The mayors of Clearwater, Tampa and St. Petersburg gathered for the annual Suncoast Tiger Bay Club’s State of the Bay event, engaging in a discussion moderated by journalist Ashley Kritzer. The Monday panel featured Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, who addressed regional priorities and answered questions from Kritzer and the audience.
The event, at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus, began with a discussion on hurricanes and environmental sustainability, focusing on climate resilience and coastal protection. Welch highlighted St. Petersburg’s climate action initiatives, including investments in stormwater infrastructure and sustainability programs. However, he warned that the city is already behind due to the unprecedented severity of recent storms.
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