Question the candidates

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 18, 2001

As the Feb. 27 primary election approaches, the Times will ask questions designed to help voters learn where the mayoral candidates stand on important issues facing the city. The questions are intended to elicit brief answers, with each candidate given the opportunity to elaborate in two or three sentences. Answers are edited only for length, and only if necessary.

Today's question: "Do you support Florida 2012's plans to build an Olympic diving venue in one of the city's waterfront parks?"

Patrick Bailey

Yes. This would be an addition to our city'sactivities resource for the citizens after its use inthe Olympics. Providing jobs and a place where ouryoung students can practice for their swimming anddiving meets. This would be great to have advertisedas a place where future Olympic diving teams can cometo our great city to practice year-round.

Rick Baker

If, as presently contemplated, the diving facility is a temporary tank and bleachers which will be removed after the Olympics, and the land on which it is located will be completely restored to prior use, then I would consider it for an appropriate waterfront location, not necessarily on a waterfront park.

Ronnie L. Beck

Absolutely NOT! Only someone blinded by greed would sacrifice a jewel as precious as our city's waterfront. This is another bad idea from Tampa where the leaders never saved their own downtown waterfront and now they think we should just roll over and allow them to build on ours. One of the reasons Connie and I moved to St. Petersburg from Tampa in 1974 was to get away from that type of shortsighted leadership. Just say NO! to being like Tampa.

Kathleen S. Ford

City Council has already approved of the concept of building a removable diving well somewhere on the waterfront so that our wonderful waterfront could be shared via television with the whole world and restored to its natural state after the Olympics leave the area. Certainly this community can ill afford any expensive permanent public facilities requiring heavy subsidies. If, however, the community was interested in a permanent facility, now is the time for that community discussion to take place. I think there should be a referendum so that everyone has a vote on this important matter.

Louis Miceli

Yes. I do support Florida 2012's plan to build an Olympic diving venue, but at a site that has a pool already. Like North Shore. There's a pool there already, just fix it up and use that.

Karl J. Nurse

No. Preservation of our waterfront parks is a matter that can not be compromised. We have fought off development of the waterfront for 80 years. I expect we will have to stand firm to protect the waterfront for another 80 years. A diving facility can be placed in a more logical permanent location for long-term use.

Maria Scruggs Weston

Sorry, based on the campaign rhetoric I've heard during the past month about the focus of economic development being targeted for south St. Petersburg, the Challenge area or whatever we're referred to, there won't be any public funds to cover the cost of infrastructure or any of those other public use ideas. Therefore, unless the Florida 2012 committee is expecting to pull this off with all private funds then this is a moot issue for St. Petersburg ... That is if voters can trust everything they've heard on the campaign trail.

Larry J. Williams

I am very protective of our waterfront, however at this early stage without significant facts, I would be supportive of the 2012 Olympics assuming that the limited amount of information provided thus far by the committee does not interfere, disrupt or damage our waterfront. The final answer would be determined when all the facts are presented.

Omali Yeshitela

Yes, but my support is conditional. St. Petersburg must move away from gimmicky economic schemes that look good for the moment, but, like cotton candy, lack substance, is bad for digestion and murder on the teeth. In fact, we have seen the Olympics in other cities serve as a get rich scheme for a handful of national companies at the expense of the natural and human resources of local citizens. We must protect St. Petersburg's waterfront parks and keep them accessible for the recreational activities of all our residents.

If you have a question for the candidates, send it to:

Chuck Murphy

Urban Affairs Editor

490 First Ave. S

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Or e-mail to Murphy@sptimes.com

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