Tampa's Political Realities

A very interesting article about the role of Tampa in area politics and the role certain neighborhoods in Tampa politics. Note that Seminole Heights is mentioned ,which is good. However I would like for it referenced in the future that "In city elections, getting the support of Seminole Heights is critical."

How do we do that? We need to get a good turn out at every election. The 4 associations need ot plan election forums for every election months or even years in advance. We need to really market those forums and get people there. We need to go to each other's porch parties and events so we get to see ourselves as a connected Seminole Heights family the way South Tampa and West Tampa folks do. And we need to have people on various boards. We need to have candidates for office. And some of those need to win. We also need fun stuff. Events people will come to whether big or small that so that Seminole Heights is on everyone's mind when they think Tampa. All of these we are doing, much better than in the past. Lets keep the momentum going, however and get a good turn out.

"South Tampa, with its mansions on Bayshore Boulevard, its bungalows in Palma Ceia and its new condos on Howard Avenue, has long been the base of political power in the city. Families there are well-established, with roots stretching back generations.

Residents there make their voices heard politically. Turnout in south Tampa precincts hovered in the 30 percent and 40 percent range during the last municipal election.

"One of the things that struck me is if you can't win south Tampa, you can't win," said Frank Sanchez, who lost to Iorio in the 2003 mayoral election. "They go out to vote at higher rates than the rest of the city. They seem to be more engaged in civic activities. You need to win south Tampa and do strongly in other parts of the city."

Precincts in Seminole Heights and Forest Hills also tend to show up on Election Day. West Tampa - where politics are always the topic of the day at Cuban breakfast joints - is important, too.

"West Tampa votes," said Jan Platt, a former county commissioner and city councilwoman. "In city elections, getting the support of West Tampa is critical."

New Tampa, though, hasn't shown much of an appetite for city elections. About 21 percent of New Tampa's residents voted in the 2003 election. Citywide, turnout was about 33 percent.

"Because of the transient nature in New Tampa, you can't build a power base, which is completely opposite of south Tampa, where people have roots," Platt said.

Only as New Tampa residents further settle into town will they feel more connected politically and turn out on Election Day. Considering the rapid growth there, when that happens, New Tampa voters will be more of a factor in city elections."

Also in the Tribune, where our mayoral candidates stand on some issues.

"The three candidates see the city's needs differently and have vastly different priorities.

Green wants to focus on attracting small businesses to the city. He wants to create jobs where people have a future. He also wants to attract international trade and business to the city.

His other priorities include emergency disaster planning and working with the school district to find ways to keep students from dropping out.

"I'm looking to affect people's lives in a very real manner, not just pave streets," Green said.

Lewis wants to focus on infrastructure improvements by requiring developers to include new infrastructure in their developments.

"Our streets are in Third-World condition," Lewis said. "That comes from being neglected by the past and current administrations."

Like Green, Lewis wants to find ways to bring higher-paying jobs to Tampa.

"You have to be able to reach out and bring everyone together and then you come up with a master plan of how you want to accomplish it," Lewis said.

He criticizes Iorio for not working well with people and points to friction this past year between the city administration and museum board and to tension between the city and county as examples.

If re-elected, Iorio would focus on developing a mass transit plan for the city and further investing in neighborhood improvements, such as building new fire stations and fixing the aging stormwater system.

She intends to bring to fruition the development of the city's cultural corridor, including a new art museum building and the Riverwalk"