Norma Carlough for City Council Seat 5
By TIMES RECOMMENDS
Published February 28, 2007
In addition to a referendum on a proposed boat slip project, the Clearwater city election ballot will include a decision for voters to make in one City Council race. Three council races originally were scheduled for the March 13 election. However, incumbent council member Carlen Petersen and newcomer George Cretekos won automatically when no one filed to run against them.
Two political newcomers, Norma Carlough and Paul Gibson, are vying to fill the seat that has been occupied by council member Bill Jonson. Jonson cannot run for re-election because of term limits.
The Times has interviewed the candidates, studied their backgrounds and positions on the issues, and makes its recommendation here. The newspaper recommended a "yes" vote on the boat slip referendum in an editorial printed Feb. 25.
We urge all voters to go to the polls March 13.
Both candidates for Seat 5 have strong business backgrounds that could be useful in city government. Both are educated and articulate. However, one candidate's deeper understanding of Clearwater and its issues gives her the edge.
Norma Carlough, 70, grew up in New Jersey, where she got her associate's degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University. After college she went to work for AT&T's stock and bond division in New York and worked there until she moved to Florida with her husband and daughter in 1971.
In Clearwater, Carlough was vice president and director of gift shops for the Kapok Tree Inns Corp., a job that gave her great exposure to Clearwater's civic environment. She later worked for Robinson's of Florida and Prudential Insurance. She retired in 1998 and began substitute teaching in Pinellas schools.
Paul Gibson, 58, grew up in Washington, D.C., and Virginia and received a bachelor of science degree from Bentley College in Massachusetts. He held posts in a number of businesses, including MCI Communications Corp., Northwest Airlines and UniSite, a cell tower company, before moving to Clearwater in 1997.
Gibson established a company downtown that specialized in mobile food service. He later became a Realtor and now sells real estate on Clearwater Beach, where he also lives.
Gibson objected to the size of his tax bill - he owns two condominiums in the new Belle Harbor complex on the beach - and believes he has the skills to sift through the city budget for ways to use money more efficiently.
He first surfaced at last fall's hearings for the Clearwater, Pinellas County and School Board budgets to object to their tax rates and financial management. He said the city must focus its spending on necessities like police, fire and certain public works projects. He said he likely would oppose most new projects if elected.
Yet in response to specific questions, Gibson said Countryside should get a new branch library and he supports the construction of Beach Walk - neither a necessity - and he acknowledged that he hasn't had time to go through the city budget to find things he would cut if elected.
Gibson's financial background could be useful on the City Council, but his mixed messages, combined with his lack of any civic involvement in Clearwater, are a problem.
We recommend Norma Carlough. A high-energy, youthful retiree, Carlough cared enough to educate herself about city issues before running. She has served on the Environmental Advisory Board, the Airpark Advisory Board and the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Comprehensive Plan. Last year she was appointed to the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Metropolitan Planning Organization, a countywide group. She attends other city board meetings or watches them on television. She has a basic understanding of a broad range of government issues.
As a retiree, Carlough lives on a fixed income, so she understands that people are struggling to make ends meet. She also understands that Clearwater residents place a high priority on public amenities, and that just lopping 10 percent off the top of the city budget could have impacts that ought to be studied.
Carlough says a good way to keep a lid on taxes is to promote tourism and responsible redevelopment. She has ideas about how to do both. She wants a vibrant waterfront, safe neighborhoods, and more affordable housing for the service workers so vital to Clearwater's tourism industry.
"I have a great feeling for this city. I'm glad I live here," she says.
The Times recommends a vote for Norma Carlough for Seat 5.
Fast Facts:
Opportunity to reply
Candidates not recommended may submit a response for publication in the Times. Responses should be limited to 300-350 words and may not attack opponents. Send responses to Diane Steinle, St. Petersburg Times, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756, fax them to her attention at (727) 445-4119 or e-mail them to steinle@sptimes.com The deadline to receive responses is 5 p.m. Friday.