TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Suncoast Pinellas News

Obama Campaign Stop Puts Dunedin On The Map

ADVERTISEMENT

By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: September 27, 2008

DUNEDIN - The city is basking in the glow of publicity garnered during Democratic Party presidential candidate Barack Obama's Wednesday campaign stop here.

"The city could never afford to buy this type of very positive publicity," Lynn Wargo, Dunedin Chamber of Commerce president and chief operating officer, said.

In fact, the city won't have to pay any of the costs related to the Obama visit, according to City Manager Rob DiSpirito.

Many people came to Dunedin who have never been here before, Wargo said. The Chamber of Commerce was flooded with calls asking directions for the best way to get here.

Now, she hopes "they will enjoy themselves and return to visit our shops and restaurants," Wargo said.

For days before Obama spoke to 11,000 people at Knology Park, Dunedin was mentioned over the Internet, on television and radio and in newspapers all around the world, Wargo said.

On Wednesday major streets around the city were jammed with cars, before and after the political rally at the baseball stadium on Douglas Avenue.

"We have been very lucky to have several waves of publicity this year," Wargo said.

For example, "Dr. Beach," Professor Stephen Leatherman of Florida International University, named the beach at Caladesi Island State Park the best in the nation. In addition, Money magazine named the city one of the best places to retire.

"And now this," Wargo said of the Obama campaign stop. "We have been very blessed."

The political appearance by the Illinois senator was a "great opportunity to be part of history right in our own backyard," Wargo said. "Presidential candidates don't visit North Pinellas very often."

Mayor Bob Hackworth said the campaign called him Sunday to ask if the city could host the rally. Everything went off pretty smoothly, Dunedin was mentioned in the news everywhere you looked. It was a great economic boost to businesses. By 3 p.m. downtown restaurants were filled, there were many people along the Pinellas Trail and in the shops. With the presidential race being so close, it was great that Dunedin could be part of history, he said.

DiSpirito said the city mobilized its forces within days to welcome the Obama campaign stop and visitors from around the world it attracted. The city would be happy to mount the same effort if Obama's Republican opponent, Arizona Sen. John McCain, chose to visit Dunedin as well, he said.

The Obama rally showed everyone Dunedin has a viable venue to accommodate large events at the city-owned Knology Park, the spring training home of the Toronto Blue Jays. The campaign stop also demonstrated the city's ability to safely handle events of this caliber, he said.

The city will be reimbursed for its expenses by the Obama campaign, DiSpirito said. The campaign wired a $10,000 deposit to the city and has promised it would cover any additional expenses, he said.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT