On The Issues

• Strong Fiscal Oversight

Five years ago during a time of significant increase in property values and ad valorem tax collections Dave voted AGAINST the 7 1/2%millage rate increase.  The very next year on the back of this, the largest tax increase in Dunedin's history, when Dave was asked to support a budget that proposed using reserves to achieve balance Dave stood by his principles of fiscal responsibility and voted NO - warning then that we should be spending only to levels we could afford and that adding 8-10 employee positions near the peak in ad valorem collections would lead to the same number or more positions being cut with in years.  Dave was right.  Dave also fought for millage tax rate reductions when property values increased close to 20%. 

As Mayor, Dave will continue his fight to keep our taxes low, ensure our government is working at optimal efficiency and that every dollar in the budget is spent wisely and with maximum return.

• Improving our infrastructure

As commissioner, Dave has dedicated himself to fiscal sensibility making a commitment to ensure a strong infrastructure before it was en vogue.  Dave understands that a sound infrastructure cannot be taken for granted or ignored and he views those costs as an investment not an expense.  Since his first year as a commissioner, almost 6 years ago, Dave has worked hard to properly fund our storm-water department.  Dave led the initiative to provide a more sufficient revenue source to the department that for years barely had enough to fund its operating expenses, much less make headway on long standing flooding problems throughout the City.  Now with the renewal of the Penny for Pinellas, Dave continues to work hard to make sure that our new Penny is available to support under-funded capital needs of this critical infrastructure department.  

• Honoring Service Men and Women

Dave understands that our sense of community is enhanced when we acknowledge and say thank you to our citizens who make the commitment to serve our country through military service.  Building on the tradition started by
Mayor John Doglione, Dave led the effort to expand our welcome home soldier program to include specific name recognition of our fellow citizens returning from active service. 

In addition, Dave worked tirelessly with Danny Sowder to help our City achieve the first and currently only, Purple Heart Designation.

• Community

Dave understands and appreciates the special aspects of Dunedin that add to our culture, charm and diversity.  To that end, he voted to continue funding the Art Center seeing it as a critical to the Dunedin we all love while also expanding our commitment to the Dunedin Historical Society, ensuring that equitable funding commitments were made to both.  Dave has tried to carefully balance property rights of individuals with the greater good of Dunedin.   When presented with a rushed moratorium on development, Dave urged his fellow commissioners not to take unnecessary action that might unintentionally discourage appropriate projects.  Dave believes the precedent of compatibility afforded us the basis for determining which projects fit the collective vision and was ultimately validated when our City attorney confirmed the scope of compatibility.

• Making Public Safety a Priority

Dave has worked hard to ensure that our fire department and sheriff’s department have latest technology and equipment in order to keep the citizens of Dunedin safe.  Dave wants to keep the fire department as part of Dunedin, not out sourced, so that every measure is taken to ensure Dunedin residents have the best available emergency response teams.

Dave has listened to the residents of Dunedin concerned about traffic in their neighborhoods.  He has worked within City departments to ensure neighborhood safety with the creation of the traffic-calming program.

• Protecting our Environment

Dave is committed to protecting our environment.  This is a responsibility today that we owe to the next generation that we’ll turn this city over in good stead.  Dave has worked tirelessly for long-term solutions for biosolids, improvements to the Curlew and Cedar Creek basins and to clean up our waterways. 

For more than two years, Dave has encouraged staff to investigate partnerships with neighboring cities to find long-term solutions for our waste plants by products (biosolids) that are currently spread on vacant land in far away counties.  Additionally, Dave supports efforts, to work in conjunction with the County to upgrade facilities and recycling programs.

• Affordable Housing

You can be certain that Dave works to make sure that the vision we have for
Dunedin includes everyone.  A few years ago when the City was considering expanding the wastewater treatment plant into the surrounding community, Dave voted NO (in the minority) and pursued instead a vision of neighborhood preservation.  Dave is proud of his vision for this area and just a few months ago the City hosted a ground breaking ceremony on the very same land.  Site preparations are underway for Shady Grove, an affordable housing community.  

• Diversity

Dave welcomes opportunities to embrace diversity in Dunedin, and a few years ago he stood firm with the current Mayor Hackworth to bring more focus to our
African American community and Dunedin's diversity by renaming Highland Avenue and Sterling Recreation Center in the name and honor of Dr. Martin Luther King.  Dave understands the harmony in diversity and is working with staff to encourage efforts to recognize our Latin American Community in our Diversity Week.