Town Council. During his tenure on the Council, he has consistently demonstrated his honesty and integrity. His voting record demonstrates he cares for the best interests of the Town.

His accomplishment to date:

· Supported and expedited the Universe Project at no cost to homeowners.

· Fixed the Commercial/Residential Zoning Codes to protect our town from overdevelopment.

· Supported the Financial Audit Committee for transparency of tax dollar usage.

· Fixed the Town email system. Emails now go directly to Council members.

· Stopped the proposed Events Center, preserving open spaces.

· Hired new Town Auditors assuring competent CPAs working on Town Finances.

His opponent’s recent mailer will lead you to believe the opposite of the truth. Mayor Cooke has stood against overdevelopment and opposed the code that allowed the major project on Donald Ross, which his opponent voted for. She claims he is a pro development, which I find suspect. Don’t believe the falsehood in her negative campaign.

A vote for Mayor Cooke will insure Juno Beach will not be overdeveloped and he will protect and defend the character of Juno Beach.

I endorse Alex Cooke for mayor of Juno Beach because of his strong leadership, willingness to listen to residents and, his understanding of the key issues facing our town. 

During his time on council, and particularly over the past year as mayor, Alex has shown tremendous leadership by standing up to other members of council when they vote against the wishes of residents. Alex thoroughly understands the key issues facing Juno Beach and has the professional background to ensure sound fiscal decisions are made. 

We wholeheartedly endorse Alexander Cooke for Juno Beach Mayor. Alexander brings to the position a strong background in finance, a love for our town and a passion to make Juno Beach a great place to raise his kids. 

I have known Alex well for a couple of years. I have interfaced with him on P&Z issues, town events, we have discussed goals for the town, for our families, our careers. I have seen Alex work with the wind at this back and also with some very difficult challenges laid down in front of him. His integrity has never faltered, not even for an instant. He is thoughtful, kind and fair minded and one of the most honest men I have ever met. We need Alex Cooke to remain as Mayor.  Nancy Wolf

 We are proud to support Mayor Cooke for re-election. 

He has worked hard on issues important to the Town of Juno Beach such as slowing residential development and traffic control. People in the community are tired of seeing a good man and his family negatively attacked. It should be noted that he does not take a salary for his position and he is not being supported by funding coming from outside our town. Plus, he is already held to a higher standard (than the other candidates) because of the business he is in. 

Sandy and Ed Leonard from the Sea Oats Community