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SEAT B

Mohamed Abdalla

    Personal: 24; bachelor’s degree in business administration, 2011; near completion on master’s in the same field of study, both at Lynn University; single, no children.

    Professional: Graduate and evening admission counselor at Lynn University.

    Political experience: Worked on political campaign for Rhode Island Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis.

    Position on issues: Promises to be honest about spending and open about where a residents’ tax money goes, showing how the money spent will directly benefit them. Wants to streamline the permit process for small-business owners and entrepreneurs to help the city grow economically. Hopes to fill 5 percent to 8 percent of the city’s vacant office space by partnering with the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, and says the partnership also will bring tourism to Boca Raton. Supports anything that will create smart economic growth. Says residents want to see culture, and developing that right in the heart of the city will greatly benefit all community members.

    Quote: “We all are in it together; let’s bring Boca Raton back to its roots.”

Craig Ehrnst

    Personal: 49; bachelor’s and master’s in business administration, University of Michigan; married, three children.

    Professional: More than 25 years in Finance and Treasury at ExxonMobil, Ryder and NCCI. Presently treasurer at NCCI in Boca Raton. Served as president of Peninsula Corporate Park Association for 10 years and on his homeowners association board for three terms.

    Political experience: Former chair and three-year member of city’s Financial Advisory Board. No prior elective experience.

    Position on issues: Wants to use a portion of the existing $5 million business incentive fund to hire a person to target specific employers. Wants the city to take a time-out on development to be sure the infrastructure can support the more than 2,000 rental units now rising downtown. To solve downtown parking problems, would raise meter rates in the short term and encourage businesses to offer discounts to offset the increase, and long term would build a parking garage. Says Boca Raton needs better leadership and a change.

    Quote: “The best candidate will demonstrate three things: 1) leadership, 2) knowledge and 3) trust. Look closely, and the choice will be easy.  Put residents first!”

Eric Gooden

    Personal: 25; Currently a senior at Lynn University pursuing a bachelor’s in criminal justice, also has certificate in television and radio production from Specs Howard School of Media Arts in Southfield, Mich.; single.

    Professional: Intern in Washington, D.C., office of U.S. Rep. Sandy Levin (D-Mich.); intern, state Rep. Mark Pafford (D-West Palm Beach).

    Political experience: President, College Democrats.

    Position on issues: One of his highest priorities is to work to generate quality, high-paying jobs by encouraging a stable, business-friendly environment in the city to attract college graduates. Wants to implement smart growth and development that will preserve the beaches, parks and neighborhoods. Will encourage citizen engagement in all decision-making processes.

    Quote:  “What we have to do ... is to find a way to celebrate our diversity and debate our differences without fracturing our communities.”

Michael Mullaugh (incumbent)

    Personal: 73; bachelor’s degree and juris doctor from Duquesne University; married, one daughter, one stepson, three grandchildren.

    Professional: Former senior officer of the trust department of a major commercial bank. Estates and trust lawyer. Past president of HOA, of a country club and of a large social service agency that supports seniors in Palm Beach County.

    Political experience: Appointed to complete the term of a councilman who resigned, elected in 2011 and running for re-election this year.

    Position on issues: Says the council must focus on responsible economic development to expand the tax base and permit Boca Raton to continue as a sustainable, full-service city, which can be accomplished by filling the million-plus square feet of vacant office space rather than by new development. Says his votes for innovative zoning for office parks and tax incentives for businesses helped create and retain 5,200 high-paying jobs with 2,500 on the horizon. Wants to convene a series of public meetings focused on future development downtown. Wants to provide adequate parking downtown though shared parking, new parking options and other planned mobility alternatives. Says traffic, especially on Glades Road, is a challenge but the Spanish River interchange being built on I-95 will greatly alleviate congestion.

    Quote:  “Retain me on Seat B and I will continue to be the mature, experienced voice of common sense on the City Council.” 

SEAT D

Yaniv Alcalay

    Personal: 40; attended Hofstra University and Florida Atlantic University; divorced, two children.

    Professional: Corporate finance.

    Political experience: No prior elective experience. Past president of the Boca Central Rotary; financial chairman of Boy Scout district that includes Boca Raton; assistant water polo coach at St. Andrews and Suncoast High School; volunteer for George Snow Scholarship Fund, Mae Volen Food for the Needy, Place of Hope (Haven Campus)

    Position on issues: Wants to maintain quality of life by keeping fire and police departments up to date, funded and ensure their needs are met. Says smart traffic decisions will enhance transportation, bicycling and sidewalks. Says Boca Raton can lower taxes, create more jobs and maintain essential city services. Wants to attract new businesses and good-paying jobs through sensible and smart development decisions.

    Quote: “I love Boca Raton, it is my home. I am a father and I am a businessman. I want to make the difference I know I can achieve.”

Rosetta V. Bailey

    Personal: 75; bachelor’s degree in business, La Roche College in Pittsburgh; married.

    Professional: Mortgage broker, former regional manager for PNC Bank in Western Pennsylvania.

    Political experience: Successfully lobbied the Boca Raton City Council to withdraw from the Seven/50 Plan Partnership, a South Florida regional planning effort. As Palm Beach County representative for Agenda 21 Enders, has presented seminars from Jacksonville Beach to Pembroke Pines on the United Nations plan for development, which the group says usurps individual property rights. Opened a campaign for incumbent Frank Barbieri’s School Board seat in 2012 but withdrew before the election.

    Position on issues: Wants limited government, local decision-making and more transparency in decisions by elected officials. Says she stands for property rights, representative government and fiscal responsibility.

    Quote: “Saving one neighborhood at a time.”

Robert Weinroth

    Personal: 61; bachelor’s in business administration, Northeastern University; juris doctor, New England School of Law; married, four sons.

    Professional: President and general counsel of Freedom Medical Services Inc., a medical supply company he and his wife founded in Boca Raton. Guardian ad litem. Member of Rotary Club of Boca Raton, South Palm Beach County Jewish Federation, Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce; past president of two homeowner associations.

    Political experience: Member of the city’s Elder Affairs Advisory Board in 2013. Ran unsuccessfully for county property appraiser in 2012.

    Position on issues: Says now more than ever the city needs to strongly regulate growth, deal with traffic challenges and prioritize economic sustainability through appropriately balanced budgets. Supports a regular review of development impacts, and promises to lead the way on mobility innovation to reduce congestion.

    Quote: “Great things happen when we focus on results, not who gets the credit.”

Polls are open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. March 11. For information, visit www.pbcelections.org.

Compiled by Steve Plunkett/The Coastal Star