Likening it in many ways to the development of the space program, the beginning of the intercontinental railroad system and President Eisenhower's concept to begin the interstate highway network, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio made her boldest and most declarative call yet for the passage of a sales tax referendum later this year in Hillsborough County that would bring light rail to the community.
In her final State of the City Address flanked by six of the seven City Council members (Charlie Miranda was absent) the mayor began her presentation as she has in previous years from the Convention Center – by airing a promotional video boasting of the various achievements that the city has enjoyed over the past year.
Although the mayor and the council must find a way to cut $27 million from the 2011 budget, Iorio was in a sunny and optimistic mood as she talked about what will be the focus of her final 12 months in office – getting the transportation referendum passed this November in the county, which she has now defined as what will be legacy.
This article appears in Mar 10-16, 2010.