Neighborhood News Bureau

Category: NNB Special Projects

  • Midtown voter turn out may not be as bleak as it seems

    Midtown voter turn out may not be as bleak as it seems

    BY ERIC VAUGHAN
    NNB Reporter

    A busy road in Midtown. Workers head home and drive right by the 113 Precinct  located inside the Christ Gospel Church.

    Poll workers say even though voter turnout is apparently low, it beats last year when a record low of only 26 voters showed throughout the entire day.

    At around 5:30 p.m., the precinct had just about double their numbers with about 50 or so registered voters casting their votes.

    Workers stated since the option to mail in ballots has arrived, it is no telling from year-to-year how many voters they might get.

    Midtown resident Christian Haas came out to support Lisa Wheeler-Brown and  Steve Kornell.

    “Wheeler-Brown is all about bridging the gap between police and the rest of the city… Having someone who understands the struggle of the lower class in our city is a great asset to add to the conversation at city hall,” Haas said. “Kornell is a good guy, and will continue to do great things for this city,” he added.

  • Kids cause disturbance on Election Day

    Election Day at Polling Location for Precinct 225

    BY CARLY ROMANO
    NNB Reporter

    ST. PETERSBURG—During midday, the polling location for voting precinct 225 was having problems with kids throwing rocks and pine bark not only at cars in the parking lot, but also at a poll-worker and his motor bike.

    This caused a disturbance, which lead to the volunteer poll workers to go outside and ward off the kids who were dropped off at a nearby school bus stop.

    Those working were discussing whether to move their cars in fear the kids would not leave.

    After being yelled at several times, the kids began to move away from the property.

    The polling location for precinct 225 is held at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and is in close range of a school zone.

    In the midst of problems with school kids, no voters were present.

    According to Jason Latimer, spokesman for the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections, only 32 people have voted for precinct 225 as of 4:19 p.m.

    Poll workers muttered that this was extremely low traffic compared to past elections.

    Regina Johnson, resident of District 5, cast a ballot on all referendum questions as well as a candidates for District 5 and 7.

    “I always vote,” she said with pride after voting.

    Election information is posted outside of all polling locations. Voters should come prepared, as poll workers are not allowed to advise or educate about the election.

    “We are able to provide press releases, voting registration deadlines and any election information,” Latimer said.

    For further information regarding elections, voters can visit www.votepinellas.com.

  • Low flow of voters for St. Pete city election

    Low flow of voters for St. Pete city election

    BY INDHIRA SUERO
    NNB Reporter

    An empty street and a few signs indicated where to vote for the candidates running for St. Petersburg City Council District 7.

    However — around noon — only two voters appeared to exercise their right to vote at New Hope Baptist Church.

    The District 7 race has community activist Lisa Wheeler-Brown squared off against Winthrop “Will” Newton.

    Residents also got the chance to vote on four city referendum questions which dealt with protections to sea grass beds, district boundaries, residency restrictions for elected officials and electronic counting of council member votes.

    Resident Phillips Ulises came out to support Newton. Ulises said he was not aware of the referendum questions.

    According to poll workers,  participation has been low with just “a few voters” appearing at the precinct.

    Estimated voter turnout averaged about 1.8 percent by 2 p.m., according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections.

     

  • Election 2015: Amid low-turnout, one voter participates in Childs Park

    Election 2015: Amid low-turnout, one voter participates in Childs Park

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    BY LORIEN MATTIACCI
    NNB Reporter

    Lolita Dash-Pitts, the only voter at the Childs Park Recreation and Fitness Center at noon Tuesday, came out to support candidate Will Newton of District 7.

    Residents got the chance to vote on City Council members and four city referendum questions. The referendums dealt with protections to sea grass beds, district boundaries, residency restrictions for elected officials and how to tally council member votes.

    Estimated voter turnout averaged about 1.8 percent by 2 p.m., according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections.

    Dash-Pitts did not know much about the referendums, but she felt that the ballot language explained them well.

    “I was glad they clarified the referendums without my having to do the research,” said Pitts.

    Of the referendums up for vote, Dash-Pitts felt most strongly about the electronic voting. She believes that this move to technology will reduce the likelihood of human error.

    “I think that electronic voting is a more up-to-date approach than having a clerk register the votes,” said Dash-Pitts.

    Dash-Pitts, 52, is a regular voter for more than 30 years. She is cognizant of the sacrifices made to create and maintain a democratic society, and feels it’s important that anyone who can vote, does.

    “I call all my friends from the precinct and tell them to come and vote,” said Dash-Pitts. “Our forefathers had to struggle to give us the privilege to vote, and we should not waste that privilege.”

     

  • Election 2015: St. Pete voters at the polls and on social media

    Voter turnout was low but some St. Petersburg residents who showed at the polls also shared their thoughts on Election Day through social media.

     

  • Kornell, Wheeler-Brown win St. Pete election

    Residents backed incumbent Steve Kornell (District 5) for a final term and opted for political newcomer Lisa Wheeler-Brown (District 7) in St. Petersburg’s city election Tuesday. Charles Gerdes was the other winner (District 1).

    Voters also approved all four referendum questions.

    The referendums dealt with protections to sea grass beds, district boundaries, residency restrictions for elected officials and how to tally council member votes.

  • Q&A: Steve Kornell

    Each city council candidate was asked the same questions by NNB reporters. Here are their unedited responses.

    1. Why are you running for City Council?

    “To continue the work that I have started and that community has worked on with me for the last six years. Lots of things to continue and move forward. I haven’t even stopped. I’ve been doing things the whole time I’ve been up for re-election working on issues and pushing things forward. Things like the Skyway Marina District, purchasing environmental land like we did with Boyd Hill – expanding Boyd Hill, making sure that we fixed the sewer issues that we’ve had for a long time that have now really come to light and making sure that gets moving. So, I’m going. It’s not like what I will do after the election. It’s what I’ve been doing and continuing moving forward with that.”

    1. What is your plan for Midtown?

    “Well, I think there is a broader area. Like for example, Jabil Circuit moving into South St. Petersburg is good. That is very good. There is a lot of potential there. If we can get corporate headquarters into South St. Petersburg that will bring jobs. That’s a real game changer for South St. Petersburg, and Jabil Circuit coming in on 34the Street South is fantastic for example. So, I think that’s important. I think the Midtown campus of St. Pete College is important. I think public transportation that serves the community is important.”

    1. What do you feel are issues impacting Midtown?

    “Well, I think we need to make sure the city does things that are fair. You know, I think jobs. I think jobs are the most important thing. I think housing is important. I think jobs and housing are two of the most important things and giving people those opportunities that are important for everybody to have.”

  • Philip Garrett, grassroots campaigner

     

    BY KALIE MCCAUSLAND
    NNB Reporter

    Wanting to change the community he lives in, Phil Garrett decided to make another run at City Council.

    He is running against Steve Kornell to represent District 5. The city election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

    This district covers the majority of the Midtown community, where Garrett has been a resident for the last 20 years. Though he ran once before, he’s hoping this time for different results. He is running his campaign on limited donations. So, he has attempted to reach the neighborhoods and people of Midtown the old fashioned way – going door to door.

    His style of campaigning reflect his beliefs and wants for Midtown. While politicians spend thousands of dollars on campaigns and consultants, he believes the focus should be to reach out to the community personally. He has spent about $1,400 in the past weeks, mostly on signs. He has dedicated a huge portion of his time in the community attempting to strike a fire into the hearts of the families of Midtown.

    “The black community is on a treadmill, it’s about time we got off,” said Garrett regarding recurring problems and empty promises.

    His vision for the community and what his plans are if he is elected are to bring in jobs and improve education.

    Garrett wants to use money from the Community Redevelopment act to lure businesses into vacant shopping centers. Those businesses will bring jobs and economic development opportunities. He believes that this can be done through partnerships with the neighborhood associations and giving incentives to new businesses.

    Another way he plans to improve the economy in Midtown is through the use of Tropicana Field. He agrees with Mayor Rick Kriseman and the proposition to allow the Tampa Bay Rays to look for a new site for a better stadium. He believes by allowing this, the baseball team will be able to remain local while also opening up 84 acres of land the field currently resides on for redevelopment.

    Garrett’s plan to improve education aims to help students at a young age. He believes that education should start as early as possible. He wants to start a tutoring program for elementary and middle school students. The program would take place at the neighborhood recreational centers and would involve local college students, who would get college credit, working as tutors. The focus of this program would help struggling students stay focused and supported at the after school programs they are already enrolled in instead of unwisely using that time.

    Garrett is a self-described “out of the box thinker” and believes that even though he is not a “perfect man” he is the perfect man for this job. As a father of three, he strives to give back to the community and wants to show his children that anyone can make a difference as long as they have passion and drive.

    He hopes his campaign helps change the way current leadership is handling Midtown. Feeling neglected and overlooked while the rest of downtown builds up around the community, Garrett believes Kornell has not placed the people of Midtown as a priority.

    “It is what you do that shows what you care about,” said Garrett.

    When asked how he would feel if he lost the race, he responded that he would be devastated but would refuse to give up and would probably run again next time. His reaction will only be seen by his family, however, as he plans to spend that night at his house surrounded by the support of his family instead of spending money on what he feels to be an unnecessary party.

    “How can I celebrate a win, when it is just the first step into making a better Midtown,” said Garrett. ” I’ll celebrate when changes are made for the better.”

     

  • Q&A: Will Newton

    Each city council candidate was asked the same questions by NNB reporters. Here are their unedited responses.

    1. Why are you running for City Council?

    “I have dedicated my entire career to caring about people. I was a firefighter and EMT for 23 years, dedicated to public safety and saving lives. I’m now District Vice President of the Florida Professional Firefighters Union, working to create secure futures for people and their families. I’m also a former President of the Childs Park Neighborhood Association. It is that strong commitment to our community that has led me to seek public office.”

    1. What is your plan for Midtown?

    “The city recently created the Southside CRA, designed to bring jobs, affordable housing and small businesses to long-troubled neighborhoods. I strongly support the Southside CRA. It is my hope that the 85-acre Tropicana Field site can be added to the Southside TIF district once the Rays baseball issue is resolved. at or below the

    Federal Poverty Level. Poverty’s symptoms are no secret either: Increased crime rates, high unemployment, insufficient public transportation options, insufficient affordable housing, limited access to healthy food, limited access to health care, and lower educational outcomes. Poverty affects the economic prosperity of our entire community, costing everyone living in St. Petersburg and throughout Pinellas County an astounding $2.5 billion annually. While spending so much combating the adverse outcomes of poverty, we have failed to spend enough to actually reduce poverty! One could say we’ve spent too much on a pound of cure, and nowhere near enough on an ounce of prevention. These conditions will continue to fuel the cycle of poverty until our City Council revisits its stance, lifts its restrictive funding policies, and resets its priorities. District 7 needs a City Council member who will respectfully call on colleagues to consider a different perspective and a meaningful commitment to break the cycle of poverty that burdens our entire city.”

    1. What do you feel are issues impacting Midtown?

    “I have chosen to run for the District 7 City Council seat because it is the best opportunity to bring positive change for our community. I live in a part of town with a lot of challenges – crime, un- and under-employment and both a lack of opportunities and role models for young people. Addressing these problems will take a strong work ethic, leadership and an ability to compromise. These are the traits that my brothers and sisters in uniform saw when they chose me to lead them, and they are the same traits that I think have prepared me to be the right person at this time in this particular office.

    The three most pressing concerns in my district are crime, a lack of employment opportunities for both juveniles and adults and a lack of affordable housing units. In particular, the employment opportunities for juveniles and young adults feed many of the problems in my district.”

  • Referendum no. 4 and electronic voting by city council

    Referendum no. 4 and electronic voting by city council

    BY ERIC VAUGHAN
    NNB Reporter

    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.