don's report archive

by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.

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

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Declaration of Independence, 1776

Inspired by John Locke and many Continental philosophers, Thomas Jefferson created this glorious phrase to introduce a host of "self-evident truths." Rather than voice grievances against the King, or even the current mayor, I have decided to shape my run for mayor of a well city that is fit, fun, free and functional into a call for making Tampa a national and international model of municipal democracy. By this, I mean genuine in reality as well as noble but vague in name. Just as Daniel Hudson Burnham advised city planners to "make no little plans; they have no magic to stir mens' blood," so I have decided to make no little campaign promises; they have no magic to unsettle voter apathy.

My new goal is "a well city devoted to liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Friends say, "Now you will lose for sure!" Well, when you are not a professional politician and you enjoy your current day job, you can afford to say what you think. When seeking office under such conditions, you can also act as you please to promote ideas that matter to you or, in this case, talk freely and frankly about the kind of city in which you would want to live. Therefore, from now until March 4, 2003, the good folks of Tampa will be hearing a lot about how a well city that is fit, fun, free and functional can also become a model of liberty and an ideal base for the pursuit of happiness.

It's not going to happen with the election of John Doe or Joe Blow or anyone from the usual cadres of "able enough" but ordinary professional politicians. There is an excellent chance it will happen if the voters elect me the next mayor of Tampa.

Here is a recap of the four principal elements of a well city. Comments welcomed. If you really, REALLY like these ideas and want to indulge in genuine liberty while pursuing happiness, consider moving to Tampa -- soon.

A FIT CITY

Goal: To position Tampa to become, by March 1, 2005, America's fittest city.

1. The fittest cities today are San Diego, Minneapolis, Seattle, Washington and San Francisco. These are the choices of Men's Magazine and other institutions that sponsor such competitions and set forth criteria for ranking one city over another. (In case you're curious, the least fit or "fattest" cities are Philadelphia, Kansas City, Houston, Indianapolis and New Orleans.) This feasible but ambitious goal is vastly more consequential than whether the local NFL franchise, which has tens of thousands of diehard (and mostly overweight) supporters, ever wins a Super Bowl or if Tampa ever hosts an Olympic Games (last year, civic boosters engaged in an ill-conceived, fruitless but expensive bid to obtain the 2012 Summer Games. At least they did not go after the Winter Games!) Oddly, a fit city focus would not discourage either of these over-reaching desires from coming about. While a fit city would not help the Bucs, visiting Olympic site visitors might be mighty impressed if the people of bid city Tampa were notably fit, health conscious, proud of their community and, not incidentally, focused on liberty and the pursuit of happiness for others as well as themselves. How, exactly, would this goal of a fit city be pursued if I'm elected? Here are five ways -- there will be many more in time.
2. The mayor leads the way in promoting an understanding of the importance of exercise and fitness in the context of a wellness lifestyle. The mayor serves as mentor, educator, coach and cheerleader; he also models on a daily basis the positive payoffs of personal excellence.
3. The mayor visits a different neighborhood every day. He talks and exercises with community leaders and the people who live in the area. Representatives from city departments participate in order to hear firsthand community concerns. Follow-up actions are scheduled on problems noted.
4. The mayor oversees wellness festivals and seminars, conferences and course offerings. These forums are facilitated by the mayor and encouraged within schools, institutions and throughout the business and public sectors.
5. Sidewalks are laid in every neighborhood as a first priority (many poorer neighborhoods now have no sidewalks), followed by bold initiatives at constructing bike lanes, jogging and walking trails, mini-parks and new and expanded recreational facilities. The major's initial focus in these actions must be for underserved neighborhoods.
6. Appoint and empower a Mayor's Council of Physical Fitness and Wellness Promotion. The Council's first task will be to develop current health and fitness status indicators for the people of Tampa and set specific improvement targets for one and four year periods.

Tomorrow I'll list my goals and summary action steps as to how each goal would be approached if I'm elected. For now, be well and look on the bright side.

(Note: This essay will be filed in the archives under the heading "Don Runs for Mayor of Tampa." Additional articles related to this theme may be found there.)

In compliance with the rules published in the "Candidate Handbook 2002 and 2003" by the Supervisor of Elections, Hillsborough County, FL, the following statement must accompany all "political advertising." This is defined as statements in any communications media, including DR's at SeekWellness.com in this case, "...which shall support or oppose any candidate..."

PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT. BY DONALD B. ARDELL CAMPAIGN. APPROVED BY DONALD B. ARDELL.

(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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