John Morroni, Pinellas County Commissioner – Guest Speaker – “Guns or Butter”

John Morroni, Pinellas County Commissioner was the club’s guest speaker on Tuesday, January 27, 2004. Commissioner Morroni touched on several county issues under review including an expensive paper receipts capability for touch screen voting, an increased gas tax of 6 cents a gallon, the current fireworks ban and fluorination of all county water by June 1, 2004.

But the Commissioner’s main focused and concern was on the controversy between the Airport vs. non-Airport factions.  Opponents to the continuation and expansion of the St. Pete / Clearwater Airport cite environmental pollution, in particular noise levels and the Airport’s displacement of resident’s space as a deterrent to remaining in town . They also suggest that the Airport need not become an International facility in competition with Tampa.

However, John, in his presentation did clarified a few facts, noting that the first ticket for air travel was sold by the St Petersburg – Tampa line to a fair paying passenger.

  This historic event on January 1, 1914, marked the beginning of commercial air transportation, anywhere in the world, and is commemorated by a plaque at St. Petersburg- Clearwater International Airport's terminal building. Construction of the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport at its present site started in March 1941 many years before any major residential development ever began. Additionally, the Airport has been an International facility for many decades. 

In effect, most Airport functionality was already in place long before residents acquired home sites in the area. John noted that it really comes down to a Noise Pollution or Higher Taxes situation. Why?

 The economic future of the whole county rests on attracting to Pinellas, bigger companies with a larger taxable basis.  Real Estate acquisitions, corporate functions, higher paid employees collectively drive the county’s revenue stream upward.  Absent that industrial growth, the county will predictably experience a tax shortfall and a financial crisis.  The major ingredient in getting and keeping industry in the county is the St. Pete/Clearwater Airport.  Bottom line, accept the environmental issues or endure tax increases and the ultimate reduction of spend able income. Simply put, it is analogous to a “Guns or Butter” type decision.