Let's Bridge the Gap

My Fellow Anna Marians:

     Hello, I'm Mike Selby. People are asking why I decided to run for Mayor of Anna Maria. I made an eleventh-hour decision to do so because I was at a crossroad—either leave Anna Maria or become more involved because of my love for this city.

     Over the last year or so, I have noticed a change in our city; there have been a lot of ugly and disgraceful happenings, and a lot of discourse over the vision for Anna Maria. This rhetoric has pitted friend against friend, neighbor against neighbor, business against residents and visa versa. And I admit I was part of the rhetoric.

     I believe it is now time to change the tone and to bring our city back to the way it was—the reason why we all decided to move here and make it our home.

     Change is always a “scary” thing, and most of us would prefer “no change”. Reality is that development will and must take place. The issue becomes how to make this development compatible with the residential character of Anna Maria.

     It will probably be said that I am anti-business; anyone who knows me well knows that is not true. I owned my own business for over 30 years, and I understand the trials and tribulations running a business. I can, however, see a more positive way of running a business, which coincides better with the wishes of the residents, not in opposition to them. This would be a “win-win” for everyone, as opposed to the animosity that exists today.

     I feel it is time to “Bridge the Gap” and bring the residents and businesses together to make Anna Maria better than ever.

     That is my goal, and I will do everything I can to accomplish it.

     Share your thoughts with me, please, at: selbyforannamariamayor@gmail.com. I'd love to hear from you. 

Mike