Issues
1. Senior Transportation.
With each passing year the need for senior transportation in Tarpon Springs becomes more accute. During my first term on the City Commission I raised the item of elderly transportation on more then one occasion. There are a number of ways to attack this problem and there are some existing solutions in place. The existing solutions are unfortunately very restrictive and in some cases, expensive. Currently, I am working with the City Manager to find a solution that will not only offer our elderly relief in this area but to do so at little or no cost to them. Stay tuned.
2. Shopping in Tarpon Springs
One of Tarpon Springs’ most pressing issues is adequate shopping for its citizens; especially its elderly citizens. A recent event has brought this issue into sharp focus. Namely, the closing of K-Mart, leaves Tarpon Springs without any large variety store. For large variety store shopping our citizens must go to either Palm Harbor or New Port Richey.
When our citizens shop outside of Tarpon Springs they leave their tax dollars in the cities they shop in. This loss of Tarpon Springs’ revenue places more pressure to raise property taxs which disproportionately affects our elderly who can lest afford to shoulder more of a tax burden. In addition to taxes, there is a transportation burden to consider. For a young family to jump in the car and drive 10 miles to go shopping is not a big deal. The problem is approximately 33% of Tarpon’s population are retired. The elderly and retired seek better shopping closer to home, not further away.
One thing that has not been done to date is to ask the community what they want in the way of shopping. At present we have a large number of empty stores in the downtown area. So what do Tarpon’s residents want? The City should ask its citizens to express their views on shopping. This can be done through such vehicles as the water bill and the Tarpon Springs web site. We need to know if this is a major issue with our citizens or a minor issue that is getting to much attention.
If it’s a major issue then the community needs more involvement in its solution. If it’s a minor issue then we can address it at our leisure. Its up to the community to determine which course to take.
3. Neighborhood Mini Parks
To the extent that we can in Tarpon we need to establish neighborhood mini parks. These parks do more then just offer a play for our children to play, they keep our children close to home. I have worked for the establishing of mini parks in the past and will continue to do so in my second term.
4. More Citizen involvement in City decisions.
5. The revitilazation of business in Tarpon; atracting new and varied businesses to our community.
