Mayor Pam Iorio has the Edge - Shannon Edge - and Edge couldn't be more elated. The 32-year-old from South Tampa was one of the mayor's first appointments. As neighborhood liaison, Edge is the main link between City Hall and the people.
Many already know her. She went to school here, and recently worked at the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.
Over coffee at Joffrey's in Channelside, we talked about the challenges of her new job, the speeders along Bayshore Boulevard and her belief that there's no place like home.
Here's some of the highlights, caffeine-induced.
SUSAN: Where did you go to school?
SHANNON: For grade school, I went to Christ the King, which is still my church to this day. They've watched me grow up. After Christ the King, I went to Academy of the Holy Names for ninth and 10th grade, and begged my parents to let me go to Plant. All my friends were at Plant, so we made a deal that I was not allowed to wear jeans and I had to take the honors courses, and then I could go to Plant.
After high school?
I went to Hollins College, which is now Hollins University in Roanoke, Va. I also did a year exchange at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va. From the get-go I studied politics.
Why did you decide to go to school in Virginia?
At that point, I wanted to get out of Florida. To be honest with you, I thought Tampa was not exciting enough for the extroverted, outgoing person that I am.
You came back to Tampa because ...?
I knew I would come back to Tampa. I knew it in my gut. I just always knew that I would come home and make a difference in the community. This is my home.
How did your job at the chamber prepare you for this job?
The chamber was the best thing in terms of me getting reacquainted with the community. One of my strengths - and I know people are wondering, "Is she for real?" - is I am a good fixer-upper of things, but I'm also good at building relationships with all walks of life.
How do you know the mayor?
I've known her from the chamber. She attended, as supervisor of elections, a lot of our events. I've known her about three years. She knows I can work long hours.
Is that a good thing?
Well, I'm doing it now. I've always considered her an incredible leader. Genuine. Passionate. Committed. I think we clicked. We both have that same "let's make this an even better community for everybody."
So would you like to be mayor someday?
No. I don't know if I'll eat my words one day, but I'm really more of a behind-the-scenes person. Let's make the volunteers and the person shine. I'll help get you there. Right now, I'm happy in the more nonelected capacity.
What do you see as some of the biggest challenges?
Limited money to fix things. I think the challenge is going to be making sure that these valid concerns are addressed in a timely manner, which has yet to be determined. I think you're going to see a new government.
What are some of the problems?
Code enforcement. I went to a THAN (Tampa Homeowners, an Association of Neighborhoods) meeting. One of the groups said they had been promised something like 14 years ago, and I'm sitting there going, "Oh, they're still asking for it?" I don't want people to see me as a fluff job. I want to make sure we take action.
Do you have any pet projects?
My big project right now is meeting with the neighborhood associations and going on ride-alongs ... and seeing the neighborhoods firsthand and getting a feel for them. It's a daunting challenge because there are 126 neighborhood associations. So I'm telling everyone, "I'm coming."
What are some things you like about South Tampa?
I love the community of it. I don't know if it's the trees or the architecture or Bayshore or, of course, my family, my church. I just love sitting outside (Mad Dogs & Englishmen on MacDill Avenue), listening to the acoustical guitar, with the white lights and the red geraniums.
What are some things you don't like?
Traffic. The cost of living. I used to love walking Bayshore, but sometimes it looks like a speed course. That's very scary to me when I'm out there with my dog. I almost feel that I can't afford to live where I grew up. Because let me tell you, the house I grew up in was affordable.
What do you like to do in Tampa?
My favorite thing in the whole world is going out on a boat. I love the water. My friend has a boat, and I can take my dog.
What's your idea of a vacation?
The beach. My favorite thing is to go to Key West, the Caymans. If I need R&R, I'm happiest when I'm sitting on a beautiful beach with an awesome book, beautiful weather and silence.
Latest book?
Harry Potter. Prisoner of Azkaban. I'm hooked. It's like candy.
How do you avoid burnout?
That's what we're trying to figure out. One night I had three events. I said, "When is Shannon time?" They said, "Oh, you gave that up as a public official."
Do you ever think of leaving Tampa?
No. My father says, "What happens if you meet a man and he wants to move to Omaha, Neb.?" Nope. This is it. I would be heartbroken to leave. This is where I want to be.
- This interview was edited for brevity and clarity. Susan Thurston can be reached at 226-3394 or thurston@sptimes.com
