Dixie Spehar's petite, quiet demeanor belies her McCarty-McCoy heritage. That's the same McCoy of the infamous Irish battle between the Hatfield and McCoy clans.
"My parents immigrated from Ireland to the US and in spite of what most people say, I know firsthand that fight wasn't over a pig; it was over a woman," clarifies Spehar, the Republican candidate for District 1 County Commissioner— the seat currently held by longtime incumbent Wilhelmina Harvey.
"I have an Irish temper behind me, and while I will always do my homework and negotiate to resolve a problem, don't back me into a corner," she said.
Facts, m'aam, just the facts seem to be missing from more than Irish legends. Spehar says she knows how to get all her ducks in a row, and she'll bring facts to the county commissioner's seat.
"Most of the commissioners try to do right, but some of them rely too heavily on staff, which results in decisions that are uninformed," says Spehar. "If you do it right, this isn't a part-time job."
For five years, Spehar was the aid to Commissioner Harvey. She says that experience, coupled with her keen observations have prepped her for the position. She wants the job because she's concerned about a number of issues facing the Keys, including the issues of wastewater and storm water.
"I feel strongly about the federal and state mandates that have been laid on us, and I want to make sure people like me can afford to live here four years from now. Most of us are on close budgets, and just because you work two jobs doesn't mean there's an extra $50 for taxes," she said. "Resolving the storm water issue will be more expensive than the one we're currently facing with wastewater, and we need financial help from the government.
"To get financial aid, disjointed efforts and distrust have to funnel into a strong approach through commissioners who must bring the municipalities together. If every key incorporates, the county commission will still be here. The role will just be different; the main service will be to make the municipalities cohesive. We'll be commissioners at large.
"a commissioner is one-fifth a vote for all the Keys. I will really represent all the districts, and I hakey, and I will listen to the people who haven't always been listened to in the past. I will get my facts straight," said Spehar.
Because there are many environmental issues throughout the Keys, Spehar says she will work toward community town hall meetings wherein the commissioners "hash out the issues in public. We can have adult conversations," she insists. "Growth is the driving force behind all the environmental issues, and while the Carrying Capacity Study is already outdated and flawed, we can still use it as a tool to aid decisions.
"The state owns more than 95-percent of Monroe County, and it needs to take some responsibility here, too. But first, we have to show Tallahassee we can balance growth and the environment; that we can make sound decisions when tourist rights vs. property rights.
"I'm confident I can do this, and my campaign efforts have renewed by faith in the people who live here. They are truly committed to their communities and neighbors," said Spehar. "They want to protect the environment and like me, they want to live here all their lives."