Marsha Matson is running for Palmetto Bay Village Council District 3.
She has lived in Palmetto Bay for 27 years, seven years near Old Cutler Road, and 20 years close to Downtown Palmetto Bay. She graduated with a history major and education minor from Kent State University, a master’s degree in political science from Kent State, and a PhD in political science and public administration from Northern Illinois University. She retired from the University of Miami in 2012 after 22 years of teaching. She raised her children in the village and sent her son to Coral Reef Elementary and both children to Southwood Middle and Palmetto High School.
All candidates were asked the following questions:
Q. If elected, what would you do in the first 100 days?
A. “I intend to rewrite the zoning code to encourage reasonable development, repair the Coral Reef Park Rec Building, promote Veterans Park, initiate thoughtful street-tree trimming and replacement, plan for canal stabilization and safety, expand the free commuter park-and-ride, promote kids sports, explore village school buses for Palmetto Bay children attending Palmetto Bay schools, closely tie citizens’ advisory committees’ recommendations to village council decisions, stop the budget-busting mega-center, develop a Friend’s program for home-bound seniors, prepare for sea level rise, and encourage an attractive village center with retail stores, restaurants, markets, townhouses, and offices that serve residents’ needs.”
Q. What motivated you to run for office?
A. “The reason for incorporating 15 years ago was to finally have a ‘local government close to the people.’ I am running for village council to help our village fulfill that promise. While I am campaigning door-to-door, residents have shared their great disappointment with the village’s pursuit of high-density development, which inevitably produces more unwanted traffic. They fervently want to maintain the beautiful, peaceful family-oriented character of Palmetto Bay. I am motivated to run for village council because, like other residents, I want to preserve our unique and precious quality of life.”
Q. Why do you think you would be the best candidate for the position?
A. “I am the best candidate for District 3 because (1) I know government. I taught government at the University of Miami for 22 years. (2) I know business. I am an arbiter for the financial industry. (3) I know Palmetto Bay. From the 1990s to the present, I have participated in many aspects of the village, including making zoning decisions and co-authoring a Palmetto Bay history booklet for our 15th birthday. (4) In a humble and sentimental way, I regard myself as a devoted “parent” of our young village. I want to make our hometown the best it can be.”
— By Gary Alan Ruse
