14 Years of Helping Her Neighbors in East Tampa

Where I Stand on the Issues

Chloe Coney talks to supporters at
announcement of candidacy

Our Environment Belongs to Our Children

Just as we protect our homes, we must protect the environment. It's not just about saving native birds and animals. Pollution in the wetlands or tributaries upstream of our water supplies will force us to pay a higher price for clean water at our kitchen sinks.

As your County Commissioner, I will insist that industries and developers play by the rules. We can not allow industrial waste to run into our water supplies or allow development to hurt protected lands.

Growth is Good, But Must Be Guided

I believe in smart growth. Growth is what allows our neighbors to start new business and provide new jobs. Growth is what increases the tax base so that each of us pays a smaller share for things like library books.

But uncontrolled growth, like children without parents, is not good. New housing developments must pay a larger share of the cost of creating new communities.

I also believe that growth must occur in the core neighborhoods as well as in the outskirts. Growth in the center is less demanding of our tax resources, hurts the environment less and creates jobs where people already are.

Give Our Children a Chance

I want youth development programs in more neighborhoods. The East Tampa Learning Acdademy is an example of helping our students go from making Ds and Fs to As and Bs. The 100 Youth Leadership Program (formerly The Youth Opportunity Program) has provided more than 100 youths a path to college instead of a ticket to jail. These programs will work in any neighborhood, and I want to make that happen.

Housing That is Affordable for Everyone

I want more people in Hillsborough County to achieve the American dream of owning their own home. Affordable housing is a concern for almost everyone, but it is especially a problem for for low and moderate income residents. In East Tampa, using limited finances and a lot of education about home buying, budgeting and work skills, we made it possible for 18 families to buy homes. I want to make that happen in every neighborhood.

Safe Neighborhoods

Reducing crime and making our streets safe is a top priority so our neighborhoods and schools work as they should. Developers want to invest in District 3. But unless residents and business owners of District 3 feel safe, developers will go elsewhere.

Development makes it possible for businesses to flourish and create new jobs. With good jobs, men and women can take care of their families. Good jobs create wealth and deter crime.

More Buses in Our Poorer Neighborhoods

In East Tampa, my organization helped people learn new job skills. We helped them find new jobs. But too often, they didn't get to work because they couldn't afford cars. And buses didn't go where they wanted to go at the times they had to work.

We can't have people who are willing and able to work and have job offers go without income because of a bus schedule.

Other parts of the country are finding innovative ways to expand public transportation where it is needed most. They use mini-vans, flexible bus schedules, subsidized car pools. We should apply the best solutions here.

Healthcare is an Issue for Everyone

I will work hard to keep the Hillsborough County Indigent Health Care Plan that helps uninsured attain Health Insurance. With no health insurance, many of our residents use hospital emergency rooms as a last resort, putting a strain on hospitals and staffs.

Why You Should Vote for Me

When I'm elected as your District 3 County Commissioner, I will hold the county government responsible for meeting the needs of the residents of District 3.

I think government has a duty and responsibility to improve the quality of life for the residents who live in District 3.

I think District 3 should be served by a person who has demonstrated proven leadership with measurable results.

I have been a voice in my community of East Tampa, and now I want to be a voice in all neighborhoods in District 3. I am "A Proven Leader Of Change - You Can Hang Your Hat on Chloe Coney". I have worked day after day in East Tampa to make it a better place to live, work and raise a family. When I'm elected as Hillsborough Commissioner District 3, I will work with the same passion and dedication for all the residents of District 3.

My Experience as A Proven Leader of Change

It has been a privilege and honor to be the Founder and CEO of the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa Inc. (CDC) for the past 14 years. I helped bring $30 million of new development into East Tampa, one of the poorest of the poorest neighborhoods.

Under my leadership, an old boarded up laundromat was changed into the new Nehemiah Laundromat, the old Rabbit Foot Bar changed into the The Audrey Spotford Youth and Family Center, and a vacant lot changed into the 29th Street Open Air Market. What some people would consider as trash, I saw as treasure.

I not only erected buildings. My organization invested in people also, through job skills education, youth development programs, home ownership and budgeting classes.

I will draw on my experience and successes in East Tampa to replicate our best programs into other neighborhoods of District 3. I am "A Proven Leader Of Change - You Can Hang Your Hat on Chloe Coney".