Eduardo Flores was 28 years old when I met him and drove around Hollywood with him in the spring. Now, just weeks away from the November 5 general election, Eduardo, now 29, completed a second email interview with me.

In this second interview, I asked him to address topics he has brought up in our conversations since our first meeting. Our spring ride-along and email interview led to this article.

From my perspective, Eduardo has improved as a candidate over the past six months.

My first hint of his evolving public persona came when I watched the first candidate forum online. I didn’t attend that event because I refused to pay $10 to enter the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce-hosted event. But I did watch in person as Eduardo spoke at the second and third candidate forums, which concerned Hollywood citizens and organizations organized for free.

I thought his first performance was weak; his second attempt at a candidate forum showed improvement; and he did even better at the last forum. However, I was also concerned about a comment he made at the third forum, where he accused an unnamed opponent of trying to get him arrested. He was clearly angry on stage.

Concerned, I spoke with him after the forum ended. It turns out Eduardo was upset that a supporter of one of his competitors had filed a complaint about alleged civil violations of campaign finance law. Nothing came of the complaint, which could have only resulted in a fine, not arrest or imprisonment. However, it was clear to me that Eduardo felt hurt and angry when we spoke.

This incident brings several thoughts to mind. For starters, I think Eduardo is a young man and a work in progress. Since he’s running for office for the first time, he may not know all the ins and outs of the process, even if he has established connections with Florida Republicans who wield power in the Sunshine State. Although the race for mayor is a nonpartisan contest, Eduardo gave an interview to a conservative online publication that noted he is a registered Republican. Previously, he was a registered Democrat, according to public records. This change in party registration may indicate two things: (1) Eduardo is evolving, and (2) Hispanics already hold power in Florida, especially in South Florida, which includes Hollywood. This growing influence means Democrats and Republicans wisely court ambitious candidates.

But my final thought is the most significant to me. I believe two of the anti-incumbent candidates for mayor missed an opportunity to communicate with each other, clear up misunderstandings, and work together to help Hollywood find an alternative to Mayor Josh Levy. For the record, I voted for Josh in 2016, and he won a second term unopposed four years later. This year, however, I’ve already sent in my vote-by-mail ballot for Catherine “Cat” Uden. The article I just linked explains why I voted for Cat.

This brings me to my final point about the divide between Eduardo and Cat. Below, you’ll see that Eduardo asserts that Cat Uden hasn’t offered concrete plans to fund the billions of dollars needed to address strained infrastructure, sea-level rise, increased flooding, and other issues.

But that’s not accurate. At the third candidate forum, Cat advocated for instituting a development impact fee as one way our aging coastal city can handle unprecedented upscale development and the challenges that won’t go away as Hollywood prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary next year.

Eduardo also inaccurately claimed that Cat takes a “strict anti-development stance.” However, The Sun Sentinel, the largest daily newspaper in South Florida, notes in its endorsement of Cat Uden that she supports smart, sustainable development in appropriate parts of the city.

The email interview follows:

• You want to create a Community Investment Trust if you are elected Hollywood mayor. What is it? How will it work? Why do it? And where has it worked?

A Community Investment Trust is a pooled fund in which local residents can invest in community real estate and infrastructure projects. Residents hold shares in the trust, and profits are returned to them through dividends. The trust’s primary goal is to ensure community control over local assets and distribute wealth more equitably. Creating a Community Investment Trust backed by gold and real estate is important because it generates wealth for residents, stabilizes the local economy, and provides the city with additional revenue for public projects. It empowers the community by keeping assets locally owned while protecting against inflation and market risks.

In Portland, they have a similar structure, but it isn’t backed by gold. Here in Hollywood, we would take it a step further.

• You’ve called for the creation of a city-run public energy utility to give us independence from Florida Power and Light. Tell readers how this would work and why you think it’s a good idea. Also, briefly, let readers know about some places in our nation where public energy utilities are up and running.

By creating a public power utility, Hollywood would take control of generating and distributing electricity, allowing us to prioritize affordability and reliability. Instead of profits going to private companies, any surplus could be reinvested back into our community. We could also focus on clean energy sources like solar, helping us lower utility costs and reduce our environmental impact. Public utilities in places like Orlando, Jacksonville, and Gainesville in Florida, as well as cities like Sacramento and Austin, have shown that local control leads to lower rates and better service for residents.

• Recently, the City of Hollywood gave out sand and bags so residents could prepare for Hurricane Milton. You want the city to use something else. What is it? And how is it better than giving out heavy sand and bags?

I want the city to use Storm Tech reusable sandbags instead of traditional sand and bags. These bags are lightweight and can be quickly filled with water to create an effective barrier against flooding. Unlike traditional sandbags, which are heavy and require physical effort to transport and fill, Storm Tech bags are much easier to handle, especially for the elderly or those with limited mobility. They’re also reusable, so after the storm, they can be dried and stored for future use, making them both more convenient and environmentally friendly.

• You’ve appeared on stage three times to answer questions at local candidate forums. Among other things, you’ve challenged Mayor Josh Levy when he said he lowered property taxes. Please explain your objection.

My objection is that Mayor Josh Levy loves to brag about lowering property taxes, but the reality is he’s only lowered them by less than 1%. How is that something to brag about, especially over two terms—eight years in office, and that’s the best he could do? We deserve better, stronger leadership to make a meaningful impact on taxes. My plan, including the Community Investment Trust (CIT), will generate more funding for the city, so we won’t have to rely on developers or raise taxes to cover our budget. It’s time for a new approach that genuinely benefits our city.

• Finally, here’s a political science question. You’re running in part because you want to bring change. But that change can only come if Mayor Levy doesn’t get a third and final term in office. So, are you concerned that your campaign might drain anti-incumbent votes from Catherine “Cat” Uden? She’s another candidate who also offers an alternative vision to our current mayor. And for the record, a fourth candidate, Peter Hanna, is also on the ballot.

I am the strongest candidate to challenge the incumbent because I offer real, actionable solutions that will bring positive change to Hollywood. While Cat Uden is passionate, her plans would actually raise taxes and offer no relief to residents. Her strict anti-development stance isn’t practical—some development is inevitable, and we need smart growth that benefits the city. Additionally, she has no clear way to fund the environmental sustainability projects she talks about, nor has she laid out any detailed plan beyond reaching out to the Florida League of Cities.

I commend anyone trying to make a difference, but Hollywood needs strong, stable leadership. Peter Hanna, for example, hasn’t put forth any serious plans and doesn’t take the race seriously, often laughing off questions at forums. The anti-incumbent movement needs a candidate who is prepared with a solid plan to fund the changes we need, like my Community Investment Trust (CIT), which will finance city improvements without raising taxes.

At the end of the day, any vote not cast is a vote for Josh Levy. If Hollywood voters want real change, they should vote for me. This race isn’t about who’s lived here the longest—it’s about getting things done right the first time. We shouldn’t have to wait three terms for someone to make a difference.