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

Yesterday I mentioned that Thomas Jefferson's great phrase about liberty and the pursuit of happiness has inspired my campaign for a well city that is fit, fun, free and functional. My larger goals include leading Tampa toward becoming a national and international model of municipal democracy. I described the "fit" part of the agenda in the first essay; today I offer the rest of the platform, starting with the idea of a fun city.

A FUN CITY

GOAL: To make Tampa a magnet for attracting (and retaining) the talents of the "creative class" and the attendant jobs associated with high tech companies, research based organizations and other beneficial consequences that obtain for appeal to this sector.

HOW:

1. Set as an objective for all departments the promotion of policies and programs that enable the richest imaginable quality of life. Look for public and private ways to create attractive social and physical environments, for such settings will be the best drivers for securing Tampa's economic future for ALL classes of citizens.
2. Close the waterfront side of Bayshore Boulevard, Tampa's grand balustraded promenade, at least one Sunday morning each month. Nourish this event so that it becomes a desirable community focus that can be implemented elsewhere in neighborhoods throughout the city.
3. Educate citizens on the nature and dynamics of fun, humor and play. Fun is not a luxury or a sin -- it is a key element in the pursuit of happiness. Consider the words of Socrates: "The government should serve to promote the physical, the arts and the circus!" As mayor, my fun-oriented initiatives will focus on more opportunities for joy, laughter and happiness for seniors and children -- our young majority (35 years of age) will, if we (government) stay out of their way, find their own outlets for fun well enough without our help.
4. Promote an understanding of studies and research that demonstrates connections between high performance and humor/play in terms of productivity, healing and the good life.

FREE CITY

GOAL: Make Tampa a city deservedly known nationwide as a tolerant community where all lifestyles are welcomed, a place where the common decencies are celebrated and the morality of the people flows from the character of the citizenry, not the imposed piety of or coercion from elected officials. Freedom is the ability to live your life the way you want to live it. If elected, this mayor will do everything in his power to respect the rights of all residents to do just that -- to live free.

HOW:

1. Demonstrate, via proclamation AND actions, the City of Tampa's commitment to tolerance and diversity. For starters, a Human Rights Ordinance second to none will be developed and put to the voters. It will include proscriptions against all forms of discrimination and a human rights ordinance guaranteeing, among other freedoms, full benefits for domestic partners.
2. Respect and protect the right to freedom of speech. Eliminate the Orwellian "free speech zones" in Ybor City. The St. Pete Times editorials on this issue are on target but understated. This act by the City Council allegedly designed to prevent littering is an affront to the intentions of the founders and a barrier to genuinely free speech.
3. Respect and protect the right to privacy. The surveillance cameras at public events and along the main thoroughfare (7th Avenue) in Ybor City will come down on my first day in office, if I am elected.
4. Respect and protect the right of consenting adults to do as they like in their personal affairs. It is not necessary to approve of everything other people believe, say, watch or do in order to honor their rights as Americans to be left alone to believe, say, watch or do it (assuming they are not frightening horses or otherwise infringing upon the rights of others.) We safeguard our own freedoms by protecting the personal liberties of those whose harmless pleasures might be different from our own. If elected mayor, government meddling in personal morality will end. There will be no six-foot rule between the people and the Bill Of Rights, or patrons and lap dancers.
5. Respect and safeguard the wall of separation between church and state. Tampa is religiously diverse -- the mayor must respect that and I will, if elected.

A FUNCTIONAL CITY

GOAL: Lead Tampa to become a deservedly recognized high quality of life-focused community. Position Tampa as a planned, "green-oriented" and environmentally sound city that is efficient and effective in terms of the infrastructure.

HOW:

1. Guide rather than react to growth.
2. Always think and act on public policies with the entire region's best interests in view.
3. Relate the desires of the development interests to the needs of the public interest.
4. Utilize all change opportunities to improve the foundation systems of Tampa. Think of the infrastructure as the physical equivalent of the "safety and security" factor in Maslow's famous "hierarchy of needs" construct. The infrastructure systems include but are not limited to public safety (fire and police), housing, transportation, water resources (including conservation focus on potable water), flood and stormwater control), environmental protection and all the rest.
5. Expand environmental management programs. Distribute 90-gallon recycling bins to all residences, set CO2 and other greenhouse gas emission reduction standards and innovate to conserve resources and use resources wisely.

That's about it. That is my quality of life vision for Tampa. This is a summary of how I would, as mayor, seek to bring about the reality, over time, of a well city whose people are devoted to liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Let me know if you think I'm on the right track.

Look on the bright side, as I do, and be well.

(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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