Ward 1 Candidate Question of the Week: Community Service

Voters will head to the polls on March 13 to decide who will represent them as Gulfport City Council Member for Wards 1 and 3.

To help inform the community, Patch will publish a City Council Candidate Question of the Week for both Wards.

Below, you will find the answers for the Ward 1 Candidates: David Hastings and Dan Liedtke.

Gulfport Patch Question of the Week: How have you given back to the community?

Dan Liedtke

"There are several areas where I have and continue to give back to the community. Currently, I am serving on the boards of two different community associations. Since joining these boards I have initiated and supervised the addition of over a half-mile of brick paver sidewalk, a comprehensive street sign replacement project, all asphalt roadway re-sealing, street lighting upgrades and other various improvements within the community. I also engaged Pinellas County Environmental Services on the removal of non-native Brazilian Pepper Trees that were invading and rescinding Mangroves.

Finally, in an unenthusiastic atmosphere I was also able to initiate and push through various contract modifications for landscaping and security services saving my community over $40,000 annually.  These cost saving contract modifications actually resulted in additional services for the landscaping. The security service offerings remained the same.

Since 2008, I have also been giving back to the community as a member of a philanthropic organization that donates over $50,000 each year to local charities. This organization was formed in the late 1950’s and has given over $2 million to local charities since its inception. This year’s charities include St. Petersburg Free Clinic, 1st. Tee St. Petersburg, Children’s Dream Fund, R’Club Child Care and All Children’s Hospital.  

Pasadena Community Church is another area where I enjoy giving back to the community. From serving on church councils to helping out with special events, there is always a need for volunteers in the church. If you are looking for a church to call home or a great place to volunteer I hope you will visit Pasadena Community Church.

Giving others your time brings interesting and challenging opportunities that might not come along otherwise. Gaining skills, knowledge and expertise are common side effects of volunteering. If you are looking to develop and grow as a person, volunteering is an excellent way to explore your likes and dislikes and gain a new perspective on life. We all can make a difference in this community if we explore our interests through volunteering."   

David Hastings

"Since moving my CPA practice to Gulfport some 13 years ago, I have been the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountant's High School Coordinator for our local high school, Boca Ciega and each year I address their students on the benefits of continuing their education and possibly considering the accounting profession;

For the past 11 years I have participated in the Great American Teach-In at Boca Ciega and have devoted the entire day each year to that worthy cause; 

Before being elected to City Council in 2010 I spent 9 years volunteering on the Cities' Employee Pension Plan Committee and the Planning and Zoning Board with the last 4 or 5 years simultaneously serving on both;

I served as the Treasurer on PYCC's Master Association Board of Directors for 4 years and have served as it's elected President for the last 8 years;

I created a Free Oral Cancer Screening in the City by developing co sponsorships from our City, Walgreens, the Oral Cancer Foundation and local dentists. In April of this year we will conduct our 3rd free screening. Over the years we have referred many residents on to seek potentially life saving advanced examinations;

I serve as the California based Oral Cancer Foundation's Senior Patient Advocate and have helped many Gulfport residents with their oral cancer experience. I daily have contact with oral cancer patients worldwide and have testified before the Florida legislature and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in this capacity;

I regularly volunteer and participate at all community clean-ups and all other City events; 

I serve on Boca Ciega's newly formed Project Lead the Way Advisory Board at the request of it's Principal where we set and monitor a newly created Engineering curriculum with the goal of making Boca Ciega a destination engineering high school and graduating engineering students that can compare nationally with other such high school programs;

I have assisted without charge the Gulfport Little League and the Gulfport Historical Society in numerous tax and accounting issues;

My wife and I regularly donate to the Gulfport Little League, including sponsoring teams;

I regularly provide pro bono elder care tax and financial services to our residents;

I sponsored an Ordinance that was unanimously approved by City Council that provides a tobacco free environment at our playgrounds, Skate Park, Little League field, parks and beach where children play; and

My wife and I have for the past 14 years sponsored year long fund raising for Save Our Strays and the Gulfport Vet and seasonal food and cash donation drives for St Vincent de Paul. We are both huge animal lovers and have adopted many local cats and dogs currently providing a home and love to 16 cats, 3 dogs, 2 rabbits and 10 ducks between our home and my Mother-In Law's. And all animals were either local strays or rescues"

My wife and I have assisted in the planning of and donated food and beverages for the American Cancer Society's Cancer Walk for Life held in Gulfport every year;   While on Council I initiated the request to change FEMA's Gulfport's flood zone map which will save our residents millions of dollars in annual flood insurance. Awaiting the final approval from FEMA any day;

I believe in serving the community that I live and work in and I do so without hesitation. I also believe in assisting our elderly and those in need of help in any way I can."