Running For: Jupiter Mayor (Three Year Term)
Running Against: Cameron May
Tell Us a Little About Yourself. What Inspired You to Run for Office in Jupiter?
My wife Terri and I moved to Jupiter 33 years ago and have established deep roots in the Jupiter community. We, along with our 3 daughters, 3 sons-in-law, and 4 grandchildren, deeply cherish our Uniquely Jupiter Town and consider it as our family’s hometown.
I am running for re-election as Jupiter Mayor for a second three-year term of service to ensure that we continue moving forward with the creation of the Town of Jupiter’s new Fire Rescue Department (JFRD) and have it ready to begin full service throughout Jupiter on October 1, 2026. The creation of JFRD will enable the Town of Jupiter’s ad valorem tax rate to continue to be the lowest of all municipalities in north Palm Beach County.
Fiscal management has been one of the hallmarks of my Town Council leadership efforts while serving Town of Jupiter residents and businesses. Managing overall costs of government has been a key public service commitment of mine as Jupiter Mayor.
I am also pursuing re-election to fulfill long-term strategic initiatives for economic development on at least a portion of 130 acres of vacant industrial properties, associated construction of a new Island Way South roadway, and additional Indiantown Road improvements, as well as collaborative completion of the in-progress Palm Beach County Transportation Plan.
What Do You Love Most About Jupiter, and What’s One Thing You’d Like to Improve?
We love the Jupiter residents and small businesses’ overall community spirit of genuine neighborliness and unmatched levels of volunteerism to help each other.
I wish that outside special interest groups would stop trying to divide our community by spreading mistruths and propaganda during local elections.
Describe Your Leadership Style in Three Words
As Jupiter’s incumbent Mayor, I encourage residents to just call me Jim, as I believe that a Mayor should be the most “HUMBLE PUBLIC SERVANT”.
What Experience or Skills Make You the Best Candidate for This Role?
I believe that the following leadership track record and experience distinguish me from my opponent in the race for Jupiter Mayor:
- Strategic Leadership (Reference Town of Jupiter Strategic Plans)
- Fire/Rescue Services
- Fiscal Management – Managing overall costs of government
- Traffic Mitigation Solutions
- Growth Management & Private Property Rights
- Historic Preservation (Continue to collaboratively work with property owners to respect and preserve the unique archeological and historical nature of portions of the Suni Sands site.)
What Is Your Top Priority for the Town If Elected, and How Do You Plan to Accomplish It?
- FIRE/RESCUE SERVICES: Continue with the creation of the new Jupiter Fire Rescue Department (JFRD) and have it ready to begin full service throughout Jupiter on October 1, 2026.
- MANAGING OVERALL COSTS OF GOVERNMENT: The creation of JFRD enables the Town of Jupiter’s Ad Valorem Tax Rate to continue to be the LOWEST of all municipalities in north Palm Beach County.
How Do You Plan to Keep Jupiter’s Small-Town Charm While Supporting Responsible Growth?
My growth management track record is unmatched by anybody who has ever served on the Jupiter Town Council. I always say NO when a property development proposal is not a good fit for Jupiter.
In recent years, we have shifted the Town’s strategic focus toward leadership efforts that further enhance those special attributes that are considered part of what residents believe has made Uniquely Jupiter.
What’s One Local Issue That Residents Talk to You About the Most, and What’s Your Stance on It?
The creation of our new Jupiter Fire Rescue Department (JFRD) and the expected improvements in public safety, as well as the avoidance of significant future tax hikes that would otherwise occur if the Town opted to continue outsourcing fire rescue services to the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Dept. We continue moving forward as requested by Jupiter residents and businesses.
If You Had to Explain Your Vision for Jupiter in a Single Sentence, What Would It Be?
Jupiter’s high quality of life and all that makes us Uniquely Jupiter must be preserved and further enhanced for our children, grandchildren, and future generations.
How Do You Plan to Engage and Communicate With Residents?
I use every opportunity in daily encounters with Jupiter residents to understand their concerns and secure their inputs in formulating Town Council policy positions and leadership actions to pursue. The Town’s Department of Community Relations staff relentlessly strives to engage and communicate with residents to ensure that their voices are heard and provides input to the Jupiter Town Council.
What’s a Fun Fact About You That People Might Not Know?
I have family values and cherished family memories that inspire my wife Terri and me to have a hobby of spreading the Christmas Spirit to others for the past 42 years. We do this through our annual Christmas Holiday yard display and other Christmas Season actions. We spend more than 150 hours per year setting up the yard display and always have it completed by Thanksgiving weekend.
