Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 8-2-19

Local
Bishop Thomas Scott Announces His Candidacy For County Commission Seat
Bishop Thomas Scott an- nounced this week his plans to run for Hillsborough County Commission District 3 seat. Scott brings years of experi- ence in local politics, having previously served as a Hillsbor- ough County Commissioner from 1996 to 2006, three times holding the position of chair- man.
He also served on the Tampa City Council from 2007 to 2011, including three terms as chairman.
In 2015, Bishop Scott was appointed to the State of Florida Elections Commission. Thomas Scott is considered one of the most respected public officials in Hillsborough County.
Some of Bishop Scott’s
most recent contributions to the Tampa Bay Community in- cludes: serving on Tampa Hills- borough County Sports Authority and as Chairman; a member of the Tampa Bay Community Advocacy Commit- tee that resulted in more than $170 million of the Tampa In- ternational Airport expansion contracts being awarded to small businesses and WMBEs; and as a City Councilman bring- ing about the development of the City of Tampa’s WMBE pro- gram.
“I believe the citizens of Hillsborough County deserve elected leadership who hear, understand and address their needs,” said Scott. “I have a proven track record of effecting change and am truly looking
BISHOP THOMAS SCOTT ...To run for County Commission Seat
forward to the opportunity of serving residents again in this capacity.”
During previous terms as a county commissioner, Bishop Scott used his skills and expe- rience to create long-range plans that still affect the viabil- ity of Hillsborough County. As chairman, Commissioner Scott led the board in dis- cussing transportation im- provements. He initiated the development of the 40th Street Road Improvement Project, be- tween Fowler and Hillsborough Avenues, which resulted in over $112 million road project.
Bishop Scott recom- mended, sought and obtained the approval of the County Commission in the creation of the largest 30-year Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) District in the county and state to support the economic rede- velopment of East Tampa. The East Tampa Community Rede- velopment Area (CRA) will have an economic impact of over $200 million. He also recom- mended to the City of Tampa to develop a CRA Plan for the County Commission’s approval. As a result of his efforts, the County of Hillsborough and the City of Tampa continues to be able to fund infrastructure proj- ects that support the construc- tion of business buildings, affordable housing, and other economic projects that con- tribute to residents’ quality of life in the county and city.
Additionally, Bishop Scott spearheaded an environmental clean-up known as “Operation Clean-sweep” in communities such as Gibsonton, Clair-Mel and Progress Village, located in the unincorporated area of Hillsborough County. More im- portantly, Scott was instru- mental in establishing a county-funded recurring budget for the environmental clean-up
initiative. Scott’s efforts pointed to building a commu- nity infrastructure that would attract industry and jobs to the entire county.
Scott also fought for in- creasing accessibility to quality public housing through afford- able homeownership opportu- nities and rental options, and subsidies for building affordable housing — houses and rental units. Bishop Scott created and chaired the Affordable Housing Task Force to reform and establish a comprehensive affordable housing policy for the County, by working collabo- ratively with the affordable housing industry professionals in Hillsborough County.
He completed his under- graduate work at the University
of North Florida, receiving a de- gree in Criminology, with a minor in Sociology. Bishop Scott received a Doctorate of Humane Letters from the Florida Metropolitan University and an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Southern Califor- nia School of Ministry.
He has served on various national, state and local boards and committees, including the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority and the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Author- ity. Bishop Scott considers his life’s work public service. He is the Senior Pastor at 34th Street Church of God, where he has served for 39 years. He has been married for 44 years and has two sons, one daughter and 12 grandchildren.
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