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Rick Baker (mayor)
Encyclopedia
Rick Baker is the former mayor
of St. Petersburg, Florida
. Elected in 2001, he was reelected in November 2005 with more than 70% of the votes cast.
, Baker was the President of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He also served as the school's senior class president and president of the Student Senate. Baker has a long background in management and law. Baker received a B.S. in management and M.B.A. degrees from Florida State University and Juris Doctor with honors from Florida State University College of Law
. He later studied comparative law at Oxford University. Baker has practiced corporate and business law for 20 years, serving as president of Fisher and Sauls, P.A., a St. Petersburg law firm.
Prior to his election as mayor, Baker served as the chairman of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce
. He is also the author of Mangroves to Major League, a historical account of the development of the city of St. Petersburg.
In 2005, 38 percent of the city's schools improved their Florida state ratings based on FCAT
test results, compared to 10 percent of Florida public schools and 12 percent within the Pinellas County school system.
After his first 5 years as mayor a group of pastors led a protest march to call for an end to gang violence that had claimed the lives of 85 young African Americans.
As Baker continues his second term, St. Petersburg continues a period of economic growth. There is currently more than $1 billion in downtown developments underway downtown, including construction of more than 1,000 new residential units, a new corporate headquarters for Progress Energy, two downtown hotels, renovation of the city's Mahaffey Theater
, development of a new waterfront park and a new building for the Salvador Dalí Museum, which will be located in the Progress Energy Center for the Arts.
Baker's achievements as mayor have been noted nationally, with some describing St. Petersburg as a model city in programs such as education and inner city revitalization. The Partners for Livable, for example, recently designated St. Petersburg as one of "America's Most Livable Communities."
Baker's term expired on January 2, 2010, after which he said he and his family decided against a statewide campaign. "I only have a few years left with my kids at home, and I just want to be with them. It's really not a question of whether I think I could win, it's really personal reasons. You start thinking about an 18-month campaign."
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
. Elected in 2001, he was reelected in November 2005 with more than 70% of the votes cast.
Background
Born in Chicago, Baker is married to wife Joyce. While attending Florida State UniversityFlorida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
, Baker was the President of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He also served as the school's senior class president and president of the Student Senate. Baker has a long background in management and law. Baker received a B.S. in management and M.B.A. degrees from Florida State University and Juris Doctor with honors from Florida State University College of Law
Florida State University College of Law
Florida State University College of Law is the law school of Florida State University in Tallahassee. The law school's highly accomplished and accessible law faculty delivers a program that has an interdisciplinary orientation designed to produce well-rounded and effective lawyers.The law school...
. He later studied comparative law at Oxford University. Baker has practiced corporate and business law for 20 years, serving as president of Fisher and Sauls, P.A., a St. Petersburg law firm.
Prior to his election as mayor, Baker served as the chairman of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
. He is also the author of Mangroves to Major League, a historical account of the development of the city of St. Petersburg.
Youth programs and education
A home-buying assistance program for St. Petersburg school teachers, and pioneered a program to use school property for new public-use playgrounds, setting a goal of having a playground within a half mile of every child in the city.In 2005, 38 percent of the city's schools improved their Florida state ratings based on FCAT
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test
The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, or the FCAT , is the standardized test used in the primary and secondary public schools of Florida...
test results, compared to 10 percent of Florida public schools and 12 percent within the Pinellas County school system.
After his first 5 years as mayor a group of pastors led a protest march to call for an end to gang violence that had claimed the lives of 85 young African Americans.
Economic development and city services
In addition to focusing on youth and education, Baker has also focused on revitalizing the city's urban core, Midtown, and improving city services.As Baker continues his second term, St. Petersburg continues a period of economic growth. There is currently more than $1 billion in downtown developments underway downtown, including construction of more than 1,000 new residential units, a new corporate headquarters for Progress Energy, two downtown hotels, renovation of the city's Mahaffey Theater
Mahaffey Theater
Mahaffey Theater is a concert hall located in St. Petersburg, Florida. The facility first opened in May, 1965. It is one of the prime venues for the Florida Orchestra and hosts traveling Broadway shows. The theater lobby overlooks Tampa Bay through a three-story glass wall...
, development of a new waterfront park and a new building for the Salvador Dalí Museum, which will be located in the Progress Energy Center for the Arts.
Reelection and second term
Baker's re-election platform, called the "Baker Plan," focused on five areas: education; economic development, particularly in Midtown St. Petersburg; public safety; neighborhood associations; and improving the efficiency of city services.Baker's achievements as mayor have been noted nationally, with some describing St. Petersburg as a model city in programs such as education and inner city revitalization. The Partners for Livable, for example, recently designated St. Petersburg as one of "America's Most Livable Communities."
Baker's term expired on January 2, 2010, after which he said he and his family decided against a statewide campaign. "I only have a few years left with my kids at home, and I just want to be with them. It's really not a question of whether I think I could win, it's really personal reasons. You start thinking about an 18-month campaign."