Three candidates seek two seats on Barefoot Bay Recreation District's board of trustees
Two seats on the Barefoot Bay Recreation District's board of trustees are contested this year, with three candidates running. That is the governing body that oversees municipal management for the South Brevard County community.
The board is made up of five members, who are elected to two-year terms, without term limits, to govern the unincorporated, deed-restricted manufactured home community and recreation district. Board members are volunteers, and don't receive a salary.
Barefoot Bay board members are elected at-large, meaning all constituents are able to vote for all trustees across the community, rather than voting by district for the five-member board, which includes a chairperson, a first vice chair, a second vice chair, a treasurer and a secretary.
Incumbent Jeff Grunow currently serves on the board as secretary. He is vying for one of two available seats against two other candidates, Luann Henderson and Elaine Van Berschot.
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There will be one polling places in Barefoot Bay, at the Barefoot Bay Building A, 625 Barefoot Blvd. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 7.
Here are details about the candidates and what they said about the major issues. (Grunow and Henderson did not provide photos.)
Barefoot Bay Recreation District's board of trustees
(Vote for two)
Jeff Grunow (incumbent)
Age: 69
Occupation: Retired assistant professor in emergency health care science (paramedic). Retired U.S. Air Force Reserve flight nurse (colonel, 22 years).
Education: Bachelor of Science in nursing (Widener College). Master of Science in nursing (Penn). Certificate, Air War College (U.S. Air Force)
How many years have you lived in Barefoot Bay? 6½ years
Political/government/civic experience: Barefoot Bay Recreation District Violations Committee, 2017-20; BBRD Bid Committee, 2020; BBRD trustee (finished Roger Compton’s term), 2020-21; BBRD DOR Revision Committee, 2022; BBRD trustee (finished Mike Mino’s term), 2022-23.
Campaign email: jrgrunow54@aol.com
In 100 words or less, what are the top two to three issues in Barefoot Bay, and what specific actions will you take to address them if elected?
Barefoot Bay faces three major issues: aging infrastructure, state minimum wage impacts, changing demographics.
The Bay was developed almost 50 years ago, so electrical, plumbing, roofs and HVAC are failing. I will triage the highest projects first, keeping in mind ADA requirements.
The state-mandated minimum wage is a challenge. We’ll have to adapt the budget to this and the issues of wage compression.
Last, the Bay is attracting younger families. We need to look at facilities and activities favorable to youth. For example, the basketball courts need serious renovation. If the budget permits, possibly hire a part-time youth director.
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Luann E. Henderson
Age: 75
Occupation: Medical bookkeeper, 29 years. Clerk at the Barefoot Bay golf course.
Education: Bachelor of Science, mathematics/computer science
How many years have you lived in Barefoot Bay: 24
Political/government/civic experience: Former Barefoot Bay trustee (two years)
Campaign email: fairway209@aol.com
In 100 words or less, what are the top two to three issues in Barefoot Bay, and what specific actions will you take to address them if elected?
One of the biggest problems right now is the staff morale. I’d like to lighten the load.
Part of the problem as a small community is the minimum wage requirement is crushing us. We need to find a way to get more money into the coffers.
The infrastructure is 50 years old. We need to do something about that.
We can’t do everything, so it’s about prioritizing.
Elaine Van Berschot
Age: 72
Occupation: Dorm director for North Central College in Naperville, Illinois.
Nonprofit organization, DuPage MYM. After two years with the program, I was hired as an employee and served as their program director. In this position, we grew from two sites in DuPage County to over eight sites, becoming a premier nonprofit and won many recognition awards. Our small budget grew tenfold, as well as the numbers of parents that were being served.
How many years have you lived Barefoot Bay: Owned home since 2003. Full-time retirement in Barefoot Bay since 2014
Political/government/civic experience: A board member of the Homeowners Association Executive Board; serve on the Civic Volunteer Organization of Barefoot Bay as the president.
I serve on the Civic Volunteer Organization of Barefoot Bay as the president. This organization provides for resources for the community needs, such as: smoke detector program; Helping Hands; Safe at Home; house number program; senior lunch and van program; quarterly health and education forums; Deck the Halls; biannual car shows; holiday community dinners; cancer drives; entertainment and co-chairs of Barefoot By the Lake, Music, Art and Food Festival.
Currently, I am president of the festival and I share the chairmanship with Kathy Mendes, the food and beverage manager.
I have also managed two winning candidates for Barefoot Bay trustees.
I believe my involvement and love of Barefoot Bay shines for itself.
Campaign email: evanberschot6@yahoo.com
In 100 words or less, what are the top two to three issues in Barefoot Bay, and what specific actions will you take to address them if elected?
All elections for the position of Barefoot Bay trustee are nonpartisan. The trustees must work collectively as an elected body to provide the best for the homeowner and residents needs.
This requires logic, common sense and a feel for the pulse of the community. This is what I believe I bring to Barefoot Bay.
In times of intense situations or decisions, i.e., budget, projects or activities that affect the Bay, a mind that will listen to all sides, and comes with no hidden agenda is an asset to the board.
Tyler Vazquez is the North Brevard and Brevard County Government Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Vazquez at 321-917-7491 or tvazquez@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @tyler_vazquez
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Barefoot Bay has three candidates seeking two seats on governing board
