Iorio: 'Tampa stands strong'

Monday, March 23, 2009

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Tampa mayor Pam Iorio held her annual state of the city address today.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Tampa mayor Pam Iorio held her annual state of the city address Monday.

The mayor's speech comes amid an economic downturn, job losses and a cash-strapped city government.

Iorio said the state of Tampa stands strong.

"In some part it reflects the state of our nation, which we have to be honest, is not good on a national level," Iorio said. "And in some part it reflects the state of our state, which to be honest, is not good on many levels but our city stands strong."

Charlie Perkins, head of the Northwest Tampa Crimewatch program, says the economic downturn has created big problems in his neighborhood.

"The biggest concern for us is jobs," he said. "These people are losing jobs left and right. And as time goes on they get more desperate. They need to be able to figure out how they're going to pay their bills."

Perkins attended the state of the city address hoping to hear about solutions.

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During her speech the mayor said the economy is forcing the city to shrink government, including jobs and services.

She says leading the way on a regional light rail system could provide jobs and economic growth in the long term.

"Once we build that first line what will happen in Tampa is what happens in every other city in Charlotte, Salt Lake, Denver, Phoenix and Dallas, it has happened all over the country," she said. "As soon as they build that first line everyone else says 'how do we get it in our community?'"

Iorio says a light rail system will also help stop urban sprawl and reduce residents' dependence on cars to get to work.

Perkins says he agrees light rail will help the economy down the road. But he says his neighborhood can't wait.

"These people here are suffering and they need help now," Perkins said. "They can't wait five years for a train to be built. They need something now, in the next year so they can actually get a job."

The mayor says none of the problems the city faces are unsolvable.

According to Bay News 9's partner newspaper The St. Petersburg Times, Iorio and the city of Tampa are facing a $40 million budget shortfall for the next fiscal year.

That shortfall has to do with declining property and sales tax and other revenue shortages.

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