Hello!

My name is CAMERON BATES. And I am running for City Council for Port St. Lucie, Florida. Currently, I am one of six people running for the district 3 seat, but I believe I am the best person for the job.

First, I consider myself the working class candidate. This is not just some slogan. I work for a living. I am a cop and I put in 50, 60 or 70 hours a week just to make ends meet. I know what it's like to eat macaroni and cheese as a main course, not a side dish! I know what it's like to have to do without simple luxuries just to meet a budget. Most of all, as a taxpayer, it frustrates me to see my taxes wasted or used to pay for "pet projects" which only benefit a minority of the taxpayers, while much needed services are put on hold due to a lack of money!

Secondly, as a law enforcement officer who patrols Port St. Lucie every day, I know how the citizens feel about government. I understand their concerns. And as a 15 year law enforcement officer with 10 years left to go (at least) in my career, my life revolves around public safety and public service. My sole special interest would be to serving the public, since that is all I have ever done, and it is all I ever intend to do!

If elected, I will work to protect the children of our city by working to build sidewalks and local, neighborhood playgrounds walking distance from all residences in the city. Our children have to walk to school bus stops and wait at them before dawn, in the dark. They either have to wait in a wet swale, or stand in the road and risk getting hit by cars. Neither option is acceptable! Sidewalks are absolutely needed. We need them more than palm trees in the medians. We need them more than big monoliths that say "welcome to P.S.L.". We need them, and we need them NOW!

Children also need safe places to play. Kids don't need city owned golf courses! Parents shouldn't have to pay $12 to go to city owned parks (like water parks) which thier taxes have already paid for! Kids need local, neighborhood parks which they can walk to so they don't have to play in the street. These parks also raise homeowner's property values. And since the city owns dozens of tracts of land throughout the residential areas of PSL, there is no reason they cannot be mowed, fenced and adorned with a park bench and trash can for minimal cost! Children shouldn't be forced to play in the street when the city has ample land for parks!

As a local cop, I have been on the scene of many horrible crashes. I seen school buses flipped over, children injured or hit by cars, victims of horrific crimes. I spent hours helping out on my off duty time when fires ravaged the city a couple years ago. There is no way any city councilman can understand a disaster or tragedy unless he or she is there. That's why, if elected, I will push the coucil to adopt a paln to have at least one councilman or the mayor respond to all major disasters, crimes, crashes or other important incidents to get a first hand account of what happened. That way, decisions are made based on experience, not as a monday-morning quarterback!

I have lots of ideas, but I would like to hear yours! If you have questions, comments or suggestions, or you would like to help my campaign, please E-mail me at: vote4bates@bellsouth.net

You can also send letters, comments or contributions (payable to the Cameron Bates Election Account) to:

Cameron Bates Election Headquarters
427 S.W. Namoit Place
Port Saint Lucie, FL 34953

***** BE SURE TO CHECK THE NEWS LETTER SECTION OF THIS SITE FOR REGULAR UPDATES ON MY CAMPAIGN!!! *****

Thanks for your support!