Election 2024: Blankenship vows to protect city, help residents and roll back taxes

This is part of a series in which Naples candidates speak about key issues.

Ted Blankenship is one of three candidates running for mayor in Naples.

He faces two opponents, the current mayor and a former councilman, who also served as a vice mayor.

With more than 30 years of leadership and financial experience in business, Blankenship said he's running to get council back on track.

"I love Naples, its people, its charm and character and our beautiful natural environment and want to do all I can to protect it and help our residents. We are under threat from the pressures of development in Naples and in the surrounding area," Blankenship said.

He added: "City government should also be more efficient in approving and completing important projects, such as the Heart & Stroke Institute and Pier reconstruction, on a timely basis."

These are his views on some of the hottest topics in the city:

Growth and development

Redevelopment should be completed in accordance with our codes. Careful planning and coordination with the property owners is required to ensure our infrastructure is protected and enhanced and that the developers pay for the related needed investments.

Parking and traffic

Traffic issues need to be resolved together with the county and FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) as improvements are needed on county roads, such as Goodlette-Frank and Golden Gate Boulevard and on state roads, such as Tamiami/41. My experience working with the county commissioners and FDOT representatives while I served on the Collier Metropolitan Planning Organization Board will help resolve these challenges and accelerate the solutions.

Taxes and spending

Our property taxes are already high enough and the city’s tax revenues are expected to continue to rise as redevelopment occurs throughout the city. We have sufficient revenue to fund the city’s priorities. Accordingly, I plan to lead the roll back of the mayor’s 2023 tax increase.

Affordable housing

This complex issue must be addressed in collaboration with the county commissioners. More affordable and available land exists outside the city limits, where much more housing could be built. Then we need to improve transportation routes (e.g., roads, buses, bike paths) for the people who work in the city.

Public Safety

Thankfully, we have made much progress restoring appropriate funding for our first responders over the past two years. We must continue to ensure they have the resources needed to be successful in protecting our residents. We should ensure that compensation is adequate to enable these and other valuable members of our city team to live locally in Collier County.

In case you missed it: City Councilman Ted Blankenship running for mayor to get Naples 'back on track'

Other thoughts

Asked if he had anything to add, Blankenship said: "Thank you residents for caring greatly about Naples! Your engagement in this election is necessary to protect our town. We have much to do to restore our Pier, beaches and stormwater infrastructure. As mayor, I will lead the city council to set priorities, address issues, make decisions faster and empower city staff to implement decisions quickly."

He added: "I will continue to focus on data, analysis, experts’ recommendations and achieving consensus – avoiding endless discussions, dithering, micromanagement and unnecessary delays. I will also continue to seek input and feedback from residents across Naples – not just from one neighborhood board, or from a special interest group."

Blankenship is supported by two political action committees, or PACs, Citizens Awake Now and Win America.

Through his own campaign, he's raised about $48,000, including his own contributions. His campaign is largely self-funded.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples mayor race: Blankenship promises to roll back taxes