Where I Stand
I am running for St. Pete City Council because I believe I have the fortitude and vision to move the City of St. Petersburg forward. I believe we need a leader who will be accessible, responsive, and accountable to the individual citizen. Our local government has a direct impact on our daily lives. We need a leader who will stand for and with the community.
Public Safety
Public Safety is job one for local government.
Citizens must be certain that they are safe and secure in their homes, neighborhoods, and throughout the city. I recently completed the St. Petersburg Police Citizens Police Academy and I can personally attest that we have the most professional, accredited, and highly trained police force that any City could ask for.
I support law enforcement strategies to identify criminal activity, and then apply early intervention tactics to decrease the escalation of harm. We must deter potential wrongdoers before they act by establishing that we will not tolerate those who disrupt our safety and security by choosing to violate the law.
I also believe that Public Safety includes enforcing compliance with City Codes intended to protect property, investment, public health and safety.
Fiscal Responsibility and Innovation
As a current small business owner, I also have the experience of making difficult choices. Responsible and experienced decision-making is critical to achieving a bright future.
Top Arts Destination
St. Petersburg has become internationally known for its museums and nurturing of the arts. We need to preserve and improve this prominence to maximize the economic benefits of tourism and to attract business investment.
Florida's First "Green City"
St. Petersburg was the first designated "Green City" in the State of Florida. We must continue to identify and invest in sustainable and renewable water, energy, transportation and conservation technologies, and to attract alternative energy technology businesses to our City.
Marine Science & Technology Enclave
St. Petersburg has quite an impressive-- but not well-known-- marine science, technology and education enclave anchored in Bayboro Harbor. Investment in publicizing, advancing, and exploiting this clean high-tech industry will benefit USF-St. Petersburg and potentially make the Port of St. Petersburg a positive revenue generator.
Meeting or exceeding objectives by saving resources must become the standard measure for accountability and success.
Employees, supervisors, and managers at every level must be shown that achieving efficiencies and savings through productivity, innovation and technology will be recognized and rewarded. Simply meeting a budget is expected, not extraordinary. I will insist on the extraordinary when it comes to stewardship of public funds.
Sustainability/Environment
I am committed to being a good steward for St. Petersburg.
Water
We must ensure the continued availability and provision of clean water, safe treatment and recycling of wastewater, and the movement and dispersal of storm water. We must protect the waters of Tampa Bay, Boca Ciega Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico as well as maintain and protect the necessary infrastructure to accomplish these critical Public Safety missions.
Development
I support the application and enforcement of the St. Petersburg's Land Use Regulations and Codes adopted during St. Petersburg's Vision 2020 planning process. Vision 2020 reflects the consensus of the people and has been enacted into a law that must be fairly and objectively applied. Development, restoration and preservation, and renovation should all be encouraged and promoted consistently and in compliance with the codes generated and enacted through Vision 2020.
Mass Transit
I support and will encourage St. Petersburg's investment and participation in the implementation of innovative technologies to operate efficient regional mass transportation whether it be bus, light rail, and/or water ferries, to service the greater Tampa Bay region. We must encourage and facilitate efficient commuting for employment, education, sports, entertainment, and tourism in the City of St. Petersburg.
Green Business/Renewables
I believe St. Petersburg is the perfect location for operating and growing clean and renewable energy technology businesses, especially in the solar and wind energy arenas. I will seek out and solicit opportunities to bring such businesses here and encourage collaborative relationships to create economies of scale to attract these entrepreneurs.