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Pinellas County Democrats will have their Kennedy-King dinner on Feb. 27 at the Hilton hotel in the Carillon Park area of St. Petersburg.
No speakers have been confirmed, though CFO/governor's candidate Alex Sink is expected to be the speaker, chairman Ramsay McLauchlan said. She still has to confirm. The party is also seeking a national-level speaker too.
A fledgling Web site is here.
The Tampa City Council on Thursday scheduled a vote on the police union contract for Dec. 2 at 1:30 p.m. Mayor Pam Iorio and the union have been at an impasse in negotiations since July, largely over raises, so the council has to settle the dispute. But even scheduling the date caused some friction. The city's human resources director Kimberly Crum chose that date after clearing it with the calendars of City Council members.But she didn't check in with the union's attorney, Diane Bailey Morton.
So Morton fired off a memo to the council Thursday questioning why she wasn’t consulted, calling it "fundamentally unfair" and in violation of the code of professional conduct. She said she she has an arbitration hearing that morning where she'll be representing a former Tampa firefighter. She speculated that the city didn’t want her to challenge the date, and it was set in an attempt to give the city an unfair advantage.
But as it turns out, Tom Gonzalez, the attorney representing the city in the contract dispute, wasn’t consulted either. "Who do you think is representing the city in that arbitration hearing?" he said, when asked about Morton's scheduling conflict. The answer, of course, is Gonzalez. He said he also had a previously scheduled meeting the afternoon of Dec. 2 that he canceled so he would be available for the City Council hearing.
"They told me the date and I'll be there," he said, adding that he understands that the hearing needs to happen quickly. "The contract that we’re negotiating to replace has already expired."
Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker has endorsed fellow Republican Jack Latvala as Latvala seeks to return to the Florida Senate. Latvala faces Democrat Nina Hayden, a Pinellas School Board member, in the 2010 race.
"Jack Latvala has valuable experience that will benefit our region in Tallahassee. He accomplished many things for the Tampa Bay area and the state as a whole when he served in the Senate from 1994-2002. He was the driving force to end the water wars in the Tampa Bay area, he was a champion for the environment, and he delivered results for the communities he represented," Baker said in Latvala's news release.
David DeCamp, Times staff writer
By a 5-1 vote, the Tampa City Council today voted to expand its human rights ordinance to protect people from discrimination based on "gender identity and expression."
Charlie Miranda cast the lone dissenting vote after expressing concern about disruptions at work caused when someone comes to work dressed as one gender one day and another gender the next. Linda Saul-Sena was absent, but she voted in favor of the expanded protections two weeks ago during a preliminary vote when the rule change passed unanimously with little discussion. On that day, only a handful of people spoke on the issue, and all favored the change.
Today was different. More than 50 people lined up to speak, with transgender people and their supporters on one side of the room, and clergy members and their supporters on the other. Among the opponents was Todd Marks, a Republican candidate for the District 57 state House of Representatives. He said he objected to the change for moral reasons.
Janet Zink, Times staff writer
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Florida Sen. Victor Crist, chairman of the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Committee, hosted a workshop in Tampa today to gather information on how to cut costs in the criminal justice system. The emphasis was on programs to keep people out of prison or keep them from going back. "Criminal justice is an expensive process. If we can prevent people from coming into the system, we can save millions of dollars that could be redirected to education, health services and economic development," Crist said. "To simply throw them in a cell and throw away the key is not the right way to go."
Among those on the panel: Senators Arthenia Joyner and Alex Villalobos; state Representatives Kevin Ambler and Will Weatherford; Department of Corrections secretary Walt McNeil; and Rod Love from the Department of Juvenile Justice.
One by one, more than 40 speakers went to the podium to tout their educational, vocational mental health and other programs. Crist said he was particularly pleased to have Weatherford on the panel to glean information about diversion and preventive programs since Weatherford will be the speaker of the Florida House in a few years. "He's the future," said Crist, who is term-limited out of his Senate seat in 2010. He's a candidate for the Hillsborough County Commission.
Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
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With the Tampa City Council set to take a final vote tomorrow on expanding its human rights ordinance to protect "gender identity and expression," opponents of the move are sending a barrage of e-mails to council members. Council member Mary Mulhern has received more than 1,891 e-mails blasting the measure since the board preliminarily approved the new language on Nov. 5, according to Mulhern's aide. She has received only 354 in support of the change. Other council members have received a similar number of e-mails. Council member Joseph Caetano, though, has received fewer than 500 e-mails. Caetano initially cast the lone vote against the expanded protections, but later changed his vote.
Many of the e-mails are coming from outside the city and even Hillsborough County, with a handful coming from other states. And many are form e-mails distributed by David Caton, executive director of the Florida Family Association, to his supporters. The vote is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.
Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
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Pinellas County Commissioners' decision to stick a moratorium on new digital signs -- the latest front in long-running billboard battles -- "surprised" Clear Channel, said lobbyist Todd Pressman on Wednesday.
Without putting the issue on the published agenda, the board voted 5-2 for the moratorium Tuesday. Pressman learned of the proposal Monday, and that day urged an "open" discussion. There was no opportunity for public debate, and Pressman -- also doubting a moratorium would come down -- left to attend a previously scheduled hearing in Temple Terrace.
"We’re surprised, and we wish there would have been public input and discourse and a vetting," Pressman said. "We understand why they did what they did, and it’s going to come back."
The moratorium lasts at least until a vote on an ordinance making the ban full-fledged. That's expected after public hearings Dec. 1 and Dec. 15, Pressman said. He said the company did take solace in the county's decision not to put two pending permit applications under the moratorium.
The increasing industry push for digital billboards has sparked debate over their risk of distracting drivers.
"We do understand why they did it. Our posture is to work with the county," Pressman said.
David DeCamp, Times Staff Writer
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CLEARWATER -- County Commissioner Karen Seel was chosen unanimously as the new chairwoman of the Pinellas board today, succeeding Commissioner Calvin Harris. Seel moves up from vice chair.
Commissioner Susan Latvala got the nod as the new vice chairwoman.
The posts are largely procedural and ceremonial, but provide a bit of a political pedestal for the year the member holds one of them.
David DeCamp, Times staff writer
CLEARWATER -- Pinellas County Commissioner Nancy Bostock has scrutinized the county utilities' plans for recycling, rate increases and spending, but we're not saying that's what prompted this email Monday.
After trying to deal with the county's ultra-low flow toilet rebate program, Bostock wrote to County Administrator Bob LaSala and assistant county administrator Tom Crandall, who runs utilities:
Tom,
I wanted to let you know that this morning I successfully scheduled an appointment to have my father's toilet inspected under the Pinellas County rebate program. I called for 33 minutes, dialed their number 8 times, was put on hold by a live person 7 times (twice after asking them not to,) went automatically to a recording 8 times, was disconnected from the agency's phone line 3 times and my call wouldn't even go through to the number 5 times ("busy recording.")
And today was immeasurably more successful than the other times I've tried to schedule this appointment.
Just how much do we pay these folks to provide this service?
Nancy
For the record, a utilities customer service director wrote back within 93 minutes to address her concerns. But it didn't stop Bostock from voting no in a 6-1 vote today to renew the program -- which offers consumers up to $100 rebates -- using a private contractor to run it at a $37 per rebate cost. County officials say that is $20 cheaper than it cost previously.
-- David DeCamp, Times staff writer
It's going down 8:30 p.m. Friday at BayWalk.
Meanwhile, organizers called out council members Karl Nurse and Herb Polson in their weekly e-mail blast Tuesday.
"Nurse, Mayor Baker, council member Polson and others rationalized their approval of the sidewalk giveaway by saying protesters' rights were maintained because they could still protest across the street," the e-mail reads. "This type of deceit is not tolerable, and we will not quietly sit by as BayWalk and city officials stomp on democracy and the Constitution."
Cristina Silva, Times staff writer
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ST. PETERSBURG -- Mayor-elect Bill Foster will join a group of newly elected mayors at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics for a three-day leadership training seminar starting Wednesday.
Topics include the economic crisis, transitioning from the campaign to City Hall, and education.
Cristina Silva, Times staff writer
UPDATE: Pinellas County Democratic Party Chairman Ramsay McLauchlan weighs in. "I am hopeful that if there is a full story written it will make it clear that the Democrats oppose the drilling and that this legislation will only pass if the Republican leadership in the house has its way. I am guessing that none of Republican ... members of the Pinellas delegation criticize ... their leadership. Rep. Hooper sounds as if he can't fight for his constituents - he must leave that up to the members of the State Senate."
CLEARWATER -- As expected, Pinellas County lawmakers lashed out over a proposed bill to allow offshore drilling during a meeting with county commissioners today.
"I don't know who in their right mind would consider moving this legislation forward," cracked Sen. Dennis Jones, R-Treasure Island. "Obviously, someone who doesn't live in coastal Florida."
The answer, as Rep. Ed Hooper put it: a majority of the Florida House.
"I'm afraid that once again, the House is going to have to depend on the Senate to do what's right," said Hooper, R-Clearwater.
The House approved a bill last session, but it died in the Senate. At a meeting today, Pinellas commissioners will discuss their opposition to the latest push to allow drilling.
David DeCamp, Times staff writer
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During the Hillsborough County Democratic Party meeting last night, Florida Sen. Charlie Justice outlined bills he's introducing. One would cap contributions to committees of continuing existence at $500, the same cap for donations to candidates. Another would stop corporations from giving to candidates. That would prevent one person from getting around campaign finance limits by making donations through different businesses.
Also on hand were Florida Reps. Michael Scionti and Betty Reed, who said it isn't easy being a Democrat in Tallahassee. "We don't control anything," said Scionti, noting that bills proposed by Democrat lawmakers don't even get discussed if House Speaker Larry Cretul, a Republican, doesn't put them on the agenda. "There is a lot of politicization of issues," Scionti said. Democratic proposals for a sales tax to fund education and tax credits for the film industry went nowhere, he said.
Still, Scionti and Reed said they continue to fight the good fight. "More bad legislation gets stopped than good legislation gets filed and passed," Scionti said.
Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
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The Hillsborough County Commission stuck with the status quo today, re-electing Republican Ken Hagan to an unusual though not unprecedented third consecutive term as chairman. Republican Mark Sharpe was re-elected vice chairman.
Commissioner Rose Ferlita made the motion to keep Hagan as chairman, stressing the need for continuity as the county moves forward with a possible referendum on a 1 percent sales tax to pay for rail and other transportation projects and an ongoing debate about an elected county mayor.
Sharpe was nominated by Democrat Kevin Beckner as chairman but lost to Hagan on a 4-3 vote.
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PINELLAS PARK -- Anyone who wants to run for a seat on this city's council needs to run on down to City Hall. The qualifying period closes at 1 p.m. Thursday. The seats up for grabs are mayor, currently held by Bill Mischler, and the council seats held by Ed Taylor and Sandy Bradbury. Mischler already has qualified to run for re-election. Taylor has picked up his qualification packet. The mayor serves a two-year term, and council members serve four-year terms. The election is March 9. For information, call City Clerk Diane Corna at (727) 541-0706.
Anne Lindberg, Times Staff Writer
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As Florida lawmakers spar about whether to hold a special session on transportation to increase the state's chances of winning stimulus funding for high-speed rail, one of the most vocal advocates of the project says they misunderstand what would really help the state's chances. Ed Turanchik, co-founder of ConnectUs, a grass roots organization pushing for funding for high-speed rail, says the session should include a discussion of state matching funds for the bullet train.
“First and foremost, the special session should provide and make it clear that Florida will match between 10 and 20 percent of the capital costs for the high-speed rail connecting Orlando to Miami and extensions to Jacksonville," said Turanchik, a former Hillsborough County commissioner. “That’s what the federal government wants to know.”
The discussion so far has focused on approving the SunRail commuter line in Central Florida and funding for Tri-Rail in South Florida as a way to get a piece of the $8 billion of federal stimulus money earmarked for high-speed rail lines throughout the country. Florida has applied for a $2.6 billion piece of that pie to build a line connecting Tampa to Orlando. The stimulus money doesn't require any state matching funds. But Turanchik said the feds are looking at Florida's entire proposed system and need to know if the first leg is built that the state will help pay for the remainder.
“The SunRail people are grabbing on this to get SunRail done. The Tri-Rail people are grabbing on this to get Tri-Rail done. And the core of the issue is a match to go build Orlando to Miami," Turanchik said. The commuter rail issues are largely "tangential," he said.
So far, Turanchik said he doesn't have a state lawmaker ready to push the high-speed rail match concept. "We'll see where it goes," he said.
Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
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Newcomer Stanley Gloster last week hosted his first fundraiser for the District 5 City Council seat in 2011. The seat is being vacated by Tom Scott, who is running for mayor in 2011. Many of the folks who turned out for Gloster's event said they first became familiar with him when he helped defeat a planned tent city for homeless people in the East Lake neighborhood.
Also on hand at the event: fellow black Republicans Eddie Adams, who is running for Congress, and Al McCray, a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Republican party regular Mark Proctor was there, as was community activist Michelle Williams.
Williams, a Democrat, said she likes Gloster because he's "a young fresh face" who wants to help the East Tampa neighborhood. Williams said she plans to support Valerie Goddard in the race against Les Miller and Kevin White for the District 3 Hillsborough County Commission seat. Williams, who describes herself as a troublemaker with a big mouth, said she met with Goddard recently and "challenged her." And Goddard challenged right back.
"She had my heart," Williams said.
Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
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Glenn Beck is scheduled to be in Tampa for a book-signing from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Borders Bookstore, 909 N Dale Mabry Highway. After that, he's headed to the Villages for a book-signing and rally where he reportedly is going to make "an announcement about his plans for 2010," according the local Facebook page promoting the appearances.
Members of the Tampa 9-12 Project, a movement spawned by Beck, are way stoked about the visit and will charter buses to take people from Tampa to the Villages for the rally. Karen Jarosch, co-founder of the Tampa 9-12 project, said she expects huge crowds at both events. Personally, though, she said she's less interested in having a book signed than hearing Beck speak at the rally.
"He's a visionary," Jarosch said. "We respect him as someone who is not afraid to ask the tough questions and be bold. We respect him for his courage and his foresight."
Andrew Dorsey, president of the Tampa Bay Young Republicans, said he's eager to hear what Beck will have to say at the Villages rally. "There's something big that's going to happen at that rally," Dorsey said. "The question is what." Dorsey said he sees Beck as the ultimate antiestablishment voice. "Glenn is viewed not necessarily as the leader of the Republicans or conservatives, but as someone who's dedicated as a patriot to making America better."
For information about the events, go to www.tampa912.org.
Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
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TAMPA -- Task force members considering the future of Cone Ranch oppose the outright sale of the property to private interests.
Six of the seven members of the Cone Ranch Environmental Advisory Panel have submitted their thoughts to the county in advance of what may be its final meeting Monday. Of the six, three say the county's Environmental Lands Acquisition and Preservation Program (ELAPP) should purchase the property, or at least the development rights to it.
The other three members say, in varying forms, that the county's Water Resource Services Department should hold on to the land but that a preservation plan should be created. The 12,800-acre tract in northeast Hillsborough County has dozens of wetlands, many of them in ailing heath due to channels dug through the property to prevent upstream flooding.
Each of the three supporting, in essence, a status quo approach advocate something being done to the land to allow some public access to it. It's closed to the public now and leased in part to a rancher.
Finally, two of the panelists say the county should look for ways to restore wetlands to earn mitigation bank credits that can be sold to other entities, a proposal that could make money for the county.
The panel was created at the urging of County Commissioner Chairman Ken Hagan after Florida Conservation & Environmental Group, made up of local businessmen, proposed subdividing Cone Ranch into six parcels and selling them to private interests. The buyers would have had to agree to preserve the parcels in perpetuity by agreeing to what are known as conservation easements.
FCEG, which would have made commissions from the sales, informed the county Thursday that it was indefinitely tabling its proposal under growing public criticism.
Only panel Chairwoman Heidi McCree did not submit recommendations. The panel meets at 9 a.m. Monday at County Center. To view the panel's comments yourself, go to http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/coneranch/resources/publications/comments/membercomments.cfm
-- Bill Varian, Times staff writer
Mayor-elect Bill Foster thanked his supporters in an e-mail today:
To the entire Foster Family:
Wow. It seems like only yesterday we were all at Ferg’s celebrating an awesome victory. Since November 3, I have become reacquainted with Wendy and the kids, spent numerous hours meeting with city staff, and have actually resumed the practice of law (if only for a few more weeks). I have been remise, however, in my lack of contact with you, the family, and I sincerely apologize.
Over the past ten months, I alone accomplished nothing (other than losing 25 pounds, and I will take all the credit for that). However, we, together, achieved something great for the City of St. Petersburg, and I am so truly humbled and honored to have had you all in my life over these past months. I am grateful to all of you who supported me with your time, talent, finances, and prayers, and I will not let you down. None of this was possible without you all playing a role, and trust me - I know it. Please keep us all in your prayers, and remember your City and our Veterans in the process.
Thank you all once again with all of my heart.
First-time Tampa City Council candidate Seth Nelson today announced two endorsements: One from Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner and another from former City Council member Shawn Harrison. Nelson, an attorney, previously worked at Harrison's law firm. He also volunteered for Beckner's county commission run in 2008. City Council races are nonpartisan, but the endorsements show Nelson has some bipartisan support. Beckner is a Democrat, and Harrison, a candidate for the Florida's District 60 House seat, is a Republican.
Nelson is running for the citywide District 3 seat in 2011. Linda Saul-Sena currently holds the post and is term-limited out. So far, no one has filed to run against Nelson.
Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG -- Mayor-elect Bill Foster wasn't too excited about the 1,100-square-foot wing on the mezzanine level of the Municipal Services Center City Hall had roped off for his transition office.
He wanted to be in City Hall.
Not surprisingly, city officials responded to the next boss' wishes.
Foster now has an office on the first floor of City Hall. He also has an aide, whose job responsibilities include fielding Mayor Rick Baker's e-mails.
Foster said the new office is working out well.
Meanwhile, deputy Mayor Tish Elston said staff have arranged individual meetings between Foster and the City Council members and top administrators.
Cristina Silva, Times staff writer
Marco Rubio's U.S. Senate campaign didn't take long getting back to state Sen. Mike Fasano. "Thank you for your letter regarding Governor Crist's strong support for the Obama Stimulus. Or should we say his former support for the Obama Stimulus?" the campaign wrote in a letter to Fasano distributed to the press. "Or is he supporting it again today? Regardless, thank you for your letter."
Fasano said in his Nov. 12 letter to Rubio that he was "disappointed" in the remark and said it "demonstrates a lack of maturity." He ended the one-page letter by asking Rubio how exactly he would have balanced a state budget with a $6-billion shortfall if he refused stimulus dollars
Rubio's campaign's letter, signed by spokesman Alex Burgos, does not answer that question. But it points to a televised interview earlier this year in which Fasano said he did not support the stimulus package.
"Your letter misrepresents Marco Rubio's position on the Stimulus package. Unless you have followed Gov. Crist's lead and changed your position, Mr. Rubio agrees with you that Governor Crist was wrong to endorse it."
"As you know, Rubio believes the Obama-Crist Stimulus to be an incredible waste of taxpayer money and a massive failure. (Speaking of wasting taxpayer money, we noticed you sent your campaign letter using your official Florida Senate email."
The letter goes on to say that Rubio has been asking Crist for a series of debates on the stimulus.
"Unless you have recently changed your mind as well, you are both an opponent of the stimulus and a fervent Charlie Crist supporter. Therefore, you are in a unique position to help facilitate these debates. These debates will offer your candidate, Charlie Crist, the opportunity to outline all the benefits that almost $800 billion of deficit spending has brought to Florida and the country."
--Jodie Tillman, Times Staff Writer
Last Thursday, the Tampa City Council preliminarily approved expanding the city's human rights ordinance to offer protection to transgendered people. Other than a discussion about whether the new law would protect the occasional cross dresser, the vote came with little opposition, passing by a 7-0 vote.
Every speaker at the meeting spoke in favor of the change. But when the council takes its final vote on the ordinance Nov. 19, they could face a different scene. Terry Kemple, president of the Community Issues Council, an organization with the stated mission of promoting Judeo-Christian values, is rallying troops to fight the new protections.
“We’re trying to mobilize people to stand in opposition to what is a bad law,” Kemple said. “It discriminates against Christians and provides special privileges for people based on sexually aberrant behavior.” Kemple sent an e-mail to supporters warning them that, among other things, the Tampa law will allow sexual predators to go into restrooms designated for the opposite sex and force business owners, regardless of their religious beliefs, to hire cross dressers. Already, Council members have received a handful of e-mails from people who oppose the measure.
In response to Kemple’s actions, members of Tampa Bay Pride also say they plan to send representatives to Thursday’s meeting.
"Now that Kemple sent out his alert to his people we’re mobilizing furiously,” said Zeke Fread, director of Pride Tampa Bay.
Kemple said no one from his organization went to last week’s meeting because they learned of the vote too late to organize. Fread said his group didn’t go last week because they knew the expanded ordinance would pass.
Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
Christopher Mitchell, a Democratic candidate for the District 47 state House street, is launching a petition drive this weekend to get his name on the ballot in 2010. Mitchell will face Michael Steinberg, former chair of the Hillsborough County Democratic Party in the primary.
In a news release, Mitchell said this: "Let there be no mistake, we are going to win this election in the primary and ALSO in the general. The voters are going to have a clear choice in this election, namely, a Progressive voice that represents the needs of the community or another Corporatist that pushes the interests of the Business elite. The Republican Party would be making a big mistake taking the voters of this district for granted come November."
So far, the Republican candidates in the race are retired Verizon executive Irene Guy; former Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair; Richard Reidy, an aide to county commissioner Ken Hagan; and business owner Tom Aderhold.
Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch says he's got no regrets about not running for St. Petersburg mayor, despite being tagged by our sister blog the Buzz as runner up loser of the week Sunday for not doing it.
Welch said he has serious measures with countywide effect to pursue, such as promoting rail and fighting off-shore drilling. "I’ve got my plate full," he said.
But his refrain in the recent campaign was "talk to me in 2013," and that might be revised to 2011.
That's when he will look at how redistricting changed legislative districts and how the field for mayor is shaping up. He wouldn't bite on speculation, such as whether fellow Democrat Kathleen Ford's loss makes it easier for him to run in 2013.
"I think we let the guy get inaugurated and become the mayor before we start talking about running against him," Welch said.
David DeCamp, Times staff writer
Democrat Nina Hayden, a Pinellas School Board member, announced four endorsements today for her State Senate campaign for 2010: St. Petersburg City Councilman Karl Nurse, Councilman-elect Steve Kornell, Pinellas School Board Linda Lerner, State Rep. Ronald Brise, D-North Miami.
“Nina Hayden is exactly the right person for us in these challenging times,” said Steve Kornell in Hayden's press release. “I have no doubt that as voters learn more about her they will come to the same conclusion I have --- we need Nina’s fresh voice and leadership working for us on the local level in the State Senate.”
Hayden is expected to face former Sen. Jack Latvala, a Republican, if both avoid primary fights next year.
David DeCamp, Times staff writer
State Sen. Mike Fasano has fired off a letter to U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio over comments he recently made about him to the St. Petersburg Times.
At a Pasco County fundraiser last Saturday, the Times asked Rubio what he thought about Fasano's support of his U.S. Senate rival, Gov. Charlie Crist. Rubio said only: "Maybe Mike Fasano supports the stimulus package."
Fasano said in his Nov. 12 letter to Rubio, which he sent out to reporters, that he was “disappointed” in the remark and said it “demonstrates a lack of maturity.”
“Marco, you give a great speech that excites many, but you are woefully unable to provide solid solutions to the real problems the citizens of Florida face,” he wrote. “It is easy when you are not in office to lob bombs at those who still are, but that my friend, is not statesmanship.”
Fasano wrote that “all Republican members of the Florida House of Representatives, all but one Republican member of the Florida Senate, and every Republican Governor in the United States accepted stimulus money. I believe that if you were in the Florida House of Representatives, you too would have voted to accept these dollars in order to protect our seniors, protect our school children, and keep from adding to our struggling resident's tax burden.”
“To recklessly lash out at those who are fighting in the trenches to cut spending, cut waste, reduce property taxes, reduce property insurance, and ensure that critical needs are funded is not only disingenuous, it demonstrates a lack of maturity.”
Fasano ends his one-page letter by asking Rubio how exactly he would have balanced a budget with a $6-billion shortfall if he refused stimulus dollars.
“The citizens of Florida have the right to know your answer now and not next week, next month, or next year. My constituents await your answer,” Fasano wrote. “Concrete answers are needed please, Marco and not more campaign talking points.”
Fasano told the Times in an interview today that Rubio has “put no substance” behind his campaign speeches.
“He’s a young man who’s got a lot to learn,” Fasano said.
--Jodie Tillman, Times Staff Writer
Pinellas County Commissioner Neil Brickfield has followed ally Tony DiMatteo to support Marco Rubio over his Pinellas neighbor, Charlie Crist, for U.S. Senate.
Brickfield said he actually decided a few months ago, but confirmed the decision this week. Attention has focused on Pinellas Republicans' choice for the Senate nomination because of a straw poll due in January. He downplayed the idea he was shunning Crist.
"I don’t look at it that way. I think that Marco Rubio has a great story to tell," Brickfield said, adding that Rubio's support is growing.
But Brickfield's allegiance isn't too surprising. A former vice chairman of the Pinellas GOP, Brickfield benefited from DiMatteo's support in 2008, when Brickfield was elected to the commission. DiMatteo helps lead Rubio's efforts in Pinellas.
David DeCamp, Times Staff Writer
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SEMINOLE -- Larry Ahern, candidate for the State House 51 seat, is holding his first fundraiser this Sunday at Shelter 8 in Lake Seminole Park. The shindig will go from noon to 3 p.m. Ahern is one of two Republicans who has announced a campaign against incumbent Democrat Janet Long. The other Republican is Dawn Thompson of Seminole. Interestingly, Ahern and Thompson have more than a political party in common. Thompson owns a pool care company in Seminole, and Ahern's business is remodeling swimming pools and creating commercial fountains.
Anne Lindberg, Times Staff Writer
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As expected, perennial candidate Norm Roche has filed to run for the Pinellas County Commission in 2010 for the seat held by Democrat Calvin Harris. Roche, previously a Democrat, is now running as a Republican in the race, which also includes former sheriff's candidate Greg Pound as a Constitution Party candidate.
Read Roche's announcement here.
David DeCamp, Times Staff Writer
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Nearly 30 people turned out Tuesday night for a Hillsborough County Young Democrats meeting at Streetcar Charlie's in Ybor City. President Jennifer Fenn told the group it was the largest crowd ever, even though it was a rainy night. Guest speakers were former Congressman Jim Davis and Florida Senate candidate Nina Hayden, who's running for the seat being vacated by Democrat Charlie Justice. Both speakers told the up-and-coming candidates and campaign workers that sincerity is the key to political success.
Hayden, 35, said that after years of working in the public defender's office representing juveniles charged as adults and serving on the Pinellas County School Board, she wants to help develop policy that will keep kids out of the justice system. Specifically, she pledged to push for adequate state funding of education if elected. And she said even though she faces a tough race against Republican Jack Latvala, she's not afraid. "I don't mind the fight," she said.
Davis told the youthful group that they wield enormous influence because they are the future of politics. He also advised them to show respect for Republicans. "A good Democrat is for democracy, not just the Democratic party," he said. Davis said Barack Obama's sincerity and willingness to work with Republicans will spell out success for health care reform. And he said Obama won the presidency because he has faith that Americans want to to make the country and the world better. "This is the promise and beauty of the Obama election that you all made possible," he said. "He believes in us."
Among those soaking it all in was young Democrat Christopher Mitchell, who's running for the District 47 state House seat, and supporters of Christopher Cano, a 26-year-old candidate for the District 60 seat, who were wearing shirts promoting his Web site, cano460.com. Naima Tabernuro, 20, said she met Cano last year when he ran for president of the USF student body. That election, he said, "was a popularity contest. This is purely politics." She said she likes Cano because he will be the "voice of the underdog."
Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
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In their latest spat, the Pinellas County Housing Authority wants Attorney General Bill McCollum and State Attorney Bernie McCabe to investigate the St. Petersburg Housing Authority for violating the open records law.
Or at least charging too much: the city agency wants the county to pay more than $19,000 for records, notably executive director Darrell Irions' email. The county begs to differ in a fight first noted here at Saint Petersblog 2.0.
The county wants the record to build a case for a $26,000 refund from a law firm that used to work for both of the agencies, back in the day when the authorities were partners and planned a home together, a joint headquarters.
McCollum spokeswoman Ryan Wiggins said the complaint hasn't been received, but generally the attorney general tries to mediate a compromise on records fights.
David DeCamp, Times staff writer
East Hillsborough County activist and businessman Sam Rashid has been less visible on the political front in recent years than he has in the past. But that may be changing.
Rashid sent an email to four of the county's Republican commissioners this week warning them that the board's vote last week to put a transit tax referendum on the ballot next year could spawn a backlash. From him and others. The email went to personal accounts of Chairman Ken Hagan, Mark Sharpe, Al Higginbotham and Jim Norman, as well as a dozen or so others who follow county politics. (Higginbotham and Norman voted against the resolution.)
Interestingly, the email singles out Hagan as recommending the 1-cent sales tax increase to pay for rail, buses and roads. So far, much of the push back from conservatives has targeted Sharpe, who has played a more high-profile role in promoting the proposal. But it was a task force created by Hagan that recommended the sales tax referendum, which he has supported.
Rashid said in an interview that he believes Hagan signed a pledge when he first ran for office that he would not support any new taxes if elected.
"I consider the rail tax a brand new tax," Rashid said. "I also consider a vote to move forward with the referendum a vote in support of that tax."
Here's the body of the email:
"'...Chairman Ken Hagan is recommending that commissioners put a 1-cent sales tax increase proposal on the November 2010 ballot.'" SP Times 11/2009
"That's $170 to $300 million per year taken out of our local economy to pay for a few miles of track. I would like to be on the record as opposing your vote to move forward on supporting the largest single tax increase on the residents of Hillsborough County and would recommend to the local party leadership that they use their influence locally to indentify and inform their members those Republican Commissioners that have violated their core pledges of no-tax increases on residents of our county -- prior to the next election. Since, as one Commissioner recently stated, (late political activist and fundraiser) 'Ralph Hughes is no longer around' to fund such a mailing, we will have to do so ourselves without the help of Ralph. Remember, at the end of the day, this is still a swing county. A few points either way can made the difference in any elected official's chances of re-election and I believe we're obligated to do our part even if it is a Republican that has decided to tax and spend the taxpayer's money contrary to his pledges made to voters prior to his first election."
-- Bill Varian, Times staff writer
ST. PETERSBURG -- Mayor-elect Bill Foster and Police Chief Chuck Harmon met Tuesday morning and chatted -- and that's all they did.
The incoming mayor and the incumbent chief met didn't make any decisions about the future of of the St. Petersburg Police Department, Harmon said. They didn't discuss policy or reconcile their differing opinions of how to best police the city.
At least not yet.
"It was a good philosophical discussion," Harmon said. "We took an hour to talk about (city) issues. We said we'd work hard for the future and we look forward to working together and that's it."
Which means that, as expected, Harmon will remain as police chief.
Continue reading "Mayor-elect, police chief meet ... and that's it" »
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