ST. PETERSBURG- Residents get the chance to choose whether the City Council’s electronic voting system is an adequate way to measure votes on Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The referendum reads:
“Shall the City Charter be amended to generally clarify the voting process of City Council the main clarification being that a roll call vote can be accomplished by an electronic system that is used to tally, display and record City Council votes, without the City Clerk needing to orally recite what is visually displayed?”
While the referendum would mean council members either have to vote electronically as they have been doing, or verbally announce their votes, many voters in St. Petersburg seem uninterested with this particular question.
“I don’t care one way or the other, but if electronic voting has been working, then why would you change it?” said Janet Richardson, who lives in Midtown.
BY BRIGITTE TOULON, CLARENCE FORD AND LORIEN MATTIACCI NNB Reporters
ST. PETERSBURG – Teachers, college students and residents of Midtown are concerned about education issues, neighborhood improvements and the Tampa Bay Rays future as the city election approaches Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Melrose Elementary teachers Kelly Milnes and Ashli Doss are looking for more changes to be made in the community.
Milnes is looking for a face lift for the area. When she first attended her job interview she noticed a house with boarded windows and furniture in a yard nearby.
“It looks better now it has been cleaned up, but if the area around it (the school) doesn’t look nice, it kind of brings it down,” Milnes said. “You know, it takes a village to fix an ‘F’ school.”
Doss said she is hoping for a continued partnership with the city council members so they can come into the school and talk with students about their jobs.
“I would ask the candidates what their plan is to get involved with these schools,” said Doss. “Are you planning to come and have your staff volunteer with these kids, not just when there is a special event, but to be actively involved with these kids as well as in their communities?”
Other members of the Midtown community are more apathetic about the election.
Frank Santiago, a student at St. Petersburg College (SPC) in Midtown, is more concerned with whether or not the results of the election would affect him personally.
“If the issue of boundaries the city council is discussing does not affect tuition, it won’t concern me just because I live in Midtown,” said Santiago. “But if the city council’s decisions about boundary changes affects tuition, then it may concern me.”
Still, the issue of the Tampa Bay Rays future is also a concern. The team’s contract to play at Tropicana Field ends in 2027 and the team has expressed interest in a new stadium.
Paul Wilborn, executive director of the Palladium Theater at SPC, is interested in the Rays future, the redevelopment of Midtown near 22nd Street South and investment in the arts.
“Selfishly, I think the city needs to support the arts in a better way, because I think the arts are driving St. Pete,” said Wilborn.
BY BRIGITTE TOULON
ST. PETERSBURG – On the evening of September 24th, The League of Women Voters of the St. Petersburg Area in partnership with The Florida Holocaust Museum, The Pinellas County Urban League and Pinellas Technical College (PTC) hosted the event, Voices of Experience: Personal Stories of the Civil Rights Struggle and Insights on the Voting Rights Act at PTC.
The event was held as a way to commemorate the passing of the Voting Rights Act 50 years ago. It began at 6 p.m. with opening comments from the sponsors of the event. The moderator was Rene Flowers, who made sure that all of the questions were addressed by the panelists before questions were turned over to the audience.
The panel was comprised of Harry Harvey, Dr. Joyce Henry, Imam Aquil and Stephanie Owens- Royster. Each individual, aside from Mrs. Owens-Royster, was able to shed some light on the experiences they went through during the time before the Act was passed. Owens-Royster, the youngest of the panelists, instead chose to shed some light on her insights into the Voting Rights Act and the improvements that could be made today in regards to voting.
Technology
“How safe do you think the American people will actually feel knowing that technology has proven not to be as beneficial and safe and as secure as some people feel going in with their own ballot?”, Flowers addresses to the panel.
Owens-Royster said, “We have some amazing technical people in Silicon Valley that if we put it to the test, in the private sector, in an open way, that we would get the kind of end to end security that would be needed to protect the vote, just like when we collect medical information.”
“Florida just passed online voting registration legislation. It was signed by the governor, it will take effect in 2017. So we’re moving in the right direction to use live technology to make it easier to register to vote”, said Henry.
Aquil made a comment regarding voting in general, “if voting was so important in our society, make it a holiday.”
Restoration
Flowers brought up the topic of restoration of voting rights to those who have had theirs taken from them. Currently, Florida is one out of three states that does not automatically restore these rights back to individuals that have been incarcerated.
“Florida disenfranchises nearly two millions individuals, they are unable to vote due to a felony. You should never lose your right to vote, it should be automatic when you’re realized from prison”, said Henry.
Youth Voting
Owens-Royster said, “You shouldn’t only be voting in presidential elections, or midterms or specials. If there was an election for dog catcher, everybody ought to be out there deciding who it is that they want.” She briefly quoted Rev. Al Sharpton, “you can’t turn them out, if you can’t turn them on.”
Harvey stressed the importance of voting by mail and that people who are 16 or 17 should be registering to vote so that when they go off to college, they can vote by mail instead. Henry’s concern is the problem that they, “need to find a way to engage” the youth, so they go out and vote.
The event closed with questions asked by members of the audience. Some members of the audience were left with more questions that could not be answered because the program ran over time.
ST. PETERSBURG – Midtown residents play a key role in upcoming city elections and need to make efforts to vote Nov. 3, according to officials at the NAACP St. Pete Branch.
There’s also a lot of money on the line.
“The African-American voter can no longer depend solely on one’s self-identifiers as the basis for selecting their candidates, particularly when there is a projected $66,801,797 tax increment financing projected to come to the Midtown and Childs Park communities by 2045,” said Maria Scruggs NAACP president.
Tax increment financing is a funding strategy that allows cities and counties to use taxes in a blighted area for redevelopment for a period of time.
Scruggs was elected president of the St. Petersburg chapter in September 2015 after the branch was closed a year ago. Last September state NAACP officials ordered the local branch to suspend all activities because, according to a letter, the group was not in “good standing.” The then-president, the Rev. Manuel Sykes, was told to turn in building keys, property and records. Scruggs, a longtime St. Petersburg resident joined the local branch at age 16. She said she was asked by former branch president, Ray Tampa, to run for the position. Scruggs and the other officers were elected without opposition.
The St. Petersburg NAACP branch hosted a forum for the candidates running for City Council on Oct. 26. There are four candidates running for two seats that represent Midtown.District 5 candidates are Phillip Garrett and Steven L. Kornell. District 7 candidates are Lisa Wheeler-Brown and Winthrop “Will” Newton.
“In 2015 and beyond it is going to be imperative that African-American voters take the opportunity to not only focus on voting and urging others to do the same, but also to become more educated about candidates,” said Scruggs.
It is important that the city have black representation on the dais.
“Trailblazers such as the late Attorney Morris Milton and other civil rights activist thought by having a black face on public governing boards, African Americans would have a voice that would equate to them receiving equal access to public resources,” said Scruggs.
Scruggs said the Midtown community should be aware of the political issues and how local government works. She advises members of Midtown to make it their business to attend a candidate forum held in the black community and one held in a predominantly white community.
Scruggs said voters should visit the city and Supervisor of Election websites for election information – especially candidate’s campaign contributions.
Follow the money, she said. “Candidates have to pay the piper who paid them. ”
ST. PETERSBURG – Should an elected official be required to be a resident of the city?
Referendum question no. 3 reads:
“Shall the City Charter be amended to clarify that a declared district candidate is required to remain a resident of the candidate’s declared district before, during and, if elected, after the election and during their term of office; and to clarify that a candidate for Mayor is required to remain a resident of the City before, during, and if elected, after the election and during their term of office?”
Currently a candidate for mayor or city council does not need to remain a resident of the district in which they are running during or after a primary or general election. The current Charter states that “a candidate for Council Member shall have been a resident of the declared district for at least the past (12) months.”
“I noticed that the amendment needed to take place back in August of 2014 once I officially took office,” said Chan Srinivasa, city clerk. “I proposed the change to the City Attorney due to the verbiage. This is a just a clean-up.”
Residents get the chance to vote on this and other referendum questions as well as city council candidates Nov. 3.
“The people elected in office are doing their job, it just wasn’t clear in the charter,” said Srinivasa.
The referendum further outlines residency requirements:
“Any candidate who does not remain a resident of the declared district prior to the primary or general elections shall be disqualified from being elected. Any candidate who is elected but does not remain a resident of the declared district prior to taking office shall be disqualified in taking office. Any candidate who does not remain a resident of the declared district during the Council Member’s term of office shall immediately be removed from office by the City Council following [procedure of removal].”
“You have the right to vote. Wherever you have an opportunity for citizens to vote, you are expressing your constitutional rights, however you decide to vote and how the elections go – that is the people’s voice,” said Srinivasa.
Carla Bristol, who serves on the board of the Dr. Carter G, Woodson Museum and owns the art studio Gallerie909, was amazed the change is needed.
“I’m surprised that this wasn’t a requirement to begin with, this should have been a requirement a long time ago,” said Bristol. “I am 100 percent in favor of it being a requirement – if you’re going to serve the people then you’re going to need to live among the people.”
“This is a part of the NAACP legacy is the having an important voice in the voting process,” said NAACP President Maria Scruggs. “Our goal was we couldn’t afford to be silent, and we have two very important seats – District 5 and District 7.”
Four City Council candidates engaged in a tense and lively two-hour forum including District 5 candidates Steve Kornell and Philip Garrett and District 7 candidates Lisa Wheeler-Brown and Winthrop ‘Will’ Newton. While the candidates were there to express their plans to tackle issues and future for the city, the reason the residents attended centered around a main goal – a better understanding of what’s at stake this election.
Resident holding a sign about the importance of voting.
“I really just want to understand what are some of the positions that some of the candidates are taking on specifically key things that are affecting our community,” said resident Kent Channer of District 5. “Water registration, education for our children, economic opportunities for the diverse people that are here.”
“I plan on really understanding more of what (the candidates) are all standing for,” said resident Shane Armstrong, who lives in District 7.
The forum began with opening statements from each candidate expressing their goals for the overall betterment of the community. Coming out strong and highly intense in her statement was Lisa Wheeler-Brown addressing the allegations her opponent, Will Newton, has brought about throughout the race.
“My opponent and some of his supporters have been saying some pretty terrible things about me and my murdered son,” said Wheeler-Brown. “They’re accusing me of profiting from my murdered son’s murder.”
The forum continued with candidate responses on issues concerning economic development, the Failure Factories series of stories, and education. The issue of the Tampa Bay Rays even arose with Newton and Kornell sharing in agreement to not take the proposed deal and Wheeler-Brown and Garrett proposing the city should.
While Wheeler-Brown and Newton shared a similar vision for the community in providing better housing and job opportunities, Garrett and Kornell shared their differences with Garrett accusing Kornell of the lack of progress he has done over the past six years especially with education. However, Kornell was not afraid to hit back at these accusations with his involvement in educating youths and the importance of proper housing and jobs that will impact education.
From left to right, moderator, Adam Smith, District 5 candidates, Steve Kornell and Philip Garrett, and District 7 candidates Winthrop ‘Will’ Newton and Lisa Wheeler-Brown.
“You want kids to come in ready to learn, well of course we do,” said Kornell. “To do that your parents have to have a good job. You have to have a house – not sleeping in a car.”
As the candidates continue to share their stance on each issue, the crowd of residents was not afraid to show their agreement or disagreement with the candidates. In the end, many residents felt the forum strengthened the decision they already had.
“I came here knowing who I was supporting,” said resident Ashley Green.
For Green, this merely was an opportunity to confirm her decision. However, for other attendees such as Ray Tampa, who lives outside of districts 5 and 7, this was a chance to make sure the city continues to grow and prosper especially in education concerning the Failure Factories stories.
“I cried when I read what I read (Failure Factories),” said Tampa. “I’m very passionate about education.”
Although confirmed to attend, District 1 candidates Monica Abbott and Charlie Gerdes were not present at the forum.
Residents get to make their choice with their vote Nov. 3.
ST. PETERSBURG – Equality. Infrastructure. Employment training.
Without a doubt, Midtown women demonstrate that they are aware of the needs of their community. Most of them do not hesitate when addressing them, especially with upcoming elections Nov. 3.
Some of them — like Angela Rouson, the president of the National Council of Negro Women of St. Petersburg — wish that elected officials continue work to make the city a level playing field. So, someone living in South St. Pete does not have to travel downtown to take advantage of shopping and entertainment resources.
Advocates. A group of Midtown women during the reunion of the National Council of Negro Women in St. Petersburg, Fla.
“That there are no barriers for you to go to see a movie, or go to the library. South St. Pete didn’t even had a post office at one time and in the last few years they have established one,” said Rouson. “The community rally for us to keep it. Simple things like that make a huge difference. That you can take a four minute trip to go to the post office, not a 15-minute trip to have a package delivered.”
Dianne Speights, vice-president of the Negro Council, considers education issues extremely important and demands help for the vast percentage of African American students who are failing.
“Whatever that route is that is hindering our children’s success, we must find where it is and fix it,” said Speights.
Others, as Negro Council member Katheryn Read, agree.
Everything starts with the school system and by providing adequate education for children, she said.
“One of the focuses is educating our children and giving them same opportunities as others individuals,” said Read. “They don’t have the same resources or the adequate teachers so just sharing a will, going into the school system because we know if they’re not adequate educated that could affect the community, eventually.”
Read — who also works in employment training — highlights the importance of job placement training.
“I know they have the 2020 Plan, but we need to go out and partner with different businesses so they can go out and take some young people under their wings and train them for their jobs, or let them go there for the summer to work. If they can’t work or sustain their way of life then Midtown isn’t going to change,” said Read.
Churches
For Deborah Green, the first African-American female to pastor a Missionary Baptist church in St. Petersburg, the candidate who wins should care about Midtown and to continue city efforts to renew 22nd Street South.
“The way they implemented and upgraded Downtown St. Pete is what they have to do with Midtown,” Green said.
One other thing that the pastor addresses is juvenile delinquency and the need for more work programs for students who are out of school in the summer.
Growth. Women of South St. Petersburg, FL, highlighted the importance of education and economic development for their community.
“The new chief is trying to find ways to pardon some of these minor offenses that some of the kids are getting because if a kid ends up with a charge they can’t go to college,” Green said. “College is not accepting children with certain types of charges.”
Bishop Clarice Pennington, of Christian Generation Center of Hope Church, would like to see more educational and recreational opportunities available in Midtown. He said children have to go to the north side of the city for activities such as a skating rink. Pennington also sees a disparity in the types of recreation centers and amenities available.
Promises
Candidates in the upcoming election include Lisa Wheeler-Brown, Winthrop “Will” Newton for District 7; and Philip Garrett and Steven L. Kornell in District 5.
Residents don’t want to be left with empty promises.
“A lot of times, too often, we see the politicians out there, campaigning and coming to the churches, yet when the campaign is over and it’s time for them to work they disappear,” said Read. “So we need someone that will represent the community from the beginning to the end and a lot of times we don’t have that.”
ST. PETERSBURG – Steve Kornell sees one vision for the future of the city.
“Equality for everyone,” he said.
Kornell, District 5’s current council member, has been in office since 2009. Kornell was re-elected in 2011 and is now running for a final term.
Born in 1966 at the now Bayfront Medical Center, Kornell has lived in St. Petersburg practically all his life. He attended Childs Park Elementary School and Gibbs High School. Kornell received his Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development from Eckerd College and Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. As a School Social Worker for the Pinellas County School System, Kornell has always been devoted to education especially education among the youths.
Kornell speaking with members of the community. Photo courtesy of stevekornell.com.
As a social worker, Kornell is involved in the Childs Park Initiative Council (CPYIC), Pinellas Youth Pride, as well as many other community groups in hopes he will build a better and safer community. Involvement in the community is very important to Kornell. He wants more people to be engaged with the city.
“I want people involved,” said Kornell. “I live right here. People know me. People see me. I’m approachable. You can call me and I’m available to meet with you.”
Kornell serves on committees that fit his passions including the Youth Services Committee, Public Services and Infrastructure Committee and the Arts Advisory Committee. He focuses on issues of youth and safety through improvements including the renovation of the Lake Vista and Campbell Park Recreation Centers and the creation of the St. Petersburg multi-family crime reduction program.
Kornell aims to improve safety, schools, education, job creation and safeguards for the environment. Kornell wants to add officers to the police department. He plans to expand the city’s youth employment programs, fight against the increase of after-school and summer program fees as well as making the Shore Acres Recreation Center a reality. With St. Petersburg’s Grow Smarter Economic Development initiative, Kornell hopes to continue funding so more and better jobs can be created as well as welcome new businesses to the city. Kornell also said he plans to install solar panels on city buildings. The city can use capital funding for the panels and the energy cost-savings come from general funds to use for community programs.
Kornell is already working towards some of these goals.
“I met today (Oct. 26) with a team of partners including St. Pete College to try to rename our youth employment program so that kids that go through it get college certification in industries and college credit,” said Kornell.
As far as job creation, Kornell sees the area poised to become a music mecca like Nashville.
“We’re poised for it, and it’s going to be big,” he said.
Kornell speaking with other members of the community. Photo courtesy of stevekornell.com.
In his 2015 campaign, Kornell has raised more than $45,000. Major organizations such as the Police Benevolent Association and Pinellas Realtor Organization and individuals including Rick Baker, former Mayor of St. Petersburg, and Rene Flowers from the Pinellas County School Board have endorsed him. However, Kornell has lost one of his top endorsers, TheTampa Bay Times.
The city’s contract with the Tampa Bay Rays is a contentious issue in this election. Kornell said recently he is open to working on a solution, according to the Tampa Bay Times. He previously voted no on a plan to allow them to look to build a stadium elsewhere.
“Sometimes these are difficult choices when there is more than one quality candidate. Sometimes the decision is difficult because we wish we had other alternatives – just like voters sometimes do,” Tim Nickens, editor of editorials of Tampa Bay Times, said in an email. “But The Times traditionally always makes a recommendation based on who the editorial board concludes is best qualified among the candidates, because someone is going to be elected and voters are going to have to choose.”
However, Kornell is not worried about the endorsement or election results. He plans to stay engaged and active in the community no matter what happens Election Day.
“I will still be involved in my community. I didn’t get involved because I want to run for office,” said Kornell. “I was involved, and that’s why I ran for office.”
Residents will get their chance to vote for Kornell or opponent Philip Garrett Tuesday, Nov. 3.
