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Carolyn Cooper gets kicks from hard jobs

Winter Park City Commission candidate Carolyn Cooper has been on so many municipal committees that she is an old friend in City Hall. Elegant Carolyn has been a business executive in many important positions, in many important organizations.

Louis: Why be a City Commissioner?

Carolyn: Because like most people, I love the charm and uniqueness of Winter Park. I'm up against an opponent who's the ninth-biggest developer in Central Florida. I have served with my opponent on the Comprehensive Plan Task Force, and I think his vision is not that of the majority of our Winter Park citizens.

L: Your qualifications are …?

C: Former Director of Contracts for Martin Marietta Data Systems—negotiating complex contracts valued up to $450M: Earlier, U.S. Air Force civilian financial and program manager /in Israel: Cost schedule control & zero based budgeting training from the Air Force Institute of Technology: USC: Masters degree in Systems Management: And a good dose of common sense, I have the skills to navigate through financially challenging times. As member: WP Comp. Growth Mgmt. Plan Task Force and P&Z Commission, I know how our city runs!

L: A three-word description of you as City Commissioner:

C: 1. Independent, 2. Transparent, 3. Knowledgeable. Most important is independent. I will never benefit from any decision I make as your commissioner.

L: The three main Winter Park issues are:

C: 1. Protect Park Avenue's and Central Park's unique charms. 2. Without increasing taxes, maintain services despite economic downturn. 3. Healing our community. I hope my respect for the law, transparency and openness will renew citizens' trust.

L: You're often called "anti-development" — your response?

C: The TRUTH: I am proud to say I recognized that the Carlisle was not in keeping with our downtown character. I was "anti"-Carlisle, a building the size of two football fields adjacent to Central Park. That is where the anti-development rhetoric comes from. By the way, did I mention my opponent voted to allow that project? I have voted FOR: Increased land (600 acres of commercial property) and building sizes (up to eight stories) where needed along W. Fairbanks and I-4.

L: You are accused of being "anti-commuter rail." — your response?

C: I understand what it means to be a representative of the people. Last year the citizens of Winter Park voted to allow a commuter rail stop in Winter Park. As your representative, I will support the commuter rail stop in Winter Park. I will seek to identify a dedicated funding source and work to ensure that citizens of Winter Park do not pay more than our fair share of our commuter rail operations and maintenance costs.

L: The biggest differences between you and your opponent?

C: 1. Our vision for the downtown area: I voted to enhance and invest in Winter Park's character by allowing two-story heights on Park Avenue and around Central Park. I opposed the Carlisle, seeing it as incompatible with Winter Park's character. As chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, my opponent voted to allow the Carlisle, a four-story building the size of two football fields adjacent to Central Park. 2. Our respect for process: He voted for local laws that circumvented our comprehensive plan and granted special privileges to a select few. The result were buildings in our downtown area that are totally incompatible with Winter Park's character. I believe the laws should be applied equally to all people and should not be circumvented.

L: Budgets concern taxpayers. How do you protect taxpayers' pocketbooks?

C: We are in tough economic times. While we are much better off than surrounding cities, we are not immune to what is happening around us. As we move forward it will be necessary to examine each cost center to reduce costs, identify new revenue sources and protect our existing revenue sources. 75 percent of our property tax revenues come from residential property. We must have clear policies that protect the attributes that make Winter Park unique: our excellent services, our tree canopy, our beautiful neighborhoods, our downtown charm. These are the things that will protect your property values.

L: What's your recommendation re: the post office and its property?

C: The post office retail portion must stay downtown and the city must control the use of this property adjacent to Central Park. I recommend we rezone the majority of the property as "Park" to ensure its future use. I am thrilled that Steve Goldman and the Winter Park Green Space Foundation is focused on raising money to expand the park. As the area redevelops it will be critical to have adequate green space to offset the increases in density. I support that effort.

L: Your ideas for the Winter Park Library's future?

C: The three options I have heard discussed are: 1. Stay in its current position; 2. Move to the post office property; or 3. Move to the corner of Morse and Denning — the State Office Building. I would be comfortable considering either its current location or the state office property. The challenge with relocating to the corner of Morse and Denning is the city's need to generate additional revenues. The challenge with staying in its current location is that it would require a shared parking arrangement with the new Rollins hotel. My decision on this issue would have to include an understanding of whether the current library location would become a permanent taxable property. I don't support the current post office's location because it takes parking away from merchants and creates congestion.

L: Rate the city's responsibility to support Park Avenue and Hannibal Square merchants:

C: It's a very high responsibility. Park Avenue is critical to the brand of Winter Park. I support the recent decision to pursue a Business Improvement District and am comfortable designating a portion of our Community Redevelopment funds to evaluate this possibility.

L: Your feelings and attitudes about "long-range vision?"

C: Winter Park has a long-range vision that is defined in our Commission-adopted and state-approved Comprehensive Growth Management Plan. It addresses all aspects of life in Winter Park from annexations, to guaranteed levels of park lands, to where we allow increased heights and density, and where we maintain stricter controls.

L: Some have seen the Winter Park Comprehensive Plan as "unproductive" — How do you evaluate the plan as it stands?

C: The plan allows a 33 percent increase in the size of 600 acres of commercial properties; 5-8 stories and increased densities on West Fairbanks; and increased density and flexibility of design in specific under-utilized locations along Fairbanks, Orange and Wymore Avenues. It is a very good plan.