St. Petersburg Council District 7 Race - Much more than just baseball

St. Petersburg, Fl
Opinion by: E. Eugene Webb PhD
Coauthor of: So You Want Blog

In a blistering series of Posts in saintpetersblog, Janelle Irwin has pretty much dismembered the campaign of Lisa Wheeler-Brown:

Lisa Wheeler-Brown used campaign funding for dental procedure; claimed payment for office that didn’t exist
Lisa Wheeler-Brown fails to report in-kind contributions for office space
Lisa Wheeler-Brown campaign files trove of finance reporting amendments
Lisa Wheeler-Brown campaign finance reporting amended — for third time this week
Midtown nonprofit may have illegally given office space to Lisa Wheeler-Brown

The Tampa Tribune pulled Wheeler–Brown’s endorsement in favor of her opposition, Will Newton: Tribune endorsements: Gerdes, Kornell, Newton for St. Petersburg City Council and former St. Pete Mayor Rick Baker also endorsed Newton: Rick Baker gets behind Will Newton for City Council.

The Tampa Bay Times continues to endorse Wheeler-Brown solely based on her stand to support the Mayor’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Rays.

Which brings me to my point.

The election in District 7 is about much more than just baseball. In fact, baseball should be the last thing on your mind when you cast your vote in this very important race.

If baseball plays any role in this election, it is whether or not baseball will finally get in line in its proper place behind, crime, rebuilding south St. Pete, failing schools, failing infrastructure and a misguided Kriseman administration.

The people who live in District 7 deserve a Council member, who has experience negotiating with public administrations, one that understands the political process, will represent them and not major league baseball and understands how important it is to follow the rules – all the rules.

If the Tampa Bay Rays paid their tab, packed their bags and left town tomorrow St. Petersburg would not shrivel up and die. It’s just a baseball team and if attendance figures are any indication one that not a lot of people in St. Pete really care that much about.

Major league baseball likes to tout their franchises as the reason’s communities grow and business relocates. It hasn’t worked here and it won’t work here regardless of a new shiny and very expensive stadium that sucks up a lot of taxpayer dollars.

There is nothing wrong with letting the Rays look around the Bay area for a new site. Nevertheless, let’s get an Agreement that works for and protects the interests of the people who built the Trop.

Everyone in St. Pete has an obligation to make sure the people in District 7 get a Council member who represents their interests and the City’s needs.

Go to the web sites:

Lisa Wheeler-Brown for ST. Petersburg City Council

Will Newton for City Council

Read the information, follow the newspapers and social media and above all else make an informed decision and be sure to vote in this very important race.

If you don’t already have it, your mail in ballot will be showing up soon. Be sure to fill it out, sign the Ballot and mail it back.

E-mail Doc at mail to:dr.gwebb@yahoo.com or send me a Facebook (Gene Webb) Friend request. Please comment below, and be sure to share on Facebook. See Doc’s Photo Gallery at Bay Post Photos.

Disclosures:
Contributor: Waterfront Charter Amendment (Vote on The Pier), Carly Fiorina for President