Who is Patricia, and why am I running for City Council?

I have lived in the Seminole community since the year 2000 and have worked hard to acquire what many would call the American dream. We live in a nice home, on a nice street, and we live in relative peace. Both my husband and I are college graduates, and our daughter recently graduated from college using a Bright Futures Scholarship to pay for most of her education. I work as a school teacher and my husband works for the county. So what would prompt me to run for political office? (Please note that the position pays $5,562 per year.)

As a person of faith, and an American citizen, I am concerned with issues of social justice. I am aware that many others don't find themselves in a position similar to mine. I would like others to have those same opportunities. This prompts me to offer my energies to serve those who may not be in a position to act for themselves.

How may I be of use to my Seminole community? My eyesight is good enough to see the 800 pound gorilla in the room. I will name it: that gorilla is the unaffordability of housing both in Florida and here in our city. Seminole has become unaffordable, not only for those who would choose to live here, but for those of us who already do. Because I am (still) able to afford to live in my neighborhood, I think that I have a moral obligation to work to give others that same chance.

How can this be done? First we must define and describe the problem. (Please read the Focus Issues link on my home page.) Then together we must brainstorm ideas and communicate with the authorities who have the power to remedy the situation.

In April of 2006, the City of Seminole created Ordinance No. 01-2006 which recognizes the problem of affordable housing. What actions have been taken as a result of that Ordinance?

As we gather information it is of utmost importance that you communicate how you are being affected by skyrocketing property insurance increases, and the increase in ad valorem taxes. How are others around you being affected?

The paradox is that more and more money is coming in (in the form of ad valorem taxes) and less and less people are able to afford to live here. How can that be?

Here's what I see. I see that an average home in Seminole is completely out of financial reach of a person with an average American income. I hear that retired people who live in our local community are selling their cars and not buying medicine so that they can meet their monthly financial obligations. I met an older woman in our community who is selling household items on weekend garage sales to pay for her property insurance. I talked to a staff member at school who will soon be selling her home since it has become unaffordable. That family and that valued teacher may need to move out of the area. There were hundreds of residents of the Bay Pines Mobile Home Park evicted due to the proposed sale of the land under their mobile homes. Where have all these Seminole residents gone---have they found affordable housing elsewhere in Seminole?

Ask yourself another question. Easy money has been available to home owners through second mortgages and equity loans. Many now find themselves in dire financial straights. With an unprecedented bankruptcy rate, where will those people go to live? If people move out of our area, who will be able to buy here? More families? More retired people? It's not likely. We already see many homes in our market not selling. Will we see more properties sitting empty? Who will spend money at our local businesses? What will our tax base be if no one can afford to own here?

Again, I could enjoy my (present) good fortune and sit by myopically watching the world change in front of me. Alternatively, I can act. Alternatively, we can act.

We live in a democracy and your input as a citizen is vital. Please contact me, or talk to your neighbors and friends about this, or to your government officials, or write to the newspapers. Property insurance and the elevated home prices are a problem which exist for all of us. Solutions must come from all of us. Please send your perspective, along with possible solutions.

This problem needs to be addressed now, good folks. The 800 pound gorilla is in the room, he's hungry and he's looking for a place to make himself comfortable. He doesn't have the social graces to ask you to move over. Do you see him, too?