Is Small Business "Getting the Business"?By Vicki JacksonAccording to some of the candidates running for the City of Clearwater's two vacant Council seats, small businesses are being neglected, if not abused, by City government and have been for some time. Having branded the city as unhelpful to small businesses, these contenders shared their concerns. Mr. Wayne Carothers, running for Seat number 4, said the adverse treatment has continued through the administrations of the last decade. Having not personally experienced difficulties with the permitting departments, he feels "most of the problems have been with code enforcement issues regarding advertising on signs for business." After speaking with other small business owners in the community, especially along the Missouri Avenue corridor, he stated that they "have expressed some of the same frustrations." Further, he believes "many are moving out-that we must become more code enforcement friendly and let the small businesses do what they do best." One opponent, Mr. Herb Quintero, stated, "This type of treatment started when they began to phase out the billboards and what they considered visual clutter on Gulf to Bay." It involved the imposition of strict regulations for signage, some of which were later proven unconstitutional. He cited some examples of businesses that have challenged the validity of the code: Dimmitt versus City of Clearwater and Duati versus Clearwater, as well as himself as owner of the Complete Angler. He believes the "bad policies have given Clearwater a bad reputation with the business community" and resulted in the loss of a tremendous amount of tax revenue While another opponent, Mr. Joe Paige, agrees that burdensome regulations have been in place over the last ten years, he indicated that they have applied not only to small business, but large business and residents as well. He claimed, "The Community Development Code adopted in 1999 is a draconian, overbearing, didactic abrogation of a citizen's private property rights." He feels that city ordinances should rightfully be concerned with matters of public health and safety, but that individuals are responsible for their own "welfare or quality of life" issues. If elected, he vows to "make a motion to abolish the public art ordinance" which mandates certain project 'contributions' be made to a public art fund as a prerequisite for getting a permit. Mr. Mike Riordon, challenger for Seat number 5, declared, "Clearwater leadership, especially for downtown business owners, has gone to extreme measures to dictate nearly every aspect of what any business can do with regards to signage, outdoor displays, parking, type of business, etc." He said this forced him to waste hours and hours of time, and he prevailed only through persistence. After review of countless council and other meetings, conversation with numerous business owners and citizens, he "learned the city is the worst in all of Pinellas County, bar none." He feels, "Many business owners are afraid to speak out publicly, fearing city retribution." He referred to city leadership as "arrogant, condescending and clueless, with their heads in the Beach by Design sand." Meantime, buildings are vacant, downtown is avoided, and opportunities are being lost. While residents of Clearwater are ready for a change in the weather, small business waits for a change in the climate. In just a few weeks voters will have the chance to choose who will speak for them for the next three years. There remain three more opportunities for citizens to listen and learn before they elect. The first one will be on February 17, at the Christ Community Presbyterian Church, located at 2310 Nursery Road, sponsored by the Morningside-meadows Homeowners Association, from 7 to 9 p.m. The next will be on February 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. in Council Chambers in Clearwater City Hall, 112 S. Osceola Avenue. This forum will be televised on C-VIEW TV and on streaming video. The last one will be hosted by the Island Estates Civic Association on March 2, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Brendan Catholic Church, 245 Dory Passage.
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