U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis returns this week to Capitol Hill with a clear message from area constituents. Stop the bickering and start finding ways to create jobs.
The sentiment was shared by members of the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce who sat down with the congressman last week for a discussion on ways to improve conditions for small business owners.
"We should get the ball rolling to stimulate the economy then (focus on) other big decisions," said Gary Gunter, co-owner of Gunter and Gunter Insurance of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel. "If we don't get the economy going, everything else is going to be worst."
Gunter was among a handful of New Tampa chamber members invited to attend a small business roundtable with Bilirakis, a Palm Harbor Republican whose U.S. congressional district includes New Tampa.
Karen Frashier, the chamber's executive director, said she extended the invitation to chamber members who own or serve as the corporate executive officer of a business staffing five to 50 people. Five members attended, including Tampa City Councilwoman Lisa Montelione.
The chamber hosted the gathering Aug. 30 at the Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club as part of the congressman's listening tour throughout Florida's 9th District in August. The U.S. Congress is back in session on Capitol Hill today.
"I think the bottom line is jobs," Bilirakis told the chamber group.
"I have been visiting small businesses and individuals everywhere, and they have all been saying jobs, jobs, jobs."
Chamber member Vicki Hutto, who is president and CEO of VIP Pest Control, agreed, saying "If you put people back to work, some of our problems will be solved."
However, one participant said he was not optimistic the economy is poised to bounce back.
"I don't think we can do much about the economy, but we can bring the budget back in line," said Bob Cohen, president of Oglethorpe Inc., a New Tampa-based health care company, citing a need for tax reform.
Montelione, who was elected to city council in March, wants federal officials to do more to support distressed homeowners, she said.
Montelione, who co-owns a construction company, lamented about seeing two or three vacant houses on most blocks in her North Tampa neighborhood.
"We have to find a way to get people back in their homes and to prevent them from losing their homes in the first place," she said. "If we don't do something, we are going to have bigger problems."
Jeff Knowles, president of Two Men and A Truck moving company, urged for health care improvements.
Many small business owners face a roadblock when trying to get lines of credit to expand or improve operations, Frashier said.
"They are good stewards of their businesses," Frashier said. "Their business ratios are solid, but the banks are pulling back."
Bilirakis said he has heard people's concerns about uncertainty in the economy, wanting a simplified tax code and burdensome regulations. He urged the chamber members to "put pressure on their elected representatives" to work on solutions.
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