Editorial: Progressive leadership for Pinellas

Pinellas County government opens a promising new era today with two new county commissioners, a recently hired county administrator and a local economy on the upswing. This leadership team should be more progressive, more inclined to build consensus than provoke confrontation and more aggressive in building public support for major initiatives. The county's biggest issues remain the same, but more new faces and a fresh approach should make a long-term difference.

Two mayors, Dave Eggers of Dunedin and Pat Gerard of Largo, join the commission today with deep roots in local government and thorough understandings of how the county benefits by working more closely with the cities. They are familiar with the importance of delivering routine government services at a reasonable cost, and they are comfortable dealing with high-profile issues in the public spotlight. Neither is inclined to engage in ideological or partisan battles for sport or to score political points with particular constituencies.

The Pinellas commission already was headed in that direction. Former state legislators Janet Long and Charlie Justice, both Democrats, were elected to two years ago and defeated two conservative Republican incumbents who too often waged ideological fights. Now Gerard, a Democrat, will replace Republican Norm Roche, who frustrated commissioners from both parties with his unwillingness to compromise and lost in the Republican primary. Eggers succeeds Republican Susan Latvala, who served on the commission for 14 years and did not seek re-election. For the first time since the 1960s, a majority of the commission — four of seven members — will be Democrats. But the more important point is all of the members are consensus builders who are well within the mainstream of Pinellas' centrist values.

Latvala, who previously served on the Pinellas County School Board for eight years, will be missed. She was willing to take difficult votes on both the school board and the commission, and the commission will miss her institutional knowledge, statewide connections and willingness to think regionally on issues ranging from water to transit. But Latvala also could ruffle other commissioners and constituents with her sharp remarks.

The Pinellas commission looks forward today with some difficult issues in the rearview mirror. The economy has picked up, increasing tax revenue after the recession forced hundreds of county job cuts and tens of millions in spending cuts. Mark Woodard has been installed as the county administrator after years as a top assistant, and his deep knowledge of Pinellas and steady hand already has brought stability and clear direction to county government. And the yearslong battle over the future of the county EMS system has been resolved at least temporarily.

Familiar challenges remain. Finding a way forward on transit should be a top priority following the crushing defeat of Greenlight Pinellas, and the commission should not be timid in its approach. Decisions loom about spending resort tax money that will be available when Tropicana Field bonds are paid off next year. The commission eventually will have to confront questions about a new baseball stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays, along with renewing the county's commitment to caring for the homeless and investing in affordable housing. Providing adequate health care for low-income residents, reinvesting in the arts and continuing to grow the economy in general and tourism in particular should remain on the radar.

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This Pinellas commission and administration have the potential to steer the county in a progressive direction with a mix of vision and fiscal responsibility that could pay off for decades. That will require the right blend of consensus-building, leadership — and taking the tough votes when the situation demands it.