Open letter from former Mayor Baker

Former State Representative Wengay Newton and former Mayor Rick Baker

Dear Fellow St. Petersburg Residents,

Recently, a very hate-filled column by a Ken Welch supporter appeared in The Weekly Challenger, attacking me for supporting Wengay Newton.

To make it clear, I do believe Wengay Newton would be a great mayor.

Wengay has the heart, judgment, and passion for leading our city.

During my years as mayor, from 2001 to 2010, I had the opportunity to observe many city council members and other elected leaders.

Wengay stood out as a leader who did his homework, analyzed the issues, and consistently made decisions based on what was best for the people of St. Petersburg, not his personal benefit, political partisanship or special interest groups, or supporters.

Wengay also has the courage to oppose bad ideas, like when he voted against Mayor Kriseman’s misguided decision to close one of our four sewage plants – followed by dumping millions of gallons of partially treated sewage into our environment – also followed by significant increases in the water/sewer bills that have landed in your mailbox.

Wengay has a special heart for the underserved people in Midtown and Childs Park.

Enclosed you can see a partial list of our efforts in Midtown and Childs Park during my term, led by our great Deputy Mayor Goliath Davis.

Imagine the immense help that came to people in our community when we built the medical clinic that provides care whether you can pay or not, the college campus and job corps training center that provides hope for better employment, and the athletic fields/libraries/Boys and Girls Club/YMCA/Doorways College Scholarships and other efforts that provide direct support and guidance to our youth.

There was no greater supporter of these initiatives than Wengay Newton.  

My dad used to say to me that if you want to know what a man will do, don’t listen to his words.  Look at what he has done.

Wengay Newton has been in the trenches fighting for you – I have seen it first-hand.  He will do it for you as mayor too.

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, Aug. 24!

Rick Baker

St. Petersburg Mayor, 2001-2010

Paid electioneering Communication Paid for by Suncoast Better Government Committee Post Office Box 20252 St. Petersburg, FL 33742

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