Council Member District 2 Candidates Answer Your Questions

A while back I asked you to submit some Questions for the Candidates in the general election  for Mayor and City Council. First let me thank those you who took the time to comment or send me an e-mail. 

A word of caution: This is a long Post. The responding candidates have taken the time to provide in-depth answers to your questions.

Below are the  five questions from citizens, critical to St. Petersburg's future.

1. Specifically with details, what you  would do, throughout the entirety of St. Pete, to reduce crime and make the city safe for its citizens?

2. How will you work to bring neighborhoods back into the decision process? What would be your goals for neighborhood participation?

3. Should it turn out that the public's desire is to rehab the existing Inverted Pyramid, how will support that effort and how will you proceed?

4. We have a number of problem schools in St. Petersburg. Specifically what will you do to help improve those schools?

5. Jobs, education and crime are all problems we agree that affect South St. Pete. What else specifically would you do to improve the quality of life for all south side residents?

Not all candidates have chosen to respond. Here are the response from the District 2 candidates Jim Kennedy and Lorraine Margeson

The answers were Posted as I received them with NO editing. 

James R. "Jim" Kennedy, Jr.:   Following repeated e-mails there was NO RESPONSE

Lorraine Margeson

http://votelorrainemargeson.com/
https://www.facebook.com/LorraineMargesonForStPetersburgCityCouncil

1. Specifically with details, what you  would do, throughout the entirety of St. Pete, to reduce crime and make the city safe for its citizens?

 

I would like to see some funds re programming in order to A) enhance spending for more police officers (increase our authorized strength) which would facilitate re instituting community policing back to its former scale B) fully fund the Mid-Town and Child's Park Initiatives C) re fund the neighborhood partnership staffing and neighborhood grant funding.  I know how neighborhoods can support each other. From approximately 1996 thru 2001 I ran the 34th St Corridor Crime watch. We had a VERY active volunteer group that worked successfully hand in hand with the St. Petersburg Police Department and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the entire city team at that time via the Neighborhood Partnership resources.  That kind of partnering needs to come back strongly to create vibrant neighborhoods, neighbor helping neighbor in conjunction with strong neighborhood policing initiative partnerships, economic development AND code enforcement/nuisance abatement pursuits.

2. How will you work to bring neighborhoods back into the decision process? What would be your goals for neighborhood participation? 

Restoring the Neighborhood Partnership staff and programs would go a LONG way to aid more neighborhood associations in attracting and supporting volunteers, more volunteers need to come back into the process.  Also, folks like myself might need to speak with, REMIND neighborhood leadership of what can be done when a strong team develops and comes together between government and the people.

3. Should it turn out that the public's desire is to rehab the existing Inverted Pyramid, how will support that effort and how will you proceed? 

Refurbishment IS on the table via the 828 Alliance effort for the next iteration of the pier, and as a councilperson, I would fully support such a decision (or any decision that the people come together on) and do the best I could to make sure it would be a restoration project that would benefit this city. I believe that is entirely possible within current budget allowances.

4. We have a number of problem schools in St. Petersburg. Specifically what will you do to help improve those schools? 

It is un-realistic to expect council to do more than strongly support and/or create new mentoring /after school activity partnership programs, and to speak loudly and often about the issue so that those who CAN vote and effect school policy are reminded to act. 

5. Jobs, education and crime are all problems we agree that affect South St. Pete. What else specifically would you do to improve the quality of life for all south side residents? 

Fully fund and implement the Mid-Town and Child's Park Initiatives.  The road map WAS laid out, we just need to FOLLOW it....... 

Lorraine Margeson

Be sure to comment below or you can e-mail Doc at: dr.webb@verizon.net, or send me a Facebook Friend request.

Campaign Disclosures: Contributor to Kathleen Ford Campaign, Darden Rice Campaign, Concern Citizens of St. Petersburg, Rick Kriseman for Mayor

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