SEMINOLE – In less than two weeks, Seminole voters will go to the polls to elect two city councilors.
A field of four candidates – incumbent Thomas Barnhorn, along with challengers Patricia Plantamura, James Quinn and Leslie Waters – will be seeking the two at-large positions in the March 10 election.
Today, the Beacon takes a look at those four candidates with a series of questions designed to help residents make a better decision on election day.
Thomas Barnhorn
Marital status: Married to Rayma, one daughter.
Age: 53.
Activities and Employment: Employed as a financial adviser with Edwards Jones in Seminole; president of the Seminole Lions Club; board member for Florida Lions Eye Institute for Transplant and Research; Faithful navigator, Knights of Columbus, fourth degree; Foundation board member, Seminole Kiwanis Club; vice president, Suncoast League of Cities; on two committees for the National League of Cities; member of the investment and budget committees for the Florida League of Cities; member of the Pinellas County chapter of the USF Alumni Association.
Bio: Native of St. Louis, Mo.; Graduate of Dunedin High School, St. Petersburg Junior College and the University of South Florida; holds dual bachelor’s degrees in information technology and finance; running for second term on City Council; served two years as vice mayor.
Activities and Employment: Fourth- and fifth-grade teacher in Pinellas County School System at Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School; member of the St. Petersburg Area League of Women Voters; member of the city of Seminole Charter Review Committee; member St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church; former board member Imperial Point Condo Association No. 1 and Bardmoor Cordona Greens Condo Association No. 5.
Bio: A native of Nebraska who has lived in Florida the past 19 years and Seminole for the last nine years; a 1981 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in international affairs and Spanish; holds a specialized associates degree from the Environmental Technology Center in Tampa and took a number of graduate business courses at Nebraska-Lincoln; graduate of the Lincoln, Neb., police academy, the U.S. Department of Justice Officer Development and Training Facility and the U.S. Customs Service Academy.
Bio: Born South Bronx, New York City; served three years in the U.S. Navy before marrying and moving to Enfield, Conn.; went to work for the city of Enfield as a rubbish truck worker, gained promotions to crew chief, assistant highway superintendent and highway superintendent; was in charge of landfills, rubbish crews, highway crews and administered a $3.5 million budget.; worked 10 years with the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority; moved to Pinellas County in 2004; said he has saved residents of Seminole Gardens more than $300,000 through his efforts in CCSG with more cost-effective landscape maintenance and conversion of pool heating from propane to geothermal energy.
Activities: Member, Seminole Chamber of Commerce; lifetime member, Seminole Historical Society; former co-chair Seminole Relay For Life; board member, Personal Enrichment through Mental Health Services; board member, Pinellas County Urban League; member, VFW-Auxilliary Post 4364; member, Central Pinellas Republican Club.
Bio: Born and raised in Pinellas County; attended St. Petersburg Junior College and graduated from Florida State University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees; 29 years of corporate business experience with Allstate Insurance Co. in human resources, corporate relations, marketing and government relations management; Served eight years in the Florida House of Representatives (1998-2006) including two years as speaker pro-tempore. ; Served as chairwoman of the House Insurance and Transportation and Economic Development committees; after term limits forced her to step down, she formed a government relations consulting firm that lobbied Washington and Tallahassee interests.
How will your past experience be of benefit to the average resident of Seminole?
BARNHORN: I have a unique perspective to increase the amenities and programs brought to residents.
PLANTAMURA: As a teacher I see what is happening in families every day. My law enforcement background will be of benefit to the council. My political science and business course work at the university level will be beneficial. I also have an associates degree in environmental education. I think all of those would contribute to good things on City Council.
QUINN: When I worked for the city of Enfield, Conn., I was in charge of a $3.5 million budget and had a crew of 55 people under me. We had the same form of government as we have here in Seminole. As highway superintendent, I was involved in budget decisions and working with City Council.
WATERS: I would bring a vast business, community and legislative experience to City Council. My legislative and state government experience in dealing with infrastructure and budget issues, knowledge of insurance issues, including employee benefits, property and casualty and workers compensation may be of value. My knowledge and advocacy of hurricane preparedness will be of benefit. Also, I have decades of community activism and knowledge of working with nonprofit organizations.
What strengths or skills would make you a positive addition to the City Council?
BARNHORN: I have many contacts among county, state and other city leaders. I bring back information to the City Council, which has helped us to not make the mistakes other cities have made. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time. My financial background helps me with budget decisions and makes me more aware of the economy.
PLANTAMURA: I think my leadership style. If a constituent has a problem I would submit the problem to the city manager in writing, requesting his action on it. I would follow through and get a written response for myself and the constituent. I would also do comparative analysis (on city issues) with comparably-sized cities in the area. I think more information makes for better choices.
QUINN: I was responsible for a lot of money when I was with the city of Enfield. My background with the City Council and city manager, as well as my work with the union (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees No. 1159) would be beneficial. I was on both sides of the fence. Plus, my tenure with Connecticut Resource Recovery working with recycling programs in Connecticut.
WATERS: My strengths are listening, consensus building, availability, accessibility, great energy and enthusiasm. During this campaign I have walked to over 1,500 homes in an attempt to reintroduce myself and be available for input related to the city. I have also visited 50 businesses along Seminole Boulevard and other areas of the city. I am also a Supreme Court certified mediator so I always work toward consensus with dealing with difficult issues.
How would you improve Seminole?
BARNHORN: I will continue to bring us the amenities and programs that we enjoy at no additional cost to residents. I will continue to support our most important capital, which is our employees.
PLANTAMURA: We know Publix (in the Seminole Mall) is going to be moving across the street (on 113th Street) at some point, and we need to proactively plan for that to allow the residents in that area to be able to get across 113th Street safely to the store. We need to get something in the making. We also need to get more active community participation and activate more interest in local government. I think we need to proactively communicate to Progress Energy that a 25 percent rate increase is not in the best interest of the city residents.
QUINN: That’s tough. I feel like the City Council and the mayor are doing a good job. My ideas might have something to do with what they’re trying to accomplish.
WATERS: I will keep a close eye on the budget, oversee the rebuilding of four fire stations, assure that an Emergency Operations Center is built. I would encourage homeowners to hurricane-proof their homes and be conscious of hurricane preparedness, assure business corridors and future business construction meet approved architectural guidelines, continue current interest in the construction of a senior recreation center, work with city officials on a drainage master plan, have a major hand in the future redevelopment of the Seminole Mall and to help find a permanent home for the Seminole Historical Society, as well as have open and frequent communication with citizens.
Do you support the possible redesignation of city clerk position from a charter position to a noncharter position?
BARNHORN: The clerk’s position is a matter of checks and balances. I’m in favor of keeping it a charter position and answerable to the City Council. If it were nonchartered, checks and balances would be whittled away.
PLANTAMURA: The previous person in that position (Leslie DeMuth) was making way too much money ($68,895) for that position, especially in comparison to a firefighter. I think we have to look at it as a position that is not always going to be under the same city manager. I like the idea of somebody separate to keep the objectivity. We need to make the decision based on what’s best for the city.
QUINN: Yes, I think so because that person works directly under the city manager.
WATERS: Yes. Continuity of supervision of the city clerk by the city manager is important, not necessarily by a frequently changing City Council.
If cuts are necessary in the 2009-10 city budget, what areas would you trim?
BARNHORN: If cuts are necessary, they would likely be equally distributed among all departments. Probably minor program cutting would take place, which I would hate to see.
PLANTAMURA: I would approach this with a comparative study of other similar-sized local community governments. The more information, the better the decisions.
QUINN: Since I’m not involved currently with the budget-making process, it’s difficult for me to make that decision. If the budget has to be cut and there is no place to cut there would have to be some adjustments. If layoffs are necessary, I would prefer that it be done by seniority. I’m under the assumption all departments are currently running a tight budget.
WATERS: I would like to analyze the entire budget, line by line of sorts, to evaluate where cuts should be. I do not favor just targeting one area over another.
What would you do to help small business owners in Seminole?
BARNHORN: We should open more educational avenues through the chamber, such as the Entrepreneurial Academy at St. Petersburg College. As a city, I would recommend we don’t hinder business. As far as the cost of upgrades in association with the architectural standards ordinance, I favor waiving fees, such as those in the permitting process and impact fees.
PLANTAMURA: We need to keep people living in Seminole and keep Seminole affordable. This would be good for businesses in Seminole. People need to keep their money in Seminole and shop in Seminole.
QUINN: I would make sure all the businesses in our community get the benefit of all of our decisions. One example is the recent towing company decision. Instead of adding three, I would have voted to include only the two Seminole companies (in the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office’s towing rotation for the city). If there are ways we can help them, we should help them.
WATERS: Two suggestions I’m hearing is residents do not like government being in competition with private business and they would like to see an Internet sales tax passed and collected, all in the name of fairness. The bricks-and-mortar businesses are at a disadvantage when compared to the dotcoms. I would also like the city of Seminole in conjunction with the Seminole Chamber of Commerce and Seminole business community to unite and start a marketing campaign to Buy Seminole Now. We need to create some buzz and create awareness. I’m all about profit and paychecks when it comes to business, economic development and redevelopment projects.
Closing remarks
BARNHORN: I would like to thank everyone in the city for giving me the opportunity to serve the past three years. I feel I’ve made a difference. I’m always available if someone has a question or a complaint. I would appreciate their votes on March 10.
PLANTAMURA: I want to serve my community by protecting families, senior citizens and be a good steward of public finances and the environment. I want to activate Seminole residents to more civic participation. We need to continue the recycling program in Seminole, emphasize self-sustaining buildings for the Emergency Operations Center, future fire stations and any new development. We need to re-use architectural plans for future fire stations. Overall, we need to maintain the quality of life and services in the city of Seminole.
QUINN: The city charter states that we’re required to have six councilors and a mayor. We’re going to elect two and I feel like I can fill one of those seats as well as any of the candidates. My background will be very helpful.
WATERS: As an average hard-working resident, I appreciate and will be attentive to the safety and security government services provide us, and to help maintain the quality of life we all enjoy in Seminole. I look forward to the opportunity to serve the citizens of Seminole again.
