Light Rail Backers Begin Push for Referendum

Chuck Sykes after his presentation to the Temple Terrace Chamber of Commerce

It's a question that has been put to voters in many other cities - are you willing to pay an extra tax for mass transit? Backers of Hillsborough County's proposed a penny sales tax have organized, and they're starting a public relations campaign to get it passed on November's ballot.

Much of the backing for the sales tax comes from big business, who are usually identified with a conservative, smaller-government-is-better message. And if there's anyone who fits this stereotype, it's Chuck Sykes. His family started Sykes Enterprises, a multinational corporation based in Tampa, and he's president of the Greater Tampa Area Chamber of Commerce. And he's also a recent convert to the move to begin the region's first light rail line.

"I was a skeptic three years ago, because I wasn't a student of what it takes to build a community," he says. "And I know we use the word tax, but the reason why we in the business community are supporting it is because they view it as investment. And that's what it is. That's the key difference."

Sykes was recently named as secretary/treasurer of Moving Hillsborough Forward, which is promoting the mass transit tax. He spoke to the Temple Terrace Chamber of Commerce, trying to convince them to support the effort.

He says it's a tough sell getting business people - who are inclined to oppose new taxes - to support the mass transit campaign. But he says once people listen to the arguments both pro and con, they'll make an informed decision.

"I think we have a good chance, I really do," says Sykes. "I think our chances are proportional to our ability to educate. I think the more people study this, the more they'll be in favor of it."

Sykes says an advertising campaign promoting the November ballot initiative should begin by the end of the summer.