Republished from The Tampa Tribune
By JOYCE McKENZIE
jmckenzie@tampatrib.com
Published 2/3/2010
The open-forum meeting drew more than 100 people and a host of other dignitaries that included county Commissioner Jim Norman, Tampa Councilman Joseph Caetano and Temple Terrace Mayor Joe Affronti along with council members Alison Fernandez, Ken Halloway and Ron Govin.
The crowd was there to offer ideas on how state officials should prioritize their spending and improve government services.
“I’m impressed with the turnout,” said Homan, R-Tampa. “Like the Massachusetts voters, the public is concerned.”
Public safety issues seemed to top the list of concerns. Many spoke out on the need for more programs to rehabilitate juvenile offenders and nonviolent criminals. High on that list, they said, ought to be services that train them for jobs, a factor known to curb repeated crime.
Others called for more affordable housing and better transportation for the disabled. A couple of speakers told personal stories of the effects of a fragmented mental health care system, and another pair addressed the need for insurance reform.
There also were those who commended the government officials for not making budgets cuts to services they believe are crucial to Florida’s residents.
Lisa MacKinnon of the Central Florida Behavioral Health Network and Mary Marc, interim president, was among them.
Mary Marc, CEO of PACE Center for Girls, a nonprofit nonresidential delinquency prevention program, complimented Crist for his support of the organization and recognized him as one of its “pacesetters.”
“Interacting locally with constituents enables us to be accessible to them and to our community,” said Crist, R-Tampa. “It also enhances our ability to advocate on their behalf in the Florida Legislature.”
