City Commissioner Tom Dugard's First 100 Days

David Shelor, club president, introduced the speaker, City Commissioner Tom Dugard.

Tom's Journey to City Commissioner

Tom discussed his journey from a career in healthcare to nonprofit work, eventually becoming a city commissioner in Dunedin. He credited Tom Anderson, a past mayor and state representative, for encouraging him to run for the position. Tom shared his experiences with the campaign, including the challenges of filing a Treasury report and raising funds. He expressed gratitude to his assistant treasurer, John Freeborn, and the 22 individuals who contributed to his campaign.

Tom's Political Campaign Strategy

Tom discussed his experience running for office, highlighting the importance of learning and adapting throughout the process. He mentioned the support he received from various individuals, including Tom Anderson, John Freeborn, and Julie Scales. Tom also shared his strategy of conducting a community survey using a software package called Webelect, which provided him with 12,000 voter email addresses. This allowed him to gauge his chances of winning against his opponent, who was well-known in the downtown community.

Petition Process and Campaign Challenges

Tom describes his experience running for office, focusing on the petition process and campaign challenges. He explains that candidates need to collect a certain number of petition signatures to qualify for the ballot, which he found more difficult than expected. Tom then discusses the process of door-to-door campaigning and the unpredictable nature of these interactions. He also mentions the importance of the town clerk's role in verifying petition signatures and the tension of waiting to see if one qualifies. Finally, Tom touches on the concept of "sign wars" in political campaigns, where candidates repeatedly put up and take down campaign signs.

Tom's Successful Campaign Strategy

Tom discussed his campaign strategy for running for office in a city of 36,000 people. He focused on placing signs in major thoroughfares, which proved a cost-effective and successful strategy. He also highlighted the importance of a candidate forum, which he used to his advantage by encouraging people to attend and watch the event. Tom emphasized the value of survey data, which helped him gauge his campaign's progress and make necessary adjustments. He also shared his strategy of knocking on doors and distributing palm cards with the forum's address, significantly increasing website hits. Tom's campaign ultimately won by a margin of 1,700 votes, which he attributed to his data-driven approach and strategic decisions.

Tom's Election Process and Legal Concerns

Tom discussed his experience with the election process, including the challenges of managing his expectations and the psychological impact of the outcome. He shared his initial doubts about winning, despite being ahead in the votes, and how the gap widened as more votes were counted. Tom also mentioned the importance of meeting with a lawyer after the election concerning the state's Sunshine laws, as he was now a public figure and could face legal issues if he spoke out of turn.

City Commission Issues and Projects

Tom provides an overview of various issues facing the city commission. He discusses the downtown parking garage project, which may not happen due to potential changes in state legislation. The Skinner Boulevard project is expected to be completed by March next year. An affordable housing project with 78 units on Main Street has been approved. The city faces budget challenges in an uncertain economy, with concerns about Canadian visitors potentially not returning in the same numbers. Tom also mentions issues with FEMA, substantial damage letters, stormwater management, and the marina renovation. He touches on the status of Honeymoon Island, the new water park project, pickleball courts, and the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Golf Club. Tom emphasizes that commissioners don't directly control city operations and rely on the city manager to handle issues.