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Foster ready for transition to St. Pete mayor

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By YOLANDA FERNANDEZ | News Channel 8

Published: November 4, 2009

BILL FOSTER

ST. PETERSBURG - The stress of the campaign is over, and now Bill Foster is ready to begin planning for his transition to city hall as mayor.

On Tuesday, the fourth generation St. Petersburg native won 53 percent of the vote over opponent Kathleen Ford, who finished with 47 percent.

He summarized his feelings about the victory as, "Excitement, a bit of awe, and just a great sense of humility that the voters came out and 53 percent trust me enough to lead the city forward. The other 47 percent, I'll work hard to earn their trust."

Foster is no stranger to city hall, having served on the city council from 1998 to 2006. He will have to move from his law practice, Foster & Foster, where he has worked with his father for 20 years. And until his swearing-in ceremony Jan. 2, he plans to work out of an office in city hall to ease the transition.

The election was close at first, but the 46-year-old Foster believes his emphasis on leadership style was the main thing that separated him from Ford, 52.

He said his inclusive style will also play a key role in negotiations with the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team and their desire for a new stadium.

"The bottom line, we know now is not the time for a new stadium. Ultimately people decide ... but it's all about leadership style and how you bring people together," Foster said.

Public safety is Foster's first priority, but he said he won't micromanage the police department.

"We're going to really focus on crime prevention and engage the neighborhoods in something I call city crime watch, which engages city employees and community policing," he said. "That's going to be our main focus, people want to see our crime rate go down."

He has already had a preliminary meeting with Police Chief Chuck Harmon.

Reporter Yolanda Fernandez can be reached at (813) 221-5708.

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