Foster vs. Kriseman: What’s the difference?

Using information from the mayoral candidates’ campaign websites and statements made during debates and public appearances, here’s a look at how the two compare in 10 key areas.

DEVELOPMENT
Supporting small business has been a central campaign platform for Rick Kriseman, with the candidate advocating for a smoother process for permitting and code enforcement. He also wants to provide more assistance to business startups, and inject jobs into Midtown and in the 34th Street corridor.
Mayor Foster said in a small business debate at USF St. Pete that his administration was able to “lower taxes to create environments conducive to economic development.” He says that the city has been doing a great job “removing impediments” to development, via online permitting and review processes. He supports the 34th Street corridor plan and hopes that a cruise ship terminal port near the Skyway would bring cruise tourists to St. Pete via 34th Street.

NEIGHBORHOODS
Kriseman wants to hire a full-time grants writer to tap dollars for neighborhoods. A resident of West St. Pete, he supports city government having much more of a presence in Midtown, which was hit hard in the recession.
Foster says he will hire an economic developer for Midtown, which “will have its own redevelopment area, allowing us to utilize tax increment financing for much needed improvements in the years to come.” He vows that “neighborhood stabilization funds will be dedicated to our neighborhoods of greatest need.”

THE PIER
Kriseman advocates picking a design firm based on submissions, not credentials, and supports the studies of earlier task forces and the 828 Alliance.
Foster’s proposal is to conduct a “scientific survey” of 1,000 residents, then form a committee of community stakeholders to review design credentials, in the belief that tapping an architect based on resume is more important than choosing one based on a rendering.

THE RAYS
Kriseman: “If the Rays simply do not want to be here any longer, then they should be given the opportunity to pay an exploratory fee in order to look at other locations, provided those locations are in the Tampa Bay area. Throughout the negotiating process I will ensure that our taxpayers are protected.”
Foster: “My administration and Rays leadership enjoy a productive working relationship, and conversations about their future success in Tampa Bay continue. We are actively pursuing a means to bridge the gap between the objectives of the City and the Rays, all while protecting the interests of the taxpayers and owners of Tropicana Field (you).”

THE POLICE
Kriseman is a big proponent of community policing and taking a harder look at the police pursuit policy. He wants to launch a national search for a police chief but will consider inside candidates.
Public safety has increased under Foster, as have arrest rates for juveniles. Foster will launch a national search for a new police chief but says that he thinks it may be hard to top the internal candidates who’ve expressed interest.

THE ARTS
Kriseman wants to see more emphasis on the arts. He wants more public art and says that there should be dedicated funding to support the arts in St. Petersburg.
Foster says, “Over the next four years, I will work to create more quality spaces for art, culture, parks, outdoor respites, and sporting and cultural events.”

POVERTY & HOMELESSNESS
Kriseman wants to tap grants to improve hard-hit areas, including Second Avenue N to 30th Avenue S and Fourth Street to 34th Street. He supports summer youth jobs programs and initiatives brought forth by the People’s Budget Review.
Foster has faced criticism for failing to provide more support for job growth and employment in struggling Midtown. Likewise, funds for Meals on Wheels to help shut-in seniors was slashed in his budget planning. An effort to expand after-school youth employment was only funded for fiscal 2014, after the Council overruled the mayor. He succeeded in moving the homeless from city parks and sidewalks and into a county-run shelter where they are linked with services. The city also adopted an ordinance that effectively ended panhandling.

EDUCATION
Kriseman supports a service learning initative. “A strong public education system fuels our economic engine and has a positive impact on public safety … As a state representative, I passed legislation requiring the Department of Education to make service-learning curriculum available to our public schools.”
Foster plans to be “much more engaged with [the schools superintendent] and the School Board to see that St. Petersburg schools get the resources that we and our children need and deserve in order to succeed.”

THE LGBT COMMUNITY
Kriseman has been a vocal supporter of LGBT issues and communities on the state and local levels. A past Grand Marshal of the St. Pete Pride parade, he has received the endorsement of LGBT advocacy organizations Equality Florida and the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County.
Foster extended same-sex benefits for all 2,600 city employees, supported the city’s domestic registry ordinance, and signed a Pride Month proclamation this year after refusing to sign one created by City Council. He did not accept an invitation to march in the St. Pete Pride Parade, however, expressing reservations about the event not being “family-friendly” enough.

LEADERSHIP & COMMUNICATION
Listen, learn, lead is Kriseman’s campaign motto, reflecting a consensus-building style and willingness to hear all sides before making a decision. “The best way to earn the public’s trust and to be held accountable is through transparency. This has guided me throughout my time in public office.”
Foster has developed a reputation as a leader who keeps his own counsel and often does not fully communicate his intentions to the City Council. Six of eight Council members are endorsing his opponent. But Foster has persevered in spearheading major policy changes, even when at first unpopular, like his homeless initiative.

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