don's report archive

by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.

Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)

As a candidate for mayor of Tampa promoting a wellness agenda, I had an opportunity the other day to discuss my vision for the kind of city I would like to see in the years to come. This is a summary of my remarks. How close does this vision come to a reflection of what you would like in YOUR city?

Can you picture Tampa as a world-class city that works for you? I can. Let me tell you what such a Tampa might look like. If this appeals to you, you might want to support me in my effort to become your next mayor.

Can you envision Tampa as a healthy city? I can. I see Tampa as a well city that is fit, fun, free AND functional!

A fit city is our greatest need, and no mayor or mayoral candidate before me has addressed this issue. It is at the forefront of my campaign. I will be the fittest mayor in America -- and I will work every day to encourage YOU to become fitter, as well. We have more to fear from obesity, unmanaged stress and junk food, especially the impact these elements will have on our children, than we do from Osama bin Laden and the lunatic fundamentalists! Our fearless leader in Washington will take care of al Qaeda -- I want to help El Tubbo, the 1 in 3 citizens who is obese and miserable and nowhere near the kind of person he or she can become. I will be in a different neighborhood every day promoting fitness and wellness if you elect me mayor.

Can you envision Tampa as a high quality of life city? I can. I envision Tampa as a place with outdoor festivals on Bayshore Boulevard and elsewhere throughout the City celebrating music, diverse lifestyles, the arts and all forms of creativity.

Can you envision Tampa as a freedom-loving city? I can. I foresee a Tampa as an innovative environment and dynamic marketplace that attracts the creative class and high-tech New Economy companies. These employers will offer other than just more low-wage jobs that our current tourist, service sector provides.

Can you envision Tampa as a tolerant city? I can. I have a picture of Tampa as a magnet for well-educated, diverse people of all colors and ethnic segments -- a city with a welcome banner for everyone and such attractive features as a human rights ordinance that protects against discrimination while offering benefits for unmarried partners.

Can you envision Tampa as a truly functional city? I can. I can imagine Tampa as a community where nearly everyone is involved in developing government policies that affect them and where competent managers ensure that land use plans that protect the regional environment are applied to all transportation, growth, water, zoning, housing and other infrastructure issues.

For these reasons, I support citizen sabbaticals of public service, voluntary term-limits for all offices (there's plenty of talent available), no auctions for public office (I'm the only mayoral candidate running without hundreds of thousands of dollars from special interest groups) and a city hall dedicated to Peter as much as to Paul.

What do I mean, for Peter as much as for Paul? George Bernard Shaw famously remarked, "When government robs Peter to pay Paul, it can always count on the support of Paul." Fortunately, government in Tampa is not robbing anybody, but the Pauls who can afford to contribute to candidates get a lot more attention than the Peters who cannot. I will ensure that Peter has an equal chance to be heard.

I have sketched for you the key elements of my vision for Tampa. In summary, I believe if you want a world-class city, you need a world-class mayor!

You have many excellent choices in this election. You can go with a combination of strengths that each of the other candidates offers, such as:

The wisdom and experience of Charlie Miranda. The personality and charm of Frank Sanchez. The tenacity and determination of Bob Buckhorn.

Or, you can have ALL of these qualities if you support me!

I have already made my mark as a world-class character in two different areas -- first, as a world class triathlete and second, as an advocate for healthy lifestyles with experience traveling the world lecturing and consulting on self-management strategies.

I stand ready to become a figurehead and active promoter of your world-class city. I would love to have your support.*

(Note: This essay will be filed in the archives in the MEANING DOMAIN under the skill area of applied wellness. Additional articles related to this theme may be found there.)

(Ed. Note: Views expressed in this and other columns are those of the author and not necessarily those of the SeekWellness Editorial Board.)

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