Gulfport Mayoral Candidates Weigh in on Multi-Cultural Programs

Welcome to our weekly series, "Candidate Question of the Week," on Gulfport Patch. We will be asking Sam Henderson, current Vice Mayor, and Bob Worthington, former City Councilor, a question each week until the City Elections on Tuesday, March 12, 2013.

Both men are vying for your votes for Gulfport Mayor. Below are their responses to our third question of the week.

This question was added in the comment section below a previous "Question of the Week" by a Gulfport reader.

Q #5: "What would the candidates do to encourage a more integrated approach to activities in the community focusing on inter-generational and multi-cultural programming?"

Bob Worthington

"As Mayor, I would work with public/private sector as well as other local, county, State and Federal government agencies to see that Gulfport is receiving its fair share of grants. I believe, at this time, our City staff is doing a good job in searching for grants and other forms of assistance to help the Citizens we serve. From baby cradle to the end of life, we have Tot Time programs at our Recreation Center to our first class Senior Center and GEMS programs. Our programs run the gamete of programs offered to all ages of citizens of our City.  From multi-cultural to multi-generational events, Gulfport covers them all, and I would continue this proud tradition of inclusivity in the city of Gulfport. I believe that Gulfport it truly a community for a lifetime!

If anyone wants to find activities and events that the City of Gulfport is sponsoring or supporting, please visit www.mygulfport.us or referrer to the Gulfport Gabber where this information is published each week."

Sam Henderson

"First of all, I feel that the majority of our events are accessible to a broad segment of our population, both culturally and generationally. From our programs at the Senior Center and Recreation center, to events focusing on art and music, to our large-scale street events, there is truly something for nearly everyone in our annual event calendar. What I have done to encourage this is support, and try to improve on, the existing events (adding the waterski show to our hundredth anniversary celebration, reducing event contracting of vendors that compete with local businesses, booking a wider variety of musical acts, etc.). Additionally I supported the return of our holiday decorations to Clymer Park that represents multiple faiths. Personally, my favorite contribution with regards to wide participant accessibility is the Keep Gulfport Weird Mini Triathlon, which had its 2nd annual happening this past October. The event is designed to allow participants of all ages and physical conditions to do the three components of a real triathlon without a focus on winning, but rather participating in your own way, creatively, in your own time and with reduced distances to cover. We have had participants ranging from elementary school students to retired folks, people riding 3-wheel bikes and floating the bay in inner tubes, and it is more about showing your true colors and having fun with fellow participants than trying to beat a clock. The event route also connects north and south Gulfport, and was made possible by multiple city departments and a diverse cross-section of participants and volunteers (including my wife Laura who helped me develop the idea). I also have the support of city staff and council to begin showing classic Florida movies at the Hickman Theatre, and this will be starting very soon. Gulfport already encourages diversity, I want to continue to foster that through creative events and an open door to our community."

For More Information:

The municipal elections are on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. The mayor serves a three-year term. The voter registration deadline was Monday, February 11, 2013 for the next city elections.

For more information on how to register visit the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections website.

Both candidates have set up Facebook Pages; here are the links:

• Sam Henderson for Mayor of Gulfport FL
• Bob Worthington for Mayor of Gulfport, Florida

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Do you want to submit a question for consideration in a future post? Email the Editor at Cherlene.Willis@patch.com.