Category: Elections Fall 2015

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.”

2. 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.”

3. 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.”

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.”

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.”

2. 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.”

3. 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.”

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.

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