Doug Maesk
By: Sharon Aron Baron
Hoping to bring his message of positive change to the citizens of Tamarac, business owner, and homeowner association board member Doug Maesk has announced his candidacy for Tamarac city commission in District 4.
“I am excited and honored to announce my candidacy for Tamarac city commissioner,” said Maesk. “In addition to being the first openly gay commissioner, I will bring my proven track record of business success to the citizens of Tamarac and understand the positive role government can play in the lives of its citizens with the right leadership.”
Currently serving on the board of directors of his homeowners’ association in Woodmont, Maesk announced that on Thursday, January 18, he would be holding his campaign kick-off party.
In November 2018, three seats will be up for grabs in the general election. The mayor’s seat, occupied by Harry Dressler; District 2, by Michelle Gomez; and District 4, the seat Maesk is running for, by Debra Placko, which covers Woodmont, Sunflower, and Heathgate.
As a city commissioner, Maesk said that one of the things he will address is the city government’s attitude and their can’t do attitude.
“It seems every time city officials are asked to address an issue; we hear the reasons why things are the way they are and why they can’t be changed. That is a failure of leadership and innovation.
He wants his focus on smart business growth, efficient government, and building community.
“Business is the engine that drives our community, and we need to make Tamarac more business-friendly. I intend to do for Tamarac what I did for my business – grow it wisely and successfully.”
Maesk knows about business firsthand after starting Maesk Group Inc., where he is a psychotherapist. A graduate of Southern New Hampshire University with a bachelor of science degree in marketing, Maesk worked in sales for a bit until deciding that he wanted to work in a field where he could directly impact someone’s life in a positive way – which led him to counseling psychology. After being accepted into a graduate psychology program, he moved to California in 1994 to earn his graduate degree.
After moving to Florida in 2002, he managed a research study on substance abuse and HIV in Wilton Manors for both the University of Delaware and NOVA Southeastern University. While doing this, he also indulged his entrepreneurial streak and started his own business, which he continues to run.
Maesk said one of his priorities would be stopping the wasteful spending from commission members.
“Everyone I’ve talked to is sick and tired of opening the Sun-Sentinel to find another story about Tamarac politicians wasting our hard-earned money. $80,000 was budgeted for the city commissioners and mayor for trips and seminars in 2017. That is outrageous, and I will work tirelessly to eliminate this.”
He said that Tamarac is changing and is getting younger and more diverse. He believes more work needs to be done to make the city attractive for this new generation.
Maesk will be holding his campaign kick-off party on January 18. from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at The Rejoice Cafe, 8001 W. McNab Rd., Tamarac, FL 33321, and everyone is invited to attend. Map it.
His official campaign website is www.dougmaesk2018.com. Facebook page is Doug Maesk.