Oldsmar Mayor Eric Seidel Receives Chamber's Upper Tampa Bay Cup

OLDSMAR, FLA — A year after he created an economic recovery task force to see Oldsmar through the coronavirus pandemic, Mayor Eric Seidel was recently awarded the Upper Tampa Bay Cup, which recognizes exemplary leadership.

The award is handed out by the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and honors a public servant who goes above and beyond the call of duty, chamber officials said in a news release. Seidel’s creation of the task force helped to identify local needs caused by the pandemic and to assist local business owners with possible solutions in dealing with the hardships created by the pandemic.

Seidel also launched the “Face Off Challenge”, which was introduced last summer and received praise and support from the community, the news release said. The goal of the challenge was to encourage local residents to embrace wearing masks and facial coverings at a time when the number of confirmed coronavirus cases was surging across Florida. The contest encouraged residents to decorate their facial coverings that followed a weekly theme and made residents eligible for prizes from Oldsmar businesses.

“I am deeply honored to have received the Upper Tampa Bay Cup as Oldsmar’s Mayor,” Seidel said in the release. “The Chamber of Commerce is a vital partner to the city as we strive to serve our residents and business community. I truly feel this award was presented to me on behalf of our city’s overall response to the pandemic.

“City leaders and staff responded to the crisis with creativity providing a light at the end of the tunnel for Oldsmar. It’s a team effort, and I am certainly glad to have the Chamber’s support and dedication toward our evolving partnership goals.”

Chamber officials praised Seidel for his efforts in seeing the community through such a difficult time and for playing an instrumental part in carrying out the mission of both the City of Oldsmar and the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber.

“We are very fortunate to have such strong leadership and dedication in our region,” Chamber Chairman Jason Sanders said in the release. “Leading by example through his business, community efforts, and city appointment, Mayor Seidel’s award was well deserved.”