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Iorio Visits New Tampa Kiwanis

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By LENORA LAKE

llake@tampatrib.com

Published: October 15, 2008

TAMPA PALMS - Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio used her visit to a New Tampa service organization as a chance to stump for light rail for the Tampa Bay area.

Iorio said that Bruce B. Downs Boulevard will be widened to eight lanes and "that is a mistake. I think it should be six lanes and put light rail down the middle."

The mayor told about 30 members of Kiwanis Club of New Tampa and their guests gathered Oct. 8 at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club that "we are one of only two major cities without a modern rail system - us and Detroit."

She said that if light rail is built, it could connect New Tampa to the University of South Florida. It also would provide a cleaner quality of life, she said.

"There is not enough road building that can take place to eliminate the problems of today and those coming," she said in her annual meeting with the club.

Iorio's presentation focused largely on the economy, saying the Tampa Bay area is feeling the effect more severely because of property tax reductions and a slowdown in tourism.

"I'm going to continue to run the city in a conservative way," she said.

The mayor also challenged three teens from Academy of the Lakes' Key Club, which is sponsored by the Kiwanis, to continue to develop leadership and to live with their means.

"You three represent a new generation. If you cannot afford to pay a loan back, you shouldn't take it," she told the students.

During a question-and-answer period that followed the 15-minute presentation, Academy of the Lakes Key Club President Jonathan Berry asked Iorio what effect the city's budget situation would have on police officers and firefighters.

"I'm not cutting police or firefighters while I am mayor," she answered. "New Tampa is going to get another fire station - No. 22 - and I have to find money to staff it."

In addition to Key Clubs for high school students, the Kiwanis Club of New Tampa sponsors Terrific Kids programs with incentives and rewards at New Tampa elementary schools and a Cub Scout pack.

"We help the children in the community any way we can," said Jason Wortham, president of the club. "The best, we think, is to sponsor programs."

GET INVOLVED

The Kiwanis Club of New Tampa meets at 11:45 a.m. Wednesdays at the Tampa Palms & Golf Country Club, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd. For membership information, visit www.newtampakiwanis.org.

Correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at (813) 865-4851.

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