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Hopefuls for Seat 4 offer stark contrasts
By CHRISTINA HEADRICK © St. Petersburg Times, published March 1, 2001 CLEARWATER -- The candidates for the Clearwater City Commission's Seat 4 provide one of the greatests contrasts in this year's election. Lee Regulski, 74, is a City Hall veteran who has been in and out of the trenches of local politics for 16 years. He is a pointed critic of city redevelopment projects he suggests won't benefit residents. Whitney Gray, 38, is more of a newcomer to local politics. A community volunteer, she was inspired to run last year by the debate about the city's redevelopment plans. Her goals are to unify and steer the city toward "sensible" redevelopment. Closing in on the March 13 election, when voters citywide choose a new commission, the candidates themselves are highlighting their differences. "I don't know what he stands for," Gray said. "I just know what he stands against." Gray promises to bring "optimism, hope, an eye to the future and an open mind" to City Hall. But Regulski said he has more "experience, knowledge and commitment" -- as well as 50 years' experience handling engineering projects in his career, longer than Gray has been alive. So far, the newcomer is stomping the old guard in terms of funds and endorsements. "I'm very proud of that," Gray said, "especially competing with someone who has been on the commission and has name recognition." Gray has collected about $21,200 in contributions, the most of any candidate this year, according to recent reports. Contributors include friends, attorneys, developers, contractors, Realtors, engineers and other business people. Regulski had raised $9,800, about a third of that amount coming from a loan he made to the campaign chest. "I'm not surprised how much money she has, because it's kind of obvious where the support and backing for her candidacy is," Regulski said. "I call those people special interests. They're the ones who are up there at each Thursday commission meeting asking for this concession or that concession." Gray has the endorsement of the city's employee unions, even though Regulski has portrayed himself as sympathetic to employee concerns. "To have that vote of confidence, and from city workers, I'm very honored," Gray said. Gray also has been endorsed by political action committees spearheaded by Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce members and business owners in Clearwater Beach. Gray said she thinks that Regulski's record merits scrutiny. While on the commission, she said, Regulski failed to take steps to stop Clearwater Beach and downtown from going downhill. Regulski also took stances against the city joining the county's library system (which happened) and locating the Florida Aquarium in Clearwater (which didn't happen). He was involved in buying the building that took millions more than expected to renovate for the Harborview Center. Regulski said he is proud of is record, adding that he was a "nuts and bolts" commissioner who cared about details. He has characterized his tenure as a time when the city emphasized creating parks, libraries and other quality-of-life services. Gray's platform is to promote economic development and preserve the city's environmental assets such as local beaches. But she said that she wouldn't sacrifice basic projects, such as improving street drainage, to fund projects like the roundabout, which are more about "glitz and glamour." Both candidates say they would work to restore lost trust in City Hall by carefully handling projects and seeking a lot of public input. Alone among this year's commission candidates, Regulski would rescind the ordinance that permits the city to condemn private land for a redevelopment project. He would order a review of the city's land development code. Regulski thinks it gives city planners too much discretion to waive guidelines for the size of buildings if a project is attractive. Regulski would even take down pictures of the commission posted in city buildings -- an unnecessary ego trip, in his view. The candidates have starkly different positions on other major issues. Regulski fought last year's downtown referendum as a leader of Save the Bayfront, a group that sent out mailings that city officials said were grossly misleading. Gray voted for the downtown plan, but accepts that city voters sent a message that they don't want to see the city's downtown waterfront leased for up to 99 years to a developer. Downtown should be reinvented block by block, Gray said. The city should help property owners beautify storefronts with city grants and recruit tenants. Regulski presents a similar approach. Redevelopment plans to reroute and beautify roadways in Clearwater Beach and spur the creation of several large new resorts also appeal to Gray. She thinks the beach needs a facelift to keep tourism healthy. But Regulski opposes shifting S Gulfview Boulevard west and removing public parking lots along south Clearwater Beach, which would allow a Marriott resort to be built on the old roadway and require visitors to park in a garage in the resort. Gray thinks the city should build a water treatment plant to boost its drinking water supply. Regulski does not. He said the plant will be too expensive, compared with its benefits to the city. Gray supports a proposal to build a new Philadelphia Phillies stadium and community sports complex off Drew Street west of U.S. 19. In a built-out city, Gray suggested such a project is always in someone's back yard. Regulski has more concerns about the stadium, including its possible impact on neighborhoods nearby. They disagree about the roundabout, too. Regulski has proposed an elaborate sketch of a new design for beach entryway roads, bringing back traffic lights. Gray said the city should follow a roundabout engineer's suggested changes to eliminate confusion among drivers in the circle. The candidatesWhitney Gray AGE: 38 BACKGROUND: Born at Morton Plant Hospital. Her McMullen family roots in the city go back at least five generations, including an early mayor and town postmaster. Graduated from Clearwater High School in 1980. Has a bachelor's degree in zoology from the University of Florida, worked as a high school and middle school science teacher from 1985 to 1989. Considers her current job to be "community volunteer." Civic involvements have included holding leadership posts with the Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin and serving on the city's Environmental Advisory Board for five years. Sits on the Clearwater YMCA's board of managers and the Metropolitan Planning Organization's citizen advisory committee. Also has worked on local political campaigns in the past few years, including supporting County Commissioner Karen Seel. Gray and her husband, Kurt, have three children, ages 7 to 12. HOBBIES: Boating, biking and reading. TOP PRIORITY IF ELECTED: "I think one of the first things we need to do is bring people back together, start our commission working as a team and help restore some of the public trust that's missing." ASSETS: Ownership in a family limited partnership that invests in stocks, home at 1010 Charles St. LIABILITIES: Mortgage. INCOME: Spouse's job as regional vice president for Argosy Health. Lee RegulskiAGE: 74 BACKGROUND: Born in Brooklyn, New York. Attended Cornell University for a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. Moved here in 1962. Retired 15 years ago, after working as a vice president for construction and engineering at Rutenberg Homes and at Wittner & Co., and also as a self-employed builder. He and his wife, Jan, have four grown children. Regulski served on the City Commission from 1985 to 1992. Ran unsuccessfully for Pinellas County Commission in 1992 and Clearwater mayor in 1993. He has been involved with the Kiwanis Club of Clearwater East, Florida Engineering Society, the city's Board of Adjustment and Appeals, Municipal Code Enforcement Board and a charter review committee. He volunteers for the Community Service Foundation. Also a longtime member in Save the Bayfront, a group that helped defeat last year's downtown redevelopment proposal in a city referendum. HOBBIES: Running, tennis, volunteer work. TOP PRIORITY IF ELECTED: "I will try to build the people's confidence and respect in the government. I will do that by being open and bringing out all the facts of the issues before things are decided." ASSETS: Home at 1045 Chinaberry Road. LIABILITIES: None listed. INCOME: Various stocks, municipal bonds, annuities. WEB SITE: web www.tampabay.rr.com/regulski/
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