While I would never presume to tell anyone whom to vote for, I would suggest some basic criteria for selecting a candidate in the upcoming city election. We are, after all, hiring both the chief executive officer of a public corporation and some of the members of the corporate board of directors. Considerations should include not only the background and experience of an individual but credibility. One who proposes simplistic solutions to complex problems may lack an understanding of the issue. Radical solutions can have costly and detrimental outcomes.
Water is a prime example.
Coastal communities, including Pinellas, have little if any potable water beneath them. It is true that our forefathers had the insight to purchase wells in Pasco County, but the Legislature has made it plain that though we might own the land and equipment, we do not own the water. It was made clear that if a regional solution was not forthcoming, the Legislature would impose its own. Desalination plants will contribute to the solution, but there are environmental considerations. Public safety is another key issue.