As the Aug. 26 primary election draws closer, the Plant City Times & Observer will be publishing profiles and Q&As from each of the candidates who will represent Plant City and its constituents.
In this edition, we introduce the candidates for Hillsborough County Commission District 7.
District 7 candidates include Republicans Al Higginbotham, Don Kruse, Robin Lester and Tim Schock; and Democrats Patricia “Pat” Kemp and Mark Nash.
ROBIN A. LESTER, REPUBLICAN
Age: 52
Family: Married to Grady Lester (fifth-generation from Tampa); no children of my own, but I have four grown stepchildren and four Godchildren
Hometown: Born in the Panama Canal Zone, raised in Williamsburg, Va.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in English and political science, Appalachian State University; master’s degree English and rhetorical research, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Favorite author and book: William Faulkner’s “The Sound and the Fury”
If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? It’s a toss-up between Thomas Jefferson and Sir Winston Churchill
Website: electrobinlester.com
What would be your top priorities if elected?
We need job growth — good jobs and higher-paying jobs employing the entrepreneurial spirit and embracing technology and innovation. We need these to keep our young people here from HCC, UT and USF engaged. We need to show them they can build a company or a career without having to leave for Austin, Charlotte or Boston.
In order to keep our young talent, we need to provide them with an environment —one that embraces smart transit systems and encourages urban density. More than anything we need to ensure that Hillsborough County is and remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.
What are some current Hillsborough County challenges, and what are your solutions to those problems?
Hillsborough County has the same challenges as what I’ve outlined above. Obviously, we need continued economic development initiates. We must also ensure that our first responders have the funds to do their jobs as well as our police force. Our needs are great, but, as with real estate being about location, business and community development is about timing. Our time is now, and we must demand more from our government and dare to dream the big dreams.
What are some of the current challenges facing Plant City. If elected, how would I address those concerns?
Plant City has a challenge in that it is seen as a vibrant community by those who live in the area and a rural area by those who live in the more direct Tampa area. Our challenges are the same, but our needs are different. I spoke with a gentleman in Plant City, and he was concerned about his livestock drinking contaminated water. As I pointed out to him, if that is the case, then the aquifer is most likely affected. Then that water is what is consumed in the downtown area of Tampa which then flows to the bay and then to the gulf.
Plant City also has traffic challenges as its infrastructure has been stretched beyond expectations. More than 500,000 people are expected to move into the County in the next ten years. Many will chose to live in Plant City. How will they get to doctor’s appointments? How will first responders reach them?
More than anything though, Plant City adds to the diversity and history of our Hillsborough County. It is important to preserve this for future generations and to embrace it now.
The county has reached out to residents through Imagine 2040 to help determine how growth should take place. How would you like to see the county grow in the next 30 years?
As Cuba falls, I see our county as uniquely positioned to serve South and Central American markets. Our airport is positioning for this. Our port must do so as well. Innovation and our thought community will play an increasingly important role in the region and in the U.S.
We will need to smartly develop mass transit and transportation alternatives to move people and materials, and we must position our county now for higher playing jobs in manufacturing and entrepreneurship, moving away from our back office reputation.
What makes you the best candidate for the commission?
I am a consensus builder and a good listener. My résumé speaks to my business experience in terms of looking for return on investment, accountability and strategic planning. When I was executive director of the Florida Venture Forum, I helped emerging growth companies throughout Florida attract $1.2 billion in private investment to grow and innovate, and I know the value of that to our area. More than anything else, Hillsborough County is my home. I want to give back to make this a better community.
Other thoughts?
Hillsborough County is a great place to live, work and raise a family. We must ensure that we protect and enhance this going forward and that we leave our county in an advantageous position for future generations.