Winning Campaign - 2019

“As a Fiscally Conservative Mayor, I will always be cognizant of how the city spends hard-earned tax dollars. As an Activist Mayor, I will continue to be accessible and involved with the heartbeat of the community. As a Citizen Mayor, I will strive to maintain safe, secure, and family-friendly neighborhoods for people of all ages,” pledges Mayor Leslie Waters.

· Leslie Waters has served on Seminole City Council, 10 years; Councilor, Vice Mayor, Interim Mayor, and now Mayor for 5 years.

Since first elected to Seminole City Council  - 2009 through 2019:

· Balanced budget each year; Debt-Free status, 9/30/2019

· City Population has grown – 19,449 

· NO millage increase since 1996; NO decrease in city services; NO staff layoffs; NO tapping into Reserves

· Approximate number of employees – 142; Approximate Budget - $17 million

· Fire Pension Funding level: 88%

· New Public Works Building, Emergency Operations Center and Community Building at City Park opened

· Seminole Mall razed, 40 acres, redeveloped into the Seminole City Center

· Seminole Historical Museum 

· Parks currently being developed – the development of Waterfront Park, renovation of Orange Blossom Park, the transformation of the Repetto Property adjacent to City Park into a Revenue producing park. 

· Neighborhood paving plan; drainage improved; energy efficient buildings

· Senior Lounge opened at the Recreation Center, second floor

· Expanded the Children’s Library at the Seminole Community Library

· I voted NOT to raise salaries for the Members of Seminole Council.

Economic Development

City of Seminole has been booming over my 10 years on Council – Walmart @ Bay Pines, Holiday Inn Select, Village Inn, Texas Road House, Starbucks, Brooklyn Pizza, All Care Medical, Culvers, Miller’s Ale House, Aldi, Dairy Queen, Auto Zone, Wendy’s, Movie Studio Grille, Outback, Vampire Penguin, and many more new shops and restaurants have opened.

City Outreach/Communications

I have been instrumental with:

· Seminole hosting an annual Hurricane Seminar 

· The Red, White and Blue Initiative for the City; The Home Town Hero Recognition Program

· The City being designated a “Purple Heart City” & Getting a Flag displayed at 

Seminole City Center

· The Coordination of an ongoing citywide canned food drive

· Coordinating of a “Sock it to the Mayor” sock drive, for veterans, military, homeless

· Sparkle-Up Drive, for low income families  

· Coordinating of the most Spectacular Seminole Back-to-School-Supplies-Drive ever in the City, benefiting eight schools, August 2019

· Hosting an annual Seminole Citizens Academy

· Hosting a Home Rule Forum at St. Petersburg College – Seminole Campus 

· Participating with Meals on Wheels deliveries

· Quarterly Citizen Chats and Meet-ups with the Mayor 

· Monthly “WALK Seminole Neighborhoods,” thousands of homes 

door-to-door since 2009 

Educational Background

· Florida State University – Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees

· Supreme Court Certified Mediator

Employment Background

· Allstate Insurance Company – Human Resources and Public Affairs Management

· Leslie Waters Government Relations 

· IRI Global, Washington D.C. – enhancing democracy worldwide - international consulting 

· University of South Florida St. Petersburg – Adjunct Political Science Professor

· Eckerd College – Adjunct Political Science Professor

· City of Seminole

Florida House of Representatives 

· I served in the Florida House for 8 years, in numerous leadership positions, leaving office due to term limits 

· Chairman – House Insurance Committee

· Chairman – House Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations

· Co-Chairman – Joint Hurricane Preparedness Committee 

· State Representative, Speaker Pro-Tempore

City of Seminole

· Elected to Council, 2009; Served as a Councilor, Vice Mayor, Interim Mayor, and Mayor

Community Memberships/Training 

· Florida League of Cities

· Suncoast League of Cities

· Florida League of Mayors

· Pinellas County Mayors Council

· PEMHS Mental Health Board of Directors

· Seminole VFW-A

· Seminole Friends of the Library

· Seminole Historical Society

· Seminole Chamber of Commerce

· NAACP – St. Petersburg Chapter

· Pinellas County Sheriffs Citizens Academy

· Fire Ops Training 

· Pinellas County Farm Bureau Board

· Pinellas County Sherriff Advisory Board 

· Pinellas County Urban League Board

Key Recognitions

· Mid-Pinellas Chamber of Commerce – Inspire Award

· Florida State University – Distinguished Alumni

· PEMHS Mental Health – 20 years of distinguished mental health advocacy

· Girl Scouts of West Central Florida – Woman of Distinction 

· Florida League of Cities – Many HOME RULE HERO Awards for 

advocacy, The Florida Legislature

Author

· Good Morning Mayor, What’s Up? a beautiful book on local government, 

government closest to the people.  Published March 2019

Campaign Platform/Vision for the Future

· Upgrade city signage, technology

· Protect tax dollars; maintain current millage rate 

· Continue budgeting in a fiscally conservative manner; maintain strong fiscal stability

· Help to oversee the safety and security of our neighborhoods; 

Support Seminole Schools

· Military/Veterans Recognition display at Waterfront Park 

· Maintain efficient and timely City Services, Public Works, Recreation, Library and Community Development

· Support our family friendly, caring and giving, quality of life in Seminole

· Help oversee plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the city’s incorporation

· Quotes

· “You’re awesome. We’re lucky. Thanks for your amazing spirit and all you do.”   

Financial Advisor, C.H.

· “You are a fireball.” Developer, B.W.S.

· “Thank you for standing strong and for the professional way you handled our presentation to Council.” Community Activist, B.B.

· “Your visibility in support of the local community and its businesses, civic associations, and their related functions sends an extremely positive message to those of us fortunate enough to live in this fine city.” Member of Seminole Historical Society, B.S.

· ”She is a dynamic personality who gives so much of herself helping others with so much energy, that I wish it could be bottled.” Resident, S.W.

· “You are always smiling and so pleasant whenever I see you. Thanks for all you do for our community.” Down the Street Neighbor, L.S.

· “Thank you for your contributions to our community.” Retired teacher, B.S. 

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Facebook * LinkedIn * Twitter 

www.waterswave.org

EMAIL * 727-399-9968

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Front Line Strategies, Inc. – Political Consultant

“Thank you for Catching the Waters Wave for an even better Seminole.” 

Political advertisement paid for and approved 

by Leslie Waters, non-partisan, for Mayor, City of Seminole.