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Clearwater Candidate Takes Campaign Directly to the Voters

John Funk | Clearwater City Council | Politics

John Funk is running for Seat 5 on the Clearwater City Council. He suggests a boutique outlet mall would help revitalize downtown Clearwater.

CLEARWATER – If you hear someone knocking on your door between now and March 13, it could be John Funk, who’s running for a seat on the Clearwater City Council.

You may already have met him because Funk has already visited more than 4,000 homes since December.

“I won’t stop roaming the neighborhoods of Clearwater until the election, and by then I figure I’ll have called on 7,000 households,” Funk said. “It’s been eye-opening. I’ve learned about the wants and needs and perceptions of people all over Clearwater.”

Funk, who is running for Seat 5 on the city council, said he believes this grassroots experience of speaking one-on-one with so many residents will help him shape what issues are most important when serving as a council member.

“I think that all city council members should get out into the neighborhoods at times and take the pulse of our citizens,” Funk said. “It’s certainly been a rewarding experience for me, and I don’t care if I wear out my shoes doing it.”

Dan Beach, a Clearwater Beach barber and friend of Funk, said, “John is fiercely independent and will vote for what’s best for all citizens of Clearwater. He’s tenacious in getting to the essence of an issue and figuring out how to solve it.”

One issue that the city has been grappling with since 2004 is how to revitalize the downtown Clearwater area, an issue officials have been talking about for 14 years. Funk said he thinks he has an answer.

“A downtown boutique outlet mall can make a big difference in drawing shoppers,” he said. “It will require working with a mix of property owners, but with the right effort I believe it’s feasible.”

Funk is challenging incumbent Hoyt Hamilton, who is running for his fifth time.

The nonpartisan Clearwater election is March 13. The last day to register to vote in the Clearwater election is Feb. 12. Online registration is available. The last day to request a mail ballot is March 7.

For information about Funk, go to voteforfunk.org.

John Funk | Hoyt Hamilton | Clearwater Election | Clearwater Council | Politics | Elections | Tampabay News

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