BY KALIE MCCAUSLAND
NNB Reporter
Wanting to change the community he lives in, Phil Garrett decided to make another run at City Council.
He is running against Steve Kornell to represent District 5. The city election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
This district covers the majority of the Midtown community, where Garrett has been a resident for the last 20 years. Though he ran once before, he’s hoping this time for different results. He is running his campaign on limited donations. So, he has attempted to reach the neighborhoods and people of Midtown the old fashioned way – going door to door.
His style of campaigning reflect his beliefs and wants for Midtown. While politicians spend thousands of dollars on campaigns and consultants, he believes the focus should be to reach out to the community personally. He has spent about $1,400 in the past weeks, mostly on signs. He has dedicated a huge portion of his time in the community attempting to strike a fire into the hearts of the families of Midtown.
“The black community is on a treadmill, it’s about time we got off,” said Garrett regarding recurring problems and empty promises.
His vision for the community and what his plans are if he is elected are to bring in jobs and improve education.
Garrett wants to use money from the Community Redevelopment act to lure businesses into vacant shopping centers. Those businesses will bring jobs and economic development opportunities. He believes that this can be done through partnerships with the neighborhood associations and giving incentives to new businesses.
Another way he plans to improve the economy in Midtown is through the use of Tropicana Field. He agrees with Mayor Rick Kriseman and the proposition to allow the Tampa Bay Rays to look for a new site for a better stadium. He believes by allowing this, the baseball team will be able to remain local while also opening up 84 acres of land the field currently resides on for redevelopment.
Garrett’s plan to improve education aims to help students at a young age. He believes that education should start as early as possible. He wants to start a tutoring program for elementary and middle school students. The program would take place at the neighborhood recreational centers and would involve local college students, who would get college credit, working as tutors. The focus of this program would help struggling students stay focused and supported at the after school programs they are already enrolled in instead of unwisely using that time.
Garrett is a self-described “out of the box thinker” and believes that even though he is not a “perfect man” he is the perfect man for this job. As a father of three, he strives to give back to the community and wants to show his children that anyone can make a difference as long as they have passion and drive.
He hopes his campaign helps change the way current leadership is handling Midtown. Feeling neglected and overlooked while the rest of downtown builds up around the community, Garrett believes Kornell has not placed the people of Midtown as a priority.
“It is what you do that shows what you care about,” said Garrett.
When asked how he would feel if he lost the race, he responded that he would be devastated but would refuse to give up and would probably run again next time. His reaction will only be seen by his family, however, as he plans to spend that night at his house surrounded by the support of his family instead of spending money on what he feels to be an unnecessary party.
“How can I celebrate a win, when it is just the first step into making a better Midtown,” said Garrett. ” I’ll celebrate when changes are made for the better.”