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I suspect that a typical day for me starts out the same way as most people: reading the newspaper while preparing for the schedule of meetings and tasks that lie ahead. I consider myself fortunate to be able to serve the people of Clearwater as one of your elected City Council members.
One of the realities of my position is that I will never be able to satisfy everyone. And one of the consequences of that is the steady flow of letters to the editor, telling me where I and my fellow council members have gone wrong. I accept this and encourage our residents to stay engaged and let us know about your concerns. Criticism does not bother me, nor should it bother anyone who would ever consider serving in a position such as mine.
On most days, I read the paper and just go on about my day. However, as I read the series of letters that appeared in the March 24 Clearwater Times, something motivated me to write. Maybe it is due to my allergies that seem to kick in at this time every year or, most likely, because I feel it is necessary to clarify some inaccuracies that apparently are widespread in our community.
In one letter (Mistrust not in old administrations but one now), the writer states: "What could have been an excellent source of city income as a conference center, the Harborview Center, was incomplete without any adjacent hotel/restaurant. Instead of adjusting and correcting that obvious lack of planning, commissioners instead built a huge library on the most desirable spot left on the bluff."
I agree with you about the Harborview Center. Most successful conference centers have adequate hotel and food service options within walking distance. Why this was not considered before creating the Harborview Center is a question for the commission that approved its construction.
I can tell you that at the time, city staff recommended demolition of the existing structure to allow for proper construction and design if a conference center was the desired use of the site. This could have conceivably allowed for a hotel component to be built. However, a plan of this type would require a referendum of the voters. That commission elected instead to retrofit the existing building, without any referendum, and the people of Clearwater now have the existing facility. As members of the current council, we can only play the hand we have been dealt regarding the Harborview Center - subsidies, leases and all.
Along those same lines, in the referendum of July 2000, the voters turned down a redevelopment plan for downtown. On that same referendum, the voters decided that the new library must remain at its present site. Therefore, when we decided to build the new library, we had no options as to location. I will not argue your dislike of the design. Architecture is like art - some like it and some don't. I happen to like it. But I can assure you that the facility is state of the art and will provide the citizens of Clearwater and its visitors first-class service for generations to come.
In another letter (Park defeat sends strong signal to Clearwater commissioners), the writer makes the age-old statement: "The City Commission has been negligent with the city's funds and has attempted many failed projects." The only response I can give you is my phone number: 562-4050. I am interested to hear your thoughts on specifically where we have been negligent with funds and specific project failures that you know about.
Obviously, the common subject of these and many other recent letters pertained to the future uses of Coachman Park and our downtown waterfront. While the results of the March 9 referendum do not allow us to move forward with the proposed changes at this time, the narrow margin by which the plan was defeated clearly shows that changes in Coachman Park and the waterfront are things that we should continue to evaluate. I have never had anyone tell me that the present use and configuration of the park should remain, and that asphalt parking is the optimal use of our waterfront.
We will continue to keep our citizens informed to the best of our abilities. While it is impossible for us to disseminate every piece of information that each person might desire, don't hesitate to pick up the phone and call City Hall. We will work to get you any information that you request.
Personally, I am very proud of the progress that we are making, and I am encouraged about the future of our great city. I look forward to working every day to make Clearwater a better place for everyone.
I encourage everyone to stay involved as we continue to solicit our citizens for their ideas and work together toward their implementation. We will continue to face challenges, both financially and strategically, but with vision and thorough decisionmaking, Clearwater will continue to be the envy of people everywhere.
- Hoyt Hamilton was elected to the Clearwater City Council in 2001.