2017 Safety Harbor election candidate profile: Joe Ayoub
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2017 Safety Harbor election candidate profile: Joe Ayoub (Mayor):
- Name: Joe Ayoub
- Age: 40
- Place of birth: Brooklyn, NY
- Moved to Florida/Safety Harbor: Florida in 1976, Safety Harbor in 1990
- Professional background: CPA and I’m the CFO of Data Blue, LLC
- Civic background (organizations, volunteer work, boards, etc.…): My past community involvement includes serving on the Pinellas Planning Council, Pinellas County School Transportation Safety Committee, Florida League of Mayors, Safety Harbor Middle School Advisory Council, Chairman of the Board of Plato Charter School Academy, Vice President of the Safety Harbor Budget Advisory Committee and as a PSTA board member.
- Campaign website/Facebook page: JoeAyoubForMayor.com; Facebook.com/JoeAyoubForMayor
- Email/phone: Joe@JoeAyoubForMayor.com; (727) 238-7085
What made you decide to run for Safety Harbor City Commission?
I am running for Mayor because I love Safety Harbor and care about our city’s future. I have lived in Safety Harbor for 26 years, owned a home here for 15 years and have had the opportunity to serve as the city’s Mayor and Commissioner for a total of 7 years. Safety Harbor is a great city but there are areas that need improvement, which is why I’m running to be the next Mayor of our wonderful city.
What do you think is the most important issue facing Safety Harbor today?
The key issue is how to address our struggling downtown while maintaining our small town charm. Recent statistics show that we are losing retail businesses at an alarming rate. They now compromise only about 10% of the establishments on Main St. In addition, the vacancies on Main St now outnumber the total amount of retail locations. So what we are seeing is a steady transition of our downtown from a vibrant town center where people gather to a suburban office park, which is not good.
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)?
We have a downtown that is struggling as evident by the many vacant buildings and empty storefronts. I want to end the revolving door of businesses that come and then go out of business in just a short period of time by putting a plan in place to revitalize our downtown and help our struggling businesses, which will make for a better town center for all residents to enjoy. This plan includes public private partnerships, tax incentives and hiring an economic development officer.
I would also like to see smarter zoning put in place that protects our small town charm by putting in place architectural standards that promote front porches and garages placed in the rear of houses. This will help create more aesthetically pleasing homes, a better sense of community and a more walkable downtown.
What is your position on the R2 lot setbacks issue?
The new changes to the R2 zoning district are the result of a petition started by some residents and non-residents that were unhappy with the new two story homes on Iron Age, which are in a completely different zoning district. The real issue is how do we protect our small town charm moving forward, and instead of addressing the broader issue the Commission took a very narrow approach and made changes to setbacks in the R2 district. I prefer a broad approach that makes sure we protect out small town charm that includes looking at architectural standards in our downtown area that promote greater compatibility for new homes with existing homes and neighborhoods.
What would you like to see happen with the Firmenich property?
For this issue the process in which a new plan is considered is going to be key. First and foremost, I’d like to see anyone with a new proposal for this site actively reach out to the surrounding neighborhoods to get their feedback and buy in, and then keep them involved in the process so there are no surprises. I’d also like to see any proposal adequately address any traffic concerns for that area and keep as much green space as possible.
What would you like to see happen with future development of the Waterfront Park?
After 4 years and $5 million spent we still don’t have any picnic benches or shade pavilions. We need to add these amenities and other improvements such as landscaping, more walking trails and a kayak launch to make our park a great place to spend the day. And let me be clear, this does not include adding a restaurant or parking structure as I have never supported these ideas.
If you could do one thing to stimulate economic growth in the city, what would it be?
I would hire an economic development officer and give him or her the full support of the Commission. Other cities have done it and have had great success in turning around their downtown while at the same time protecting their small town charm.
Name an issue you believe is not getting the attention it deserves or that is especially meaningful to you
Right now there is a lot of divisiveness in our city that is being caused by a few bad apples. When people talk about our “small town charm” that should extend beyond just the aesthetics of the structures in our city to the culture of our community and how we treat each other. We need to be more welcoming to new residents that decide to make Safety Harbor their home and go out of our way to make them feel like a part of our community. I believe the Mayor has an important role to play in setting the tone of the city, which includes leading the city with a positive tone and inclusive style and appointing people to leadership roles and advisory board that share this vision.
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?
If elected my top priorities would be to address our struggling downtown, add amenities to our Waterfront Park and to take additional measures to protect our small town charm. My long term goal is to have a thriving and walkable downtown that will become a place for residents to go shopping and have more entertainment options. I also want to put in place some beautification programs to address areas of that city that could use some improvement. In addition, I would like to address some quality of life issues by improving our recreation center, our library, our marina and the museum.
Any final thoughts?
When I started this campaign a few months ago I pledged to run a positive campaign based on the issues, and I have kept that promise. I have taken painstaking efforts to get as much feedback from residents as possible regarding the issues that are most important to you. I have already knocked on over 2,000 doors and have put a survey on my website to give you an opportunity to share your thoughts on the issues facing the city directly with me. I have had several meet and greet events and will have more so check out my website for when the next one will be. In summary I am going to work hard to best represent all the residents our city and I ask for your vote so I may have the privilege of serving as your next Mayor.
Thank you Joe. You have my vote.
If everyone is moving forward together, then success will take care of itself….Henry Ford.
My take away…We need to come together as a community and take this city forward for the future of the next generation. If we all do this together with clear thought and a plan then this city will grow the way it will need to. No growth is a bad decision it leads to failure.
Desanya,
I think you are correct. I appreciate your candid comments. I am too old for all of this. Thank you for helping me see this.
Thank you Riddler. Happy to hear you have an open mind and hopefully one day you will be able vote in a Safety Harbor election. So how much does it cost to be annexed?
Riddler – you are living in a Time Capsule. Do you really think the new and upcoming citizens of SH want to live in the past? Don’t think so. They want to move forward to the future. The youth wants a vibrant downtown that serves their everyday needs, not hearing what happened 15 years ago!
Again – you are living in the past! Get with the future or get out!
-The Real Riddler-
You don’t have to be so mean about it.
Why not, have you ever been on the side of “p” and vinegar your group dishes out. The screaming and nasty behavior. Have you been a business owner in our city and told by your group that if you support development no one will shop in your stores. You want to talk about mean. Many of the status quo, not all, but many are mean.
Joe’s latest campaign mailer calling out Hooper and her supporters as liars with quotes from Pam Corbino and Neil Brickfield.
Embattled Safety Harbor Mayor Steps Down
“Mayor Pam Corbino stepped down as mayor of Safety Harbor just hours before a city commission meeting and with 20 months left in her term. Corbino had been under heavy pressure as the subject of both an ethics complaint filed by city comissioner Kathleen Earle and a recall petition that was being circulated by Safety Harbor residents. In her complaint, Earle alleged that Corbino asked a City Hall employee to obtain Earle’s Social Security number’.
TUESDAY, JULY 18, 2006 The Campaign Manager
‘It’s hard to defend the indefensible when the facts are not on your side. Pinellas County Commissioner Neil Brickfield makes several inaccurate statements as he tries to justify why he voted to stop adding fluoride to the county’s drinking water. Brickfield misrepresents established science, and he misleads voters in the same fashion he was misled before voting against the public health’. Even when presented the facts, Brickfield declined to change his position on fluoride and instead criticized the county’s dentists for failing to see enough patients on Medicaid. Thursday, September 20, 2012 6:25pm TBT
When Joe wins – everyone needs to go and thank Barbara Hollen-Hugg for shining the light on Janet Hooper’s lies and for posting oddball gems like this!
Flouride? 2006? Is there anyone in Janet’s camp that can pull themselves out of the past?
Riddler,
The recent mailer from Janet states she lost her home due to losing her job. She lost her home in 2014 but started working for The Mattie Williams Center in 2008. In 6 years she could not repay her debt? Even with a pay cut, there are other options. Like getting a second job. Most of us have had to do that at one time or another. Think outside the box. If she can’t manage her own finances how can we trust her to manage a $65 Million city budget??
Save our downtown Joe!