BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer
Last Thursday, more than 200 people attended a Town Hall Meeting sponsored by the East Tampa Business and Civic Association. The meeting was the first time newly elected mayor, Bob Buckhorn, has had an opportunity to address the residents and community leaders of East Tampa, and also was the end of his first 100 days in office.
The meeting was formatted where those in attendance pre-wrote their questions to the Mayor on cards. The mayor answered 36 questions in a 2-hour span, and most in attendance said they left feeling optimistic about the future of East Tampa.
Sam Kinsey said he was just happy to see the huge crowd.
“I think the Mayor made a commitment to East Tampa’s development plans. Now, we’ll just wait and see if he delivers. He’s always been a friend to the people of East Tampa, and now that he’s Mayor, we want to see that friendship turn into action.
“When he said he’s committed to bringing economic development to East Tampa, there’s no reason for us to not believe him unless it doesn’t happen.”[private]
East Tampa Business and Civic Association CEO, Diane Hart, said in her opinion, the meeting was excellent.
“Mayor Buckhorn came and brought 13 department directors along with him. He gave assurances and answered questions on topics that ranged from crime to our parks.
“I think the majority of the people wanted to know what’s going on with our city parks and the teen and senior programs that appear to be disappearing. He said he will address those concerns, and deferred some of the questions to the department directors, who weren’t able to answer all the questions, but said they would be coming back for other meetings.”
Ms. Hart said she’s confident with the commitment the Mayor made, but the people have to play their part to make it all possible.
“We’d like to see some of the canceled programs return to the parks and recreation department.”[private]
Businessman, Marvin Knight, said because of another commitment, he wasn’t able to stay for the entire meeting, so he wasn’t able to get everything he needed from the meeting.
“I want to see our neglected areas get the same respect as other parts of the city. One critical area is how our parks are being maintained. We’ve got to figure out a way to bring people together. That’s t he real challenge.”
Retired educator, Ms. Queen Miller, said she left after two hours, but her main concern is when will the city take action on all the abandoned houses in her neighborhood.
“I don’t think I was taken seriously about my question, because the Mayor and everyone else started laughing. I guess they don’t see this as a serious problem.
“I didn’t get an answer to my question, but I want them to know I’m very serious about this problem. My street is full of drug houses, and I want something done about it.”
Rev. W. G. Dixon, CEO of COACH Foundation, said he left the meeting feeling pretty good. “I think the Mayor is reaching out and trying to be fair. He’s saying what he can and can’t do, and that doesn’t make everyone happy. In my opinion, his first 100 days have been pretty good, and I think he has the confidence of the people of East Tampa.”[/private]
