As someone who was raised, educated, and employed in Tampa, I am excited to work with the community I have grown to love over the years. Tampa is facing many economic, social, and infrastructure-related problems, but I believe that we have the will, resources, and creativity to solve them even in the midst of this national recession. I believe that Tampa has an unprecedented potential to grow and prosper if we decide to use our resources to benefit the people.
In the past few years of my life, I have talked to many hard-working, well informed citizens. Some of them were educators, small business owners, and many were just brief acquaintances who were concerned about the issues in our community. I believe that together as a community we can create a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Tampa where opportunity is vibrant and reachable for everyone.
Public Safety:
The most important service any city government should be responsible for is making sure that each and every citizen is safe at home, on the streets, and around town.
As mayor, I will make public safety my top priority. I will work with the police department to make sure it has everything it needs to keep Tampians safe and begin making progress towards a much safer Tampa.
Economic Development:
An issue that is becoming more and more evident as this recession deepens is the need for Tampa to focus on efficient, long-lasting economic growth. The attempts the city has been taking in recent years has primarily been an effort to "revitalize" downtown. Unfortunately, even with minor success revenue continues to drop significantly month after month.
I believe that we need to take a new approach. We need to focus on making Tampa a business-friendly environment to keep the jobs we have and attract new businesses and workers. We need to give people a better residential reason to move and work here. During this recession, people are looking for jobs, and businesses that are fleeing from places like Michigan, California, and New York, are looking for a place to operate with less of a tax burden. We need new jobs on all levels. From the high unemployment rate in Tampa to the students graduating from our universities, we need to make sure opportunity is increasing on all levels.
Appropriate Completion of Roads and Bridges
As mayor, I will insure that the most cost-effective and long lasting materials will be used to repair and complete our roads and bridges for a safer, more timely, and longer lasting effect.
VETERANS & MILITARY
As the grandson of a veteran of World War II, I have the utmost respect for the men and women who have served our country and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Our country owes a large debt of gratitude to those who have made freedom in this country possible.
Please be assured that I am committed to those who have put their lives on the line for our nation. We must respond to their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their families with an appropriate level of gratitude.