Candidates
James Scott
James Scott has led sustainability and community initiatives in St. Petersburg since his arrival in 2008. A graduate of University of South Florida St. Petersburg’s Environmental Science and Policy program, Scott established the State of Florida’s first student-led clean energy fund, secured USFSP’s commitment to carbon-neutrality, and led the net-zero energy parking garage project that was largely funded by a $1 million SunSense grant from Duke Energy. As the Student Body President, Scott’s successes included securing funds for the construction of the University Student Center, bringing the first student health services facility to campus, and establishing USFSP student representation on the USF Board of Trustees.
| Candidate Answers & Information | |
| Hometown (City & State): | Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Years in St. Petersburg: | 9.5 |
| Years in District (Council candidates): | 8.5 |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| No. of Children + Ages: | N/A |
| Organizational Endorsements: | Sam Henderson, Mayor of Gulfport |
| Occupation: | Sustainability Consultant, Sierra Club |
| Current & Prior Career Positions: | Sustainability Analyst, USF St. Petersburg |
| Education: | Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Environmental Science and Policy, USF St. Petersburg, 2014 |
| Community Service/Leadership Roles: | Student Government Senate President, USFSP, 2008-2009 AND 2016
Student Government President, USFSP, 2010-2011 Vice Chair, St. Petersburg Sustainability Council, 2015 Voting Member, Suncoast Sierra Club Executive Committee, 2016-Present |
| Organizational Affiliations: | Sierra Club |
| Priorities if Elected: | Education & Jobs
I am committed to expanding access to education, training and apprenticeships. Workforce development should be an integrated system that starts with young children and ends with retirees. Clean Energy & Water I am committed to investing in modernizing our aging sewer system and expanding access to affordable clean energy. My background in environmental science and energy leave me convinced that these are smart investments in our city’s future and a competitive economy in the long term will depend on our embrace of these initiatives. Affordable Housing I am committed to increasing access to affordable housing. For new major developments, contributing to the city’s affordable housing stock ought to be a cost of doing business in our community, because driving greater public and private investment into affordable housing is essential to maintaining our city’s character and expanding economic opportunity. |
| Email: | james@votejamesscott.com |
| Telephone Number: | 386-481-7179 |
| Website: | votejamesscott.com |
| Facebook page: | facebook.com/votejamesscott |
| Instagram page: | jamesscottstpete |
| Agree & will support | Disagree & will not support | Agree in principal; suggest changes | Disagree but open to discuss | Don’t know enough; willing to learn | Other Thoughts | |
| The 2020 Plan to reduce poverty by 30% in South St. Petersburg by 2020 |
X |
This is community-driven, so I am inclined to support it. | ||||
| Collective Empowerment Group Comprehensive Plan for Economic Growth & Wealth Building |
X |
This is community-driven, so I am inclined to support it. | ||||
| People’s Budget Review
New Deal Economic Growth Policies & Initiatives |
X |
This is community-driven, so I am inclined to support it. | ||||
| Continued use of South St. Petersburg CRA funding for workforce & business development |
X |
This initiative will take time to work out the kinks – but generally speaking it is a key tool, and I believe there is enough community support to justify maintaining its course. | ||||
| Social Impact Bond structure to increase investments in programs to increase employment & income in community |
X |
Innovative tool! | ||||
| Universal Community Benefit Agreement Policy of targeting contracts and jobs to community workers and firms, for all city-supported development projects |
X |
Also a good idea, but I’m not certain ALL projects should qualify (i.e. small project might get bogged down unnecessarily) | ||||
| Concerned Organizations for Quality Education for Black Students (COQEBS) on-going push for school district policies, programs & investments to close the achievement gap for black students |
X |
This is community-driven, so I am inclined to support it. |
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