ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The former President of the St. Petersburg chapter of the NAACP recently expressed his thoughts on community engagement within Mayor Ken Welch’s administration on a podcast.

The host of the show, Ray Tampa, who was involved in Welch’s election campaign, reported that some community members feel unheard and perceive the mayor as "unapproachable."

According to the podcast host, Black leaders in St. Petersburg want to be heard and want more access to the mayor. 

“I would never say that he owes the African-American community more, but you have to understand that the African-American community overwhelmingly supported him, thinking that he would be a change agent for some of the concerns that have been in evidence for quite a while,” said Tampa. 

During one of his shows, he brought up concerns he says were expressed by some African-American community members regarding the limited economic opportunities and job availability within the city. The lack of affordable housing is also a pressing issue for residents.

According to Tampa, these are issues the community feels Welch should address more assertively.

Spectrum News caught up with Welch before he had a Wednesday night public appearance.

"I'm fully confident in our outreach," Welch said. "We are moving our city forward. I am not going to be taken off focus."

Welch said some of his critics may not understand that he can't say yes to every idea or proposal.

"In that case it's some folks who are not used to hearing the word 'no'," he said. "We had the conversations and answered their specific request. The funding was no, it didn't fit my criteria in terms of community impact. And I don't think it's representative from what you hear from most folks in the community."

The mayor added that he is open to all suggestions from residents.

"We're open to talking to anybody in the community about anything, but the answer will not always be 'yes' and that's much different than not having access.

"Don't take the words of four people and apply that to the entire community," he said.

Ray worries Welch is no longer readily accessible to the community who voted him into office and says he’s bothered by the lack of follow-ups or action he believes Welch should’ve taken.

“I specifically said that we want Ken to succeed, But for him to succeed he needs to know there are some concerns,” he added. 

“The issue is all the frustration that we are hearing from other people. I wish I could give you some names — you would be amazed. This is not personal,” said Tampa.

This all comes on the same night Welch is hosting a "City Hall on Tour."

Wednesday’s open house was the second of four stops where residents can have face time with the mayor and members of his administration.