Political observers may start asking, “Who is that masked man?” as bids for elective office become more complicated thanks to evolving technology, standards and laws.

Of course, people curious about politics will always follow money trails.

And voters can hopefully continue to count on ink-stained wretches asking candidates questions, and sharing their answers with the public.

But with the advent of AI, we may sometimes ask about things a candidate says.  One question could be, “Is it live?  Or is it Memorex?” to borrow a glorious phrase from an old TV commercial.

I started ruminating about all of the above to learn more about one of the three declared candidates for mayor of Hollywood, in South Florida, where I live and vote.

Why?

Because Eduardo Flores, 28, does not have much of a digital footprint.  At least in comparison with the two people he wants to trump in the Nov. 5 election.

I can do a trial and error search for Josh Levy and find all sorts of goodies.

The same thing goes for Catherine “Cat” Uden, a former teacher turned environmentalist who once supported Josh but now wants to deny him a third and final term as mayor.

However, when I apply my limited online research skills to the task of learning about Eduardo Flores, I’m stumped.

Yes, I found articles about someone named Eduardo Flores in Illinois, where the Hollywood mayoral candidate began life.  But it’s not Hollywood Eduardo Flores.  I know this because of the content of the news accounts, which came with photos!

I also found someone named Eduardo Flores who makes his living as a private investigator in Broward County, Fl.  Hollywood is a city in Broward County.

This discovery tickled me because Hollywood Eduardo sent me an email with some biographical details.  Among other things, he performed security work.  Mind you, Educardo Flores, the candidate for mayor, did not say he once worked as a security guard.  Rather, he worked in security, which I understand to be a broad and vague term.  So I sent him an email about this. The answer?  He’s worked as a security guard and as a private investigator.

Being a curious guy, I also met with Eduardo Flores recently.  We started out at the Hollywood Library, right next to City Hall.  From there, we got in my car and drove around town for an hour.  We rode past a city-owned golf course and a private golf course, both of which are slated for redevelopment.  The plans include construction of expensive housing.  We also drove up and down a tired, old business district that developers may find appealing if money keeps rushing to South Florida.  This jaunt also took us through a few communities that include the middle class.

So, what did I learn?

First off, I like Eduardo.  I found him to be sharp-eyed and observant as we made our way around Hollywood.  He noticed things that I missed.  Eduardo even corrected me for a faulty perception that I made about what replaced a longtime business on Pembroke Road, part of what I call a tired, old business district.

But that’s not all.  I’m the kind of guy who thinks younger people ought to run for office.  I also want to see more people get involved who are not lawyers or wealthy business people.  Not surprisingly, this wish list includes candidates who are not connected to people with lots of money.

In theory, anyway, diversity of background and experience can broaden public debate, which is something I think we need.

Of course, meeting with a candidate for mayor let me bring up stuff that’s on my mind.  And I did.

Among other things, Mayor Josh Levy and a majority of the Hollywood City Commission voted last March to let private developers remake the city-owned Orangebrook Golf Course and Country Club.  The property and land is large, bounded by Hollywood Blvd. and Pembroke Rd.  The part of the property near I 95 will house three hi-rise apartment buildings if the project is completed.

Now, a full disclosure is in order:  I did not shoot a round of golf with Eduardo Flores.  And he is not donning a mask as he ramps up his unorthodox run for mayor.

But he deserves to be heard.  And voters need to learn more about him.  This email interview is a starting point.

However, before we get to the questions and answers, I need to make something perfectly clear, to quote a phrase from a disgraced politician from my youth.  As we rode around Hollywood, I asked Eduardo to answer my email questions the way he spoke with me in the car.  I told him I didn’t want AI-generated responses.

But AI answers are what I got, according to online AI checker web sites. You can judge for yourself here and here.

So, with a grain or two of digital salt, here is my email interview with Eduardo Flores:

1-  You were raised by a single mother.  You were one of six children, and she worked three jobs to support her family.  What did you learn from that experience growing up?  What values do you bring from your childhood to the campaign?

As I reflect on my childhood, I carry with me the values of hard work, compassion, and the belief that it truly takes a village to thrive. My upbringing taught me that success is not achieved alone but through the collective support of our community. That’s why I’m committed to bringing the spirit of unity and collaboration to the Mayor’s office in Hollywood.

My mother’s sacrifices and tireless efforts to provide for our family serve as a poignant reminder of the harsh realities many families face due to the rising cost of living and inflation. No one should have to endure the burden of working multiple jobs just to make ends meet or worry about putting food on the table. As Mayor, I’m dedicated to advocating for policies that alleviate financial strain and ensure a more equitable future for all residents of Hollywood. Together, let’s build a city where every individual has the opportunity to thrive and succeed, regardless of their circumstances.

2-  Calling you an underdog is probably an understatement.  You are 28-years-old.  You have lived in Hollywood for five years, moving here from Illonis.  Your car was destroyed in a wreck around Christmas, and your back was hurt.  This means you are not driving now.  And you don’t have a large campaign warchest.

So, what type of  campaign are you going to run?  How will you reach people?  Social media?  AI?  What?  How?

In my campaign, we’re leaving no stone unturned when it comes to reaching voters. From grassroots events and community gatherings to a robust online presence across various social media platforms, we’re committed to engaging with residents both in person and online. Our goal is to ensure that every voice is heard, every concern is addressed, and every voter feels empowered to shape the future of our city.

Embracing the label of an underdog isn’t about age for me; it’s about being outside the traditional political circles, free from owing favors to anyone. That independence is a strength, not a weakness.

While some might see challenges, I see opportunities. On April 20th, join us at Hollywood Smoke and Glass from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a voter registration drive, live entertainment, and engaging discussions. It’s just one example of our commitment to reaching voters face-to-face.

3-  I met you at the Hollywood Library recently so we could drive around parts of Hollywood for an hour.  You mentioned that you want the city to spend money to prepare for emergency circumstances such as flooding and hurricanes.  Please give the readers details on the different things you think we should be doing.  And why should the city take these actions rather than telling people to get ready for an emergency by stocking up on food and water?

In addressing emergency preparedness, it’s clear that the current approach of advising residents to stock up for 72 hours is insufficient. Hollywood faces recurring drainage issues and persistent flooding during storms, exacerbating the need for proactive measures. Instead of simply reacting to emergencies, the city must invest in comprehensive solutions.

Establishing a public solar utility tailored to Hollywood would enhance resilience and reduce dependence on fragile power grids. Allocating resources towards robust disaster management initiatives is essential to safeguarding our community. With annual storms becoming the norm, strategic planning is paramount.

By prioritizing these initiatives, we not only mitigate immediate risks but also foster long-term resilience. It’s time for proactive, forward-thinking leadership to ensure the safety and security of all residents.

4-  You have worked in security at least in part because of your interest in law enforcement.  And you told me you had a goal of becoming a police officer and perhaps ultimately heading up the Internal Affairs division of a department.  Those are compelling goals.  Tell me more about them, and whether you are working towards accomplishing them.

My aspiration to join law enforcement stemmed from a deep admiration for the noble mission of serving and protecting communities. However, as I witnessed various injustices and systemic issues over time, I realized that sustainable change is driven by policy and legislation. Lawmakers have the power to enact meaningful reforms that positively impact society.

Initially drawn to the idea of overseeing Internal Affairs, my goal was to ensure accountability and integrity within law enforcement agencies. Now, my focus has shifted towards pursuing the role of mayor, recognizing it as a position where I can effect substantial change at a systemic level. As mayor, I aim to implement policies that prioritize community well-being and foster equitable progress for all residents.

5-  When we met outside of the Hollywood Library, we talked with an apparently homeless man who said he moved to Hollywood from Pompano, which is about 40 minutes north of us.  He said he liked the stricter law enforcement that he sees in Hollywood because he feels safer here.  Talk about that, and your feelings about the need for more community policing and continued efforts to get police departments more transparent and credible to all segments of the community.

The positive feedback from residents regarding law enforcement in Hollywood is encouraging and underscores the importance of community safety. As a candidate for mayor, I firmly believe in the need for more community policing initiatives to strengthen trust and collaboration between law enforcement and residents.

Investing in technologies like police body cameras is a step in the right direction towards ensuring transparency and accountability within our police department. However, we must also prioritize making these resources easily accessible to the community, allowing residents to have insight into how public funds are utilized and fostering a sense of trust and credibility.

It’s essential that we continue to prioritize community policing efforts and strive for greater transparency in police operations. By working together, we can create a safer and more inclusive community for all residents of Hollywood.

6-  I told you about a source who filed a request for Public Records with the City of Hollywood.  And that the response was this: we want you to go through an attorney who will handle your request at a few hundred dollars per hour.  Tell the public what you make of this.  And if you surprise everyone and get elected mayor, how will you ask the city to treat requests for records?

The response from the city regarding the Public Records request is concerning and highlights the need for transparency and accessibility in government operations. It’s imperative that public records remain accessible to all without financial barriers. As mayor, I would prioritize modernizing our record-keeping systems to ensure easy access to information for residents.

By transitioning to digital documentation of all public records and streamlining record retrieval processes, we can enhance transparency and accountability within our local government. Citizens should have the ability to access public records efficiently and at no cost, as these records belong to the public by their very nature. It’s a fundamental aspect of democracy that we must uphold and protect. (This paragraph was edited to include a clarifying email from Educardo in connection with some records that may only be otained in-person).

7-  I got by email a screenshot of a Power Lunch held at a glamorous hotel near the Atlantic Ocean in Hollywood.  It was for the January 2024 State of the City Address by our two-term incumbent Mayor Josh Levy.  You said you would never charge for people to hear a State of the City speech.  Why?

A State of the City address should be a celebration of our community’s achievements and a platform for engaging with residents, not a privilege reserved for the select few who can afford to attend. Holding such an event in a public space like Arts Park at Young Circle would ensure accessibility to all members of our community, regardless of economic status.

It’s about inclusivity and transparency – making sure every resident has the opportunity to participate in shaping the future of our city. By hosting the State of the City address as a public event, free for all to attend, we can foster a sense of unity and collaboration that reflects the true spirit of our community.

8-  A year ago, during a Hollywood City Commission meeting, different commissioners expressed different understandings of the term affordable housing.  How do you define it?  Why is how it gets defined important?  In other words, what are the consequences for people who grew up the way you did?  And what are the consequences for other hard-working Hollywood residents who make more money but still struggle to afford housing because prices are so high now?

Affordable housing, to me, means housing that is within reach for individuals and families working full-time jobs. In a state like Florida, where the cost of living is high and the middle class is shrinking, it’s essential that we redefine what “affordable” truly means. 

For those who grew up in circumstances similar to mine, where every penny counts and financial stability feels like a distant dream, the consequences of unaffordable housing are dire. It perpetuates a cycle of poverty and limits opportunities for upward mobility.

Even for hard-working residents who earn more but still struggle to afford housing due to skyrocketing prices, the consequences are significant. It creates stress, financial strain, and in some cases, forces families to make impossible choices between basic necessities like food, healthcare, and housing.

We need to address this issue head-on by implementing policies that prioritize truly affordable housing options and support sustainable development that benefits all members of our community, regardless of income level.

9-  A follow up question or two on affordable housing.  Hollywood City Commissioner Adam Gruber gave Inside Hillcrest an email interview last year.  In it, he said the largest class of people who need affordable housing resides at 80% of the Area Median Income and below.  Should the city devote the largest share of affordable housing units to this class of people?  Why?  Why not?

Focusing on providing affordable housing options for those at 80% of the median income and below is a crucial step in addressing the housing crisis in our city. With rents rising for nearly all residents in recent years, it’s evident that we cannot sustain a community where housing is unattainable for a significant portion of our population.

By prioritizing affordable housing for this income bracket, we can ensure that essential workers, families, and individuals who contribute to the fabric of our city can afford to live here. It promotes economic diversity, fosters stability, and strengthens our community as a whole.

10- Hollywood is undergoing development across the city, fueled in part by money flowing here in reaction to the Covid pandemic and its aftermath.  The buildings going up are mostly for people with a lot of money.  Does this cause already high property values to go higher?  Why?  Why not?

The ongoing development in Hollywood, especially the construction of high-end buildings, often leads to an escalation in property values. This occurs due to the heightened demand for real estate driven by affluent residents moving into the area, resulting in upward pressure on prices. However, the effect on property taxes hinges on the policies implemented by our elected leaders. If managed prudently, this growth could potentially generate additional revenue for the city, benefiting the community as a whole. Importantly, I am committed to ensuring that any development plans are executed responsibly and without burdening existing residents with increased taxes.

11- Sandra Veszi Einhorn is a Hollywood resident.  She has worked on a number of projects involving affordable housing.  Do you know her?  Will you work with her if you are elected mayor?

I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Sandra Veszi Einhorn personally, but as mayor, I am committed to collaborating with all Hollywood residents, regardless of background or affiliation. My focus is on serving the needs of the community as a whole.