St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman took a jab at one of his predecessors during a recent interview on the SPF 15 podcast.
“I served on City Council from 2000 to 2006 and that was kind of a period of time that was described as … our first real Renaissance,” Kriseman said.
He was asked how the city is “managing this growth in a considerate manner.” Kriseman’s answer in a nutshell: We weren’t, but now we are.
The dig is directed at former Mayor Rick Baker who served from 2001 until 2010.
“There was a lot of excitement and celebration over the growth but there wasn’t planning done to address the byproducts of that growth,” Kriseman said never actually mentioning Baker’s name.
He said that during Baker’s administration there wasn’t enough planning for infrastructure needs or public safety.
“Because of it, it sets us back,” Kriseman said. “The city just didn’t seem to be prepared for the growth – we were just living on the positive vibes.”
That’s something Kriseman said he’s changed. He said even though it’s not “sexy” to budget things like new sewer pipes or other infrastructure needs, “you gotta do it.”
“What we do today has to be sustainable,” Kriseman said. “We’ve got to do long-term planning.”
Kriseman also weighed in on a number of other issues during the 30-minute interview released Monday. Topics ranged from education improvements and Southside revitalization to touting developing districts like Warehouse Arts and Skyway Marina.
Listeners also learned that Kriseman has zero aspirations for running for president of the United States and that he’d rather have Donald Trump’s hair for a year than his immigration policies.
He also said he wants to change the culture both inside and out of City Hall.
“Inside, government has a culture of no,” Kriseman said. “I don’t want to hear no. That shouldn’t be the first answer out of your mouth. Find a way to make it happen. Only after you’ve exhausted your attempts is it OK to say no.”
Outside of City Hall Kriseman said he wants to break down what he described as a historic division along Central Avenue.
“If I haven’t succeeded in changing the perceptions of life south of St. Pete and truly created that city of opportunity, than I don’t feel like I’ve truly done my job,” Kriseman said.
Kriseman also admitted his favorite comfort food is fried chicken, though he avoids eating it, and his first band appearance, should the singing Mayor start looking for gigs, would be at Jannus Live.
And in case anyone is wondering, Kriseman’s favorite curse word is “schmuck.”
