TOWN ‘N’ COUNTRY — About three dozen residents pressed eight candidates on flooding, traffic and property taxes at a town hall here July 14, but the two incumbents they most wanted to hear from weren’t in the room.
The Town ‘N’ Country Civic Association, which represents a few thousand homes in the ZIP code, folded the forum into its general meeting at the Town ‘N’ Country Regional Library. Five candidates for the state House District 64 seat and three seeking county commission seats each got a few minutes to introduce themselves, then answered four pre-written questions from residents.
Onstage for the House seat were John Rodriguez, Luis Salazar and Mike Suarez, all Democrats, and Republicans Dan Weldon and Angel Ramos.
On the county commission side, District 5 candidate Neil Manimala took questions unopposed. Incumbent Commissioner Donna Cameron Cepeda did not attend, and Hillsborough County School Board member Stacy Hahn, a Republican also running in District 5, had a board meeting conflict. District 7 candidates Cindy Stuart and Aileen Rodriguez, both Democrats seeking to unseat incumbent Republican Commissioner Joshua Wostal, also fielded questions. Wostal did not attend.
In a statement to the Beacon, the Civic Association said it had “received a written commitment from the Cepeda campaign that she would appear at the July 14 forum. However, at 4:30 p.m., on the day of the event, Cepeda campaign manager Desirae Crowe informed us by text message that Commissioner Cepeda would not be coming.”
The association said Wostal had given a verbal commitment but backed out in a call July 10.
State Sen. Brian Nathan, who represents District 14, attended but did not take part.
Flooding drew the sharpest questions. Residents wanted to know why, two years after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the neighborhood still has no fix. They also asked why some local roads have gone unrepaved.
Housing came up nearly as often. Several residents said single-family homes are being carved into apartments, creating what one called “slums.” Another said a nearby park has fallen into disrepair, with no penalties for people breaking the rules there.
Stuart, a former Hillsborough County clerk of court, said the neighborhood has a code enforcement problem and that, if elected, she would be the person to call about it.
On property taxes, most of the House candidates pointed to Amendment 3, which goes before voters this fall. The measure would overhaul the state’s property tax system, and if 60% of voters approve, it would increase homestead exemptions, cap assessment increases on non-homestead properties and limit local government spending. Some said the fix has to come from Tallahassee. Others said residents need to keep pressing local officials — and keep at it.
Education and health care surfaced repeatedly. One resident asked why nearby Leto High School’s trade programs have shifted to Tampa Bay Tech. Another asked why more apprenticeships and workforce programs aren’t available to teenagers.
Homeowners insurance and animal services also came up. After one resident raised the stray cat population in Town ‘N’ Country, several candidates said they would work with rescues and advocates to find funding.
The Civic Association plans a second candidate forum Oct. 20 at the Jackson Springs Community Center. Any qualified candidate is welcome.