GoToby.com Endorses Nate McLaughlin for County Commissioner
Nate’s land use knowledge and history of public service outshines Bob Abbott’s
Palm Coast, FL – August 5, 2010 – The August 24th Flagler County, FL Election Primary gives voters an opportunity to vote for one of two candidates for the Board of County Commissioners; Nate McLaughlin and one-term incumbent Bob Abbott – Both are Republicans so the winner will be chosen in the primary which is open to voters in all parties. GoToby.com endorses and supports Nate McLaughlin based on his superior record of public service.
GoToby.com is a real estate news website, but real estate and politics rub up against each other. That’s why I’m endorsing Nate while avoiding endorsing candidates in the judicial and school board races. Land use and growth management are among the most important issues that come before County Commissioners. Nate’s experience in that area will prove valuable.
Nate spent five years as a member of the City of Palm Coast’s Planning and Land Use Development Regulation Board (PLDRB). He also chaired the PLDRB. In that capacity, Nate at times disagreed with the city manager and/or staff. He had the fortitude to advance his board’s positions rather than rubber stamping city staff’s recommendations. His firmness of convictions during the development of a new Comprehensive Plan resulted in increased public participation and resulted in a much better plan.
Nate also served as Treasurer for Flagler County Habitat for Humanity, Member of the Business advisory committee to the Flagler County School Board, Member of the American Planning Association, District chair for The Boy Scouts of America, President of the Palm Coast Sunrise Club of Rotary International, Chairman of the Finance Committee for the Flagler county association of Realtors®, and President the Flagler/Palm Coast Civic Association.
Bob Abbott’s own comments in his interview with the Palm Coast Observer shed light on why I believe we need a replacement on the board. When asked to identify the most courageous vote in his service on the board, he responded that it was his "motion to not extend County Administrator Craig Coffey’s contract." Then he went on to explain that it was a mistake because he had listened to people he "knew were rabble rousers" who probably had an axe to grind with Coffey. Abbott also said he was ill informed because "I had not been going to our weekly meetings, and I had not been meeting with him (Coffey)." He concluded, "He’s a good administrator."
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