Re-Elect Leslie Curran

Q&A With Candidate Leslie Curran

Why you?

I am running for re-election to provide consistency and continuity to the residents of this
community. As a representative and senior member of City Council, having served 12 years, it
is important to see the goals set by our residents brought to fruition. We are all facing
challenges which require the experience and tenacity that I have brought to governing for
both small businesses and neighborhoods. When I was elected to office in 2005, my agenda was
focused on the following areas: public safety; business retention and economic development;
neighborhood stabilization; Midtown redevelopment efforts; and arts and culture. I have
worked tirelessly in those areas, and during the next four years, I plan on continuing the
efforts that I have initiated to date. It is time to focus on more collaborative efforts
across the city … whether it be the arts, housing, economic development or public safety. I
have a strong commitment to this community, and have maintained an “open door” policy
throughout my tenure on City Council, and will maintain that policy in the future. In the
next four years, we will be faced with many challenges and presented with numerous
opportunities. My record speaks for itself. Whether it be the Pier or the Rays; arts and
culture or economic development; neighborhoods or businesses; public safety or housing; I
have shown a commitment to the betterment of this community.

Leslie’s answers to our questions:

• With property tax revenues falling, how would you make city government more efficient? Name
  specific areas where you would propose reducing spending and areas where you’d protect or
  enhance spending.

It is in the city’s best interest to operate more efficiently. AS an example – approximately
two years ago, Codes Enforcement reduced its budget by 25%. They have become virtually
paperless, and much more efficient. The Construction Permitting Department reduced its staff
when the number of permits declined, and will be able to “re-boot” as the economy allows.
City vehicles that are purchased have better gas mileage, and all of the city buildings are
having energy audits to provide for the greatest efficiency and savings. It is our policy to
review all departments for ways that we can increase our productivity and be more efficient.
Public Safety is one area that I will protect our spending, and enhance if possible. It is
also important to continue funding for our Economic Development efforts, and to enhance
funding for the Summer Youth Employment program.

• Under what circumstances would you considering raising additional revenue for city
  government? What would be the source of that revenue?

The city should not depend on increasing fees as additional revenue for city government, but
look at a number of different options. Recruiting businesses to the city that will provide
job opportunities for our residents. Retaining and expanding businesses that generate a
variety of revenues to the city. Reviewing the management of our city owned facilities that
are not producing the revenue that they should be, but rather requiring subsidies that add
to our budget constraints. Continue our efforts to obtain stimulus dollars that will assist
with our current strategies in housing, public safety, and green initiatives.

• What should the city be doing to address the homeless issue? Do you support the city’s
  commitment as a partner in Pinellas Hope?

I support our commitment to as a partner in Pinellas Hope, and would anticipate continuing
that partnership. This is an example of a private-public partnership that works. The city
needs to continue to work with the service providers in the city that are helping those that
are truly in need – those that provide emergency shelter, and assist our growing population
of homeless families. A differentiation needs to be made between the homeless population of
our community and the aggressive panhandling that has taken over portions of our downtown
and intersections throughout the city. Our current ordinances need to be enforced that
protect our downtown businesses and residents that are adversely impacted by these
activities.

• How do you assess the performance of the police department? Is the city generally safe? What
  would you change with regard to law enforcement?

St. Petersburg has a great Police Department with exceptional officers and civilian
employees. To continue to criticize the department is to demoralize the men and woman that
work to keep us safe. Even one crime is too many, so we must remain aggressive in our
efforts to deter criminal activity in this city. We must continue to increase the number of
crime watch groups through our neighborhood associations that will work with our officers.
Our police department is Nationally Accredited and is recognized as a Flagship Agency for
its policies and procedures. I feel that the Chief needs to be more “out front” to the
public in the way he responds to police issues.

• How would you build on the city’s neighborhood revitalization efforts, particularly in an
  era of limited city resources?

I would continue on our current course, focusing on what has been working in our
neighborhoods. We have an opportunity to redevelop neighborhoods that have been faced with a
number of foreclosed properties – both single and multi-family with the federal dollars
received from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. We need to ensure that we maximize
these dollars in our efforts, and complete the redevelopment in a time frame that allows the
city to receive additional funds in the next round of the program. It is also important to
stay focused on our code enforcement efforts, and collaborate with our neighborhood
associations on all neighborhood initiatives.

• What would be your approach to the Rays owners’ interest in a new stadium? Would you support
  a new stadium? How would you propose paying for it? And where would you want it built?

I will continue to be open and forthright with the owners. Obviously the idea of a
waterfront stadium is not acceptable to the citizens! I will encourage the owners to work
within their contract and remain in St. Pete. Even though there has been a good deal of
discussion over the low attendance at some games, it is still an increase over last year.
Considering the state of the economy, I believe we are doing as well as can be expected. I
would support building a new stadium if there was a financing plan in place that did not
depend on public financing. From the beginning of public discussions regarding a different
location, I have been a strong advocate for building a new stadium on the current parking
lot, and re-developing the current Tropicana Field site.

• What should be the city council’s role versus the role of the mayor?

The roles are defined in our City Charter: City Council is to review and approve the budget
as presented by the Mayor, and to set Policy for the City. The Mayor is the chief
administrative officer for the City.

• What are the necessary strategies to continue to improve the economic and social health of
  the Midtown area?

Midtown at this time is no different from other areas facing the economic challenges of this
economy. It is important to recognize what is working in the area, protect our assets, and
stay the course with our commitment to the Midtown area.

• There have been great strides in downtown St. Petersburg in the past eight years, but the
  deterioration of BayWalk and the Pier suggests the formula isn’t complete for a revitalized
  downtown. What do you propose the city do to address those two projects? And what should the
  city’s strategy be to insure downtown is well positioned to take advantage of the eventual
  economic recovery?

The formula needs to be “re-tooled” to adapt to the current market changes. As the market
evolves, so will Baywalk and the Pier. It is not the total responsibility of the City to
ensure Baywalk’s success, but a collaborative effort between the owners of Baywalk and the
City. The question is “What are the owners of Baywalk doing to ensure its revitalization?”
The City will continue to partner in the capacity that we are able – assisting with
streetscape efforts that tie the downtown together, making certain that the parking garage
is safe, secure, and well lighted, and giving Baywalk the easement that they need for
portions of the sidewalk that will ensure pedestrian access and safety for consumers to
visit both the theater and the shops. The owners need to be aggressively pursuing new
tenants, and listening to the desires of the residents of the community.

Running for St. Petersburg District 4 City Council