Although there are just 52 days left before Tampa citizens choose their next mayor, all six candidates who are looking to succeed Pam Iorio as Tampa's chief executive had never met together under one roof until late Friday afternoon in Ybor City. And for a bonus, that included the mysterious candidate, Arthur Richardson (right), making a rare public appearance.
There, the candidates were given five minutes apiece to address the GaYBOR District Coalition's monthly meeting (though some went several minutes longer) at the new Metro Wellness and Community Center on 7th Avenue.
Here is a synopsis of the candidates, in order of appearance:
Bob Buckhorn: Like many of the candidates, Buckhorn spent the first part of his brief speech recounting his biography, before explaining why he decided to upend his family's relatively comfortable life to run to become the city's chief executive. Presenting probably the best poise and eye contact with the crowd, Buckhorn said he realized a couple of years ago that "Tampa had lost its way."
"I realized we were losing our best and brightest to other cities, " he said. "Because we couldn't compete. They're going to Raleigh-Durham, they're going to Austin, Texas, they're going to San Diego. They're going to places where the opportunities for them were better."
He then said it was worth running because he believes in the potential for the community to rebound. "The stakes in this race are higher than they've ever been," he said dramatically. "If you believe we can do better, if you believe we don't have to settle, but that we can aspire to be that city in America that everybody talks about again, I'm going to need your help." It was perhaps the strongest five minutes of the afternoon, as his theme was that the city could become great, perhaps for the first time, if he's elected.
Rose Ferlita: The former City Councilwoman and County Commissioner received a warm response as she also gave her biography before getting into what she wants to accomplish as mayor. She then delved into what seems to be a universal theme among many of the candidates that we've heard from in individual interviews: that is, to rid Tampa of excessive regulations that strangle small businesses.
"I will tell you: That as Rose Ferlita being your mayor, the city of Tampa will be out of the business of red tape."
Ferlita talked about making the city so attractive to businesses outside of Tampa to recruit that it will "be difficult for them to say no." At one point she made an obvious reference to her being the only female in the race. Acknowledging her opponents, she said, "I will be the best saleswoman (that Tampa could ever have)" to recruit those out-of-town companies.
She also said she was prepared to deal with what she called "the bible": Tampa's budget.
Dick Greco: The former and perhaps future mayor spent several minutes praising the success of the GaYBOR business district, and then spoke about his links to the historical area, which is where he grew up. He then segued into his last term as mayor, during which he was responsible for helping foster Centro Ybor; somewhat defensively, he said that Ybor would have dried up without it. "If that had not been have been done, my friends, you'd have nothing here today. It had to be done." (He did not mention that, almost four years after it opened, the complex needed a $16.3 million multiyear bailout.) He said that $245 million was spent on Ybor during his last term in office.
"Whatever time I've got left in my life I will give to this city," Greco, 77, said. He then boasted about his experience, but said little about what he would do to move the city forward in the future.
Arthur Richardson: GaYBOR President (and City Council candidate in District 5) Carrie West introduced businessman Arthur Richardson by saying he hadn't had a chance to meet him yet.
Ditto virtually the rest of the city.
The mystery man of the 2011 election made what might have been his first public appearance — ever — as a candidate, and was understandably nervous as he read from his notes while standing behind the podium (Ed Turanchik was the only other candidate who stood directly behind the microphone).
We learned that he was born in Miami and that through his family he learned to "stay on the right path." He spoke about coming from a humble background, and spoke warmly of his family, friends and schoolteachers. "When we work together, great things happen."
"How do we diversify Tampa's economy?" he asked. "How do we protect our children and families from crime? How do we improve our city's infrastructure? How do we make progress when so many solutions involve federal or state help?" he asked, all good questions. And his answer?
Well, first, a little attempt at humor.
"The secret to our future is really not in our past [pause]. No, I'm not talking about Dick [Greco]." Richardson smiled and sort of giggled, before there was a delayed audience response of some nervous titters.
CL spoke briefly with Richardson after the forum and learned that he does not support a ban on panhandling at street rights-of-way, but would sanction aggressive panhandling. We hope to be able to provide more information to voters about his candidacy soon.
This article appears in Jan 13-19, 2011.