Candidate Profile: Dr. Tamara Cornwell

Local educator and fifth-generation Manatee County resident Dr. Tamara Cornwell is seeking another term on the Palmetto City Commission. She is facing her first challenger since 2008, real estate professional Matt Kezar.

In addition to being a resident for the past 45 years, Cornwell is the most experienced candidate in any of the Palmetto races. She has held one of two At-Large seats for the past 27 years. As a member of the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) board, she helped create the city’s revitalization plan, which has already resulted in the completion of the new police station, Sutton Park improvements, new landscape and design of city gateways and thoroughfares, traffic and road calming measures, the Riviera Dunes development, and the newly-opened Marriott Hotel Resort and Spa.

In addition to new businesses and infrastructure improvements, Cornwell has been instrumental in growing the city’s water reuse program, which has seen reuse within more than 85% of the city and is one of the first certified Aquifer Storage Reserves (ASR) in Florida.

“This system allows our excess water and treated water to be stored underground and pulled up for home landscape and industrial use, allowing our potable water to be used for drinking. We currently struggle with consistent flow and need to expand our reuse to better serve our citizens by alleviating flooding and storing and reusing our treated water. I strongly believe, in the future, water will be a strong asset for our city. Being proactive on this endeavor will reap many benefits for our current and future citizens.”

While proud of her record, Cornwell admits that there is plenty of room for improvement in Palmetto.

“While I am proud of the progress we have made in Palmetto, there is still much work to be done, and with outsider influence at an all-time high, it is important that I continue to provide guidance and oversight.”

Should she be reelected, Cornwell’s 5 top priorities are community engagement, environmental conservation, historical preservation, sustainable development and redevelopment, and cultural preservation. She plans to achieve this by continuing to advocate for the aforementioned revitalization plan, new bridge construction to include new boat ramps, managing growth, restoring and maintaining historic buildings, landmarks, and cultural sites, and supporting and encouraging community events and festivals.

The availability of boat ramps has been a contentious issue in Palmetto and will likely influence voter turnout in November. Cornwell would like to see ramps added under the Desoto Bridge replacement, which she feels will “help use the space that with slight additional height, [and] will enable the unused connector property to be put to the needed recreational use for our community boaters.”

Regarding growth, Cornwell acknowledges that it needs to be appropriately managed.

“I plan on working with my constituents, fellow Commissioners, community government, and adjoining citizens to create a managed growth plan. I feel the impact of this tremendous growth as both a Commissioner and educator. We all are experiencing the challenges of this growth. We feel it in traffic movement, lack of affordable workforce housing, and are in need of a community comprehensive growth plan. It is my goal to create a task force of stakeholders to implement a plan for managed growth which preserves Palmetto’s quality of life for both current and future citizens.”

Overall, Cornwell sees a “need to continue to focus on our quality of life with public safety, health, infrastructure revitalization and improvement. We must continue to manage growth and development to ensure it is compatible with Palmetto’s charm and does not overburden our infrastructure, resources, and roadways.” She acknowledges a need to find solutions to flooding and traffic congestion. “In the near future, FDOT will begin planning for the Green Bridge reconstruction, and we should ensure Palmetto has a voice in the process.”

Cornwell acknowledges a need to prioritize conservation and “protecting our green spaces and waterways by creating comprehensive systems which sustain and protect our environment for families to enjoy. Parks, festivals, fishing, boating and sports are all activities we must ensure will be available both now and in the future.”

“I am driven to serve and make a positive impact on my community and maintain our quality of life, Cornwell shared. “I want to preserve and protect Palmetto’s charm, not only for my family but for my many friends and neighbors. I enjoy meeting and helping people, striving to make our community a better place to live, work and raise a family. The recent attempt by real estate developers to take over local government is also of concern to me. Now more than ever do we need experienced City Commissioners who understand how to cast a vision, build consensus and lead. We currently have very new Commissioners in Palmetto. This election will result in a new Mayor and potentially a Commission with very little experience…My service on the Commission provides historical perspective, institutional knowledge and continuity as many positions are currently filled or soon will be filled by relatively new people. I bring a needed perspective to our city. ”

Cornwell’s experience is a source of pride for her.

“In order to know where you are going, it is important to understand where you have been. I know the history of my community. I have multi-generational relationships with Palmetto Citizens. I am a product of the Manatee educational system and am proud of what our community has become. Having these deep-roots is what drives my deep commitment.” That experience also includes having missed only one meeting in her tenure as commissioner, even attending a Commission meeting 3 days after giving birth to twins.

That experience also includes many years as a teacher and currently as an administrator in Manatee County schools.

“I often utilize my skills as an educator to build consensus in the midst of diversity, as well as developing a team approach where we try to respect everyone’s opinion and perspective. I am also the link between our school system and city government. I understand and provide a voice to student, family, and community needs. As an administrator for the largest employer in the county, I also see firsthand the challenges with having a quality workforce as well as providing needed living spaces for a variety of salary levels. Experiencing these challenges and needs on a daily basis in our schools makes me a better Commissioner by providing me with tremendous insight. I bring those insights to the Commission when I advocate my positions and cast my votes. I always take into consideration the impact on our children, families and residents.”

One of Cornwell’s strengths is her extensive background of community service. In addition to her roles as City Commissioner and school administrator, she has served on multiple boards including the CRA, Historic Board, Fair Board, Gold Star, Church VBS and School District of Manatee County committees.” She is also a graduate of Leadership Florida, and served on committees with the Florida League of Cities “which have provided me with perspectives and best practices which I have shared with our city.” She also assists her husband, Frank Brunner, with community activities benefiting veterans and law enforcement.

The recent interest in the Palmetto by real estate developers gives Cornwell pause.

“Palmetto Elections are won by Palmetto Voters, not money from special interests from outside our city. In the past, Palmetto voters have consistently made it clear that Palmetto is not for sale. I hope my record of service and common sense approach will continue to resonate with my constituents and that they will continue to support me as I do them.”

An apt illustration of developer interest is the funds raised by Cornwell and her challenger. At the time of this reporting, Cornwell has raised $1,655, with contributions from Waste Management of Florida and local businesses and residents. The remainder has been self-funded. By contrast, Matt Kezar has raised $23,845, mostly from local businesses and those in the real estate and building industry.