2017 Safety Harbor election candidate profile: Cameron Boozarjomehri

2017 Safety Harbor election candidate profile: Cameron Boozarjomehri (Seat 1)

• Name: Cameron Boozarjomehri
• Age: 25
• Place of birth: Safety Harbor
• Professional background: Software/Data Privacy Engineer working with cyber security and regulation
• Civic background (organizations, volunteer work, boards, etc.…): Volunteered in Cub Scouts, Countryside rec center, SRQHacks and MS Next Gen Tech challenge as mentor; member of ISC^2; member of IAPP
• Campaign website: www.votecameron.us
• Email: votecameron.us@gmail.com

What made you decide to run for Safety Harbor City Commission?

A love of Safety Harbor, and a desire to contribute to my community in the most meaningful way possible.

What do you think is the most important issue facing Safety Harbor today?

It is a mix of how we support local businesses, and how we build the human infrastructure that makes our community accessible. Safety Harbor is an incredible community, and we need to do more to promote its value to all who would hope to visit. This also means finding ways to makes more easily accessible through public transit and park-and-ride commuting options. We have so much to offer, we just need to find better ways of getting the word out.

What are your thoughts on the state of the downtown development in as it relates to businesses as well as residential properties (i.e. smart growth)?

Having spoken to different city department directors and the chamber of commerce, I feel the biggest issues come down to visibility, and access. We need to support businesses through that critical 1st year where they are still ramping up and building awareness. In that same goal we must make our community more visible and active in Pinellas as a whole. By demonstrating our commitments, and reaching out to businesses, we cane bring and sustain new local stores that compliment our community.

What is your position on the R2 lot setbacks issue?

I feel we must think about how we want to be seen as a community. We intend to keep the charm and character of Safety Harbor that keeps so many people wanting to move to our tropical oasis. But we need to respect their rights as property owners, and you families looking to participate in our community.

What would you like to see happen with the Firmenich property?

I would like to see a mixed use of the area as retail/office/residential. There are opportunities to use parts as green spaces for recreation, but we need to turn the area in to a space that allows for growth, income, and reinvestment for our community.

What would you like to see happen with future development of the Waterfront Park?

A kayak launch, or other opportunities to capitalize on bringing residents together in public spaces. Safety Harbor has many beautiful out door offerings and the waterfront park will make an excellent place for event hosting and allowing individuals to enjoy the coastline.

If you could do one thing to stimulate economic growth in the city, what would it be?

I would work to help soften the impact that the first year typically has on new businesses. Through financial opportunities, and working with our chamber, I would work to promote these businesses and help them find the niche and customers that will keep them viable in our community while attracting outside business.

Name an issue you believe is not getting the attention it deserves or that is especially meaningful to you

Infrastructure and technology are significant to me. We don’t think enough about all the hard work that our city employees put in to maintaining the streets, pipes, and other services. We are a robust community with many different needs. Technology can help us streamline some of the solutions, but between maintaining the infrastructure and providing new ways to attract visitors, we need to be conscious of these elements when planning our communities future.

If you were to be elected on March 14, what would your priorities be for the city, and what are your long-term goals for Safety Harbor’s future?

My goals are to work with surrounding communities to promote Safety Harbors value as a destination. I will capitalize on that momentum to attract new business and opportunities to Safety Harbor. I will work to add bus routes and increase park-and-ride availability to make Safety Harbor more accessible. I hope to rethink existing solutions and find ways we can improve while minimizing cost to our citizens. Most importantly, I will do my best to listen to the needs of the community so that I may always act in their best interest.

Any final thoughts?

Safety Harbor has been my home my entire life. It has instilled me with values and perspective that allow me to tackle life’s challenges with enthusiasm and focus. We are a passionate community that works hard and deserves a home that matches their commitment. I hope I will find every opportunity to build transparency, so that every citizen can participate in our community and decision making.