Transportation issues highlight New Tampa political forum

A year before Tampa's next municipal elections, city council candidates are already taking their campaigns on the road.

Three political newcomers, an incumbent and a former state legislator, all candidates for Tampa City Council seats, made their pitch Monday at a political forum sponsored by the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce.

About 25 chamber members attended the lunchtime gathering at the Pebble Creek Golf Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive.

The candidates addressed a series of questions from audience members on topics affecting residents and businesses in New Tampa, a suburban-style Tampa community that runs roughly from north of the University of South Florida to the Pasco County line.

The candidates who attended were incumbent District 7 Councilman Joseph Caetano, his challenger Dean Hale, District 1 council candidate Sara Romeo, District 2 candidate Scott Strepina and District 3 candidate Seth Nelson. Candidates for council districts 1, 2 and 3 run citywide. District 7 runs from New Tampa south to Temple Crest near Busch Gardens.

Residents were interested in the candidates' views on New Tampa's transportation needs, increasing the area's visibility, extending reclaimed water to the area and what methods the candidates would use to better communicate with residents.

"The devil is in the details" on light rail, Nelson said. "It's a great opportunity and it depends on where the stations will be.

"I'm for transparency, so residents can make a wise decision."

Romeo, a former state legislator, said light rail is not the answer to New Tampa's traffic problems.

"I don't think light rail by itself is the answer for Bruce B. Downs," she said, adding improved public bus service and other transit resources will be needed.

Caetano said he had "mixed feelings" on light rail. The incumbent said he has been working hard to make Bruce B. Downs Boulevard safer and improve the visibility of the community.

Hale said he is running for office "to infuse common sense back in government."

Hale and Nelson, two political newcomers, said they were seeking office to make things better for their children and future generations.

Scott Strepina, another newcomer, said he is ready to tackle Tampa's high unemployment rate.

"Tampa faces 12 percent unemployment," he said. "The focus on council should be righting the ship and doing it quickly."

For many of the candidates, it was their first opportunity to participate in a forum.

The nonpartisan city elections are March 1, 2011.