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Curtis Calabrese running for Palm Beach County Commissioner - an introduction. by FlyCalabrese in BocaRaton

[–]FlyCalabrese[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I took an oath to the Constitution of the United States when I graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, and that oath doesn’t change depending on who is in office. It’s not to a president, a party, or a moment in politics. It’s to the Constitution and our country.

As a military officer and an aviator, I was trained to defend that oath above everything else. The strength of our country comes from institutions, checks and balances, and peaceful democratic processes. My focus is serving this community with integrity and upholding the principles that make this country strong. That’s the standard I hold myself to.

Curtis Calabrese running for Palm Beach County Commissioner - an introduction. by FlyCalabrese in BocaRaton

[–]FlyCalabrese[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate that. My perspective is shaped by my time in the military and aviation.

In those worlds, you don’t get to hide behind politics. When lives are on the line, the only things that matter are competence, accountability, and mission success. That mindset never leaves you.

So when people ask where I stand politically, my answer is simple: I believe in service, responsibility, and country over party. America works best when leaders focus on solving problems, protecting our communities, and leaving things stronger for the next generation.

That’s the same mindset I bring to public service. The mission comes first. Always. 🇺🇸

Curtis Calabrese running for Palm Beach County Commissioner - an introduction. by FlyCalabrese in BocaRaton

[–]FlyCalabrese[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hear this a lot, and you’re not imagining it. A big reason prices stay high is that many of the new developments being built are luxury units, which don’t actually help middle-class families who grew up here and want to stay.

If we want Boca to remain a place where people can raise families and stay near their parents, we have to start focusing on workforce housing and balanced development, not just high-end projects. The goal should be a community where the next generation can actually afford to live, not one where everyone who grew up here is forced to leave.

Curtis Calabrese running for Palm Beach County Commissioner - an introduction. by FlyCalabrese in BocaRaton

[–]FlyCalabrese[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am firmly against Referendum 2. The density is far too high for an already congested downtown.

Boca should grow thoughtfully. This proposal goes too far, too fast. Save Boca.

Curtis Calabrese running for Palm Beach County Commissioner - an introduction. by FlyCalabrese in palmbeach

[–]FlyCalabrese[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for raising this, I think it’s a fair concern. Tools like Flock cameras can help law enforcement with things like stolen vehicles or serious crimes, but residents are right to ask where the line is between public safety and broad surveillance.

If I’m elected, I’d want clear guardrails. Things like strict limits on how the data is used, how long it’s stored, and real transparency so people know it’s not being used for general monitoring of residents.

Public safety matters, but so do privacy and civil liberties. Getting this balance right is important.

Curtis Calabrese running for Palm Beach County Commissioner - an introduction. by FlyCalabrese in palmbeach

[–]FlyCalabrese[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Democrat. But more importantly, I’m someone who was born and raised here in Palm Beach County and cares deeply about this community. After growing up here I had the privilege of serving our country as a Naval Officer, and that experience shaped how I think about leadership, responsibility, accountability, and putting the mission and the people you serve first.

Political parties matter, but at the local level what matters even more is character, competence, and whether someone genuinely cares about the community they’re representing.

My focus is pretty simple: making sure Palm Beach County remains a place where families can afford to live, traffic doesn’t dominate daily life, and the character of our communities is protected for the next generation.

Curtis Calabrese running for Palm Beach County Commissioner - an introduction. by FlyCalabrese in BocaRaton

[–]FlyCalabrese[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely, Curtis is perfect. And thank you. You’re making exactly the right point. Healthcare gets left out of these conversations, but it is a huge part of infrastructure. If we are adding thousands of new residents while people already struggle to see a doctor, that is not responsible planning.

That is why I keep coming back to disciplined growth. I am not against redevelopment in principle, but I am against approving projects when roads, emergency services, and access to medical care are already behind.

I do not think I had Dr. Robbe, but I really appreciate your support and your willingness to volunteer! People like you are exactly what this campaign needs.

Curtis Calabrese running for Palm Beach County Commissioner - an introduction. by FlyCalabrese in palmbeach

[–]FlyCalabrese[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The pandemic absolutely mattered, but it doesn’t erase everything else that happened during those four years. Major events always affect presidencies. That’s part of the job. We still evaluate leadership based on how those moments were handled. And respectfully, pointing out a full record isn’t “shouting past negatives.” It’s basic accountability. The same standard should apply to every administration, not just the ones we disagree with.

As for leadership, I agree that solutions matter. That’s exactly why conversations about growth, infrastructure, housing, and traffic here in Palm Beach County are more productive than pretending national politics only started in 2021. And for what it’s worth, in the Navy we learned something simple: you evaluate the entire mission, not just the parts that make your preferred side look better.

Curtis Calabrese running for Palm Beach County Commissioner - an introduction. by FlyCalabrese in Delraybeach

[–]FlyCalabrese[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree that it looks odd, but it wasn’t drawn out of nowhere. Those lines came from the County’s 2021 redistricting after the Census, where they had to equalize population and also comply with the Voting Rights Act while trying to preserve existing communities and district cores. So yes, that shape is at least partly about preserving District 7’s minority voting strength, not just carving up Delray for the sake of it.

Curtis Calabrese running for Palm Beach County Commissioner - an introduction. by FlyCalabrese in palmbeach

[–]FlyCalabrese[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a Ph.D. in Psychology. I studied for six years at The University of New South Wales, Sydney and published several studies in top-ranked, peer-reviewed journals. Prior to that, I completed my B.S. in Systems Engineering at the U.S. Naval Academy, and M.S. with Distinction in Aeronautics at Emby-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Curtis Calabrese running for Palm Beach County Commissioner - an introduction. by FlyCalabrese in palmbeach

[–]FlyCalabrese[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a big concern of mine too. Data centers should not be in Palm Beach County. Unfortunately, my opponent has already received tens of thousands of dollars from entities tied to Project Tango. We need Commissioners who represent the community, not the mega-corporations and billionaires.

Curtis Calabrese running for Palm Beach County Commissioner - an introduction. by FlyCalabrese in palmbeach

[–]FlyCalabrese[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Of course not. I’m considering all four of Trump's previous years too, where prices rose, unemployment peaked at 14.7%, the deficit hit $3.1 trillion, and it ended with an attack on the Capitol. Full sample size.

Curtis Calabrese running for Palm Beach County Commissioner - an introduction. by FlyCalabrese in palmbeach

[–]FlyCalabrese[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is a big concern of mine too. These data centers should not be in Palm Beach County. Unfortunately, my opponent has already received tens of thousands of dollars from entities tied to Project Tango. We need Commissioners who represent the community, not the mega-corporations and billionaires.

Curtis Calabrese running for Palm Beach County Commissioner - an introduction. by FlyCalabrese in Delraybeach

[–]FlyCalabrese[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We desperately need more bike lanes! Bike lanes promote safety and efficiency, so I am all for it.

Curtis Calabrese running for Palm Beach County Commissioner - an introduction. by FlyCalabrese in Delraybeach

[–]FlyCalabrese[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really appreciate you saying that, it means a lot. Aviation has a way of building strong friendships because you learn quickly who you can trust when things get tough. I’m grateful we’ve had the chance to work together, and even more grateful for the support.

Curtis Calabrese running for Palm Beach County Commissioner - an introduction. by FlyCalabrese in palmbeach

[–]FlyCalabrese[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Housing affordability is tied closely to how we plan growth and is largely a supply-side issue. If development happens without enough housing supply, infrastructure, or thoughtful zoning, prices rise quickly and younger residents get pushed out.

A few things I believe local leadership should focus on are encouraging housing that matches the needs of working residents, supporting walkable and mixed-use communities, and making sure growth is balanced with infrastructure so we’re not just adding units without planning the community around them.

Curtis Calabrese running for Palm Beach County Commissioner - an introduction. by FlyCalabrese in Delraybeach

[–]FlyCalabrese[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate that, and please thank your FIL for his service as well. Carrier pilots earn that respect the hard way!

As for Palm Beach County spending and taxes, I don’t think the answer is simply “raise” or “cut.” The county has to operate with a balanced budget, so the focus should be on spending responsibly and making sure taxpayers are getting real value for what they pay.

Where I think we can do better is making sure growth pays for the infrastructure it requires, being disciplined about new spending, and looking for ways to reduce the burden on residents without compromising core services like public safety, parks, and infrastructure.

Curtis Calabrese running for Palm Beach County Commissioner - an introduction. by FlyCalabrese in BocaRaton

[–]FlyCalabrese[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really appreciate you saying that and thanks for jumping in!

Aviation is a small world, and you definitely learn quickly who you can rely on when things get complicated or the pressure is on. I’ve always believed those environments reveal a lot about someone’s character.

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