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Poll shows support for county mayor idea

The survey was commissioned by the group that is pushing for a county mayor. It didn't broach potential drawbacks.

By BILL VARIAN
Published January 27, 2006

TAMPA - A poll commissioned by the group seeking to ask voters if they'd like to be able to elect a Hillsborough County mayor shows strong support for the idea.

Of 400 residents reached by phone this month, most of whom said they are likely to vote in November, 42 percent said they would definitely or probably vote yes on the mayor idea if the election were held today. Of the rest, 28 percent said they would vote no, and 30 percent were undecided.

The margin of error was plus or minus 4.9 percent.

The favorable answer was generally consistent across gender, race and socioeconomic lines, apparently unaffected by political persuasion. And the splits held true both inside Tampa's city limits and in unincorporated Hillsborough.

"Isn't it amazing?" said Mary Ann Stiles, the lawyer who formed the group Taking Back Hillsborough County Political Committee Inc., which is pushing the issue. "I thought the city would show more (interest) than in the county. It doesn't. It's as strong in the county as it is in the city."

The poll questions did not broach potential drawbacks that opponents of the measure are likely to claim in coming months.

During a recent debate with Stiles, east county Commissioner Ronda Storms said that a county mayor would lessen ordinary citizens' access to their elected officials and cost more. It would tilt power toward the moneyed interests of Tampa, away from suburban and rural residents, she said. It's a message she will be taking to civic groups if the issue proceeds.

Storms did not return a phone call seeking comment on the details of the survey. But commission Chairman Jim Norman said he did not put much stock in the results, as relayed by a reporter.

"I believe once the other side is told about the downsides, if it gets to the ballot, I think it fails miserably," Norman said. "People in the unincorporated area don't want the downtown crowd running the show."

The survey was conducted Jan. 11 and 12 by McLaughlin & Associates of New York.

The mayoral question was put to residents in different forms, with varying degrees of support voiced. Asked if they agreed or disagreed with the statement, "The people of Hillsborough County should have the right to elect their own mayor," 76 percent said they agreed.

Those polled were asked if they would support replacing the appointed county administrator with an elected county mayor. Sixty-three percent said they would support the proposal.

Other questions attempted to measure resident approval of county government as it exists now, and how well it deals with major issues. Poll takers rated Tampa and Hillsborough County about equally in terms of which does better in providing government service: 32 percent rated the city better, 34 percent chose the county and 34 percent said they didn't know or declined to answer.

Forty-three percent had a generally favorable opinion of county government, compared with 33 percent who did not. However, 57 percent said they disapprove of how county government deals with traffic and transportation problems.

Stiles, a former lobbyist for the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, initiated the referendum effort in response to what she considered county meddling in the agency's business. She says the current seven-member commission is overly parochial and meddlesome, and is not effectively dealing with major county issues, such as traffic congestion and growth.

[Last modified January 27, 2006, 01:20:12]