ISSUES
Investment in our Community
Pinellas County is only going to get more populous over time and we’re running out of land. So, future development will certainly go up and not out. This means that careful planning is needed to control where this development occurs. To build a better Pinellas, we’re going to need specific ‘High-Density, Overlay Districts’ in our busiest areas that are not in flood or evacuation zones. These districts will see increased opportunities for Commercial and Retail, offices, live-work units, and desperately needed rental residential housing. The advantage of these districts is that there is a potential for residents in the surrounding lower density neighborhoods to maintain their lower densities by selling and transferring their ”buildable air rights” of their properties to these new, high-density developments. This means that residents could realize additional value from their properties without having to do anything. The added benefit will be the addition of new jobs from the new construction and new offices and businesses that are created. As the property tax base increases with the added density, we may even be able to lower the average citizen’s property tax/millage rates without reducing essential County services. Keep these revenues in Pinellas County! Investments in our modern cities, counties, and country has always spurred periods of recovery and rebirth of our communities.
Increased Investment in Local & County Services
Pinellas County has many essential services that have taken a beating over the last several administrations, having their budgets greatly reduced. We need to re-invest in these services to give our Pinellas residents what they pay taxes for. Increase the funding for PSTA. We have one of the best public transit systems that does so much with so little funding. A little bit extra would go a long way to making it event better, as we are integrated even more into the Tampa Bay Area’s Regional Transit System. Increase the budgets for the County Parks and Recreation department. We have some of the best nature parks, trails, and bikeways around and they need to be properly maintained. I’m tired of the reduce Library services in the County. We need to keep the libraries open later in the evening and on Sundays for our children, working parents, and civic groups to use the libraries more effectively. With the added investment in our communities, the building and zoning departments need to be fully staffed and streamlines so that new development won’t get delayed by excessively long, red tape. Lastly, our animals are an essential part of our families, our parks, and our shoreline. We need to help those organizations that provide services that include animal rescue, rehabilitation and adoption. These include Pinellas Couty Animal Service, SPCA, The Humane Society of Pinellas County, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Suncoast Primate Sanctuary, Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, and a host of others.
Provide Affordable Housing Solutions
One of our largest issues in Pinellas County is that our underpaid Teachers and First Responders (Firefighters, Police, Paramedics, etc.) are lacking affordable housing options. They shouldn’t be forced to live outside Pinellas County and have to commute long distances every day. Our homeless are hopelessly ignored and have few programs to assist them with housing. We also can’t forget our veteran’s who are lacking affordable house options and our aging veteran’s population that are in need of senior housing options. I have a plan to create “Teacher Villages” or “Rescue Villages” that would offer affordable or free housing to those new teachers and first responders, specially located near their workplaces. Additionally, I’d like to see a collaboration with the Bay Pines VA Hospital and services to provide on-site senior housing options for our aging veteran population that has valiantly served our county. It’s time for us to serve them!
Increase to Public Safety and Awareness
Pinellas County is in desperate need of a “Nuisance Ordinance” added to the County Code of Ordinances. The beach and coastal communities have a “Roady and out-of-control” problem with Air B-N-B’s Owners that don’t control the conduct of their renters. Creation of a nuisance ordinance will give county staff the tools to remove problem properties. This same tool can be used by local law enforcement agencies to remove ‘Drug Houses’ and eliminate the illicit activities occurring. Lastly, this tool can be used by county staff to affect parcels that have had excessive and continuous code violations, negative police involvement, and generally a blight on our communities.
Community Involvement
David has had a long respect for the former Florida Governor, Bob Graham and his dedication to perform “100 Workdays” in order to connect with the people of the State of Florida and experience what they do on a daily basis. David pledges to create his own series of “Workdays” to connect with the resident’s of Pinellas County and work with them in their various jobs and activities for a better appreciation of what they do for our community!