Several weeks ago HYNCA sent a questionnaire to all 19 Tampa City Council Candidates. Of the 19 candidate only 3 responded. Read their responses below. While HYNCA will not endorse any candidate, those who responded have shown that they do care about citizen concerns and will to respond to our needs.
Remember that City Council Elections are Tuesday, March 6. GO VOTE!!!!
City Council Candidate Response to HYNCA Questionnaire
Frank Reddick: District 5 (represents East Tampa, Ybor City, Downtown)
- How would you as a City Council member address the issue of nuisance nightclubs and excessive noise and crime associated with these establishments? The City of Tampa already has a Nuisance Abatement Board and as a city council member, I will do everything within my power to assure that this board is up and operating to serve the purpose for which it was established. I will support limiting the number of nightclubs in Ybor City. As for the crime situation, I will work with law enforcement to ensure that they have the tools and budget necessary to provide a safe and secure environment for residents and businesses in our neighborhoods.
- As a member of the City Council and thus the Ybor CRA board, would you support residential development through CRA or other government funds? What steps would you take to address increased residential development and affordable housing in Ybor City? As a member of the executive board of the East Tampa Partnership, I have been supported of residential development through the CRA. I am also, supportive of developers setting aside affordable single family and rental housing units to help stabilize the vitality of the Historic Ybor District.
- As a member of City Council how would you support resident’s desire to streetscape improvements? How would you ensure that areas surrounding Historic Ybor do not threaten the historic character and redevelopment of our neighborhood? As a member of city council I will support and work diligently for the aesthetics and beautification of all neighborhoods in my district so that they are desirable places to live and work. The integrity of the Historic Ybor District must be preserved and those areas adjacent to it should blend in without destroying the character of the historic district.
Randy Barron: District 1 (Citywide)
Mr. Barron responded to questions in a telephone interview
- Mr. Barron believes a nationally recognized historic district could have additional rules and regulations applied. He proposes taking away wet zoning permits from clubs and bars which negatively impact the community on a continuous basis. He has examined the wet zoning ordinance in Tampa and believes the city is well within its rights to revoke wet zoning permits.
- Mr. Barron believes developers should be encouraged to set aside some affordable housing. He basically said the affordable housing issue is large and needs careful study. He would support the use of CRA/TIF funds to purchase and land bank properties for attainable housing development in the area and for additional residential development. He agrees that Ybor needs to see and increase in population to support the local businesses.
- Being the president of a neighborhood of a historic district Mr. Barron understands the complexities of some of the rules and regulations regarding historic districts. He would whole-heartedly support historic preservation efforts not only in the defined boundaries but also adjacent to the Ybor City Historic District. He is opposed to the proposed crematorium and would like to see development adjacent to Ybor City complement the district.
Frank Margarella: District 7 (Represents Sulphor Springs, North Tampa, New Tampa)
- I believe if an area is designated a Historic District zoning restrictions should be established on what type of businesses are allowed and how they operate. Saying that it isn’t fair to hamper a business owner who opened without these guidelines clearly established. Current laws must be enforced and unlawfully activity must be curbed. I loved what Ybor City was when I moved to Tampa. Being Italian it had the ethnic flavor that Chicago (my hometown) and New York had. During the day it’s great, but in the evening it has gotten out of hand. I’ll do whatever I can as a City Councilperson to restore Ybor after dark to be appealing to all people.
- I wholeheartedly support residential redevelopment and providing affordable housing. You need residents to be a neighborhood. As a realtor and having worked with developers in the past, I am aware of the process and on City Council would support the residential development with incentives to developers who provide the proper housing for Ybor City.
- I support enhancing Ybor City’s "flavor" with the enhancements you have described and as a City Council person, I would lend a watchful eye on any neighboring development which might damage the integrity of any of our neighborhoods. Neighborhoods make a city great and we need to do a better job in protecting the neighborhoods and maintaining there individual personalities.
