TAMPA, Fla. — Ahead of the 2023 municipal elections, ABC Action News reached out to candidates running for office in Hillsborough County. The following statements have been submitted to ABC Action News by the candidate. Every candidate was given the same set of questions. These are their responses, unedited, in his/her own words.
Question 1: What is the most important issue facing your district?
Answer: Overdevelopment, public safety, and toilet to tap
Question 2: How do you plan to address the affordable housing crisis in your district? What is your stance on rent control?
Answer: I made a motion to put a record fund for affordable housing into the CRA budget. There can be some limited affordable housing in South Tampa, but mostly we would be targeting the "missing middle." I am against rent control -- it's not allowed in Florida.
Question 3: What is your position on development projects in your district?
Answer: I am in favor of good development, but against projects that don't match the scale and character of neighborhoods. On city council we serve in a quasi judicial capacity so we have to review every case based on the facts and law presented to us.
Question 4: How do you plan to address the growing issue of traffic congestion and pedestrian safety?
Answer: Four years ago I made a motion (supported unanimously) to create a citywide sidewalk plan and a citywide bicycle plan. We are still waiting on staff to complete these (now part of the mobility plan).
Question 5: How do you balance the need for economic growth while protecting our natural resources?
Answer: We need to modernize economic development in Tampa. Our processes are stuck in the 80s and they're still centered on the "edifice complex" -- measuring success in buildings. We need to use modern economic measures and policies to build wealth while protecting our way of life. I created the website www.tampascorecard.com with USF to start the honest measurement.
Question 6: Crime and public safety are issues of concern for your constituents. How do you plan to address them?
Answer: Several months ago I proposed that we look at the need to add up to 200 more police officers. Staff presented today and said they will bring back a plan. I have also advocated for more fire rescue vehicles, new stations and more personnel. The staff is currently working on a public safety plan that council proposed.
Question 7: Specifically, there has been a uptick in shootings involving teens, what are some of your solutions to reduce teen crime?
Answer: At city council we added mental health counselors to work closely with the police. We need to support counselors at schools and improve the after school programs. We need to also support career planning and paths to careers.
Question 8: Is there anything else you would like to say that your constituents should know about your run for mayor?
Answer: I have been a neighborhood advocate for many years. I've also been a champion for the arts, planning and innovation. We have accomplished much in the past four years but we will see even more results as we implement our plans and programs over the next 2-3 years.
WEBSITE: https://www.billcarlson.com
