Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 2-26-19

Recommendations For The City Of Tampa Municipal Election
Mayor
David Straz
City Council District 1
Allen Clendenin or Walter Smith, II
City Council District 2
Joe Robinson
City Council District 3
John Dingfelder
City Council District 4
Bill Carlson
City Council District 5
Jeffrey Rhodes
City Council District 6
Guido Maniscalco
City Council District 7
Luis Viera
VOTE YES ON ALL AMENDMENTS
Straz Wins Straw Poll And Is Endorsed By NAACP And Florida Sentinel Bulletin On Same Day
Retired banker and philanthropist David Straz was endorsed for mayor by the Hillsbor- ough County NAACP and the Florida Sentinel Bul- letin last Thursday.
The Hillsborough County Branch NAACP held their Community Political Forum on Thursday, February 21st, at Middleton Senior High School. A wide array of topics were discussed among the candidates.
They touted their record or work experi- ence as qualifiers for the office of Mayor.
• Harry Cohen - term- limited City Councilman. Supports more inclusion of minority voices in de- cisions. Offered tiny homes and container homes as options for af- fordable housing.
• Jane Castor - retired former Tampa Chief of Police. Supports Red- Light Cameras. Calls for better solutions to af- fordable housing.
• Dick Greco, Jr. – retired former 13th Circuit Court Judge, served 20 years as Judge. Supports more in- clusive administration and is running on Repub- lican themes.
• Topher Morrison – businessman and public speaker. Supports in- creasing the number of minorities in govern- ment. Believes trans- portation is tied to affordable housing costs, advocates for less cars. Has never held elected office.
• David Straz – retired banker and philanthro- pist, endorsed by The Florida Sentinel Bul- letin. Supports better and accessible trans- portation. Wants to re- move Red-Light Cameras. Supports mini- mum wage increase to $15. Would appoint African American Deputy Mayor and will ask Frank Reddick to take the post. • Mike Suarez – term- limited City Councilman. Supports diversity in gov- ernment. Supports more options for affordable housing and transporta- tion.
• Ed Turanchik – former
Mayoral candidate David Straz addresses those who attended the Political Forum at Middleton High School.
County Commissioner. Supports inclusion in mayor’s office. Wants more trains and ferries in Tampa.
Questions were a mix of moderator selected and some chosen from the audience.
Candidates went on the defensive on receiv- ing campaign donations from special interests and lobbyists, and if they owe something to them if elected. Saurez, Cohen, Greco and Castor de- fended having to take special interest contribu- tions as a politician.
Straz reminded the audience he does not take any contributions over $500. “You take money from those peo- ple, you are indebted to them, and to be indebted to them is not good for the citizens of Tampa.” He went on to declare, “I will not sell the city to special interests and lob- byists.”
Multiple questions touched about diversity
in government.
At the end of the
forum, a straw poll was conducted for the mayor's race. Members submitted their choice for Mayor before the forum concluded. David Straz won the straw poll. After the results were an- nounced, the crowd chanted "Straz, Straz, Straz," as he left the stage. In his closing state- ment, Straz thanked The Florida Sentinel Bulletin for the endorsement.
Early voting is short- ened to 7 days and have shortened operating hours: Monday, Febru- ary 25th to Sunday, March 3rd; Early Voting site hours are from 10 a. m.to6p.m.
Election Day is Tues- day, March 5th; polls openfrom7a.m.to7p. m. on Election Day.
If no candidate re- ceives more than 50% of the votes, the top two candidates will face each other in a runoff election held on April 23rd.
JOHN JACOBS
Letter To The Editor
PAGE 4 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2019