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A penny for transit

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By KENNETH KNIGHT

kknight@tampatrib.com

Published: November 25, 2009

TEMPLE CREST - A proposed 1-cent sales tax increase for mass transit and road projects is crucial to accommodate expected growth in Hillsborough County, said County Commissioner Mark Sharpe.

That is a message he is taking on the road to community groups throughout the county as part of his "Blueprint for Hillsborough County Success" presentation.

One of his latest stops was at the Temple Crest Civic Association headquarters on Miller Avenue, where he spoke to 22 residents Nov. 9.

Sharpe, who favors putting the tax referendum on the November 2010 ballot, is urging residents who back funding for a local light-rail system, improved bus service and road improvements to speak up.

"We have got to get out there as a group," Sharpe said. "We have got to say, we are going to have our nose in the business. We have to say government is going to do what it says it's going to do."

On Nov. 4, the commission voted 5-2 to have the county attorney draw up a resolution that would indicate the commission's support for putting the referendum on the ballot. The commission will vote on the resolution at its Dec. 2 meeting.
Sharpe said his fight to get the tax approved likely will be the biggest issue of his political career.

"I'm here for a purpose," Sharpe said. "It's not to get me re-elected. That's not why I am in government."
Sharpe maintained the cost of doing nothing would result in further gridlock, a lower quality of life, greater environmental concerns, billions of dollars of unfunded road projects and companies reluctant to move here.

"I don't have a perfect answer," he said. "No one does. Let's start focusing on things that get people to come to our state."

The commissioner said he has visited cities such as Charlotte, Salt Lake City, Denver and Phoenix and has seen first-hand how public support for mass transit has been greeted with enthusiasm. "Dallas will tell you, we can't build it fast enough," Sharpe said.

The crowd was fairly divided in its reaction to a proposed tax for transportation needs. Carole Mehlman, who lives on 40th Street, told Sharpe she has considered heading north because of a lack of adequate public transit in Hillsborough.

Another resident, Shelly Clark, who lives on Regnas Avenue, said she had lost faith in the county's ability to follow the people's will and spend tax dollars for the purpose they were intended.
Sharpe cited plans to create a citizens panel to oversee how the money would be spent, should the referendum make it onto the ballot and win approval.

So far, another oversight committee, the county transportation task force, has recommended that 75 percent of the tax proceeds go to mass transit, including a number of new, improved bus lines and a light rail system connecting downtown Tampa with the University of South Florida and the West Shore business district. The remainder would be designated for roads, bridges, bike paths and trails.
Sharpe is scheduled to take his message to the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 15.

Reporter Kenneth Knight can be reached at (813) 259-7413.

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