At Forum, Commission Candidates Asked About Gay Rights
By JOSH POLTILOVE and KATHY STEELE The Tampa Tribune
Published: Jul 29, 2006
TAMPA - Hillsborough County Commission District 3 candidates stated their positions on gay and lesbian rights this week, with most saying there are more important issues.
"I'm not going to be sidetracked," said Democrat Chloe Coney, one of five candidates for the seat being vacated by term-limited Thomas Scott. "If we go and poll our community, [gay rights] would not be our top issue. We need to stay focused on what the community needs."
At the Tampa Heights Civic Association's candidate forum Thursday night, Coney said bigger issues include affordable housing and the county's growth.
Coney faces Kevin White and Dorothy "Nicolle" Admire in the Sept. 5 Democratic primary. The other candidates are Republican Ken Anthony and John Michael Craig, who has no party affiliation.
District 3 represents central and east Tampa and the Palm River area.
Candidates were asked about gay rights because six of seven commissioners, including Scott, voted in June 2005 to "abstain from acknowledging, promoting and participating in gay pride recognition and events" after complaints about a Gay Pride Month display at a county library.
Craig said he has gay friends and has been to gay pride events. He said libraries should have a room where people 18 and older can view adult-themed materials, including those dealing with gay issues.
Anthony said he opposes discrimination but said bigger issues include transportation, affordable housing and jobs.
Admire said "acceptance and tolerance" are important and that she sees nothing wrong with gay pride parades. But she said the county must create jobs, and address crime and transportation.
About 65 people attended the forum at Stetson College of Law.
White, a Tampa city councilman, did not attend because of a council meeting.
Candidates for state House of Representatives District 59 also spoke but were not asked about gay rights. Questions focused on homeowners insurance, transportation and a living wage.
"There is a property insurance crisis in Florida as we sit here right now," Democrat Warren Dawson said. "It has gotten out of hand and it wasn't dealt with in the last [legislative] session."
Dawson said Gov. Jeb Bush should call a special session to deal with rising insurance costs.
Other candidates to replace Democrat Arthenia Joyner, who is term-limited, are Democrats Betty Reed and Hakim Aquil and Republican Willis "K.C." Bowick. The district includes Palm River, Clair-Mel City, Progress Village, the university area, east Tampa, West Tampa and portions of Temple Terrace.
All candidates said they support a living wage.
"I would persuade my colleagues to live for two weeks on a minimum-wage salary," Reed said. "And the other thing we need to do is bring jobs to this area that will pay a salary that people can live on."
On transportation issues, Bowick said hybrid vehicles could offer a solution.
"One thing you have to look at is gas prices. They are sky high," he said.
Aquil said the state should consider incentives to promote alternative solutions, such as monorail systems.
"I do not like to make a lot of statements I don't know if I can fulfill or not," he said. "But there's never been a problem that there's not a solution."
The general election is Nov. 7.
Published: Jul 29, 2006
TAMPA - Hillsborough County Commission District 3 candidates stated their positions on gay and lesbian rights this week, with most saying there are more important issues.
"I'm not going to be sidetracked," said Democrat Chloe Coney, one of five candidates for the seat being vacated by term-limited Thomas Scott. "If we go and poll our community, [gay rights] would not be our top issue. We need to stay focused on what the community needs."
At the Tampa Heights Civic Association's candidate forum Thursday night, Coney said bigger issues include affordable housing and the county's growth.
Coney faces Kevin White and Dorothy "Nicolle" Admire in the Sept. 5 Democratic primary. The other candidates are Republican Ken Anthony and John Michael Craig, who has no party affiliation.
District 3 represents central and east Tampa and the Palm River area.
Candidates were asked about gay rights because six of seven commissioners, including Scott, voted in June 2005 to "abstain from acknowledging, promoting and participating in gay pride recognition and events" after complaints about a Gay Pride Month display at a county library.
Craig said he has gay friends and has been to gay pride events. He said libraries should have a room where people 18 and older can view adult-themed materials, including those dealing with gay issues.
Anthony said he opposes discrimination but said bigger issues include transportation, affordable housing and jobs.
Admire said "acceptance and tolerance" are important and that she sees nothing wrong with gay pride parades. But she said the county must create jobs, and address crime and transportation.
About 65 people attended the forum at Stetson College of Law.
White, a Tampa city councilman, did not attend because of a council meeting.
Candidates for state House of Representatives District 59 also spoke but were not asked about gay rights. Questions focused on homeowners insurance, transportation and a living wage.
"There is a property insurance crisis in Florida as we sit here right now," Democrat Warren Dawson said. "It has gotten out of hand and it wasn't dealt with in the last [legislative] session."
Dawson said Gov. Jeb Bush should call a special session to deal with rising insurance costs.
Other candidates to replace Democrat Arthenia Joyner, who is term-limited, are Democrats Betty Reed and Hakim Aquil and Republican Willis "K.C." Bowick. The district includes Palm River, Clair-Mel City, Progress Village, the university area, east Tampa, West Tampa and portions of Temple Terrace.
All candidates said they support a living wage.
"I would persuade my colleagues to live for two weeks on a minimum-wage salary," Reed said. "And the other thing we need to do is bring jobs to this area that will pay a salary that people can live on."
On transportation issues, Bowick said hybrid vehicles could offer a solution.
"One thing you have to look at is gas prices. They are sky high," he said.
Aquil said the state should consider incentives to promote alternative solutions, such as monorail systems.
"I do not like to make a lot of statements I don't know if I can fulfill or not," he said. "But there's never been a problem that there's not a solution."
The general election is Nov. 7.
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