Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

Thomas Scott is currently on the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, but he is leaving due to term limits, and will make a run for district seven. I couldn’t find his campaign website (update: found), but there’s a little bio at the 34th St. Church of God, where he is the Senior Pastor.  Anyway, Scott currently represents District 3 which includes most of East Tampa, and he’s outta there.

Those running to jump in his shoes on the BOCC include Republican Kenneth “Ken” Anthony and current City Councilman Democrat Kevin White.

On his website, Kevin White lists the issues he says are important to District 3:

• Crime Prevention
• Indigent Health Care
• Youth Activities & Programs
• Smart Growth
• Affordable Housing
• Transportation
• Economic & Business Development

along with his mostly generic positions - “I will continue to fight to keep our children safe and free from harm.”

Ken Anthony gives a list of issues that closely mirror Mr. White’s:

• Affordable Housing
• Transportation
• Public Safety
• Economic Development
• Indigent Health Care
• Quality of Life

Anthony addresses each issue, but not in writing. He’s created a separate video for each.

Last Wednesday, I sent an email to each for an interview request.  White agreed, but since then he has not responded to my softball questions sent last Thursday.  I never heard from Ken Anthony at all.

In answering the Tribune’s questions, Anthony gave better detail on most, and White offered no opinion on two of the queries. They both ducked the question about a County Mayor.  Click below to see for yourself.

QUESTION:How will you vote on the nonbinding referendum about regulating adult entertainment? As a commissioner, what will you do if Tampa declines to pass regulations as tough as those adopted by Hillsborough County?

• Ken Anthony: There are currently existing regulations, which have oversight of adult businesses. The cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City have the right, authority and obligation to govern in a manner that they feel best represent their constituents.
• Kevin White: I will make my decision once all of the facts have been presented to the board and the county’s legal staff has rendered its opinion on the matter.

QUESTION:What are the two or three most important steps Hillsborough commissioners can take to reduce traffic congestion and improve transportation?

• Ken Anthony:Assess and improve service routes and schedules of [HART]line. Determine viability of light rail. Encourage development and use of high occupancy lanes and public transit lanes on local interstates.
• Kevin White: Increase [HART]line ridership. Look at the feasibility of a regional light rail system that compliments [complements] existing modes of transportation while attempting to identify funding and cooperative planning on future roadway projects.

QUESTION:What are the two or three most important steps Hillsborough commissioners can take to manage growth and provide more affordable housing?

• Ken Anthony: Have discussions with our municipalities, businesses and residents to encourage more infill development, where the infrastructure currently exists. Exercise more oversight on land-use changes to the comprehensive plan. Encourage more compact growth.
• Kevin White: Offer builders and developers more incentives for building an affordable component within their project. Offer developers incentives on county-owned property that is not currently generating any tax revenue, and let them build affordable housing units on them.

QUESTION: Does Hillsborough spend too much, too little or about the right amount of tax money on services and projects? What part of the county budget do you think could be cut to provide more tax relief?

• Ken Anthony:In my opinion, tax relief for the sake of tax relief shortchanges our citizens. Both the actions of the city council and county commission were seen as “symbolic” gestures to appease our residents. These actions are a disservice to our residents, as they deserve less symbolism and more substance.
• Kevin White: I have not had adequate time to review the entire county’s budget, and I would be speaking out of turn to answer this question at this time.

QUESTION:How would you rate the performance of the county commission over in the past two years, and what is the single most important thing you could do as a commissioner to improve what happens in the next two years?

• Ken Anthony: I believe the commission needs to focus on those issues that are most important and the most challenging to our constituents — issues such as transportation, housing, the creation of higher-paying jobs, safer neighborhoods and maintaining a viable economy. We must also … look for every opportunity to operate more efficiently, cut out government waste and become as “lean” as possible while meeting the needs and expectations of our citizens.
• Kevin White: From my perspective, the commission has done a fair job. But some apparent differences in opinions and solutions to issues has hampered and overshadowed their decisions. I believe that I could bring a pleasing demeanor to the board, which would hopefully bring consensus among board members.

QUESTION: What’s your position on changing county government to include an elected county mayor?

• Ken Anthony: I believe that it has been determined that a referendum will be on the ballot in 2008. I am comfortable with allowing the citizens of Hillsborough County to determine the form of governance they desire.
• Kevin White: The decision of whether to have a county mayor will be left up to the citizens of Hillsborough County. Whatever they decide I will have to abide by.

So that’s a quick look at the two candidates for Board of County Commissioners – District Three. If you have any further thoughts on either of the two candidates, we would love to hear them – leave a comment.  Feel free to include links to any stories you want to highlight.

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