By Brian McBride
Associate Editor

A proposed 1 percent sales tax, the Vine Street redevelopment project and crime statistics were just some issues fired at a Kissimmee City Commission seat 2 and 4 candidate debate Aug. 6 at the Kissimmee Civic Center.

Mud was not on the menu at the Breakfast of Champions debate hosted by the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce as the candidates chose to keep it civil as they answered questions asked by a local media panel.

Candidates were given one minute to make an opening pitch to residents on why they should be elected. Fisher, an Osceola County School District utility manager who was not at the debate due to a family commitment, was interviewed by the News-Gazette after the debate and asked the same questions.

Fresh off a joint meeting with the Osceola County Commission, candidates were asked if they supported the 1 percent sales tax to fund transportation projects that the commission recently voted to put on the Nov. 2 ballot. If approved by a simple majority of voters, it would go into effect Jan. 1 and run through the end of December 2025.

Most shot it down immediately, saying taxpayers didn't need another burden. But some wanted to study the issue further, such as Van Meter, former city commissioner. She said with property values falling, hence less revenue coming into the county, it might be what's needed to provide the necessary services to residents.

“It's a tough question,” she said. “Nobody wants to pay more taxes.”

Grieb, a local Realtor, said that transportation was the key for future development, but the tax would fail if voters didn't see the advantage to it.

“I think we need to do a better job of showing the benefits to the citizens,” she said.

Fisher said the tax increase should only last for several years and then be re-evaluated.

“That's a bitter pill to swallow,” he said.

With the city of Kissimmee seeing a 3 percent increase in crime reported last year, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement reports, did candidates see that as a real problem?

Rentas, a South Florida Water Management District business management analyst and political newcomer, said as a victim of crime in 2005, it's not a good situation “when you see a gun pointed in your face.”

She stressed that the city must maintain police force numbers.

Irizarry, who was removed from the City Commission this year by Gov. Charlie Crist after being arrested for aggravated assault stemming from a confrontation with his wife, said while overall it was a 3 percent increase, the numbers were down some in the more serious crime categories. He was elected in 2006.

“I would do everything like I did in the past four years to try not to cut services not related to the police department,” Irizarry said.

In the seat 4 race, Miranda, a tax preparer, said police need to pay attention more to north Kissimmee, such as McLaren Circle.

“We need more police presence in the city of Kissimmee,” he said.

Both Fisher and Van Meter said more community outreach, such as officers patrolling on bicycles, might help.

The city is currently planning the redevelopment of Vine Street to help improve aesthetics and lure new businesses and create jobs. Candidates were quizzed on how to best execute that plan.

Cortes, a retired New York police officer, said the city needs to consult with local businesses.

“Let's do something now,” he said. “We need it (redevelopment) now. We need it yesterday. Let's go out and ask them what they need.”

Rentas and Smith, a semi-retired businessman, said the city should give businesses some type of incentive.

Fisher said lowering utility bills could be used as bait.

“Lowering utility bills is going to help all of us but especially businesses coming in,” he said.

Van Meter said it would likely take years because right now was a bad time to try to raise money for the project.

“That's (redevelopment) not the most important thing, protecting our citizens is the most important place to put our money,” she said.

Building higher buildings would help accommodate residential, commercial and office use and bring jobs, Grieb said. Plus, establishing community redevelopment agencies for Vine Street and North Orange Blossom Trail would enhance the area.

“That's how downtown (Kissimmee) got to be where it is today,” Grieb said.

The city is currently seeking vendors to install red light running cameras after it was approved by the Florida Legislature. All candidates supported using the devices to catch violators.

“We can't have our police officers at every traffic light all the time and it (cameras) shows hands down to reduce traffic accidents and red light running,” Smith said.

The primary will be Aug. 24, which will settle the seat 4 race. Unless a candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote in seat 2, it will go to a runoff Nov. 2.