Zone 1 Commission candidate Judy Reiker sends olive branch to unions for support

Courtesy photo. Judy Reiker addresses the Republican Club of Southeast Volusia during a recent luncheon about her candidacy for the Zone 1 seat on the New Smyrna Beach City Commission against incumbent Randy Richenberg and fellow challenger Frank Dalton Jr..

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Judy Reiker went 1 for 3 among the pre-primary endorsements for Zone 1 commissioner, winning the support of the Southeast Volusia Board of Realtors while being bypassed by the police and fire unions, which went for incumbent Randy Richenberg.

Regardless, Reiker extended an olive branch to the unions saying she hopes to win support of individual union members and would work hard to win their collective support if elected.

If she finishes in the top two and neither gets 50 percent plus 1 vote, then she'll have more time to try and gain more support. The third candidate in the race is Frank Dalton Jr.

"Even though I was not endorsed by the firefighters, I did come away from the interview with an understanding and appreciation of their passion for their jobs and honest concern for those whom they help," she said, adding she felt the same way about the police officers. "I would work together with them and extend the same fairness and cooperation as with any other group."

Reiker said she believes the commission could use an infusion of new faces, even though her incumbent opponent, the mayor and the other contested commission seat are occupied by those seated for four years.

"As we face different challenges in our city due to the national recession, we need different leadership with different skills to meet those challenges," said Reiker, 57. "A change in leadership is not a bad thing, but rather a healthy thing and reflects the original design of our founding fathers. I believe that we can achieve a level of prosperity by simply placing the city in position to receive it. And then aggressively look for and attract opportunities to increase that prosperity for our citizens, in order to bring in jobs and expand our tax base."

Reiker, 57, who runs a title insurance company and has an MBA, said she proposes to do just that by working with the  Chamber of Commerce, "the heartbeat of our business community, to create programs which create coalition among business and government. To steal an idea from the Titusville Chamber, create a 12@12 Luncheon each month and invite the mayor or (a) commissioner and 11 other business people to discuss issues and brainstorm solutions. Resurrect our Economic Development Committee which had been run by the Chamber of Commerce in the past."

This committee could help formulate ideas for developing business in New Smyrna Beach as well as networking with similar groups in neighboring cities and share ideas, she said.

"These times call for strong leadership, fresh perspective and possibly most important - aggressive project and goal management," said Reiker, whose campaign mantra is "All Together Better!"

It is not enough to just have good ideas, Reiker said, adding, "Success is in the follow through. Assign each commissioner to attend city board meetings to serve as liaison, follow their progress, and aid in decision making of that Board, promoting workability and communication between that board and city government. As we all strive together for Coalition, Consensus and Communication between City government, its boards, staff and citizens can help our city to be all together better."