Meet The Candidate: Richard “Rick” Blake

Bio:

Rick Blake was born in Clearwater, grew up in Dunedin, and after moving here at age 13, he has spent most of his life In Safety Harbor. After attending Countryside High School and Samford University, he lived and worked overseas for a few years before moving back to Pinellas County. 

Upon returning to the US, Blake settled back in his hometown of Clearwater before moving to Safety Harbor two years ago. He currently runs the Blake Real Estate team, a division of the RE/MAX corporation, and he serves on both the Safety Harbor Planning & Zoning Board as well as the waterfront park committee. 

It was his involvement with those organizations that led Blake to run for the open commission seat, a position he feels is a natural extension of his involvement in the community. 

“I had no political aspirations, but everything I had been doing coincided with what the commission is doing, so I decided to get more involved,” the 34-year-old father-to-be said. “It was a natural progression.” 

Plans For Safety Harbor

Being a real estate agent, a businessman and a longtime resident of Safety Harbor has given Blake a unique perspective on many of the issues that are affecting the city today. 

He believes Safety Harbor is a special community with many facets and needs, and he understands is populated with strong-minded residents who want to make sure its elected officials make decisions with the best interests of the city in mind. 

“People in this community love and care about each other. That’s what makes it so great,” he admitted. 

Here is where Blake stands on some key issues facing the city right now. 

-Firmenich Property Proposal

“I think the key word to that project is balance. We need to consider the tangential properties and neighborhoods in that area, and take their privacy into consideration.” 

“I’m not opposed to bringing 296 families into the area, as long as its done properly, by maximizing the greenspace, maximizing the buffer area, and concentrating on something that’s architecturally appealing.” 

“I think the city has done a good job up to this date of working with the developer. But the city needs to provide more guidance…to make sure we don’t lose this opportunity to bring 296 families to Safety Harbor.” 

-Downtown Development

“I’d like to see a diversity of businesses come here. The more diverse, the more people will come to visit this area.”

“I’d like to see the businesses that are here be more proactive, by staying open longer and having more regular hours. We need owners who want to succeed and put in the work. Those that do will be successful” 

-Waterfront Park

“Being on the board, I don’t have a specific stance. The City is obligated to present what is available and come up with a master plan for what is going to go on down there.” 

“Personally, I’d like to see a nice, large park that’s used for a lot of recreational activities. As for the 10% or so that’s available for commercial use, I’d like to see the city hold on and see what’s out there for a revenue source.” 

“We’ve got to think of ways for the city to make money. Anything from a open market to a restaurant or store with a land lease. Commercial doesn’t have to mean a shopping mall.

-Bishop Creek/Stormwater Damage

“The city needed to raise the (stormwater) fee in order to manage things properly. No one could have known what this year was going to bring as far as rainfall. We need to build the infrastructure and maintain it to where this doesn’t happen again.” 

Final Thoughts

As a longtime Safety Harbor resident and a man who is about to start a family, Blake is committed to making the community a place where families can live and visit and enjoy the many benefits the city has to offer.

He believes his service on local committees as well as his experience in the business world also provide him with the knowledge and background necessary to help make decisions that will benefit his hometown.

"I love this area for all the same reasons the people who do want change and the people who don't want change love it," he said. Everything is about balance, and I believe I'm well balanced."