Tampa Bay needs coordinated leadership on environmental, belonging, community, and cultural issues

Tampa Bay needs coordinated leadership on environmental, belonging, community, and cultural issues.

 If municipalities continue to be blocked by state leadership, then the private and non-profit organizations have to step up and become leaders in significant climate actions; belonging and diversity initiatives; and ensuring that communities don't become estranged from each other.

Safeguarding affordability is also vital, and everyone bears the responsibility of ensuring that. Our area has been shaped by the creative community for decades now, with the arts being absolutely fundamental to the local culture and economy. Artists of all types: 20-somethings, social workers, teachers—all the people who add soul to an area—have to be able to afford to live here.

Where would I like us all to be in four years? In a Florida that isn't on the attack. I would like all of my neighbors feel comfortable and welcome. As the granddaughter of immigrants (and now the Director at St. Petersburg International ​Folk Fair Society), I must mention how immigrants and first generations bring a huge amount of energy to our (or any) area, economically and culturally.

I keep hoping for charismatic lefties to get elected to important positions, and engaged progressives keeping them hewing to their words. Then energy could be spent on making things better, instead of trying to keep them from getting worse.

To commemorate the leap year, Creative Loafing Tampa Bay asked readers and local leaders to chime in on what Tampa Bay needs to be a better place in four years. These are some of the results of the "What Tampa Bay Needs" survey.

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