ELECTED COUNTY MAYOR

POLITICAL  COMMITTEE,  INC.

315 South Plant Avenue

Tampa, Florida 33606

(813) 251-8055

 

The two petitions to create the Elected County Mayor with veto powers are on the ballot for the 2008 General Election.   We accomplished our goal to:  “Let The People Decide” whether or not they wanted the right to vote on an elected county mayor.  Enough petitions were executed and the Supervisor of Elections certified the issues and they are on the ballot. 

Because of that success, we now must raise campaign funds to ensure that our message gets to the voters and counter the information being spread by the opponents to an elected county mayor.  

We cannot accomplish this without contributions from citizens such as you.  This is an exciting time in the history of Hillsborough County.  We as citizens have the chance to make history with our citizens’ initiative.  First, we got it on the ballot.  Now we must vote “Yes” for an elected county mayor with veto power.   

We must insist on accountability from our government.  By voting yes on the two ballots, we send the message that an appointed administrator is an obsolete form of government.  We are presented with an opportunity to ensure that Hillsborough County governance is through a system of checks and balances guaranteed by our forefathers.    

This county is not the same county as when the current form of government was put into effect. It has become too complex and there are too many issues that affect our quality of life that have been ignored. Other comparable counties such as Orange, Broward and Dade have already chosen to be governed by a system of an elected official rather than an appointed administrator.  Yet as usual, Hillsborough County lags behind.   

Do not be misled by the opponents.   These two petitions do not create another layer of government. It does not increase the cost of bureaucracy. It does not raise taxes. It simply replaces one position appointed by 7 county commissioners with a person elected by you.   

 The opponents are going to argue why you the voter should not have the right to vote on who will be the administrator of this county.  Obviously, the loss of the ability of the commissioners to chose the administrator rather than letting you the voter elect the administrator is viewed by them as a loss of power.  The same is true regarding the loss of power when an elected position with veto power replaces a position that is appointed. 

Do not be misled when opponents argue that there is no guarantee the elected county mayor will have any expertise to run county government.  The people arguing that should trust the people. Why are the opponents afraid that you may vote “Yes” for an elected county mayor?  

The power to amend the county charter by a citizens' initiative is vested in the People.  The citizens' initiative has come further than our opponents ever thought it could.  Those same opponents are going to try everything they can to stop this initiative.  We must be ready to fight against all of the efforts to kill this initiative. As you know, in politics the trick is to throw everything up against an issue, whether accurate or not, and hopefully something will stick.  At the same time our opponents are hoping that there is not enough money raised to counter what is being thrown at the elected county mayor initiative by our opponents to kill it. 

For the first time, the person with the administrative responsibilities to run County government would be held accountable to the people.  Contrary to the current system of an appointed county administrator, if the mayor does not perform in the best interests of the people of Hillsborough County, the electorate can vote the mayor out of office.  That choice today rests only with the Board.   

            One way you can ensure you have the opportunity to decide who will be the elected county mayor is to contribute funds today to support the campaign.  Also you can volunteer to work with us on the campaign.  Please send your check payable to Elected County Mayor Political Committee, Inc. or use the url www.countymayor.com and contribute online. 

            If you want to volunteer to work on the campaign or serve on a committee, please  let me know by email  at mastiles@stileslawfirm.com  and we will get you involved in the campaign.  The committees are: the Finance Committee, the Volunteer Committee, the Collateral Committee, the Endorsements Committee, the Speakers Bureau Committee and the Special Events Committee.  For more information, let me know and we will be glad to discuss the campaign with you. 

            I look forward to hearing from you to ensure a government envisioned by our forefathers – a system with checks and balances and an official that is accountable to the people.                                                                 

                                                                          Sincerely,                                               

                                                                          Mary Ann Stiles

                                                                         Chair

 Paid political advertisement paid for and sponsored by Elected County Mayor Political Committee, Inc.

315 Plant Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33606.