Ybor City merchant Carrie West is proud of creating the GaYBOR District Coalition in 2007, and says that through the coalition he's helped bring over two dozen new businesses into Ybor over the past few years. One of those new businesses, Hamburger Mary's, was the site of a fundraiser for the Tampa City Council District 5 candidate this past Monday night.
Along with his partner, Mark Bias, West opened up MC Film on the NE corner of 8th Avenue and 15th St. in Ybor back on the 4th of July of 2007. He serves on the Ybor City Development Corp's board, and cares deeply about the neighborhood. District 5 also contains Channelside, downtown, and other parts of the city.
Although it's been noted that West is openly gay, it's not the first time such a candidate has run for office in Tampa. That happened back in 1998, when West ran for the first time. He says politics has always been a part of his life — his mom served on the state board of education in Wisconsin, and his dad worked as a field secretary for longtime Wisconsin Democratic Congressman David Obey (who is serving his last weeks in the House of Representatives after 42 years in office).
West calls himself a businessman who "happens to be gay." He says he's a fiscal conservative, having worked in retail for over 20 years. He believes prejudices against gays have changed dramatically over time, and thinks the voters in District 5 aren't focused on that, but simply want to elect the best person for the job.
West is an avid ambassador for the Ybor historical district, excitedly mentioning that a locally owned pharmacy and a health clinic will soon be opening up in the western section of the entertainment district soon, more proof that the neighborhood is constantly improving.
West is also a big supporter of light rail, making sure to note that though the recent transit tax failed in Hillsborough County, it did succeed within Tampa's city limits. He says he wants to make Tampa the "greenest city" in the nation.
At his campaign fundraiser at Hamburger Mary's the other night were two City Council candidates running in other races, District 1 candidate Guido Maniscalco and District 3 candidate Seth Nelson, as well as Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner.
West is running against Stanley L. Gloster, Lynette "Tracee" Judge, Herold L Lord and Frank Reddick.
This article appears in Dec 16-22, 2010.