Mayor Pam Iorio, fresh from her well-received, hope-amid-grim reality, state of the city presentation, added on a few more details – notably on light rail and governing during turbulent economic times. Plus some other asides.
*In her speech, the mayor noted that “voters are well ahead of the politicians” on light rail. But, of course, the Hillsborough County Commission has to put it on the 2010 ballot first – along with the one-cent sales tax hike to pay for it.
To that end, she is making a lot of rounds these days to speak to groups about that very subject. From HARTLine meetings to county workshops to suburban communities.
Her light rail mantra: “jobs and smart growth.”
“Even if you live in, say, Balm, and you just want to preserve what you have, mass transit is important for you too,” underscored Iorio. The reason: absent a light rail investment, sprawl scenarios will not be kind to such rural areas.
She said she can’t just assume that everyone knows the details and what, ultimately, is at stake. The fact that Tampa and Detroit are the notorious “Mess Transit Twins” hardly helps this city’s image or efforts to recruit “smart” industries that flat-out expect such infrastructure assets.
And if light rail does, indeed, make the 2010 ballot, she will “campaign” hard for it and leverage all the “political capital” she can muster, she assures. The mayor acknowledges, however, that it could be a “fine line” between making maximum use of her forum and allowing opponents to narrowly frame it as “Pam’s Plan.”
“If voters are presented with a sensible plan,” emphasized Iorio, “they will make the investment.”
And while many observers feel that Iorio’s legacy will be the Riverwalk and all that is developing along it, she thinks otherwise.
“Ultimately, I think it will be light rail,” she said. “I have made it a priority and a top agenda issue, and it has gained in support each year. I hope the voters will approve the one cent in 2010 but, regardless, I believe that eventually this county will have light rail.”
*Super Bowl: Yes, it was well worth the trouble, and, no, the value ultimately can’t be calculated in terms of cherry-picked, economic-impact statistics, pointed out the mayor.
“It’s not based on any overblown economic figures,” she said. “It is based on what I saw – people here that would not otherwise have been here, spending money during a recession. And the views of Tampa to the rest of the nation – great marketing value.”
*Stimulus funds: Federal money is already targeted for Tampa International Airport, public housing, and green energy plans. Iorio, however, thinks the biggest bang could come from a non-light rail transportation project.
“If the Crosstown Connector project gets funded, it will be a big help,” assessed Iorio. “That construction job alone will create 16,000 jobs.”
But stimulus money also comes with a reality check, noted Iorio. “Overall, it will help, but our economic problems run deeper than any stimulus package can adequately address.”
*Recession governing: In terms of priorities and schedule, what’s changed? “More listening. People want to share their stories with you. Also, I talk more to people in banking, real estate and other industries to get insight into the economy. I have to reassure people that we will get through this. And much more time spent on budget matters.”