And they may never stop, says one City Council candidate.
Candidate Suzanne Vale said she opposes plans to build a cultural arts center along Shore Drive in a residential neighborhood because the traffic and noise could disrupt the otherwise tranquil boulevard.
Candidate Ed Richards said the city paid $2.2-million for the waterfront property with the idea of creating a new home for the city's arts programs. He said the city should stick to that plan.
The two disagreed on the fate of the former Kumar mansion at a candidate forum Tuesday sponsored by the Oldsmar/Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce. Vale and Richards are running for an open seat on the city's five-seat council.
Speaking before about 40 people at City Hall, Vale said the arts center will be a thriving hub, too busy for an isolated residential neighborhood. She said the cultural arts center should be built next to the city's proposed library at the north end of St. Petersburg Drive.
"They need to be together," Vale said. "We need to keep things central to the downtown."
Richards said the center should be built along Shore Drive on the site of a proposed 1920s hotel. Now that the city has decided to demolish the former mansion because of building concerns, Richards said the city needs to construct an arts center that "fits in" with the surrounding neighborhood.
"We bought that property for a designed purpose ... to build an arts center for our city," Richards said.
Throughout the 45-minute exchange, Vale said the revitalization of the city's downtown was crucial. She even suggested taking the former SouthTrust Bank building, which the city now owns, and turning it into a pedestrian square filled with shops and restaurants.
She said the city shouldn't be involved in the development, but that investors would be interested in the project.
"The city needs a center, a heart," said Vale, who is running for office for the first time. "It's a place where people want to visit, to hang out with their friends. And spend money."
Richards, who served two terms on City Council from 1997 to 2001, said easements on the former SouthTrust property wouldn't allow that type of development. He said ultimately, the city needs to sell that land to a business.
On the whole, Richards said the city's downtown revitalization efforts are progressing steadily. He credited the chamber of commerce for laying the ground work.
"Our downtown area is going to keep growing," Richards said. "I envision you'll have coffee shops and other businesses in the near future."
During the forum, candidates had one minute each to answer a range of questions on city issues. On most occasions the pair agreed. Both Vale and Richards said they favored annexing unincorporated West Oldsmar into the city.
They also supported a plan to create a series of trails linking the city's parks. But Vale, who is a mother of three, said any plan must include a pedestrian overpass to cross Tampa Road.
"No mother in their right mind would let their child cross that road," Vale said. "Tampa Road divides Oldsmar."
Vale and Richards are vying for City Council Seat 2, which is now held by Marcelo Caruso, who is not running again. The winner of the March 9 citywide election will serve a three-year term and be paid $600 a month. The race is nonpartisan and the winner will take his or her seat at the City Council's March 16 meeting.
Through Jan. 31, Richards had received $773 in campaign contributions. Of that, $550 came from Richards' family. Richard Ferkich Inc., the company that owns the Oldsmar Flea Market, is Richards' largest independent contributor, giving $100 to the campaign.
Through Jan. 24, Vale had reported contributions totaling $750. Bruce T. Swann and Lydia S. Moreda, of Oldsmar, donated $50. The remaining contributions came from Vale and the mortgage company she owns with her husband.
BACKGROUND: He was born in McKeesport, Pa., and has lived in Pinellas County for 25 years. He has a high school diploma. After graduating, he joined the U.S. Army and served for 25 years before retiring with the rank of sergeant. A retired letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, Richards has lived in Oldsmar for 12 years. He was elected to the City Council in 1997 and re-elected in 1999 after running unsuccessfully in 1995. He is married and has a grown son.
ASSETS: Home, federal employees 401(k).
LIABILITIES: Mortgage.
INCOME:Postal Service retirement, military retirement.
SUZANNE VALE
AGE: 46
BACKGROUND: She was born in Oxford, England, and has lived in Oldsmar since 1992. Her mother was English and her father was an American serviceman. She holds a nursing degree from McComb Community College in Mt. Clemens, Mich. Vale formerly worked at Mease Dunedin Hospital and specialized in intensive care. She now co-owns a mortgage company with her husband, Cameron Vale. A political newcomer, Vale is married and has three children.
ASSETS: Home, other property in Oldsmar, Clearwater, and North Carolina, 401(k)
LIABILITIES: Mortgages.
INCOME: Vice president of Best Interest Mortgage
Hear them speak
Oldsmar's City Council candidate forum will be re-aired through the city's two cable providers this week.
