Victoria Park Candidates’ Forum – with Zalewski speaking

If you can overlook that you’ve been let down in the past by the two who served as Commissioners and want to go the line of least resistance by choosing one of them fine.  But if you want to see real change that adds value to the community then you know real change at the top is needed.  That’s where I come in.

Jay Holloway President of the Victori Park Civic Association in a message on page 6, final paragraph of the January 2013 edition of the Victoria Park News, says something that should be a credo for neighborhood organizations everywhere.

“No one ever tears down giant buildings to build quaint tree-covered neighborhoods; it’s always the other way  around.” ………….. “Please be aggressive and vigilant.”

Click to hear Lester speak on the City’s Economy at Victoria Park Forum

Confronting City Hall and its officials can be uncomfortable.   Just as voting for a relative stranger can be when there are one or two more familiar faces to choose from.  But maybe, just maybe some of those uncomfortable confrontations with City officials can be avoided in the future if you elect someone who is sincerely ready to work for you.  I see that as my job.  That’s what you would be paying me to do.

ONLY DAYS TO GO TO VOTE FOR THE BOTTOM LINE

Establishment candidates are “ALL HAT, NO CATTLE”, Lester Zalewski says, but that he WILL deliver the goods – “I want to look to the City’s Bottom Line, so I’m asking YOU to look to the BOTTOM LINE OF THE BALLOT JAN 15 and vote Zalewski”.

Zalewski is renown for his focused, can-do management style where he has delivered complex projects on time, time after time, through his condo management company.

People believe he is the right person to help the City Commission turn around peoples’ lives in Fort Lauderdale. Many people are saying “tough times need tough leaders” like Zalewski.

Some see this self-made millionaire as the “Ross Perot of Fort Lauderdale”.

Lester Zalewski, candidate for Fort Lauderdale City Commission – District 2 – took the lead in the public’s imagination January 2011 when his creative high impact political campaign launched with 30 second TV spots on FOX NEWS, MSNBC, CNN, GOLF CHANNEL, ESPN like this one – http://youtu.be/EUJ9KKjO6PM

There also are posters in high traffic locations on the beach A1A and Victoria Park to promote background awareness of his platform – “good neighbors make good neighborhoods”.

Back in May 2010 he asked the Fort Lauderdale City Commission to link the Bahia Mar and International Swimming Hall of Fame – to raise the project to a world class level. – (see video). And here he is using his position on the dais as Vice President of the Central Beach Alliance telling Mayor Jack Seiler “the PEOPLE, not the establishment”, want the International Swimming Hall of Fame contract re-bid – http://youtu.be/xwHhJGXlTK4

There are associated 30 second spots cut from this humorous You Tube video that you may have seen on MSNBC, CNN or Fox News or other stations -http://youtu.be/QksVc_fiE14

Now he is running for election to the Fort Lauderdale City Commission, District II.

Meanwhile Lester Zalewski has debated the other three “status quo” candidates as he calls them, and walks through the neighborhoods of District 2 listening to the concerns of residents from Victoria Park to south Middle River to Fort Lauderdale Beach where he is the Vice President of the Central Beach Alliance.

He has won the firm support of former Florida Attorney General candidate Frederick Goldstein and Central Beach Alliance Co-Founder, international adman and bestselling author C.J. Beck.

“IF Lester has one fault, it’s his selflessness. He puts other folks way above himself. Just like Commissioner Tim Smith did. Many politicians don’t do that,” said Beck.

Beck is referring to Former Commissioner Tim Smith, author of the political bio POLITICS 101. He represented District 2 for six years until 2004 and ran for Mayor losing to the twenty year incumbent Jim Naugle. Smith introduced term limits and reduced the maximum donors could contribute from $500.00 to $250.00.

Political Campaign Website www.lesterz.com

You don’t have to learn how to say “ZALEWSKI”. Just remember to VOTE for him JANUARY 15 and then you can call him “COMMISSIONER”.

VOTE THE BOTTOM LINE JAN 15.

Look for that Voters’ Registration Card NOW so January 15 you can really make a difference.

VOTE FOR YOUR BOTTOM LINE ON THE BOTTOM LINE OF THE BALLOT JAN 15.

Tough times need tough leaders.

http//:www.lesterz.com/

THE 350

Once we were strangers. Brought together by a common desire for real leadership and real change in city government.

As many of you are now calling in and contacting me by e-mail, our group is in a position to become a powerful voice in shaping Fort Lauderdale’s future.

Join up with two of your good friends who share your vision – then in turn ask them to call on two friends or work colleagues. Together we can determine our future in District II and Fort Lauderdale.

Reach out to us and tell us what you want to happen in your neighborhood.

In three short months, we need to take District II back from the status quo.  All three opposing candidates represent the special interests of the status quo not people like you and me.  January 15, VOTE the Bottom Line of the ballot and vote Zalewski.

I am Lester Zalewski, and I thank you for your support.

To arrange a meeting in you neighborhood or inform Lester of your concerns e-mail LZfortlauderdale@gmail.com or write :-

Lester Zalewski – P.O. Box 2203 – Fort Lauderdale – Florida 33303-2203

THE 350

Once we were strangers. Brought together by a common desire for real leadership and real change in city government.

As many of you are now calling in and contacting me by e-mail, our group is in a position to become a powerful voice in shaping Fort Lauderdale’s future.

Join up with two of your good friends who share your vision – then in turn ask them to call on two friends or work colleagues. Together we can determine our future in District II and Fort Lauderdale.

Reach out to us and tell us what you want to happen in your neighborhood.

In three short months, we need to take District II back from the status quo.  All three opposing candidates represent the special interests of the status quo not people like you and me.  January 15, VOTE the Bottom Line of the ballot and vote Zalewski.

I am Lester Zalewski, and I thank you for your support.

To arrange a meeting in you neighborhood or inform Lester of your concerns e-mail LZfortlauderdale@gmail.com or write :-

Lester Zalewski – P.O. Box 2203 – Fort Lauderdale – Florida 33303-2203

Tim Smith runs a very popular community blog in Fort Lauderdale. Not surprising. He was a very popular City Commissioner. He wouldn’t accept donations higher that $25.00 and term-limited himself out of office when there were no term limit

While in office, he introduced term limits and helped lower political donations. After leaving office, in 2004 he wrote the local bestseller – POLITICS 101: I’ve been robbed, mugged, blackmailed and ignored, so I got elected and made a difference.

Tim Smith's Political Bio now on Amazon Kindle

Smith’s old City district, District II, is represented by Charlotte Rodstrom, wife of Broward County Supervisior John Rodstrom. She’s about to embark on her third and final term.  Then she’ll run for Mayor unless her husband persuades her to go for Broward County Commissioner.

Lester Zalewski studied Smith’s humorous handbook and within 60 days created a group of 364 like minded folk who want real leadership and real change in Fort Lauderdale.  People who want Vision and Value to be part of the process.  Not politics as usual.

Here are the three questions that Citizen Journalist Tim Smith posed and Zalewski’s answers that are also available at – http://blog.timsmith.com

1.) What made you run, what makes you say that the current Commissioner needs to be replaced?

I want to give back to the place I’ve called home for fourteen years. I’ve served overseas in our military (combat engineers). I’ve served on the boards of my condominium and on the Central Beach Alliance where I encouraged more inclusiveness and consensus. That’s my goal on City Commission too. When times were good and we needed to slow down six years back, our current commissioner was the right choice. Now times are tough, we need a can-do guy. Someone tough enough to roll their sleeves up and get the growth back. My twenty-five hard-scrabble years growing a million dollar business from scratch makes me the right choice now. A good neighbor who will fight for good neighborhoods in every part of District 2.

2.) What would your agenda be if elected?  ( “In 2015 ?” – admin.)

I don’t need to tell people times are tough. There is going to be an increasingly competitive environment for investment and government dollars.

Economic development and re-development is key to all the neighborhoods of Fort Lauderdale. We need to make Fort Lauderdale a more attractive place to invest, work, learn and play in. I want to encourage responsible re-development. Our building developers need to be good neighbors and beautify and add value to our neighborhoods. There are great examples of local developers who are showing the way already.

It’s not just about compatible, responsible building re-development. It’s also about bringing in new industry – new jobs – fresh skills, that will boost our economy all year round – not just when the tourists and boaters are here. I want to expand Mayor Seiler’s campaign for citizen involvement. We need to increase not just volunteers’ hours but the quality of input. I’ve spoken at City Commission and committee and I’ve seen we can make better use of volunteers’ time. But we need to incentivize them – show them that we will act on their input. Committees need to be more than mere talking shops.

We need to improve our meeting skills. And the City Commission needs to show our community leaders that their words have value and will lead to action. We need a vision for the long term too. One that will prepare us for the competition to our marine and tourism industry from cities in the US and overseas. One that will prepare us for the great challenges in the years ahead. I don’t see that leadership in our master plan. It will be if I’m elected City Commissioner.

3.) The beach area residents have been conflicted about growth on the beach for some time. What are the issues there, and specifically what would you do about beach redevelopment if elected?

District II is far more than the beach, just as Fort Lauderdale is far more than just District II.

Everybody should enjoy the beach. It is also an important economic engine for the city.

But let’s not forget those areas that are currently being neglected. Walk or cycle the streets and you’ll see abandoned vacant lots – an entire community with no supermarket – unsafe sidewalks – unsafe bike lanes – historic buildings at threat. Send me your list. If elected I will do my best to build consensus to take care of it.

E-mail me – lesterzalewski@yahoo.com

When a group of you want to meet, let me know and we’ll schedule a meeting where you’ll do the talking. I’m going to meet as many of you as possible and hear what concerns you most. Help even the odds of the opposition’s big budget and well-oiled political machine and pass on copies of this letter to friends who vote.

There are people who live in Fort Lauderdale all year round who want to enjoy their neighborhoods day and night, and not walk in fear of being panhandled, mugged or stolen from in their cars or homes.

Good neighbors can make for good neighborhoods.

On the beach I want more consultation and mixed-use thinking so people don’t have to drive over a bridge every time to get supplies.

The people should be properly consulted on proposals like the Walgreen’s on Las Olas at the beach or the one-bid International Hall of Fame project or linking it to the Bahia Mar development so all of Fort Lauderdale can benefit.

Everybody needs to be involved. Not just the special interests. Our right to determine the future of our neighborhoods is being lost.

Don’t throw your neighborhood away. Make your voice count. Make a note to vote January 15, 2013. We can be the City Commissioners’ eyes and ears between elections – but Commissioners will take our vote for granted unless we shake ‘em up next month. Show ‘em you care. Make your vote matter. Or it’ll be business as usual.

Good neighbors can make for good neighborhoods. A good neighbor gives back and votes. The first step forward is to vote for me, Lester Zalewski, January 15.

GREAT  FEEDBACK FROM TIM SMITH’s BLOG as of December 20, 2012- Contact us.  Let’s make a difference.

Jackie Butzen wrote December 20th 2012:
I have known Lester Zalewski for 33 years, and worked with him for 32 of those years.
His devotion to his ideals are outstanding in their tenacity.

Lester’s motto, during negotiations with municipal park district’s, including the City of Chicago, was “Never accept NO for an answer. Preserve in the negotiation process until an amenable solution is arrived at for all parties”.

The results of this perseverance were three (3) park district contracts, where NO was the initial reaction from those municipalities. Those contracts were one of the facets of our million dollar business.
Another facet, is Lester’s pursuit of excellence which garnered several industry awards including “Dealer of the Year,” for the products we carried.

Lester, also, became a father figure to some of the young people we employed. They appreciate the education and work ethic received under Lester’s tutelage so much that they remain in contact to this day.
Lester is a teacher, administrator, and businessman with a determination towards excellence, who loves your beach and community. He will serve it, and you, well.

12/5/2011 12:18 PM Bill Ford wrote:
Sounds pretty reasonable to me. Does anyone know this fellow?
Reply to this
12/5/2011 2:42 PM Raymond Dettmann wrote:
Lester, If your Elected and you had to Vote four or against a destination casino on the barrier island what would be your Vote ?
Reply to this
12/8/2011 7:32 AM Lester Zalewski wrote:
Over the past fourteen years I have been frequently reminded by Commissioners that they can not consider matters not currently before them. It interferes with the process. In this case you are asking a hypothetical that is unlikely to come before us during the first term. As FDR once said to the White House press corps. “I will answer any question, except those that begin with the word ‘if’”. The Commission will need to confront many hard challenges over the next three years. Let’s confine the discussion to them. Next question.
Reply to this
12/5/2011 8:44 PM Adam Regan wrote:
Owns a local condo management company. Been on CBA board a few years.

When CBA was down to two people he nominated John Weaver as President rather than himself. No debate.

Next, it was his idea to include CBA expert members like Sadler James to act as “board liaisons”. For another example see http://www.linkedin.com/pub/fred-carlson/1a/44/a25 Activist Fred Carlson’s current title is “CBA liaison to City Government at Central Beach Alliance of Fort Lauderdale” on his Linked In page.

Record shows Zalewski is “consensus seeking and inclusive”.
Reply to this
12/6/2011 3:37 PM Kyle wrote:
“The people should be properly consulted on proposals like the Walgreen’s on Las Olas at the beach or the one-bid International Hall of Fame project or linking it to the Bahia Mar development so all of Fort Lauderdale can benefit. Everybody needs to be involved.”

What does this mean? How are you going to ‘involve everybody?’
Reply to this
12/8/2011 8:30 AM Lester Zalewski wrote:
Everyone should be consulted on important decisions that will affect their daily lives. That is the right thing to do.

And it’s been proven that if a group of people pool their ideas, they more often come up with a better solution than if one person goes it alone.

I don’t believe that a pooling of all the good ideas out there has happened yet on these issues. Or that the Commission has been listening to us. I will engage my colleagues, and encourage them to listen and be more inclusive.

I’m on the record on these issues. For example, there’s a short video of me speaking at the City Commission on linking Bahia Mar/HOF at http://youtu.be/mM0pef4Vlek
Reply to this
12/7/2011 12:11 PM Ronald Jervicious wrote:
I have personally been to many Central Beach Alliance meetings and Commission meetings and I know at the very least Lester is very knowledgable on the beach issues and the inner workings between the city and the beach. He has spoken on several critical issues (Parking, green space, reasonable development etc.) and I have to admit that he knows his stuff. He may not always be entirely agreeable with others but right about now a challenge to the powers that be might not be a bad thing. It seems incumbents will do just about anything to get re-elected and Lester seems to come from a place of integrity and concern for the issues of the beach. A bit of fresh air in my humble opinion.

Ronald J.
Reply to this
12/10/2011 3:11 PM David Hebert wrote:
I’m supporting Lester and I agree with Ray, let’s end the PAVE Program, too much money being spent!!
Reply to this
12/12/2011 3:36 PMCityActivist Robert Walsh wrote:
Wow what a joch theee David hebert not endorsing Charlotte ? She hated you guys david(i tried) Told gretsas on more than one occasion he would never beat her. Soooo this is where i can find you Mr.Hebert huh?/ Don’t let george catch you….
Reply to this
12/12/2011 4:17 PMMatt wrote:
Lester, what do you mean exactly by “responsible development?” I am sitting looking at this empty Trump Tower building right in front of my window. Incredible, a completely abandoned building on prime Fort Lauderdale beach front real estate. What would you suggest we do about the stalled development on the beach? Any chance of making the beach more bike friendly and less congested with high rises? It might actually attract more quality visitors to Fort Lauderdale in the long run. What do you think?
Reply to this
12/12/2011 4:22 PMMatt wrote:
I will say one thing. I have known Lester for a number of years and I know about his involvement in the beach alliance and local area. He is engaged and rather selfless in his approach. He puts the project ahead of his own agenda always. This is not something new for him. I would feel good about having somebody like Lester involved with city decisions.We need more people who have the “big picture” in local government.
Reply to this
12/12/2011 11:30 PM Ralph Riehl wrote:
Good to see David Hebert getting involve, we miss you David.How’s George? Things have changed since you guys left. No one answers my calls and we’re still having issues on the beach. I’m supporting Lester too!!

www.lesterz.com