Below we’re sharing an email to the St. Petersburg City Council and the Pinellas County Board of Commissioners from a local citizen, Jeremy Tollberg. Based on conversations with many residents, I think it expresses the feelings of many people.
The Council Members and the Commissioners need to hear from us. Please use this link to send them your thoughts. We need hundreds of emails. We will aggregate them and send them to be sure your voice is heard. But we need your help.
Here is Jeremy’s letter:
Dear St. Petersburg City Council Members,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my concerns regarding the recent decision to fund a luxury stadium complex for a private corporation, especially in light of the recent storms that have severely impacted our community.
The plan to allocate over $1.6 billion for a stadium has raised significant concerns among residents. Many of us are troubled by the potential neglect of critical city infrastructure, the unsustainable levels of new debt, and the lack of adequate disaster preparedness. I recent storms have highlighted the urgent need for robust infrastructure to protect our community from future disasters.
On September 26, 2024, our city was hit by a devastating storm, followed by another just 13 days later. These events have caused extensive damage to our water, sewage, and road systems. The cost of repairs is expected to be substantial, and many residents are struggling with the loss of their homes and belongings. The long-term effects on our community could be severe.
Given these circumstances, it is crucial that we prioritize investments in essential infrastructure over funding a new stadium. Upgrading our water systems, sewer systems, stormwater systems, seawalls, and drainage systems is vital to safeguarding our community. Additionally, we need to ensure that our beaches are regularly re-nourished to protect our economy and tourism industry.
While the idea of a new stadium may have seemed reasonable in the past, the current situation demands a reevaluation of our priorities. There is no evidence that funding a stadium will provide significant benefits to the community. In contrast, investing in hurricane preparedness and infrastructure improvements will protect our future and ensure the well-being of St. Pete residents.
Furthermore, recent storms have exposed vulnerabilities in our hospitals, putting them at risk of losing essential services. We must upgrade wastewater plants to withstand storm surges and develop comprehensive plans to prevent flooding in vulnerable areas.
Before moving forward with the stadium project, I urge the City Council to conduct a thorough analysis of our infrastructure needs and gather concrete data and recommendations. This will allow us to develop a comprehensive plan for waste management and stormwater systems. It is essential that we prioritize the safety and welfare of our community above all else.
I also encourage the county to conduct a detailed analysis of the funds needed for our beaches, both now and in the event of future storms. We cannot afford another round of catastrophic flooding or the loss of our beaches.
The time for debate is over. The St. Pete City Council and the Pinellas County Commission must take decisive action to protect our community from the increasing threat of hurricanes. Our future depends on it.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.
