Let's Move Towards Real Solutions for a Better Community

Campaign promises are typically hollow and are there only to satisfy a certain group of people who are long forgotten after the last ballot is cast.

Generalizations and walking the line occur from here all the way to Washington D.C., so isn't it about time we stopped it? We can all identify the problems, but we need to begin to explore solutions instead of skipping to the end result.

Throughout the campaign in the last few months, you have heard from all of the candidates on economic development, taxes, the budget, and more, but how many times did you hear a real solution. One you can actually hear, a plan that can actually be implemented, instead of just generalizing about the state of things today without a clear vision of where, and more importantly, how we will get there.

When I talk about issues, I try to be as direct and clear as possible. I try to layout plans I will initiate if elected as Tarpon Springs' City Commissioner for Seat 4. Here in this blog, I will briefly rundown actually policies we can initiate to move forward in our community towards a better standard of living for all.

Economic Development: It is no secret that economic development is my key issue and an issue I feel is pressing to the entire community. The main reason is economic development can help us solve many of the other issues and my opponents just do not seem to make the connection. So what is the plan? I have made a commitment to economic development through streamlining the permitting process and limiting impact costs where we can. I am preparing an ordinance we can put into place here in Tarpon Springs making our city more open to businesses and investors, for the benefit of all. There are safeguards in my plan that require every developer to meet the very strict standards of our Smart Code. If developers or existing businesses wish to expand and meet the strict Smart Code requirements, why do we make them jump through further hoops wasting time, money, and perhaps sending them elsewhere more open to development.

City Services and the Budget: It is no mistake I put this issue right after economic development, because both of these issues are inherently intertwined and can not be taken separately. If we are serious about sustaining city services and preserving our historical nature, we must get serious about the budget. If we want to get serious about the budget, we must get serious about economic development. We are one of the most taxed areas in Pinellas County and I have made a commitment to not raising property taxes, that issue along with my dedication to responsible development has earned me an endorsement from the Pinellas Realtor Organization (PinellasRealtor.Org). A sizable portion of our revenue comes from taxes other than property taxes, so to keep the burden off of residents as much as possible we need to be serious about welcoming businesses and investors here and expanding the tax base. The cooperation between merchants in Tarpon Springs has never been better and we need to ensure we as City Government continue on our positive track and expand upon the track that we have begun.We must also examine the budget, even more, and try to cut back in every way we can without cutting a single city service. Small costs such as copy overages, rental machines, and other charges add up. We need to put every department under scrutiny and perhaps begin an incentive program so every department has an incentive to save costs, and it can benefit there department if they do so.

Homelessness: Many residents have expressed a concern to me over the issue of homelessness in Tarpon Springs and I understand. Many see the issue of homelessness as unattractive to the City and perhaps even a threat to public safety (or at least the connotation of). The Tarpon Springs Police Department has done a good job by enlisting a homeless outreach officer who attempts to place homeless in a program where they can learn to become part of the work force once again. The issue of homelessness is bigger than one city, let alone one police officer, to really take a hold on. And I caution our community from taking up “anti-homeless” ordinances like those in St. Petersburg and Orlando.

Homelessness is very often caused by mental illness or substance abuse and this is why I would like to see every officer in Tarpon Springs go through Crisis Intervention Training (CIT). A family friend and former law enforcement officer taught me about this program years ago when I was an active volunteer for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). Over 1,200 law enforcement officers in Pinellas County have gone though this training, including our homeless outreach officer, and I believe that knowledge should be extended to all of our police officers so they have the proper knowledge to deal with the mentally ill or individuals who suffer from substance abuse, homeless or not. This training will better help officers identify individuals with mental illnesses and assist them better in getting the proper help they need.

Community Unification: The success of every City depends on the formation of a united community. I believe that we must build that Sponger pride here in Tarpon Springs to bring more businesses and keep local Tarponites here to live, shop, and entertain. If elected, I would like to study an ordinance passing through the New Port Richey City Council presently that allows for community gardens. Community gardens provide a green space, organic food, and help to build community unification. I believe the track we are on is consistent with the idea of community gardens and will help to accent our small town class that has made us who we are today. New Port Richey development director Lisa Fierce referred to it as a "civic ecology whereby people take responsibility for their neighbors and neighborhood, creating healthier and happier citizens,” the Tampa Bay Times reported. I believe Tarpon could benefit greatly from this endeavor, at no cost to the taxpayer.

There are many more issues and many more real plans I have that I would help enact if elected as Tarpon Springs City Commissioner Seat 4. I believe we must move past the generalizations and the past and move forward toward a better community and City for all residents and visitors. My name is Tommy Frain and on March 12^th I would like your support to make these ideas a reality. Please visit TommyFrain.com or contact me 727-902-7574.