VISIONS FOR 2020
Pinellas County Commissioner
Kenneth Welch, District 7
2020 will be a year of continued progress for our community. The next
decade of Penny for Pinellas projects will begin, from parks and roads
to housing and public safety projects. The long-awaited St. Petersburg
Pier project will be completed, adding new amenities for our residents
and visitors on St. Pete’s beautiful and accessible downtown waterfront.
There will be important opportunities to shape a bright future for
Pinellas. In March, the federal census count will begin, and Pinellas
is working to make sure that everyone in our community is counted.
And finally, 2020 will showcase our democratic process with a host of
elections at the national, state and local level. It’s incumbent upon each
of us to be informed voters, as we shape our destiny at the ballot box.
U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, former governor of Florida
(D) St. Petersburg
From the Sunshine City to Ybor City, Tampa Bay has distinguished
itself over the last ten years as a leader in sustainable development
and climate action. We’re not just growing fast, we’re growing smart
– integrating and modernizing our public transportation system
and developing strategies for eco-friendly growth through regional
partnerships like the Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Coalition. In 2020,
I look forward to building on these accomplishments by working with
my colleagues on both sides of the Bay to prepare for the next ten years
and beyond. I believe we need to do more to promote the use of solar
energy by bringing down upfront costs, increase funding for red tide
research and mitigation, and work in a bipartisan way to find real,
effective solutions to the growing threat of climate change.
Hillsborough County Commissioner
Sandra Murman, District 1
The future is bright as we look to 2020. Hillsborough County has
allocated more than $10 million in the coming year for affordable housing,
and we will continue providing homelessness services, including
shelter and case management, for our most vulnerable citizens. We will
advance support of Hillsborough County’s opioid initiative to assist
those in recovery and identify additional funding sources and services.
In regards to transportation, Hillsborough County has an aggressive
plan to assist residents with better access to employment, recreation and
housing. This plan includes solutions for sidewalks, bike paths, road
improvements, intersection safety and fixing gridlock. With steadfast
focus, we will continue fostering local start-ups and outpace others in
our quest to retain top entrepreneurial talent.
56 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020