If you have never met Tampa's Mayor, you should. Pam Iorio is extremely personable and clearly is one of the most conscientious elected officials you will ever meet. She believes in neighborhood involvement and has worked hard to build up, support, and respond to neighborhood associations. While her administration has come under fire for the amount of salaries paid, the issue of whether the staff is competent is not usually discussed. Economic Development Director Mark Huey has come under fire on many occasions, but that is also part of the job. When this Mayor holds public events, the amount of department heads that appear to interact with the public is extraordinary. It is hard not to like Mayor Iorio.

We have problems with her annihilation of the Kiley Garden Park in downtown. She has indicated it will be restored, but frankly we have doubts. This unique park was decimated so quickly, even though there was no urgency to do so, that tears came to many that had worked at maintaining and protecting the park for some time. The Weekly Planet (now Creative Loafing) did a great story about the park, just before the park was decimated.

We have problems with her call for restricting the sale of alcoholic beverages. The state has ruled that it is probably something the city cannot legally enforce, but we are concerned about government further intruding in the operation of businesses. Along with that is the failure of consistency of the city in applying rules to new businesses. Some of this blame must go to the City Council as well. Restaurants that are being ridiculously limited in hours while others are not.

Whether a serious opponent decides to challenge her is yet to be decided. Discussion about a new bid by former Mayor Dick Greco seems to be more of a fantasy than reality at this time. Serious discussion about the future of Tampa is a positive thing and a campaign that brings forth the issues ahead of us can be an invaluable resource to our residents and to our elected officials.

With the future of Tampa ahead and a first term behind her, what do you think about Mayor Iorio's relection campaign and the issues affecting our city ? As always, we welcome your comments.

You can see her re-election statement here.
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