Lawmaker, land planner seeking commission seat

Jul 29, 2010 — Tampa Tribune

Mike Salinero

Jul. 29, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- TAMPA -- The Republican primary race for Hillsborough County Commission District 2 pits longtime state legislator Victor Crist against land planner and businesswoman Linda Pearson.

The district, which encompasses most of the northern part of the county, including Carrollwood, Lutz and Keystone, is majority Republican. No Democrats qualified to run for the seat. The winner of the Republican primary faces no-party candidate Steven Morris.

Crist is touting his ability to get things done through building coalitions, a skill he developed through 18 years in Tallahassee as well as 30 years of nonprofit community development work in poor neighborhoods around the University of South Florida.

If he is elected, Crist said his priorities will be bringing jobs to the county and breaking down barriers between the county and its three municipalities -- Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace.

"You've got to be all-inclusive if you are cultivating jobs and economic vitality," Crist said. "And you've got to be objective enough to put your personal and political ambitions to the side to work together where the community can benefit as whole."

Pearson also says economic development will be a priority if elected. She said the county needs to look at modifying tax incentives used to lure new industry, perhaps by lowering the number of employees the business would agree to hire or the average salaries that would be offered. The county government could also do more in terms of promoting the area as a good place to do business, she said.

Crist touts his willingness to take on developers to protect the environment and rein in sprawling development. He questioned whether Pearson, whose firms do land planning and civil engineering for developers, can be impartial in handling land-use decisions.

"While I'm sure we both agree that some growth is necessary, it needs to be reasonable growth," Crist said. "It needs to be done in a way that creates jobs and stimulates the economy and strengthens our communities and need not be done in way that overly taxes our resources and denies existing residents the ability to live and enjoy their communities."

Pearson said she will give up her businesses if elected, eliminating any conflicts of interest on land-use and zoning questions.

"There is no conflict of interest unless you're being paid by (developers) at the time," she said, "but you should put on the record, 'I have represented this person.' "

Pearson acknowledges Crist's breadth of experience in state government, but claims she has superior background in local government. Pearson was a legislative aide to three commissioners in the 1980s and was a county zoning coordinator.

She also has served on boards of a number of government agencies, including the county Legislative Delegation Audit Oversight Board, the Health Care Plan Advisory committee and the Code Enforcement Board.

"I have the background, understanding of government, intelligence and people skills," she said.

In the latest reporting period ending July 22, Crist raised $29,025, bringing his total to $66,870. He loaned his campaign $5,880 and has spent $36,420. Pearson raised $485 in her most recent report, for a total of $13,785. She loaned her campaign $10,000 and her expenditures total $20,831.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0201-47418141