http://www.tampabays10.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=11488 1/10/2005 12:20:42 AM

Clearwater residents have a new Mayor, the youngest ever to hold office. 37-year old Frank Hibbard didn’t have to win an election. He was the only candidate to qualify.

MAYOR FRANK HIBBARD: "There’s been times people say, you look awfully young or this is a lot of responsibility."

Redevelopment is a challenging issue Hibbard will have to deal with.

MAYOR FRANK HIBBARD: "Balancing the old with the new. There is some old, but it’s just tired and worn out and we need to get rid of and then there’s some old you want to maintain, because it’s part of the character that makes Clearwater the place that we all love."

Hibbard says, some people don’t want to see downtown redeveloped, because it will benefit the controversial Church of Scientology.

MAYOR FRANK HIBBARD: "My belief is we need to get over that feeling in order to make downtown and all of Clearwater a better place for our residents and visitors."

As a new mayor, Hibbard takes on some tough responsibilities. That includes making sure the Memorial Causeway Bridge is built on time, especially after many delays because of cracks in the support trusses. The bridge is scheduled to open on September 1st.

MAYOR FRANK HIBBARD:

"All things are going well right now. We’re keeping our fingers crossed and we expect that those cars will be traveling over and we think that this is a tremendous benefit."

Hibbard admits it’s a lot of pressure, but he plans to communicate with the public to have a vibrant economy in a city that’s going through so many changes.

Hibbard was a Clearwater City Council member for three years, before becoming Mayor. He earns about 20-thousand-dollars for his public service. Hibbard is also an investment banker and has a wife and two kids.

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