Polls open for mayoral, city council elections in Clearwater
CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — Three leadership positions are up for grabs as voters in Clearwater head to the polls on Tuesday.
Kathleen Beckman and Bruce Rector are facing off for mayor.
Mark Bunker, Ryan Cotton and Mike Mastruserio are vying for city council seat two.
The race for city council seat three is also a battle between three candidates, Jared Leone, Michael Mannino and Javante Scott.
8 On Your Side reached out to all the candidates about issues that are top of mind for families living in the area. Candidates sent the following responses.
Mayor candidates
Bruce Rector
Growth in the City of Clearwater, including the proposal to build a new city hall.
Clearwater plays a pivotal role in the success of the entire Tampa Bay region. We must actively seek economic opportunities for investment in Clearwater to revitalize many parts of our community. I am proud to have the endorsement of ClearPac, the greater Clearwater business community. I also have years of experience working with various organizations through the world on economic development and look forward to collaborating with other leaders and organizations through the Tampa Bay region to make great things happen in Clearwater.
Clearwater residents were adamantly opposed to the proposal to spend $90 million to construct a new city hall and municipal services building.
Our residents are struggling to make ends meet with significant inflation over the past several years including property insurance premiums making it especially hard for our elderly residents to afford to stay in their homes. Our city should spend taxpayer dollars more efficiently than ever and focus instead on its attention on attracting and retaining the best city employees in every department, including, public safety and improving our neighborhood streets, sidewalks and infrastructure.
The Drew Street safety overhaul
Many Clearwater residents oppose narrowing Drew Street as it is a crucial east-west roadway connection and one of only two primary east-west connections serving our city. Residents are very concerned about the negative impacts on traffic congestion, ability of first responders to promptly provide services and discouraging future investment in, and attendance at Downtown Clearwater businesses and events. We can make Drew Street safer without significantly restricting traffic flow, making Clearwater traffic congestion worse and having such a great negative impact to many in our community.
The Church of Scientology and their control of downtown real estate
Most Clearwater residents I speak with about the future of the city share with me that the dominant presence of Scientology in the downtown core is their greatest concern. They understand that Scientology will continue to have a presence in the downtown core, but strongly desire for there to be a much better balance of property owners, businesses and activities that are not affiliated with Scientology. With the Pinellas County Government properties likely be available for redevelopment in the next few years, Clearwater have a rare opportunity to begin creating the balance in the downtown core that our residents desire. But Clearwater must also engage Scientology in direct and frank discussions about the size of its growing real estate footprint and specifically address all properties that are being held vacant.
Position on the plans to expand the Phillies Spring Training and minor league complex.
The Phillies have had a presence in Clearwater since 1947. They are an important part of the fabric and history of our community. Their many activities in Clearwater all year long generate millions of dollars in economic impact every year. Clearwater’s relationship with the Phillies and notoriety as a MLB Spring Training community benefits our citizens in many ways. Clearwater should works with the Phillies organization to maintain a facility for their use in Clearwater similar to what other Grapefruit league communities provide for their respective MLB teams. Any agreement for taxpayer dollars to be invested in improvements should be consistent with what other Florida communities have dedicated to their Spring Training facilities.
Kathleen Beckman
No response provided
City Council Seat 2 candidates
Ryan Cotton
Growth in the City of Clearwater, including the proposal to build a new city hall.
This is no longer a proposal. The current city council approved the building of the new city hall and upgrades to the municipal services building.
The Drew Street safety overhaul.
As a firefighter in Pinellas County I have seen firsthand the devastation “unsafe streets” can have. I am 100% for making Drew Street safer. I want to ensure the studies being presented are an apples-to-apples comparison of streets that are similar to the traffic we currently have and the projected traffic we will have.
The Church of Scientology and their control of downtown real estate
I know Scientology has a large footprint downtown. I believe the city manager and her staff need to meet with leaders of the organization to see how we can positively move forward. The city needs to work with all organizations when they can and work around them when they cannot.
Position on the plans to expand the Phillies Spring Training and minor league complex.
The Phillies have been a great organization to host. I would look forward to seeing their plans to expand and help our city grow.
Michael Mastruserio
Growth in the City of Clearwater, including the proposal to build a new city hall.
I support the scaled down version of a new city hall. Our immediate focus should be on following through with the infrastructure so we can adapt to increased growth. My primary focus is on job growth: better jobs means higher paying jobs and an increased tax base to handle the residential growth.
The Drew Street safety overhaul.
Wrong Solution To The Wrong Problem. Let’s better control traffic flow (i.e. speed limits, speeding violation) rather than constrict traffic. Most of the day Fort Harrison downtown is a ‘parking lot’ (waiting 2 – 3 traffic cycles) because of the reduced lanes. That hurts businesses AND residents, especially when there’s a need for first responders.
The Church of Scientology and their control of downtown real estate
That’s the crux of why I’m running. The Cleveland Street closure actually opened up downtown to more opportunities (mobile retail). For decades the Church of Scientology has been a ‘physical’ impairment (vacant, run-down buildings owned by Scientology members). I see a workaround with temporary retail along with a coordinated marketing plan of activities to support Coachman Park and the Sound. We’ve been talking about and talking to Scientology. It’s time for action.
Position on the plans to expand the Phillies Spring Training and minor league complex.
The Phillies have proven to be a great public/private partnership benefiting both residents and visitors as well as our tax and employment base. Their expansion allows for more opportunities for people to enjoy more of Spring Training and the Minor League Season. Yes, let’s play ball!
Mark Bunker
No response provided
City Council Seat 3 candidates
Jared Leone
Growth in the City of Clearwater, including the proposal for a new city hall.
We need to do all we can to encourage positive, smart growth for the city, which balances economic development with the environment. We need to ensure we spend our tax money responsibly and in ways that strengthen our neighborhoods, improve public safety and our quality of life. As residents we need access to our government. We need a City Hall not a Taj Mahal. Residents need a headquarters for accessible government. As residents, we also need a city that provides a high level of service. A Citizen’s Center not only serves the community but the employees of our city. With nearly 180 vacancies there’s no question we need to do a better job to recruit and retain workers. City leaders recently approved a pay raise for staff, but employees also need to be proud of where they work. A new City Hall and renovated Municipal Services Building, or Clearwater Citizen’s Center, could also serve to improve working conditions for many employees as well.
The Church of Scientology and their control of downtown real estate
Property owners are stakeholders in the success of a vibrant downtown. I propose a commercial property vacancy fee within the downtown Community Redevelopment Area. We can’t sit by and say there’s nothing we can do about a downtown filled with empty buildings in an area with a special designation to target blight.
Position on the plans to expand the Phillies Spring Training and minor league complex
The vibrancy of the $250 million “Ballpark Village” concept would be a gamechanger for Clearwater for decades. The return on investment for the entire complex would bring in tax revenue that would benefit the entire city. This would offset the initial taxpayer investment. With that in mind, I would support renovations to the Phillies Spring Training Facility coupled with the successful completion of the Ballpark Village project.
The Drew Street safety overhaul
As a member of the Clearwater Neighborhoods Coalition executive board, I supported efforts to advocate for the Drew Street Complete Streets Project. The project was initially unanimously supported by the city council in 2018 and does not require city funding. Only a portion of Drew Street would be reconfigured under the plan, in a residential area where the road was not planned as a commercial thoroughfare. Residents need safer and more transit options to get around the city. There were more than 500 accidents along Drew Street, which undoubtedly slowed traffic. A pattern of unsafe conditions force drivers to avoid the section altogether. The project, coupled with other investment could help strengthen surrounding neighborhoods and the nearby retail corridors.
Michael Mannino
Growth in the City of Clearwater, including the proposal to build a new city hall.
Like so many beautiful coastal cities in Florida, Clearwater has experienced tremendous growth. While Clearwater Beach is fully developed, there are opportunities of growth that exist in the U.S.19 corridor and downtown. Diversifying our revenue streams will allow leadership to lower the tax burden on our citizens, especially in an economy that is financially stressing so many of our households. City hall decisions have been made and are moving forward with the $31.5 million project. A new City Hall and $12-$13 million of renovations on the adjacent Municipal Services building.
The Drew Street safety overhaul.
I am in favor of safer streets in our community that benefit drivers, people on foot or bicycle, our neighborhoods, and businesses. I am supportive of reconfiguring Drew St, and the current FDOT proposition does not go far enough to adequately address safety concerns and the unintended consequences. We must learn from our neighbors in Lakeland where the “road diet” proposition has failed their community and has set them backwards.
The Church of Scientology and their control of downtown real estate
Downtown must be addressed as it is in the best interest of our citizens and our city. As an elected official, I represent the entirety of our Clearwater community from bay to beach. It’s vitally important that our officials have open and collaborative discussions with all of our community stakeholders regarding Clearwater’s long-term strategic planning.
Position on the plans to expand the Phillies Spring Training and minor league complex.
I support and value our 78-year relationship with the Phillies in our community and the economic impact this relationship has delivered over the years. Our Pinellas County 6% bed tax was established to create a mechanism to fund projects like this. As of today, we do not know what the Phillies ask is, but I am confident we will find a fair and responsible number that works for our citizens, our city, and our valued community partner.
Javante Scott
Growth in the City of Clearwater, including the proposal to build a new city hall.
Clearwater is the third largest city in the region (behind Tampa and St. Peterburg). Thus, a new city hall is essential to ensure and maintain an environment with suitable workspace for our city employees and the quality of life for our residents.
The Drew Street safety overhaul.
I support the Drew Street project. Multiple studies have shown the improvements will make the street safer and more accessible for our residents and visitors.
The Church of Scientology and their control of downtown real estate (if that should be addressed).
Yes, this matter should be addressed. No matter how it appears, individuals or organizations have a right to purchase property that meets their needs. As an elected council member in Seat 3, I look forward to developing a “proactive” strategy with my fellow council members to ensure that we, as a city, also acquire property that meets our needs and the needs of our residents.
Position on the plans to expand the Phillies Spring Training and minor league complex.
At this time, an answer on expansion is premature. Once there is a greater understanding of how taxpayer dollars to the Phillies benefit the residents of the city of Clearwater, and the final number is presented on the financial cost to the city, an answer can be provided.
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