My Platform

Improving our City

• Promote economic growth and stability.
• Continue to build on measures that have been successful.
• Work through the foreclosure bubble and ride out this economic downturn.
• Continue our high level of public safety.
• Work diligently to keep the RAYS in St. Petersburg.
• Maintain our city's high quality of life.

The Pier

I believe that the Pier must be replaced. The process that has been put into place is fair and will allow the city to get the best design by the best designers from around the world. The RFQ (Request for Quote) was very specific in what should be incorporated into the design. It should be Iconic, it should reflect us as a community, it should be easily assessable for everyone, and it should be a destination for both residents and tourists. Additionally, we would like to have the Pier to provide enough income to minimize the city's subsidy. A major component is how this will tie into the upland. We want the Pier and Beach Drive to enhance each other and not compete against each other.

The Budget

In order for our city to operate fiscally sound and more efficient, we must continue to streamline and reduce the size of government. We achieve this through consolidation of both facilities and in personnel. The two best examples of this are the consolidation of our fleet maintenance department and the restructuring of the city's administration (reduction of two Deputy Mayors). We have invested in Albert Whitted Airport and made a management change at the Mahaffey Theater, and as a result, we should start seeing some significant return in that investment. We will continue to utilize partnerships with both public and private sector to further our streamlining. We can additionally increase our tax base by bringing in more business. If we promote the desirability of our community and streamline the procedure for relocation, businesses will move to St. Petersburg.

The Homeless

I think that the city's efforts in handling the homeless are working, however we are not done yet. I absolutely agree with the city's stance on public feeding. There are many compassionate people who feel an obligation to help those in need. While I agree with this in theory, from the practical side we have absolutely no control over what is being feed to these people. I believe a better course of action would be to allow those organizations that want to feed the homeless to do it in conjunction with Safe Harbor. The ban on public sleeping is probably the one area of great concern to our citizens. Many people are impacted by the homeless sleeping in the doorways of their homes or on the stoop of their businesses. It is not illegal to be homeless, but as a city we have to examine where the rights of these individuals end and where they start, especially when they impact the rights of other citizens. This is the dilemma for government - trying to maintain a balance between each side. I feel that we are doing what is necessary to achieve equilibrium between the two. Safe Harbor is a major component in what we hope will be a solution for all. This concept has worked in other cities and we think that it will work here. Our consultant, Dr. Marbut, has had tremendous success in San Antonio and is convinced it will also be successful in St. Petersburg. This is a win-win situation for everyone. The homeless are receiving a hand-up while still maintaining their dignity, and the city is able to focus on other citizen concerns.

The Rays

We must open a dialogue between the two sides. Presently we appear to be at an impasse and nothing is being done that is beneficial to either side. The Chamber is going to be a major player in the stadium issue because of their ties with the business community. As a city official, I am excited about the prospects of opening this dialogue. St. Petersburg acquired a Major League Baseball team at great expense and sacrifice of its citizens. As a result of securing this team, our community has reaped innumerable benefits, both economically and through humanitarian endeavors. The Rays belong in St. Petersburg and we cannot lose them. My position is that we must work with the Rays leadership team to secure that outcome.

Code Enforcement

The enforcement of codes should be administered equally and fairly throughout the entire city. Every neighborhood is important to its residents.