Judy Titsworth is set to take her third oath of office as mayor.
Facing no challenger in the Nov. 8 election, Titsworth is automatically reelected to a third two year-term in the mayor’s office.
“I do feel the citizens are pleased with the direction of the city,” Titsworth told The Islander Oct. 17.
Titsworth, who grew up on AMI, served as city commissioner 2012-18 and has served as mayor since 2018.
The Islander checked in with the mayor Oct. 17 for a Q&A.
The Islander: If you had faced a challenger, what might you have used for a campaign slogan?
Judy Titsworth: Proven leadership, strength and passion.
The Islander: What do you see as the most important issue facing the city? And how do you plan to address the issue in your next term?
JT: Resiliency. We are on the right track with our current staffing and the capital improvement projects that we have in construction and in design. Grant funding from the state and federal government will continue to be necessary to address climate change. We will continue to work with our engineers to identify projects in priority order and seek the necessary funding.
The Islander: What’s the most important capital improvement project to tackle?
JT: I am so pleased that we are under construction with the City Center project, as this will address the lack of bike lanes, sidewalks and safe crosswalks.
This improvement has been needed for many years.
We hope to have the bulk of this project completed prior to the onset of our busy tourism season.
The next big improvement will be the complete streets project on Gulf Drive.
The Islander: The city has made a bold effort to address environmental issues at the local level. You grew up on AMI. What are the environmental concerns you have for the island.
JT: The quality of our water. I grew up swimming in the bay for hours each day. The gradual and more recent magnified decline in water quality of our bays and the reduction in sea life is a direct result of nitrogen loads, the loss of mangroves due to over development, sewer and contaminated water discharges and stormwater runoff.
We all need to do our part and reduce the amount of pesticides and fertilizers used on our landscaping and lawns.
We need to use native plants and Florida-friendly landscaping practices and consider the benefits in rain gardens. The city is leading the way in adding infiltration systems … and requiring new construction to install infiltration and swales in the perimeters of the properties. This greatly reduces the impacts of contaminated stormwater runoff into our waterways.
We can make a difference but it will take everyone. …
The Islander: When you look ahead two years, what do you hope to have accomplished as mayor?
JT: Preserved the quality of life for all. After all, that is what really matters at the end of the day.
It isn’t about how many people or cars you can squeeze onto this island. It is about what is their experience going to be like when they get here.
Anna Maria Island is a very special place. It is my job to make sure it stays that way.
The Islander: Do you have a message you’d like to share with the voters?
JT: There has never been a more important time to vote. Support truth. Support kindness. Support women’s rights.