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Tallahassee, FL – Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor announced Wednesday he'll be supporting businessman Steve Stewart in his campaign against Tallahassee Mayor John Marks. As Margie Menzel reports, Proctor is pointing to high utility bills that the poor in his district can't pay as the basis for his decision.
"And finally, I propose that we give relief to those on fixed incomes from the electric rates that threaten their survival on a monthly basis." ["Yes! Yes! Amen!"]
Stewart was a hit with the crowd on Americana Street, a road full of potholes in a trailer park near Four Points, south of town.
"It is time for this mayoral race to come to the south side," he said. "Today, here, at 110 Americana Drive, I challenge Mayor Marks to come down to the south side. Not to pander for votes. Not to give speeches. But to debate the issues that are important to this community. It is time for the mayor to let the south side know where he stands on my proposals that will clearly benefit the citizens of Tallahassee."
Stewart and Proctor are calling for a citizens' authority on utility rates to provide an independent review. Stewart also said Wednesday he favors a 20 percent cut in city utility costs for those on fixed incomes. Proctor, who like Marks is up for re-election, said the mayor has ignored the south side, which Proctor represents.
"Our mayor, the sitting mayor - and that's a good title, a sitting mayor - cause he's certainly not a stand-up mayor," Proctor said to cries of "Right! Right! I know that's right!" "And what we need, we don't need a sitting mayor. We need a mayor who will stand up, empathize, with struggles here."
Marks - who's been endorsed by the Tallahassee Democrat - wouldn't comment on Proctor's statements or Stewart's policy proposals, but said he'll put out a statement. Proctor and Stewart's event also drew Erwin Jackson, who's running for City Commission Seat 5 against Gil Ziffer, and Nick Maddox, a candidate for the county commission at-large seat held by Cliff Thaell. And it drew Americana Street residents brandishing their utility bills. Angela McBride, who hosted the gathering, had a bill of $348 dollars for a trailer that rents for $300.
"I hope God above, you all will help me out with this struggle, and I will do all I can to help more people with their struggles," said McBride.
The city has some programs to help residents with utilities costs. It offers a free energy audit and multiple grants and rebates for repairs and greater energy efficiency. The Good Neighbor Program allows city utility customers to donate to the Capital Area Community Action Agency, to help low-income seniors over 65, low-income families with children under five, and people with disabilities living independently. Stewart - who has degrees in electrical engineering and public policy - acknowledged that trailers aren't very energy efficient, which could partly account for the high utility bills.
"Obviously, they are inefficient, but I think that the city should pay attention to that," he said. "We are milking money out of these people and not paying attention to that. If you go back and look, we have a Smart Meter, [for] which we paid $36 million, hooked up to one of the most inefficient places to live. And it's not benefiting it. So why can't we take that money and do something here to help her with her electric bill, by either making it more efficient or lowering the bill?"
A Tallahassee Voices poll out Wednesday showed Stewart beating Marks and Proctor losing to businessman Corri Byrne. The press event on Americana Street ended when a neighbor fainted in the heat, and an ambulance was called.