It was the first time since 2008 that two candidates ran for the same seat on the city commission, and incumbent Mary Thomas Mathis was able to hold on to it.
According to the most recent numbers available at press time, Mathis won 1,062 votes (71.71%), and the defeated candidate, Hasani Jackson, won 419 votes (28.29%). There was a 7.88% turnout.
“Some people may say, ‘Well, why again?’ Let me tell you, I love what I do,” Mathis said. “I do it because of the passion. I do it because of each of you, the constituents. I do it because I’ve been able to see change, and I want to continue that. In this position, you have to have experience to make change.”
Mathis first got involved with political campaigns when she was in college, and she knew she would like to run for an office someday. The year after her mentor, Commissioner Sadye Gibbs Martin, died, Mathis decided to run for commission and use the knowledge that had been passed onto her.
Mathis won her first election in, 2000, by just seven votes.
“In this position, I am there to serve you, to make this city, this community, the best it can be,” she said.
At a debate between Mathis and Jackson Thursday, April 2, the candidates had the opportunity to express their views on a number of issues, in response to questions posed by a panel.
Mathis discussed some of the projects in the works to bring economic development to Plant City. In the Midtown district there are vacant buildings, such as the former Sweetbay. Mathis has talked to representatives from a few Plant City businesses who might want to expand and move into that space, but city employees have also been corresponding with Walmart about a potential grocery store.
She and the city are also working on getting a number of sites “shovel-ready,” meaning that water and sewer lines are being put in place so that businesses can start building. One of these focus areas is along County Line Road.
“The area on County Line Road, it is a project that in four years will be paid for, but after that it will be a $24 million revenue, 10 years after it’s been paid for,” Mathis said.
Some of the panelists asked questions related to crime and the police department. Mathis had only support to show for Police Chief Ed Duncan.
“We have hired a phenomenal police chief that is making changes,” Mathis said.
She praised Duncan on his efforts to maintain a partnership with Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the ways he addressed gang and drug issues and his foresight in preparing for potential crises.
Mathis will return to her familiar spot in City Hall at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 13, for the first City Commission meeting of her new term.
“I live in your community,” Mathis said. “I work in your community … I am at your commission meetings, I am at events,” Mathis said. “I am there. I listen to the citizens.”
Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.