Linda Norris announces intention to run for Oldsmar City Council in March 2019
When Linda Norris left the Oldsmar City Council in March 2016 due to term limits, she didn’t rule out a return to office.
“I plan to run for mayor, so who knows, in a few years I could be sitting in Doug’s (Bevis) seat!” she said upon receiving the Council/Manager Award in February of that year.
As it turns out, her prediction was half right.
Last week Norris announced she is running for Seat 1 in the March 2019 municipal election, joining a crowded field that already has two candidates vying for Eric Seidel’s soon-to-be vacated seat.
“I always planned to run again because I love serving the city of Oldsmar and all the citizens,” Norris said by phone late last week, adding, “Now that I’m semi-retired, I will have more time to dedicate to the city and moving Oldsmar forward.”
Norris has been busy during her time away from public life.
As chair of the North Pinellas Cultural Alliance, the devoted art lover has overseen the installation of several NPCA projects, including the butterfly mural at Sheffield Park and the recent unveiling of a crosswalk mural at Largo Central Park.
Norris said should she be elected, she would keep her role with the NPCA while continuing to bring more public art and culture to Oldsmar.
“Of course I want to continue to promote art and public art,” she said. “Art is always going to be one of my top priorities, whether I’m in office or not.”
Another priority of Norris’ is to protect Oldsmar’s small-town charm.
“I want to keep that small-town feel.” she said. “I don’t want to overdevelop. I want to focus on our parks and bike trails and eco-tourism, all the things that make Oldsmar a great place to raise a family or to retire.”
“Oldsmar has an ideal and it’s that we care about parks and nature and open spaces. I want to make sure we’re not giving the farm to developers and make sure the development is fair for the citizens of Oldsmar.”
Norris said her three-year hiatus from office, combined with semi-retirement from her paint contracting business, has given her the renewed energy she’ll need to campaign against Seat 1 opponents Matt Clarke and Andrew Knapp.
“Everybody should be afforded the opportunity to run for office, and I look forward to the challenge,” she said, noting she would once again donate the majority of her council salary to Oldsmar Cares should she get elected.
“I think this is exactly what our democracy is all about.”
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Linda has worked so hard for almost the past 5 years to bring several art projects to Oldsmar!
Thanks, Linda!
In order for oldsmar to remain as an idyllic, historic shoreside town with charm, one must take tourism out of the equation. Did i miss the vote on this proposed, and now implemented, trajectory of our town?
Gaudy, out of keeping, art installations and gaudy outdoor ammenities are also a blight on the very nature that we seek to enjoy and have preserved in as natural of a state as possible.
Many of your ideals are the exact opposite of what it means and takes to conserve our town.
Sorry, my vote will most likely go to another candidate.
How about an article on others running for the council?
City of Oldsmar Candidates Forum, 1/2/2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evBpLKK_LE4
Rick.
Here is the one we are going with.
10 years service in our wonderful city and a super honest guy.
http://www.mattclarkeoldsmar.com
@PammyKnowsBest
Matt Clarke has our families votes as well along with all of Arlington. Oldsmar wants fresh faces but he isnt a fresh face. The guys a machine when it comes to getting things done in our community and thankyou for sharing his website. Now I know where I know him from, he sponsors the relay for life events but he doesn’t tell anybody. I like katie gannon also
My pick for the election – Clarke Gannon but that seems to be the consensus around town
@YOUR VOTE COUNTS
Thanks for the link, checkPammyknowsbests link
http://www.mattclarkeoldsmar.com
This is an excellent article about a woman of influence who is passionate about the community she has lived in for years. Linda loves Oldsmar and will listen to the people she represents. She is involved with many if not all of the events and happenings in our great city. Even with a broken ankle, Linda managed to personally visit over 700 homes in Oldsmar to ask for their vote. Now that she has won the election for seat 1, Oldsmar’s residents have spoken, Linda received 48 % of the votes…the voice of the people has been heard. Now, Linda, in the not too distant future…Mayor Norris may become a reality.
Ginger & Toni,
Thank you for your kind words! I promise you all I will work very hard for all of the Citizens of Oldsmar. Few notes: I announced my Candadicy after Jeff wrote an article (in Sept) on the race and the other candidates. I got 42% of the vote (not 48%) and me and my volunteers visited many more than 700 homes. The 700 was just in the last 2 weeks. My best day, personally was 60 homes (on my scooter). I am now very well versed on handicap accessibility in our fine town!
To the others who commented; I respect your opinions and hope I will prove to you my worth by always working hard and doing my best.
Much thanks to all of the voters!