February 27, 2026 • 11 mins
District 3 Councilmember Dugo is running for reelection and facing one challenger.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, Joel Malcolm for WJ and O dot com. The
(00:02):
election spotlight coverage on the City of Green Acres City Council.
There are two races there and we have covered the
council District two race already. Right now we are focused
on District three two candidates there, including incumbent Judy Dogo
and Judy joining us now, thank you.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
For coming on with me, Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
So let's get some background on you. First of all,
with regards to the City of Greenacres and the council.
How many years have you lived in Greenacres and how
many years have you been on the council.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
I was first elected in twenty fourteen, lived at Greenacres
thirty one years. Moved here from Rochester, New York.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Rochester all right, all right, So many times when people
say New York, it's from the city or maybe Long
Island where I came from. I've been here since I
was seven, though, so we're going on fifty years. But okay,
all right, So give us some background, work, experience, anything
else you'd like to share.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
I formerly was a business owner in Rochester, had an
opportunity to sell it and saw this area and retired
and moved here. And of course there is no retirement
because then I got involved working with the Guardians Credit Union,
which I'm currently on the board.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
All right, what kind of business did you own back
in New.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
York micro contamination Control? Okay?
Speaker 1 (01:29):
All right? And all right, so and then at what
so you got twenty fourteen is when you join you'd
already been here a considerable amount of time, I.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Believe, yes, I had. I was very active in my
neighborhood as on the PA board and my landing on
my HOA board. So I was pretty active in the
community before I ran for city council.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
All Right, so we're going to get to some issues at
least at what some of the can dates running in
you know, within the city. Of the two races, as
I said, are telling me affordability is an issue. There's
a candidate in the previous in the other race in
Council District two race that talks about affordability, talks about
(02:18):
he feels that the because of how the county this
is not Green Acres breaching out, but the county kind
of referring to Palm Beach County as Wall Street South,
that oftentimes it attracts the richer people, and those people
can't afford to live in Green Acres. And he says,
even you know the working class, which he points out
(02:39):
that that was who Green Acres was originally founded for,
which by the way, will be one hundred years as
you're aware in May. So basically, affordability a big issue
with a couple of candidates in the city. So what
I wanted to give you an opportunity to talk about that,
especially when it comes to housing.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Well, I think Green Acres is probably one of the
most affordable cities in Palm Beach County. We've kept our
military low. I think we are probably one of the
lowest in the county as far as affordability. We have
I think reasonable homes at a median price versus other areas.
(03:27):
So I really don't quite understand that issue.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
All right, let's let's talk about I think the mill
it's the rate is six point three yes, yeah, okay,
And prior to that several years I guess three or
four years ago, I think is what I was told,
it was six point four sou yep.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
And and previous to that, I believe it was six
point six or six point eight. So we've done a
good deal of affordability here without cutting services.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
Now, there are efforts in Tallahassee, and I know you've
been following this to put it on a ballot. Now,
this wouldn't happen because it would go on a ballot
until twenty twenty seven, of course, but to get rid
of to eliminate most property taxes. What's being bandied about
right now is everything except the school property taxes being
(04:22):
eliminated for homestead and properties. The governor wants to do
away with even all of that. So there could be
a special session when the regular session that's still underway
right now wraps up. There are people with many cities
here and across the state that you know, voice concerns
(04:45):
about that. You know, what are your thoughts on if
that would happen.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
I'm very concerned because I don't know what municipalities would
do that does pass well.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
I mean, do you have some thoughts, like what what's
the first thing you would do? Let's say you're faced
with that it gets past the voters approve it as
a ballot amendment. Know if it would be January first,
twenty seven or July. But now now you know you're
you're faced as a city. Okay, what do we do next?
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Well, you know, municipalities are not for profits, so I'm
really not quite sure how to answer that. You know. Fortunately,
I was part of opening up a passport office here,
which gives us our city income that we pass on
to services. I don't know exactly what we would do.
(05:44):
I know we have some thoughts on that, and I'm
hoping for the best on that.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
Do you see potentially having to raise that millage rate
again for the for the people that are you know,
that are going to pay it? You know, you got to.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
That's a possible ability, and it's something I don't agree
with doing, but it's a possibility because our Texas, our
real estate taxs is our and the lore of our
our basic only means of income.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Okay, all right, so a real real concern for you there.
Let's talk about Popeach County Sheriff's office took over law
enforcement in the city of Greenacres, what ten so years ago?
It might have been over that, yes, yes, And in
a discussion with a couple of the candidates in the
other race, two differing opinions there as far as public safety,
(06:44):
one candidate says that she doesn't see deputies in that district.
Obviously you're in a different district, but doesn't see the
deputies driving through very often. The other opponent of the
incumbent said, well, he walks around the city quite a
bit that that district and sees them all the time.
(07:06):
And the incumbent said that the sheriff's office is doing
a good job.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
So what says you, Okay, Well, first I would like
to say that I was a proponent of merging Green
Acres to PbSO. We currently have fifty five people working,
fifty deputies and five other personnel. We have many of
(07:30):
the green and whites that I see all the time.
Our crime rate is just a little under. I think
we're ranked twenty four of the safer cities in the US.
Our crime rate is nationally less than Florida, where it's
(07:53):
two point thirty nine, where Florida is at two point
sixty seven. So I'm very happy with our PbSO.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
And the fire service as well. That's County two right on.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
We have our Green Acres fire search. We are not
Palm Beach County, which I'm very proud of, and we
are going to be building an additional fire station as
well as an emergency operations center and a cadet training school.
And we have not increased taxes with this, and we
(08:31):
aren't looking forward to doing it. It has passed approved.
I think we'll be breaking ground the end of twenty
sixth or the first of twenty seven.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
You know, going back to the crime thing, do you
find that being in news? And I hear this a lot.
When Lakeworth went to Lakeworth Beach. Part of the reason
obviously that you know, the beach and they wanted to
bring tourism. But the other reason that was talked about
was because there's an area of unincorporated Lakeworth on Palm
Beach County where there is you know, a decent amount
(09:02):
of crime and nothing's decent about crime, but you know
a good amount of crime, I should say, but there
is a I guess probably a good amount of crime
also just outside Green Acres in the unincorporated areas. I
know there's a mobile home park on Forest Hill Boulevard
near your jog and I know that's not in Green
Acres proper, but it's close. Do you find that do
(09:24):
you find that people not people living in Green Acres,
but others have you heard where they get it? Confused?
And they think maybe some of that's happening in Green Acres.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
I have never had anyone ask me that before, and
I'm sure that that's a possibility because I know that
trailer park that you're speaking of across from.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
Walmart, Casa del Monte, unless they've changed the name.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Yeah, yeah, right, So I you know, I'm sure it's
an issue, and it's not just for Green Acres, but
most of our residents know no what part of Green
Acres is not part of Greenacres.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
So all right, let's get into my final question. You
got two candidates here. You're the incumbent, been on the
council sometime. You do have a challenger, Leonard Grant goes
by Aubrey. Why ultimately should folks choose you for another term?
Speaker 2 (10:23):
Well, first of all, I've been on the council a
long time and I have been part of that Green team,
which our council is a team. We are all focused,
we have no personal agenda. We have and i'd like
to add to that team a great city manager, Andrea mcew.
(10:44):
I would be remiss if I didn't mention her. Since
I were on the council, we've reduced taxes I've implemented ledlights,
We've upgraded parks. I'm always in proving public safety, and
certainly I would continue to do that. I would like
(11:07):
to be part of the continuing growth in our city.
For example, we are opening our new youth center building
which we have built, and we will be housing two
hundred students instead of one hundreds. And we have some
wonderful plans that I would like to be part of.
(11:27):
I'd like to remain part of the Green team.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
All right, well, I appreciate you joining us and talking
to the voters of Green Acres. And this is incumbent
Councilwoman Judy Dugo District III and candidate for reelection. Again,
appreciate you coming on with me.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
Thank you so much.
Hey, Joel Malcolm for WJ and O dot com. The
(00:02):
election spotlight coverage on the City of Green Acres City Council.
There are two races there and we have covered the
council District two race already. Right now we are focused
on District three two candidates there, including incumbent Judy Dogo
and Judy joining us now, thank you.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
For coming on with me, Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
So let's get some background on you. First of all,
with regards to the City of Greenacres and the council.
How many years have you lived in Greenacres and how
many years have you been on the council.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
I was first elected in twenty fourteen, lived at Greenacres
thirty one years. Moved here from Rochester, New York.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Rochester all right, all right, So many times when people
say New York, it's from the city or maybe Long
Island where I came from. I've been here since I
was seven, though, so we're going on fifty years. But okay,
all right, So give us some background, work, experience, anything
else you'd like to share.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
I formerly was a business owner in Rochester, had an
opportunity to sell it and saw this area and retired
and moved here. And of course there is no retirement
because then I got involved working with the Guardians Credit Union,
which I'm currently on the board.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
All right, what kind of business did you own back
in New.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
York micro contamination Control? Okay?
Speaker 1 (01:29):
All right? And all right, so and then at what
so you got twenty fourteen is when you join you'd
already been here a considerable amount of time, I.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Believe, yes, I had. I was very active in my
neighborhood as on the PA board and my landing on
my HOA board. So I was pretty active in the
community before I ran for city council.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
All Right, so we're going to get to some issues at
least at what some of the can dates running in
you know, within the city. Of the two races, as
I said, are telling me affordability is an issue. There's
a candidate in the previous in the other race in
Council District two race that talks about affordability, talks about
(02:18):
he feels that the because of how the county this
is not Green Acres breaching out, but the county kind
of referring to Palm Beach County as Wall Street South,
that oftentimes it attracts the richer people, and those people
can't afford to live in Green Acres. And he says,
even you know the working class, which he points out
(02:39):
that that was who Green Acres was originally founded for,
which by the way, will be one hundred years as
you're aware in May. So basically, affordability a big issue
with a couple of candidates in the city. So what
I wanted to give you an opportunity to talk about that,
especially when it comes to housing.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Well, I think Green Acres is probably one of the
most affordable cities in Palm Beach County. We've kept our
military low. I think we are probably one of the
lowest in the county as far as affordability. We have
I think reasonable homes at a median price versus other areas.
(03:27):
So I really don't quite understand that issue.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
All right, let's let's talk about I think the mill
it's the rate is six point three yes, yeah, okay,
And prior to that several years I guess three or
four years ago, I think is what I was told,
it was six point four sou yep.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
And and previous to that, I believe it was six
point six or six point eight. So we've done a
good deal of affordability here without cutting services.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
Now, there are efforts in Tallahassee, and I know you've
been following this to put it on a ballot. Now,
this wouldn't happen because it would go on a ballot
until twenty twenty seven, of course, but to get rid
of to eliminate most property taxes. What's being bandied about
right now is everything except the school property taxes being
(04:22):
eliminated for homestead and properties. The governor wants to do
away with even all of that. So there could be
a special session when the regular session that's still underway
right now wraps up. There are people with many cities
here and across the state that you know, voice concerns
(04:45):
about that. You know, what are your thoughts on if
that would happen.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
I'm very concerned because I don't know what municipalities would
do that does pass well.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
I mean, do you have some thoughts, like what what's
the first thing you would do? Let's say you're faced
with that it gets past the voters approve it as
a ballot amendment. Know if it would be January first,
twenty seven or July. But now now you know you're
you're faced as a city. Okay, what do we do next?
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Well, you know, municipalities are not for profits, so I'm
really not quite sure how to answer that. You know. Fortunately,
I was part of opening up a passport office here,
which gives us our city income that we pass on
to services. I don't know exactly what we would do.
(05:44):
I know we have some thoughts on that, and I'm
hoping for the best on that.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
Do you see potentially having to raise that millage rate
again for the for the people that are you know,
that are going to pay it? You know, you got to.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
That's a possible ability, and it's something I don't agree
with doing, but it's a possibility because our Texas, our
real estate taxs is our and the lore of our
our basic only means of income.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Okay, all right, so a real real concern for you there.
Let's talk about Popeach County Sheriff's office took over law
enforcement in the city of Greenacres, what ten so years ago?
It might have been over that, yes, yes, And in
a discussion with a couple of the candidates in the
other race, two differing opinions there as far as public safety,
(06:44):
one candidate says that she doesn't see deputies in that district.
Obviously you're in a different district, but doesn't see the
deputies driving through very often. The other opponent of the
incumbent said, well, he walks around the city quite a
bit that that district and sees them all the time.
(07:06):
And the incumbent said that the sheriff's office is doing
a good job.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
So what says you, Okay, Well, first I would like
to say that I was a proponent of merging Green
Acres to PbSO. We currently have fifty five people working,
fifty deputies and five other personnel. We have many of
(07:30):
the green and whites that I see all the time.
Our crime rate is just a little under. I think
we're ranked twenty four of the safer cities in the US.
Our crime rate is nationally less than Florida, where it's
(07:53):
two point thirty nine, where Florida is at two point
sixty seven. So I'm very happy with our PbSO.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
And the fire service as well. That's County two right on.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
We have our Green Acres fire search. We are not
Palm Beach County, which I'm very proud of, and we
are going to be building an additional fire station as
well as an emergency operations center and a cadet training school.
And we have not increased taxes with this, and we
(08:31):
aren't looking forward to doing it. It has passed approved.
I think we'll be breaking ground the end of twenty
sixth or the first of twenty seven.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
You know, going back to the crime thing, do you
find that being in news? And I hear this a lot.
When Lakeworth went to Lakeworth Beach. Part of the reason
obviously that you know, the beach and they wanted to
bring tourism. But the other reason that was talked about
was because there's an area of unincorporated Lakeworth on Palm
Beach County where there is you know, a decent amount
(09:02):
of crime and nothing's decent about crime, but you know
a good amount of crime, I should say, but there
is a I guess probably a good amount of crime
also just outside Green Acres in the unincorporated areas. I
know there's a mobile home park on Forest Hill Boulevard
near your jog and I know that's not in Green
Acres proper, but it's close. Do you find that do
(09:24):
you find that people not people living in Green Acres,
but others have you heard where they get it? Confused?
And they think maybe some of that's happening in Green Acres.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
I have never had anyone ask me that before, and
I'm sure that that's a possibility because I know that
trailer park that you're speaking of across from.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
Walmart, Casa del Monte, unless they've changed the name.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Yeah, yeah, right, So I you know, I'm sure it's
an issue, and it's not just for Green Acres, but
most of our residents know no what part of Green
Acres is not part of Greenacres.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
So all right, let's get into my final question. You
got two candidates here. You're the incumbent, been on the
council sometime. You do have a challenger, Leonard Grant goes
by Aubrey. Why ultimately should folks choose you for another term?
Speaker 2 (10:23):
Well, first of all, I've been on the council a
long time and I have been part of that Green team,
which our council is a team. We are all focused,
we have no personal agenda. We have and i'd like
to add to that team a great city manager, Andrea mcew.
(10:44):
I would be remiss if I didn't mention her. Since
I were on the council, we've reduced taxes I've implemented ledlights,
We've upgraded parks. I'm always in proving public safety, and
certainly I would continue to do that. I would like
(11:07):
to be part of the continuing growth in our city.
For example, we are opening our new youth center building
which we have built, and we will be housing two
hundred students instead of one hundreds. And we have some
wonderful plans that I would like to be part of.
(11:27):
I'd like to remain part of the Green team.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
All right, well, I appreciate you joining us and talking
to the voters of Green Acres. And this is incumbent
Councilwoman Judy Dugo District III and candidate for reelection. Again,
appreciate you coming on with me.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
Thank you so much.
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