Norma Carlough retired in 1998 following a career that took her from AT&T in New Jersey, to the Kapok Tree Inn where she was a VP of Gift Shop Operations, and finally to Prudential Insurance as a licensed agent.

Following her retirement, Carlough became active on City boards. She spent two years as a member of Clearwater's Environmental Advisory Board, moving to the Airpark Advisory Board in 2005 where she remains active. Carlough is also a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Comprehensive Plan, and the Citizens Advisory Committee of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).

Despite her activities, Carlough says she's not busy enough. "I have a lot of time to give," she said, "This (running for Council) was the obvious next step."

Asked what she hoped to accomplish if elected, Carlough said, "Clean, safe neighborhoods. I'm concerned about code enforcement issues, because that's what drives neighborhoods up or down." Carlough didn't suggest any specific changes in the city's code enforcement effort, but said, "Things keep changing every day. Maybe codes need to be changed, maybe codes we never worried about before need to be enforced better."

Regarding land development issues, Carlough said, "I support responsible redevelopment, not overdeveloping parcels of land." She offered no specific ideas on how she would encourage responsible redevelopment, and, asked if she had concerns with any components of Clearwater's Development Code, she responded, "Not at this point."

Carlough also offered her view of Clearwater's waterfront. "I want the waterfront to be accessible for all citizens. I want everybody to be able to get to the waterfront and use it, and park and enjoy it, whether you're a boater, a visitor, or live here," she said.

Carlough is a supporter of the extension to the Penny for Pinellas infrastructure sales tax, including the entire list of projects proposed by the City of Clearwater; "I intend to vote for it," she said.

Carlough is also a supporter of Clearwater's Downtown boat slip proposal. "We're a boating community, we have a shortage of slips. I'm interested in access to the water for everyone; how can I be against this?" she said. Carlough said that she was satisfied with the financial projections for the facility; " I have to go by the professionals that have looked at this and given me the information to read, that's what I'm learning," Carlough said.

Carlough is uncertain about the city's willingness to vacate East Shore Drive in exchange for redevelopment of the Marina District that would include a public boardwalk along the bayfront. "That would depend on the project that was brought before the Council," she said, adding that she approved of leaving that option open at this time.

Carlough was supportive of the city's submerged land lease with the Sandpearl resort on Cearwater Beach. "It's a public-private partnership, it gives the city revenue, it's maintenance-free, it provides 21 free slips for our citizens, the developer builds it at his cost on our property - it's a win-win, I'd like a deal like that," she said.

"I am a fiscally responsible person," Carlough said of her outlook on the city's budget and property tax rate. But she has no suggestions for change at this point; "I am satisfied that we have appointed a task force, I've been attending their meetings and I'm waiting for their results. In all fairness to them I want them to be able to do that before I start saying what I think they should do," she said.

Paul Gibson is a Realtor who earns his living primarily on Clearwater Beach. His career has included finance and sales in the telecommunications, computer, banking and transportation industries.

Gibson was a member of the City of Foxborough, Massachusetts, Finance Advisory Committee, holding titles of Chairman, Vice Chairman and Treasurer. Gibson was on the committee during the implementation of "Prop 2.5", a ballot initiative approved in 1980 by the voters of Massachusetts that reduced local property taxes and limited their growth. " I learned then that politicians have a propensity to spend money they don't have," he said.

Gibson's number one concern is the city budget and its impact on property taxes. His solution is to implement a tool that found success in Foxborough while he was on that city's Finance Advisory Committee, Zero-based budgeting. "What often happens," Gibson said, "is department heads provide justifications for the year-to-year budget increases, and elected officials examine only those increases."

"With Zero-based budgeting," Gibson explained, "every dollar in their budget must be justified." He advocates that Clearwater implement the Zero-based budgeting model every year.

Gibson is a supporter of the extension of the Penny for Pinellas sales tax. But he said, "The City Council must limit Penny to large and significant capital projects, never to operating expenses or capital expenditures that should be paid from the General Fund. Otherwise public support will dry up over night."

Regarding the new City Hall and downtown parking garage proposed for funding by Penny III, Gibson said, "I believe $25-million is too much; we can't afford it. There are better places to spend it, including public safety and transportation projects."

Transportation is another of Gibson's concerns, one that he thinks can be solved to a large extent without more road construction. "Sync-up the traffic lights," he said, "that's the single most important thing we can do to reduce traffic congestion."

Gibson is concerned about the city's downtown boat slip proposal, but said, "I would support the downtown marina if I was convinced the project is cash flow positive."

Gibson thinks that the slip rental rates are too high; "No one in this area is now charging $15.50 per foot, including marinas that have a superior location," he said. He's also concerned with demand for the slips. Gibson called area marinas the day after the city's recent downtown boat slip kickoff and found at least half of them had vacancies.

Gibson also questions the facility's construction cost estimate. "City projects have a history of cost overruns (Beach Walk) and material errors in revenue assumptions (Harborview Center)", he said, "We simply cannot continue spending without regard to its impact on the General Fund."

Regarding the potential closure of East Shore Drive to make room for the redevelopment of the Marina District on Clearwater Beach, Gibson has no opinion at this time; "The plans are not close to being finalized," he said, "However, beach traffic must be considered as a primary factor, not an afterthought."

Gibson, who resides at the adjacent Belle Harbor condominium complex, does not support the city's submerged land lease with the Sandpearl Resort "as it stands now". He is concerned about lighting, security and the size of the proposed docks, as well as the legality of the submerged land lease itself.

Gibson believes that sound fiscal management is the most important principal that a Councilmember must stand for now. "Without that, we'll be turning this town into a place where middle income people can't afford to live anymore," he said.