Luis Viera lives in New Tampa and his son attends school here. Now, the Hunter’s Green resident and Tampa attorney says he may be interested in representing New Tampa on the Tampa City Council.
Viera told the Neighborhood News that he is exploring whether or not to challenge for the District 7 seat currently held by Lisa Montelione.
Since Montelione has filed to challenge Shawn Harrison in the House District 63 race (see pg. 8), state law requires that she resign and vacate her council seat by Election Day (November 8, 2016). Tampa will hold a special election to replace her.
In the meantime, Viera is on a fact-finding mission to decide whether or not to pursue a job that he admits intrigues him.
“Its a really unique seat,’’ says Viera, an attorney with Ogden & Sullivan, P.A., a civil trial practice firm in Tampa. “It’s the only seat for the City of Tampa that represents North (and New) Tampa. I’m lifelong from this area. I grew up in Temple Terrace, right next door, and have lived in New Tampa for the last 10 years or so. My son goes to school at Lawton Chiles Elementary. I’m a stakeholder in this area.”
Viera has no timetable for declaring his candidacy for the city’s nonpartisan elections, and is hoping to line up bipartisan support before doing so, even though he can’t run as a Republican or Democrat.
Having lived in New Tampa during the seemingly endless construction work on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., Viera says one of the main issues he would tackle would be transportation.
“I’m not saying that by getting on Council and making efforts its going to be a panacea, a heal all. It’s not,’’ Viera admits. “But, you can certainly make targeted (transportation) investments that I think will make things better.”
Some other issues mentioned by Viera include strengthening the link between North and New Tampa, fighting for more assistance for the city’s police and fire departments and ensuring that New Tampa gets its fair share of the city’s tax pie.
Viera helped found and is the President of the Lawyers Autism Awareness Foundation, which has raised roughly $40,000 for children with autism and other developmental disabilities, and does an annual “Sensory Friendly Santa” event for children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
He has served on the Board of Tampa Bay Best Buddies (2011-15), is presently the chair of the City of Tampa’s Civil Service Board (which hears the appeals of city workers who have been terminated or disciplined and wish to appeal). He also is the incoming president of the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association.
“I’ve always been involved in civic issues and always had an interest in politics,’’ Viera said. “(Running for City Council) would be an extension of that.”
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