The Race for Pinellas County Commissioner

Recently it was announced by Susan Latvala that her 12 year stranglehold on the District 4 Commission Seat will officially end in 2014.  I have been an announced candidate for that seat, even prior to her announcing she would run and then deciding not to run.  It is time that someone who really cares about the needs of NORTH PINELLAS consisting of Oldsmar, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor, Dunedin and various other parts of North Pinellas is elected.  I see myself as a resident of North Pinellas County and have lived here for over 30 years.    It was recently discussed that several potential candidates are entering the race due to the fluoride issue.  While I absolutely agree with fluoride in the water system, it soon will not be up to the county to make that determination because most of the cities comprising District 4 are either producing their own water or are in the process of producing water for their own cities and the determination to offer fluoride has or will be made by those cities, except for Palm Harbor which is an unincorporated part of the county and the county has determined to keep fluoride in the water.  Basically Fluoride is a non issue, except for Palm Harbor and there are greater issues facing North Pinellas County.
   It is my belief that the 1% sales tax referendum  suggested for transportation will negatively impact North Pinellas and once again only serve the areas south of Clearwater.  In a 2012 report the County stated that due to poor public transportation routes in the North County that an area of Tarpon Springs has become one of the five most impoverished communities in the county.  All the other impoverished areas also have transportation issues.  My concern is that if for 20 years they have done little to improve public transportation in North Pinellas (travel time is quite lengthy to get to jobs, etc.), even with additional taxes of a suggested additional 0ne hundred million dollars in sales tax revenue,  there is little proposed improvements to public transportation IN NORTH COUNTY with the bulk of funding serving south county.  Once again, leaving the north county to foot the bill for the rest of the county. We should all vote no on the referendum to increase sales tax for public transportation.  If the referendum passes, I will work hard to see improvements to public transportation to help serve North Pinellas better than we are seeing planned at this time.  
   Tourism is our number one most important industry in North Pinellas County and I will work hard to see improvements made to enhance area tourists sites and to remove fees from area parks.  We have many unique communities with varied tourist areas and the county should focus more on tourism for North Pinellas.
   I have stated that elected I will open a North County office at my expense somewhere central to all of North Pinellas.  I intend to do so because for many it is awkward to meet their county elected officials at the county building.  
   I have other ideas that I will present as we move forward with this election and if you would like to support my campaign, I am still seeking some of the 2,000 approximate signatures required to have my name officially placed on the ballot.  This is a serious election and I take this campaign seriously.  North Pinellas needs more input in the decisions made by Pinellas County and I will work hard to meet the needs of North Pinellas voters.  
If you would like to reach me:  Timkeffalascampaign@gmail.com.   Phone: 727-510-3934.    for a petition card please contact me, or for campaign contributions:  Tim Keffalas Campaign 205 Leafwood Rd.  Tarpon Springs, Florida 34689.

This is a political advertisement paid for and approved by Tim Keffalas for Pinellas County Commissioner, District 4.   SERVING THE VOTERS OF NORTH PINELLAS COUNTY!