DAVE STEINKE INTERVIEW
Questions for the Steinke March 2010 election
WD: Do you have an opening statement?
I don’t have an opening statement.
WD: How long have you lived in Gulfport?
I have lived in Gulfport for 23 years.
WD: Where did you live before that?
I lived in Seminole.
WD: What is your profession?
I’m Retired, Marina Owner.
WD: Do you have any affiliations with any businesses, either in Gulfport or outside the city limits?
Just the Marina here.
WD: What city boards and committees have you sat on?
I sit on the Historical Society.
WD: What non city organizations do you belong to?
I think the only organization I belong to is the Masonic Lodge.
WD: Why are you running?
The reason I am running is because I really would like to see Gulfport make a difference, make a difference on the city council. We have an extremely weak city council. We need to do a lot of stuff like a lot of budget stuff and they don’t understand and some of my opponents here think they are going to wait until September to make it. They need to be doing it now. They need to be working on their budgets, cutting corners, cutting costs. I think they have blinders on.
I would like to be the first person from Pasadena Yacht and Country Club to actually represent the people there and to make a difference there too. Because those people are getting whipped, bad and they’ve never had any representation at all.
WD: Do you have any further political aspirations?
No.
WD: Will you be seeking election help from outside of Gulfport organizations?
You mean like the Stonewall Committee or somebody like that?
No. I have nothing. Actually, even with the hard economic times that we have and are headed into, itt has been very easy for me to raise money. I‘ve got a lot of contributions and its because they don’t want some of the other candidates in. They have such a bad bad feeling about who’s running.
WD: What is you opinion of re-passing the city charter to make it only changeable by public referendum?
I think they have to start living up to the charter before they do anything. I think they think it’s something that they can just ignore. There’s a lot of problems and it goes back to the fact we have got a very weak city council and they just do things and change things at will. Or it’s city staff that tells them what to do. They have got to stop doing what city staff tells them to do and do their own research so that they can make qualified decisions. We don’t have that.
WD: What is your position regarding examination and re-codification of our codes and ordinances to bring them into the 21st century?
Here again, we’ve got a lot of codes. We have selective enforcement. We don’t enforce a lot of that stuff. Yeah, they need to go through that stuff and clean it all up, make it right.
WD: Should ALL city meetings be recorded and available on DVD’s?
I think so.
WD: Do you feel that the videos of city meetings should be available on the city’s web page on demand?
Sure.
WD: What are your impressions of the public sessions at the city council meetings?
I think they have a lot of problems. I think that a lot of the problems that the city has, here again, is the fact that we do have a weak council. A lot of the problems and a lot of the issues that are brought up at the council meetings should have been taken care of prior and they’re not getting taken care of because the city council people, they ignore people. And if they did what they were supposed to and address the issues before the people had to get up in council, they could get a whole lot more done.
WD: What can you see the city doing to achieve green city status?
This city is not green. They really need to wake up and they need to understand that the city of Gulfport is the single largest polluter in the city of Gulfport. It’s the city. It’s the runoffs. The bio diesel is the biggest joke on earth. Makes people think they are conserving. They need to really wake up. We can do a lot of things without a whole lot of costs, but they’re not doing anything. The only thing I know of is they’re running around with their garbage trucks saying they have 5% Bio diesel in the things. I don’t know of anything else that they’re doing. Tell me if you know.
WD: What is your opinion on allowing smoke pollution in Gulfport?
Being here at the marina for 33 years, I’ve seen so many things go on in this town. For the city council to pass to a resolution allowing a smoker to operate, a commercial smoker to operate on 49th Street is absolutely ridiculous. I am not anti–smoker, I am anti pollution. They could have put scrubbers on that thing. I used to be in the boat manufacturing business. We had to put scrubbers on all our stuff so we didn’t offend anybody, because of the resins and the discharge that we had. We only did laminations at night and we put scrubbers on our air. We tried to be good neighbors and not pollute.
The smoker. That’s ridiculous. On air pollution, I’m anti air pollution, anti water pollution. My business relies upon the water here. They just don’t know what a bag of worms they’ve accomplished. I am going to have to take a blood pressure pill here in a minute, you get me all wound up.
WD: Do you feel the sound ordinance is consistent with today’s needs?
I know that they limit the decibel output, but here again we’ve got to have a mix between the residential community and the commercial community. I really don’t know what the limits on the decibel output but I know that most of the bars downtown that are having music and karaoke or whatever they’re doing, that they actually limit that. I don’t know what the limits are. I don’t know a lot of people complaining today, I know they’ve been complaining in the past. You got me on that one.
WD: Do you have any solutions for the parking problem in the downtown Art District?
Seems like every time we get another new business in town, we get another application to the Board of Adjustment to waive the parking requirements. I think we are penalizing the people who actually do have parking. One thing that I would do and this may not be something that the merchants like, but I guess you can’t appease everyone, I think if they can’t fulfill the parking requirements that they need to buy parking places somewhere else. And maybe then the city could afford to put a parking lot in if it was all paid for.
WD: Do you feel we should allow alcohol in the streets during our Spring- fest, Geckofest and similar events?
I am not really sure about that. I would say yes. I think if we are going to have a festival, the people are going to want to drink anyway. I think most of the venues you have, like downtown St. Pete, or the Festival of States, they’ve all got beer trucks and stuff like that. I don’t really have a problem.
WD: Do you think that the Chamber of Commerce, possibly for economic gain, exerts too much influence within the city over the interests & concerns of the citizens of Gulfport?
I really think that if we didn’t have our Chamber of Commerce, that the city of Gulfport would have a whole lot harder time. We’ve got a very strong Chamber of Commerce and they do a pretty good job. The city lacks in doing anything for any body that’s coming into the community. I don’t see where the city’s done anything. We probably need to have a city official or a city liaison person that can go around and help some of the people that are coming into the community to open a business instead of sending code enforcement and then giving everybody a hard time.
WD: Where do you stand on the mooring field?
I don’t have a problem with the mooring field. I don’t think it would be an economic boom to the city. There’s a lot of unanswered questions. My biggest concern is the pollution and the gray water run off. I’ve been opposed to that and nobody seems to understand that it’s not the toilets and the heads that are going to be the problem, it’s the gray water and we could feasibly with the present plan that is going to be administered by the harbormaster that we could have a hundred house boats sitting out there. First of all we can’t control that gray water run off. We don’t have any parking. We don’t have any infrastructure for a hundred people. Or two hundred people as it may be. Or dogs; Im sure that they’re not going to contain the dog wastes. They‘re not going to go in heads. They’re going to wash it right off the deck. If they can put a mooring field in and make it a zero zone, a zero discharge zone, which is completely different then a non discharge zone, I’d be in favor of it. I would have no problem. I do know that the state has come up with new rules on the mooring fields. The moorings today have to withstand a 18,000 pound dead pull and the ones they tried to put in down in Sarasota don’t work. I’d be very hesitant. I think if they can put ten balls out there for transients to come in, that would be fantastic. I’m not sure I really want 100 people living out there. I wouldn’t have a problem with it if they didn’t discharge.
WD: How do you feel about police activity regarding victimless crime.
I think we have a lot of policeman. We have a real selective area of that we patrol. Give me a for instance on what a victimless crime is.
WD: Actually, That’s the next question.
WD: Can you name some victimless crimes?
Maybe Code enforcement is victimless, right?
WD: What is your position on the Gulfport to St. Pete Beach trolley?
I was one of the people that really wanted to see the trolley. I think it does bring people into the community without cars. But I don’t think the city staff wants the trolley and as a consequence the trolley is going to die. It’s dying a slow death now. They’ve never done anything to promote the thing. No one even knows about it, and there’s people have worked to try to get the thing where it is and they just walked away from it. Do it for free, they‘re not making money on it any way. They’re losing money every day. It’s really a waste.
WD: Have you ridden the trolley?
Yes.
WD: Do you know any one else who has?
My Wife.
WD: Are you concerned that code enforcement is not dealt with evenly within all parts of the city?
Most definitely. We have a real problem with code enforcement and it’s just because our building department doesn’t have anything to do and so what else are they going to do. Some of the things that they pull are un-comprehensible.
WD: What do you think should be done about the Winn Dixie Property?
I am not sure the city has the ability to do anything with the Winn Dixie property. I would just as soon see it torn down. I don’t know how they can do it, it’s somebody’s private enterprise and if they don’t want to rent it, it’s going to stay vacant for a long time. I would rather see the city out of private enterprise. Maybe they can put a soup kitchen in, I don’t know.
WD: What is your vision for Gulfport?
I really would like to see the City of Gulfport; you know they’ve come a long way in the last ten years, they got a lot of good people here and I am just afraid that they’ve reached a plateau and they’re not going to do anything else. I don’t see anybody thinking out of the box, all the people on our council are kinda like followers. We really need to get some fresh ideas. We need to think outside the box. Our art district down there, it could be the best one around. But when we get somebody moving into the city, the city harasses them.
WD: What would you like to accomplish during your term in office?
I would like to see our budget get under control. I‘d like to see the millage lowered. I would work myself to try to, as one of my goals, to lower the millage and get some of these people in the city some tax relief instead of raising the taxes every year. It’s real easy to say we’re not going to cut anything, but in the same respect they keep raising the taxes and that’s an easy solution just to raise the taxes and never cut anything. But, they don’t want to do that. I don’t think they have the ability.
WD: What are your feelings about Clam Bayou?
The City of Gulfport should have sued the City of St. Petersburg 25 years ago and I don’t think they have the guts to do it today. I am appalled with the fact that that the discharge from St. Petersburg. We have to live with it and it irritates me.
WD: Any final comments?
I am very opinionated and I really don’t hold a whole lot back. I don’t have the time for it. I’ve been in business here for over 40 years, not here. I’ve been in business for 33 years here. And I‘ve been self employed for 40 years and I just don’t have time. I have to make decisions right now and I got to live with them of course. Our council, they make decisions and then they get off the council and the other people have to live with them. I think that they should start listening to their constituents. I think that things would work out a lot better. We got people on our council, we got some people that have to be the center of attraction, we need to get our personal feelings out of this.
WD: What would you like to accomplish during your term in office?
Mr. Steinke said:
“I would like to see our budget get under control. I‘d like to see the millage lowered. I would work myself to try to, as one of my goals, to lower the millage and get some of these people in the city some tax relief instead of raising the taxes every year. It’s real easy to say we’re not going to cut anything, but in the same respect they keep raising the taxes and that’s an easy solution just to raise the taxes and never cut anything. But, they don’t want to do that. I don’t think they have the ability.”
_________________________________________________________________
huh? I can understand the bit about tax relief. But let me ask a question. How much lower can the millage rate go before Gulfport turns into Kenneth City? And actually, the city has lowered the millage since 2007. It went from 4.1 to 3.47, in the last two years, and 10% lower in 2007. When did were the taxes actually raised in the last few years? Fiscal management and sound budgeting is a no brainer. But lets be careful we are not putting the will of the people before the welfare of the people. We may just tax cut our city to death.
I believe that Mr. Steinke DOES have a problem with the mooring field and the idea of 100 houseboats sitting “out there” is incomprehensible, however, it would be good for the merchants of Gulfport if there were boats/houseboats parked downtown. It would appear that Mr. Steinke is against the mooring field for his own personal gain since he owns/runs the Marina. In addition, he doesn’t seem to have any new ideas for creating a new Gulfport, including the Winn Dixie eyesore. The City Council needs to address this issue with its owners and resolve this ugly entrance into our beautiful little town.
People also have to think about the tax dollars paid / collected. Everybody is hung up on the local millage rate and forgets that Gulfport only gets 20% of the total tax bill. If property values keep going down and the millage goes down too, might not have alot of $$ to work with. What happens then? User fees will have to be increased. Time to clean up the City and increase property values. I am sick of looking at so many derelict properties.
ONLY SALMON AND STEINKE RESPOND TO EMAIL:
I recently posed the following question, via email, and as with an earlier question regarding ‘Freedom of Speech” only Jennifer Salmon and David Steinke responded. I did, subsequently, receive an email address for Ms. Barbieri and forwarded the email to her but have not received a response.
One interesting observation….none of the current Council Members nor the Mayor respond to email via email. The Mayor and Member Worthington occassionally respond by phone. Why is that? Why are these people that work for us afraid to communicate–i.e. listen and respond / act?
===========================================
Ward 1 Candidates and Unopposed Candidates:
http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/st-petersburg-faces-12m-shortfall-in-next-years-budget/1067094
Kindly reference the attached article. Property values are expected to fall another 10% in Gulfport too. The purported $700K+ in savings from last year is unsustainable. If elected, you have a huge challenge ahead of you in finding a way to create a realistic balanced budget. Hopefully one of you will strive to have the budget include this year’s ACTUAL expenditures
to-date for comaprison.
IMO, the dropping property values do not just stem from “right sizing” . There are numerous instances, in Gulfport, where properties are derelict, dilapidated and detremental to the value of the overall neighborhoods. What is being done to correct this? We know it is not Code Enforcement as that is, for all intents and purposes, a passive activity. Perhaps there needs to be a volunteer community effort to clean up and spruce up the city? What are your ideas to improve the overall value and appearance of properties in Gulfport?
Regards and good luck to all!
Margarete Tober
P.S. – R. Barbieri is not copied as I cannot find an e-mail address for her.
=====================================
Response form Jennifer Salmon:
As soon as election day ends, I will ask for this year’s budget revenues and expenditures to date with comparisons by budget category back to 2000. As you know from our ad hoc committee last year, fees took a huge increase mid decade. I think we should participate in Paint Your Heart Out and extend it to the businesses on 49th as well!
Barbieri’s email:
Jennifer
==================
Response form David Steinke:
Margarete
We can clean up our act!
1. STOP selective code inforcement. When putting out our campains signs some of the properties are pretty bad.(what is our building and code inforcement doing since construction is down?
2. Park the Trolly.
3. Once a week trash pick-up.
4. Possible out source the Building Dept.
5. Mooring field on hold. (stop spending)
I will spent time in each city department and watch and observe.
Thanks Dave Steinke
P.S. These recomendations were the ones from the 157 surveys returned to city staff last year and nothing was done.
WD – “Why are you running? Mr Steinke said, in part: “I would like to be the first person from the Pasadena Yacht & Country Club to actively represent the people there”. Perhaps he is unaware that Bob Burke lived in the PYCC when he served on the Gulfport City Council.
In addition, he said “I’ve got a lot of contributions and it’s because they don’t want some of the other candidates in. They have such a bad feeling about who’s running”.
I doubt that Mr Steinke can “buy” the election with “a lot of contributions”, as he stated, or by critical comments about the other candidates and the City Council, which he is running for. He doesn’t appear to have the cooperative spirit demonstrated by his opponents which is essential to effectively serve on the Gulfport City Council. He seems to be the only candidate with a negative attitude. I like who’s running and may the best candidate win.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND PUBLIC INPUT AT COUNCIL MEETINGS &WORKSHOPS
I also posed this question some weeks earlier, to the Ward 1 candidates and the unopposed candidates:
CANDIDATES: My question to you is: what is your position on public input at Council Meetings and Workshop Meetings?
Thanks in advance for your response.
Margarete Tober
Only two people–Jennifer Salmon and Dave Steinke responded, via email. At the time I did not have an email address for Roz Barbieri, however, I have since received it and sent it to her as well. No response yet.
==================================================================
Stanley Solomans approached me at a Council Meeting and indicated something to the effect of: “you are always well prepared and wel spoken and I don’t know that changing anything would change that.” Feel free to correct me if I mis-understood you, Stanley.
=====================================================================
Jennifer Salmon:
Please see my thoughts at:
http://electjennifersalmon.com/Open%20government.php
I support public comment at workshops but at the end of the workshop so the public can comment on all aspects of what they heard. No decisions should be made at workshops.
JS
=====================================================================
Dave Steinke:
Margarete: I think it very important to have public input at both workshops and council meetings. The council men or women have the responsibility to get as much information as possible to make an intelligent decision. And not rely on staff.
Thanks Dave Steinke
To be clear I support Dave Steinke because he’s willing to challenge the status quo.
The tax paying population of this City is unfairly burdened with reckless spending that has gone out of control for years. The surplus that the City is so proud of came from the sweat equity of the over-taxed citizens in this city, at one point over 7 million dollars was held when a 3 million dollar reserve was considered appropriate. The City decided to hold on to the Citizens money for them, aren’t they the helpful bunch. And in the position of having so much surplus they thought that it was OK Fine to build a bloated government, and they did. Now they’re cutting but if they were running efficiently there would be no cuts required. It would have always been a fine tuned machine.
Donalie Scherer said=”"”Mr. Steinke is against the mooring field for his own personal gain since he owns/runs the Marina.”"”
Mariners Cove would not loose anything but gain tremendously if the Mooring Field was installed. He owns a dry storage facility. It stores small fishing boats, recreational boats and Day Cruisers. He has no facilities to accommodate large live aboard vessels. He sells fuel, parts and repairs marine equipment. With 100 large boats on the waters edge he would increase his business exponentially. But instead of looking out for himself he’s protecting the water, the citizens and the city. Placing a Mooring Field off a Beach Head is a very dumb idea. Nowhere in Pinellas County will you find any city sacrificing their Beach to create a parking lot for boats. We have a designated boat area and I suggest we use it to moor boats rather than pollute our beach.
If all is rosy and the council is doing fine, then why do they have so much opposition? Why is it that the Common Citizen need to do the work for them?
Ed Jennings said “”" I doubt that Mr Steinke can “buy” the election with “a lot of contributions”, as he stated, or by critical comments about the other candidates and the City Council, which he is running for. He doesn’t appear to have the cooperative spirit demonstrated by his opponents which is essential to effectively serve on the Gulfport City Council. He seems to be the only candidate with a negative attitude. I like who’s running and may the best candidate win.”"”
Some here would suggest that the candidates should pretend that the council is competent and the public is going to break with traditional politics and Not vote against candidates. That, telling the interviewer the truth about what his supporters have to say and their reason for contributing to him is somehow a negative tactic? It’s a about time our representatives were honest and open with us.
I for one am voting against Judy Ryerson for her vote to install a Smoker in our neighborhood. I’m also voting against David C. Hastings for voting on the P&Z to install a Smoker In our neighborhood, so you see, I’m a supporter of Mr. Steinke because he has spoken out against the terrible conditions that these two individuals have created in our neighborhood.
I am a victim of Mr. Hastings inaccurate and deceptive claims and brain dead comments from his seat on the Planning and Zoning board. I am a victim of Ms. Ryerson inability to comprehend the detrimental effects of a commercial Smoker operating 14-16 hours per day with two 6 inch stacks =54 square inches of toxic emission pumping into our neighborhood, canopy, yards, homes and offices. We need councilmen who understand basic physics. We need someone who will listen. I have no idea who Barbieri or Solomons are, but I do know who Ryerson and Hastings are and I for one am voting against them.
Are you suggesting that I sugarcoat my horrendous experience to satisfy your expectations? I for one told Mr. Steinke why I and others in our neighborhood will be supporting him, and we have his signs on our lawns to prove it. Have a wonderful day!
Watchdog,
As a concerned citizen, I am writing in the hopes that this forum remains credible. I love the idea that you allow for an open and educated forum in which gulfport citizens can voice their opinion and knowledge on certain subjects that are relevent at the time. However, at this time I feel that the blog is losing credibility. To allow citizens to make uneducated and unfounded comments, that border on libel, while not fact checking, giving all of the facts, or picking and choosing who the comments are directed towards, while others go untouched, seems to allow for an unfair, and not ‘open’ or credible forum. When facts pertain to multiple parties, or when those who attack one party while ommitting facts about others, and giving their downright endorsement, 2iview, viewing contributors as credible is impossible. To give both sides of the story, the pinellas civil records, not google, lists David Steinke as a defendant in 22 local cases from fraud to negligence, along with 5 cases acting as the plaintiff. He does challenge the status quo, including the laws that every citizen should abide by. He chooses not to. Thank you for your space and time, and I hope in the spirit of an open forum, all facts can be presented.
dogfish, just as i thought,you ONLY print what suits YOU best.You are not about the truth you are just another asshole slanting everything in your direction.You did not post the 2 comments that i e-mailed you. YOU and yours are nothing more than terrorist that are out there. the truth about you,steinke and your little group will all come out.Hold on to your pants!
shyiamnot and a. carlin-Since we provide the opportunity for all people to comment on every article, we feel obligated to print all comments received unless they are SPAM or overly offensive based on our understanding of our community standards. That is why there is a short delay between submission and publication. On main articles, we fact check as much as possible. On comments, we do not. We trust that others will provide “the other side” of the issues, as you are doing. Now, how about some facts.
What is the point of the name calling? This does not resolve anything or make anybody’s candidate look better. Perhaps I am being alturistic but can’t everyone just offer objective info? If you offer subjective info then please offer an opinion that is not laced with personal attacks. Hopefully, we all have the same goal, which is for Gulfport to be the best and led by the best.
OK there shyiamnot, here’s a taste of what us uneducated citizens don’t think are unfounded comments. If you have proof of your claims, it’s time to share with the dogs.
According to the Board of Accountancy 4 Cases were brought against David C. Hastings and was charged under Florida statute.
The acts were committed with full knowledge and intent. Fraud, not negligence or incompetence as one might claim.
License # AC 34363
Case# 94-10515
Case# 95-01751
Case# 97-10677
Case# 2006-009152
Conclusion for three cases. 1997-DOC012210
In 1994-95-97 he was acting as a CPA without a license.
Case# 94-10515
Case# 95-01751
Case# 97-10677
455.227 Grounds for discipline; penalties; enforcement.–
(1) The following acts shall constitute grounds for which the disciplinary actions specified in subsection (2) may be taken:
(a) Making misleading, deceptive, or fraudulent representations in or related to the practice of the licensee’s profession.
(m) Making deceptive, untrue, or fraudulent representations in or related to the practice of a profession or employing a trick or scheme in or related to the practice of a profession.
(q) Violating any provision of this chapter, the applicable professional practice act, a rule of the department or the board, or a lawful order of the department or the board, or failing to comply with a lawfully issued subpoena of the department.
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0455/Sec227.HTM
473.323 Disciplinary proceedings.–
(1) The following acts constitute grounds for which the disciplinary actions in subsection (3) may be taken:
a) Violation of any provision of s. 455.227(1), 1s. 473.317, or any other provision of this chapter.
(b) Attempting to procure a license to practice public accounting by bribery or fraudulent misrepresentations.
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0473/SEC323.HTM&Title=-%3E2009-%3ECh0473-%3ESection%20323#0473.323
Stipulated to all charges
Fine $1000.00
Court Cost $108.00
—————————————–
2007
falsified documents
Case# 2006-009152 file 2007-DOC012210-002
473.323 Disciplinary proceedings.–
(1) The following acts constitute grounds for which the disciplinary actions in subsection (3) may be taken:
g) Committing an act of fraud or deceit, or of negligence, incompetency, or misconduct, in the practice of public accounting.
(3) When the board finds any certified public accountant or firm guilty of any of the grounds set forth in subsection (1), it may enter an order imposing one or more of the following penalties:
(c) Imposition of an administrative fine not to exceed $5,000 for each count or separate offense.
(d) Issuance of a reprimand.
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0473/SEC323.HTM&Title=-%3E2009-%3ECh0473-%3ESection%20323#0473.323
.
.
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0455/SEC228.HTM&Title=-%3E2009-%3ECh0455-%3ESection%20228#0455.228
cover file
http://www.2iview.com/pages/hastingscpa.html
There are only a few things that I know for certain. The sun rises in the East, death and taxes will most likely continue, and Dave Steinke is a moral and ethical gentleman who will provide expert leadership for the city of Gulfport.
I judge a man very simply. 1. Does he have “true grit”? 2. Is he honest and trustworthy? 3. Can he get along with others and get the job done?
I have know Dave for many years, and the answer to all three is a resounding “yes”. If you are looking for competent leadership, and someone who is 100% for Gulfport, Dave Steinke will represent you and be there for you.
Forget about all the lies and inuendoes in other blogs. Things often get nasty in a campaign. Dave won’t stoop to that. Neither will he whine and complain about how things should be, and why they can’t get done. He has the experience and the talent to represent you on the council. Period.
Watchman posted a question to Mr.Steinke adount what he’d like to do during his term. ststed lower the millage rate, If we continue to lower the millage rate we will at some point break the city. our milllage rate should be at 4.1 mill not lower. the ones who complains about raiseing millage rates are those people who can aford higher taxes know one likes to pay higher taxes but in these times to kept what we have there’s not much else we can do.cutting this and that only hurts us and are city.
When I opened the Gabber today I was surprised to see that they had interviewed the candidates. When I read the interview with Dave Steinke I was taken back. When I discovered that the interview was held in early January I was appalled. What compelled them to publish this story five weeks after the interview? Why hide the date of the interview?
In any case most of what is written is unsubstantiated claims. Half-truths and bias reporting by the same hack that has called me names. She claimed that I was somewhat crazy for protecting myself from her friends on the Council. She claimed I had no evidence when in fact the evidence is apparent and available; in short she took liberties with the truth then, as she has taken liberties with the truth in this interview.
Quite frankly if I were a candidate I would insist that the Publisher send a reputable reporter instead of this hack.
It appears from what Dogfish has written that everyone is against the smoker. Because of Dave Steinke’s efforts in this matter http://www.steinkeward1.com/ I was handed a letter from the property owner, which moved the process forward and one step closer to our goal in having the resolution amended. Crazy Cathy from the Gabber may not understand the issue, or any issue beyond her own self deprecation in articles for cash, but the concerned and responsible citizens of Gulfport know what real environmental stewardship is, and I thank them for that.
guarddog
The millage rate of Safety Harbor is 3.0674. There are citizens in this City paying $40,000.00 plus in taxes per year and get 50% of the services that the Mayor is provided. If you continue to tax the Goose that’s laying your Golden Parachute your Goose will be cooked.
@ guarddog– It concerns me anytime a candidate says/promises they will lower taxes or continue to lower taxes. That tells me the candidate hasn’t looked at the numbers or spoken with the finance people. I admit there is opportunity to improve costs in some areas but overall there is not an opportunity for a wholesale “cut in taxes” without cutting people,which cuts services. This year it may come down to that particularly if the unions don’t give in a little more. I know the police did last year but I think they could have given a little more as could have fire. Please don’t take that as a global negative of the police/fire, it is just a concern/disappointment about what transpired last year.
mtober….
Very valid point. Collective begging, I mean collective bargaining units need to realize that when citizens are tightening their belts, its no time to ask for raises or perks. We need more cops I think, and we need a few more resources to combat the problems we face today. This can probably be said for the entire city. But the unions and the cops need to realize that we cant get what we really need if we ask for the things we don’t really need. Just my two cents.
Mr. Guarddog also has valid points regarding the mileage. I feel sorry for those who are paying $40,000 in taxes, but Gulfport only gets %20 or less of that amount. But I don’t see many gulfport citizens at county commission meetings complaining about the county’s millage rate.
Cutting the taxes at this point in time will only put further stresses on city resources. That would mean a definate reduction in services if you also take into account the projected decrease in ad valorem taxable value of gulfport property for the next coming year. I think it’s projected to be decreased by another 10%.
2view….
That tax bracket you spoke of only represents a samll percentage of gulfport residents. And, those residents I might add already got a tax decrease by the their decrease in property value. Sorry, but you can’t have your cake and eat it too in this circumstance. The city should not bend to the will of a small minority who rarely ever come to a city council meeting, until taxes are going to be raised.
2iview–remember the property values in Safety Harbor are substantialy higher than in Gulfport.
watchman said: That tax bracket you spoke of only represents a samll percentage of gulfport residents. And, those residents I might add already got a tax decrease by the their decrease in property value. Sorry, but you can’t have your cake and eat it too in this circumstance.
What your suggesting here is that because the higher contributing taxpaying citizen has lost value on their property and subsequently reduced the amount of tax they need to pay on that property, that the price should be raised so that services that they do not enjoy can be allocated to others. So that departments can continue to be bloated with managers that don’t manage, a trolley that burns cash and plans to build parking lots for boats that has absolutely no promise of returning our investment. And it goes on.
The City wants money to burn and since they can’t bleed a stone or think outside the preverbal box, then go after the citizen who has lost the most value on their property. I guess that angle is to be expected in an election year when your looking for majority votes, but beware, the long term projections of abusing community investors has left a list of ghost towns in it’s wake.
Watchman said: The city should not bend to the will of a small minority who rarely ever come to a city council meeting, until taxes are going to be raised. The citizens of any community need not engage in government beyond the selection process. We select individuals to do a job and expect them to fulfill their responsibilities without us micro managing their daily activities. The only reason there are biweekly group of citizens spending their valuable time in those Clowncil Meetings is in direct response to the inadequacies and at times absurdities that they observe being carried out in their name.
mtoberNoUlteriorMotives said: 2iview–remember the property values in Safety Harbor are substantially higher than in Gulfport.
Yes, in some areas, and because of thoughtful planning and governance they made investment and restored what could have been blighted areas instead of abandoning them. The very people that could invest and restore the Winn Dixie Mall with a bond initiative, or cooperative and a plan are being assaulted with a suggestion of increased taxes.
As we had removed and replaced our City Clerk to move into the 21st century, we need to do the same with some other staff and council members who understand how the system operates. With labor costs at an all time low we should be building and restoring to be in position for an economic recovery, to be a major contributor to the recovery in this region, but instead we’re fighting over nickels and dimes and barely hanging on to a cohesive but fragile community.
I would like to put every one of these so called leaders on a plane and drop them off at any real redevelopment area across the country, just to force them to open their eyes. They are being ill served by this Staff and don’t know it. Subsequently the citizens are being ill served and are now being asked to pay a premium for this poor service.
What has been offered as development recently, a Smoker with the treat of more to come? An empty Trolley that no one bothered to do a probability study on, and oh, let’s not forget low flying billboards. How about a Mooring Field that has no promise of acquiring customers, let alone make a return on our substantial investment. And for this folly the citizens pay $500,000.00 per year in salary and benefits. Don’t tax the investors and homeowners; remove the excess waste and abuse.
If we can operate this city with a part time attorney, certainly we can do the same with part time Planners and Community Developers, especially since there’s nothing substantial to Plan or Develop.
2iview said:
“What your suggesting here is that because the higher contributing taxpaying citizen has lost value on their property and subsequently reduced the amount of tax they need to pay on that property, that the price should be raised so that services that they do not enjoy can be allocated to others. So that departments can continue to be bloated with managers that don’t manage, a trolley that burns cash and plans to build parking lots for boats that has absolutely no promise of returning our investment. And it goes on.”
No sir. Thats not what I am saying. What I meant was that the millage needed to be increased to off set the lack of revenue due to the decrease in property values. This, if I am not mistaken, would have been the roll back rate proposed during he budget process that was voted down due to citizen disapproval. I think many of the citzens who were speaking out against the proposed increase did not realize that. I think since their property value decreased, the marginal increase in mills would have made little if any impact on their tax bill.
Bottom line, cities run off tax revenue. The less it takes in, the less it can do.
And I also respectfully disagree regarding citizen involvement in city government. Here’s why. In my opinion, we elect well meaning individuals who know very little about city government or parts of our services. I’m in no way blaming them, but citizens should constantly be involved in the process of governing the city to voice their converns or needs and to keep elected officials from acting in a way that is contrary to the majority of the citizens. This is easier to do in local government, but much harder as you go up, like county or state and even the federal level. An exmample would be the large group of citizens that showed up agains the millage increase. Regardless of my opinion about it, this was an example of citizens being involved to keep elected officials informed on the concerns of the citizens. I just think more people should be involved in all aspects of our government.
2view
Safety Harbor has a population of 17,800 people. They also have a clean city. Gulfport has a lot to offer for seniors but if you look around, Gulfport is getting beaten up by poor property value’s. If some people are paying $40,000.00 in taxes, how munch of that goes to the City of Gulfport? We shouldn’t have any problems then. The goose is cooked. Keep the millage RATE LOW AND THE GOOSE WILL BURNED.
watchman said: I think since their property value decreased, the marginal increase in mills would have made little if any impact on their tax bill.
Though a small group protested the tax increase, they were representing the majority of citizens.
>strong> watchman said: Bottom line, cities run off tax revenue. The less it takes in, the less it can do.
I’m sorry that the decrease in revenue has burdened the labor force of the city, but the citizens are voting to decrease the size of government and reject the projects or services that the extra capital would allow it. The majority have spoken here, even though ward 4 had no representation at that vote, we stood behind the citizens who took a stand. Citizen in ward 3 did not want a tax increase either, nor in ward 2, so the few from ward 1 who stood up for themselves actually stood up for us all.
From my 23 years of residing in ward 4, right on the edge of the DMZ I have seen it all. I was told that citizen participation was key to a successful redevelopment plan, so I engaged in a proactive roll following the instructions of Ernie Stone when he led the crime watch program many years ago. I purchased a night vision camera and connected it to a computer to watch the activity in the alley across the street, after an armed robbery. I told everyone that the area was under video surveillance and the Gabber installed a sign on the wall warning of video surveillance. and within a few weeks we all watched as the criminal activity decreased. I had neighbors asking me if I could turn my camera towards their house to watch out for burglars who were robbing them blind. I’ve had folks come to me asking if my camera happen to see what happened to their car last night. People began to feel a little safer as the activity retreated. The confidence grew and folks began to build onto their property. The development drew new property ownership and increased investment. I purchased a new digital camera and began uploading the code violation to Mr. Earling who would respond in a timely manner. I would take photos of crimes or suspicious activity and send it directly to Chief Willocks as Mr. Stone suggested, and little by little the area began to improve. When I would run into Mr. Willocks at events he would thank me for my photos and encourage further participation. My neighbors were happy that I had developed a rapport with the departments and redevelopment appeared to be on track with the exception of the activity on the east side of 49th street.
The constant pounding of boom box cars, gunshots, loitering and drug traffic were ever present. Prostitutes roving the 1400 block on both sides of the street. We contacted St Pete police who at first were very cooperative, then Mayor Baker was elected and the cooperation stopped. Meetings with St. Pete mayor’s office were nonproductive and Go Davis, who was very supportive at first, lost interest when he acquired his new position. One person who shined above all as the city seems to fall away from enforcement was Rene Flowers, who received my photos with enthusiasm and took immediate action. She set a yard patrol standard at the Quik Stop store that required the property owner to police his grounds for trash at the beginning of the day. For a while there was an employee outside the door instructing patrons to turn off their radios in the parking lot. Soon after that Rene Flowers becomes a County Commissioner and all the progress made was lost with the exception of the cleaning of the yard in the morning.
Truth be told there is no civility on 49th street, and though the City budget allocates 3.5 million dollars to a police department, there is a large segment of this city that the residents do not feel comfortable in. Whether we have too many police or not enough police that situation on the ground does not change. The rate of burglaries doesn’t seem to change from the approximate annual count of 200 per year. Nothing seems to change, not even the rhetoric, and if nothing is going to force the change then what is the point of the Gulfport police department on 49th street. They have no authority to police the east side of the street, where the problems are mostly generated. They have no solution to making 49th street safer, quieter, and more civil for Gulfport residents. They refuse to install monitoring equipment to deter crime and catch the bad actors, they just continue to do what they always have done and pacify the public with the same rhetoric while asking for more equipment, officers and a larger budget.
Think about it if you will, there are large sections of this city that have their own security, leaving the department with a smaller footprint to patrol. The PZCC, Town Shores, Stetson all have their own cops. So for 3.5 million you are responsible for about 1.8 square miles and that’s not enough? The 49th street issue needs a comprehensive plan using every tool available, anything less is just doing the same and expecting different results, which is the definition of insanity.
guarddogs said: Gulfport is getting beaten up by poor property value’s.
In the above post I demonstrated how attention to detail with cameras and community action added a realistic 50% to the property value in this area. Property owners here didn’t mortgage their houses to buy SUV’s, they built on to their houses, added garages, manicured lawns and driveways as a part of the redevelopment initiative, unfortunately Fred Metcalf, Jeri Reed and the Planning and Zoning board in concert with Mike Yates and the City Council had a hidden agenda and would stop at nothing, including violating our laws to see the agenda satisfied. They removed the laws, codes and police that would protect our neighborhood and environment and turn the participating departments into impotent vessels.
Now we have a new chief, the same man who in an investigative report seen no laws broken by the City Council when they voted to pass resolution 2008-43, though clearly they were. As attested to by their own City Attorney. And they say crime doesn’t pay.
There are hundreds of houses in Ward 4 waiting for this City to make it comfortable enough for all the citizen of Gulfport, Pinellas, Florida and the world to feel confident in their investment or shopping experience. When the City makes the commitment, the investors will come, raising the true value of the property. Then and only then will the City have earned their budget increase. IMO
2iview…
You said, “Though a small group protested the tax increase, they were representing the majority of citizens.”
Ok, I’m gonna call BS on that one. Those folks represente the majority of the people in council chambers at that given time. There is no way that anyone can say for certain that those nice well meaning people represented the majority of a city with 12k residents.
You said, “The rate of burglaries doesn’t seem to change from the approximate annual count of 200 per year.”
200 is a small exageration, but an exageration non the less. In 2008 Gulfport had 132 report burglaries. In 2009, that number was 165. You can also find other crime data on the fbi’s website for historical crime data. Gulfport actually went from 248 burglaries to 144 from years 2004 to 2005. (probably had more staff too). 2004 was the only year that number was over 200, from 2000 to 2009. And not all of the reportd burglaries were residential. The total number represents vehicle burglaries, burglaries to businesses as well as burglaries which were a theft from “curtilage” or an enclosure around property such as a fence (bike thefts).
You said, “They refuse to install monitoring equipment to deter crime and catch the bad actors, they just continue to do what they always have done and pacify the public with the same rhetoric while asking for more equipment, officers and a larger budget.”
Could you cite a specific instance where anyone in the city refused to install monioring equipment? And am I sure I asked you this before, but could you tell me who exactly would be responsible for funding the purchase and installation of monitoring equipment? It would be about 50K to get it started, at least. So who pays for it? Do you have any suggestiosn on how to fund it without raising the millage? Which grants whould the city apply for in order to secure the funding?
And precisely what extra equipment has the city asked for which is above and beyond the normal operating requiremets for a police department? And in the last few years, How many extra positions did the police department ask for (the answer is zero minus two or three, just so you know).
It seems you are really good at pointing out the problems. You got any suggestions on how to solve them?
I would also appreciate answers to the above mentioned questions, if you would be so kind.
watchman said: There is no way that anyone can say for certain that those nice well meaning people represented the majority of a city with 12k residents.
My conclusion was drawn from a random sample of folks in 4 wards that I’ve ask a simple questions. “Do you want to pay higher taxes?” The overwhelming answer was NO. Your more than welcome to assume the citizen wanted to pay higher taxes, of course, and that the small group of people who stood up for themselves were not a reflection of the tax paying population as a whole, but I doubt very much you could convince anyone else.
watchman said: 200 is a small exageration, but an exageration non the less.
My calculation was just an approximation calculated at 4 burglaries per week x 52 weeks. 2 weeks ago there were 10-12 in one week, last week there were 3.
People want action and they get meetings instead. I suspect that the numbers will be up in 2010. So, for practical purposes we’ll say conservatively 150 burglaries per year, times the 23 years I’ve been a resident. The accumulate burglaries since I’ve moved to Gulfport are 3450. This is happening in less than 2 square miles, considering that not many would happen on the Stetson Campus, Town Shores or the PYCC, who have their own security.
How much money was spent on a police force in 23 years? An equivalent dollar value of $80 million +/- and still you haven’t been able to build an effective mousetrap in 2 square miles? We need a change and an effective strategy. If a bank will not remove their cameras because they value the content within, what does that say about a place that has no cameras when we know that they would contribute to a solution?
We don’t need to add to the millage rate to pay for monitoring, we need to take it from the police budget. This would be an incentive to find a monitoring system for less than $50 grand.
watchman said: And precisely what extra equipment has the city asked for which is above and beyond the normal operating requiremets for a police department?
New cars, new computers and I’m sure there’s more. Normal operating requirements are determined by the department, and paid for by the citizens. Think about that for a minute. Taxes paid for further education, heck, the department is tantamount to raising and extended family and supporting your kids through school. Don’t forget to put your hat on, it’s cold outside and you don’t want to catch a cold
Can we afford that cushy medical insurance plan that most citizen don’t have the luxury of obtaining.
watchman said: It seems you are really good at pointing out the problems. You got any suggestions on how to solve them?
Yes I have some ideas to address the perceived deficiencies in the department and the City, and electronic monitoring is part of it. Your new Chief also sees deficiencies and has announced that he will address them. Maybe many citizens have something to contribute and when the new chief travels throughout the City asking them what improvements can be made?
We’re discussing this in Dogfish’s interview and I hope he doesn’t mind.
My observations are no reflection on him, his interview or the candidate.
I leave you with this to ponder. One of the determining factors in a neighbor leaving this City after adding a $40,000 property improvement was the simple fact that she could not put her young children to sleep at night because of the pounding noise emanating from the boom-box cars parked at the Quik Stop store. An easy problem to solve, given the many laws that govern noise and specifically Boom box noise, but the issue has never been addressed. This is an assault on a Gulfport Citizen and your department claims they are helpless to take action. Go Figure.
After watching the candidate forum and thinking lond and hard about what I saw and heard, I am seriously considering Steinke as my choice. Watching the body language of everyone on the dias, Steinke was the only one who did not fold his arms and lean on the dias. He presented himself as an open person. His answers were a notch above the others. Everyone seemed to say the same thing but Steinke had more to offer. We need someone strong and I see that in Steinke.
Here’s a thought for you folks that want to raise the millage rate. You pointed out that Gulfport only receives about 25% of the millage. Why don’t they find another vehicle to collect fees that won’t be shared with the County or State? Charge 25% of what the millage rate would accumulate across the board, and keep the money local?
Not that you won’t get some resistance on a price hike of any measure, you will, but at lease the City will benefit from it. A millage hike is just going to promote more spending on a State and County level. We need to be creative, we need to be effective locally, and we need some experienced leadership that can be both.
If the Police Department needs money, then start your own Gulfport Police 5013c nonprofit foundation and take in charitable contributions. We did it for the Senior Center, why not for the Police Department? It won’t pay your salary but it will give you a bank of cash to purchase things you could use but can’t afford. There are plenty of Police Foundations out there, for a variety of things, there may be a way that the department can capitalize from a foundation and it’s non-profit, tax-exempt status.
If you prove to be an effective department the citizens will contribute, just as they do at the Senior Center.
truth seeker said: He presented himself as an open person. His answers were a notch above the others. Everyone seemed to say the same thing but Steinke had more to offer. We need someone strong and I see that in Steinke.
I didn’t know any of these candidates before they presented themselves, with the exception of Mrs. Ryerson, and the only reason I was familiar with her was because she was responsible for the toxic assault on our neighborhood. I’m not a politically active person normally, I vote for the best choice available as a duty, and leave the sausage making to those who proclaim to know how to make it.
When we were confronted with this issue I followed City rules and their procedures and discovered a broken system. A staff that is ill equipped or disinterested in the work, a Planning and Zoning Board in place to facilitate the poor work product that is developed in the Planning department and a City Council that has no idea what they’re taking about. To say the least; I was appalled that we were being governed by a level of recklessness and indifference that I’ve only seen in the movies. First I blamed myself for not being more astute and responsible, and when I got over that it was time to take action. As I learnt about what I was confronting I discovered others who had also been victimized by the broken system. I discovered citizen that researched the issues and took a stand in spite of the odds and ridicule, and my admiration for their work and dedication to justice and the rule of law grew.
It was the Interim City Manager at the time, Jim O’Reilly and Chief Willocks who convinced me in their office one day that the Administration and Police Department had exhausted all their avenues to address the Smoker issue and it had to be addressed politically, because it was the Council who broke the system that protected us and only they could fix it. An appeal to Mary Stull went nowhere so when the election for ward 4 was approaching I contacted all the candidates and asked them for help. Only Courtland Yarborough knew about the issue and was willing to confront it. I have no doubt that if the Democratic Party did not interfere in our elections that he would have been our Councilman and this issue would have been addressed. Winn Dixie would have been addressed, Clam Bayou would have an advocate in the Council and the Mooring Field insanity would be put to rest. But instead we have Henderson, a product of underhanded politics, or as the Gulfport Gabber Hack, Cathy Satlustri would describe it, “Chicago type politics” with professional managers and a political machine.
I was reminded of this Machine when I attended the Candidates Forum, and was approached three times by Hastings army walking from my car to City hall, handing out flyers and posting signs. Although it was illegal to post signs on public property, breaking the law seems to be right up Hastings alley. It seems Hastings has hired the same political hit men that undermined our political process in the last election. Chances are Hastings has acquired donations from the same group in Clearwater, Safety Harbor and beyond the City limits, just as Henderson had done.
Henderson is a young father without a job, a student with no time on his hands and his job performance as City Councilman for Ward 4 reflects this lack of attention. Now look at Hastings, he owns three businesses, he the President of his neighborhood association, he’s on the Planning and Zoning board and volunteers a couple hours a day to drive victims of oral cancer to doctors appointments. Does this sound like a guy that has time on his hand for the important position of Councilman? Is he going to treat the Job as he does his other responsibilities? He certainly demonstrated to me that he couldn’t be bothered to investigate the Smoker issue before he passed it. His Cigar factory has been cited by the department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for dereliction of records and invoices. There are regular serious violation in his restaurant, he’s been charge, fined and reprimanded for false claims and falsifying documents as a CPA. Nothing that his candidate is involved with is respectful of the law or considerate of those he’s associated with.
Dave Steinke doesn’t come with all this baggage, though the New Political Machine has tried their best to paint him as a fool. Making false claims, filling exaggerated reports, using or abusing the local newspaper to slander and infer. In spite of their best efforts Dave in unshaken, confident in his position because he’s confident in his track record of being successful at whatever the endeavor and keeping his high ethical standards no matter what the challenge is.
I’ve only known Dave Steinke since this process began and there is no doubt in my mind that he can bring intelligence and a work ethic that this Council sorely lacks. He is a man of action, well traveled, practical, down to earth, accessible and willing to listen. He not only can lead, but he can delegate. He can walk into the office without strings attached to the Staff or the Machine without the need for a protracted learning curve. He knows the players, no introductions needed and he has the time to do the necessary work to find the best solutions and move the ball forward with expediency. From my perspective Dave Steinke is the clear choice. http://www.steinkeward1.com
I’ve just recently met with Roz and Stanley, and I believe they are also good candidates. Both have a fascinating and proud history of accomplishments that I’m sure would be a contribution to our progress, but they are new to this City and unknown to the general electorate and would require more time to become accustom to the job and all the players. I do hope they continue to be a part of our progress no matter which way the election goes. It’s been a pleasure to have met them both.
truthseeker, what forum did you go to?
2iview, see how WRONG you are, Hastings DOES NOT OWN HAVANA CAFE OR THE CIGAR SHOP>His CUBAN wife does! or are you going to argue that one to? You can’t admit being wrong can you? YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO BE RIGHT,you BEND EVERYTHING, if you talk to the guy who works at the shop they were told they had to keep the records in the shop, THAT WAS IT! but YOU,because Hastings does not jump FOR YOU PEOPLE YOU HAVE IT OUT FOR HIM.I hope he does win just to see you FREAKS really PISSED OFF!
@A.Carlin…I have no opinion on the records issue. However, at the candidate’s forum Mr.Hastings said that he owns three businesses in Gulfport. Also, do Mr. Hastings a favor and either offer him support in a profeesional and courteous manner or none whatsoever. Your incredulous posts do him no favors. Quite frankly, IF you are a supporter he deserves better. This site / blog is intended for thoughtful and courteous discussion (agreement or disagreement) of the issues.
a.carlin said:
2iview, see how WRONG you are, Hastings DOES NOT OWN HAVANA CAFE OR THE CIGAR SHOP>His CUBAN wife does! or are you going to argue that one to? You can’t admit being wrong can you? YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO BE RIGHT,you BEND EVERYTHING, if you talk to the guy who works at the shop they were told they had to keep the records in the shop, THAT WAS IT! but YOU,because Hastings does not jump FOR YOU PEOPLE YOU HAVE IT OUT FOR HIM.I hope he does win just to see you FREAKS really PISSED OFF!
I understand that it’s painful when the people you support and trust manipulate you but there is nothing that I have stated that cannot be substantiated by the Official Records. Both businesses have his name on them. The purchase of the building has is name on it. If you disagree with the Records contact the Court Houses and Clerks offices in Pinellas and Hillsboro County, as well as the State of Virginia and set the record straight.
2iview,Mr.Hastings has not manipulated me or anyone else who supports him or knows him.So the building is in both their names because they are LEGALLY married, my wife and i do the same thing when we purchase real estate.But HAVANA CAFE IS HERS! SO IS THE CIGAR SHOP!WHY don’t you go face him/her and ask? He will most likely talk to you,SHE will most likely look right thru you!She is VERY GOOD AT THAT!And painful?NOT AT ALL,you are the ones that are laughable supporting scurvey like Steinke,That says EVERYTHING about you people! You do not know the FIRST thing about him.Pretty bad when his own neighbors hate him.Go ask them they will tell flat out.MOST of them are showing support for everyone else EXCEPT Steinke.YOU AND YOUR “OFFICIAL”" RECORDS.
So you don’t think it is important to have M Tober respond to the question is she a register in Gulfport. If she really wanted to make a difference she would register to vote in Gulfport. What’s up with that?
@shyiamnot….Nope, I am not a registered voter. Nor am I a citizen–I was born in Canada. Yes I have been here many years and in all honesty, up until a couple of years ago I was ambivalent about the process. I am in the throes of filing for citizenship and as soon as I can accummulate the money for the fee I will do so. (I was unemployeed for 18 months and am just starting to get back on my feet.) So there you have it. Make of it what you will. I’ll remind you that I care deeply for this community and the country and have a right to speak up and be involved as much as anyone else that lives here legally. Quite frankly I have probably contributed more to the community, in an objective fashion, than many of those that never participate except to cast a rhetorical vote. When my citizenship is finalized, I hope you’ll join me in celebration!!
1. Thanks for these interviews. It has been a struggle to find out about all the candidates and where they stand on actual issues.
2. One of the extra things I love about Gulfport is how pet (esp. dog) friendly it is. Some candidates have made it obvious that they are animal lovers. Has Steinke (other than a picture of himself holding a puppy) expressed a willingness to keep the city as pet friendly?
watchdogs——NOW WHAT?
a. carlin,
You ask what is next. We will keep Mr. Hastings feet to the fire as well as the rest of the council and city staff as long as there is a fire to put them there.
Dog Fish, have fun with that one! Oh, and a bit of advise, leave the jar w/ dirty water at home.YOU LOOK STUPID!
Actually it was real clean water, with the bugs that are living happily in Clam Bayou.
Hope to see you at future council meetings.