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With the tumult amid the GOP ranks in Pasco County, C.T. Bowen adapts the soundtrack for a column in Friday's Times. Read it here, and sing along if you like. Is it worth an Oscar or Grammy?
-- David DeCamp/Times staff writer
ST. PETERSBURG- A local NAACP branch will host a candidates forum Monday featuring several local races.
Among the candidates scheduled to attend:
-Activist Darden Rice and former St. Petersburg City Council member Rene Flowers, two Democrats vying for Pinellas County Commissioner Bob Stewart's seat.
-State Rep. Darryl Rouson and the Rev. Charles McKenzie, two Democrats competing for the statehouse District 55 seat.
The forum starts at 7 p.m. at 1501 16th St. S. The public is invited to pose questions to the candidates.
-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer
Bill Mitchell has been endorsed by political activist Karen Perez.
Perez, a member of Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio’s Healthcare Advisory Board, is a former candidate for state House District 60. Mitchell has also been endorsed by Fred Taylor, a three-time Purple Heart recipient and past president of the Order of the Purple Heart who is running in the Democratic primary for state Senate District 11.
Mitchell, a Tampa attorney and Vietnam veteran, is one of three Democrats looking for a chance to take over the U.S. House District 9 seat held by Gus Bilirakis.
- Rita Farlow, Times staff writer
ST. PETERSBURG--City officials want to give Sen. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, a key to the city. Thing is, Obama's people aren't sure they want it.
City Council Member Karl Nurse said he called Obama's campaign earlier today about the proposal and staffers didn't immediately accept. Instead, they told Nurse that Obama's schedule was already planned, but they would get back to him.
Obama will hold a town hall-style meeting on the economy Friday at Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg. Nurse and several other city officials came up with the idea of giving Obama the key during the event while casually talking today.
Nurse, a Democrat who will attend Obama's meeting, said he hopes it works out, but if not, he understands.
"It is just a matter of whether it works in their schedule. You never know with presidential campaigns," said Nurse.
And if you're a Republican wondering whether John McCain will get the same honor, it's unclear. Mayor Rick Baker, after all, supported Mitt Romney. So if the former Massachusetts governor is named McCain's running mate, we're betting at Bay Buzz there will be keys all around...
UPDATE: (6:40) Nurse says Obama's people are still working on it. Nurse seems hopeful. We don't know what to think. Obama's staff haven't returned Bay Buzz's request for comment.
-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer
[Supporters line up in an alley near Senator Barack Obama's St. Petersburg campaign office on Central Avenue despite a late afternoon downpour. The crowd was there in hopes of securing a ticket to see Obama hold a town hall meeting at Gibbs High School. The office ran out of tickets within 45 minutes. Martha Rial,Times]
ST. PETERSBURG-- Can't get enough of your favorite local politico?
Do what the kids do these days, and stalk them on www.Facebook.com.
A number of local politicians have recently created profiles on the networking site or are starting to use their site to campaign, including St. Petersburg Vice Chair Jeff Danner, state Rep. Rick Kriseman, county commission candidate Darden Rice and congressional candidate Bob Hackworth. While national candidates have been networking on-line for years, a city council member on Facebook would have been a little unusual in the past, even as recently as just two years ago.
Of the pack, Hackworth seems to be the most popular with 236 friends. His page includes trivia from The Colbert Report and a link to his Myspace.com page.
-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer
On Monday, Aug. 11, supporters of Rene Flowers and her opponent Darden Rice in the Pinellas County Commission District 3 contest will have a chance to open up their check books for some last minute giving.
Flowers has scheduled a fundraiser at American Stage in St. Petersburg from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tom Beck, the theater's executive director, and Leroy Sullivan, a TECO vice president, are sponsors.
Up in Dunedin, Rice is holding a 'Building Green' fundraiser from 6 to 8 p.m. The event takes place at the newly green-certified Dunedin Community Center. The hosts include State Rep. Rick Kriseman, Josh Bomstein, vice president of Creative Contractors, and Wayne Wallace, president of Solar Source.
--Will Van Sant, Times staff writer
As he guns for the Democratic nomination for Pinellas Sheriff, Randall M. Jones has accused incumbent Sheriff Jim Coats of using agency equipment for personal gain.
Specifically, Jones said on the campaign trail that Coats and Coats’ wife instructed a Sheriff’s Office pilot to fly them to Key West on a Sheriff’s Office aircraft for their personal vacation.
Coats said there was absolutely no truth to the charge.
A public records request shows that a Sheriff’s Office plane flew to Key West 11 times since Jan. 2005, when Coats was inaugurated. Coats and his wife were never on board.
So where did Jones come up with this charge?
He said he heard it from Michael Peasley Sr., a retired deputy who announced but did not qualify for the Republican primary for Sheriff.
Peasley told Bay Buzz he’d heard the rumor, but he never followed up on it.
Asked again, Jones conceded he’d made a mistake.
“If it can’t be proven I just have to be man enough to eat that one,” he said. “I take full responsibility for the inaccuracy of that allegation.”
--Jonathan Abel, Times staff writer
Pasco County Commission candidate John Nicolette, in the wake of bad news on his tax payments and campaign attacks, is planning a rally featuring fellow Republican and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson on Aug. 9.
The event will be at the Griffin family's Hallelujah Land ranch near Land O'Lakes -- not a fund-raising event but donations will be appreciated by the Republican trying to unseat Commissioner Ted Schrader. Nicolette has been advertising the endorsement by Bronson, whom he works with on the State Fair Board.
David DeCamp/Times staff writer
Good news for Rep. Rick Kriseman, whose family hasn't had much lately. They lost their house and dogs in a fire recently. But Kriseman tells us they just adopted another black lab from lab rescue. Her name is Peppermint.
---Adam Smith
Just hours after President Bush signed a mortgage assistance bill into law, Dunedin mayor and Democratic congressional candidate Bob Hackworth released a scathing press release chastising the man he is hoping to unseat, 19-term Republican Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-Fla.), for voting against it.
“With 1.4
million foreclosures, and rising, nationally, and with one home out of 200 in
Florida in foreclosure, it is outrageous that Rep Bill C. W. Young, would not
support this bill. I find it
deplorable that Rep. Young voted against this bill, especially with Florida
having such a high mortgage default rate. As our Congressman, he should be trying to help, not hurt during this
crisis,” Hackworth said in a press release.
The law allows the Federal Housing Administration to provide $300-billion to help homeowners facing foreclosure get a new loan. But it also allows the Treasury Department to loan mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac unlimited sums of money, effectively bailing them out of their current crisis.
Young, a senior Republican member in the House of Representatives, joined many of his conservative colleagues in voting against the bill. They were most specifically opposed to the bailout of Fannie and Freddie.
--Andrew Dunn, Times Staff Writer
To read Democrat Fred Taylor's Web site, a voter would never know he's running in the Florida Senate District 11 Democratic primary against a 21-year-old college student, Richard Skandera.
"My opponent's campaign is funded by Tallahassee lobbyists and special interests groups," Taylor says on the opening page.
Skandera, for the record, has raised all of $2,000 from his own pocket. His campaign Web site is a private Myspace page -- you have to be accepted as a friend first. He pledged he won't accept donations at all. But incumbent Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, has raised more than $396,000. And Taylor has tailored his campaign for the general election already.
"As a practical matter, I've got to start looking ahead," Taylor told the Bay Buzz.
David DeCamp/Times staff writer
The Hillsborough County Democratic Party GLBTA and Black caucuses hosted a forum for judicial candidates Tuesday night. All but two candidates turned out for the well-attended discussion: Jason Montes and Martha Cook. Cook, a member of Bell Shoals Baptist Church, also declined to submit a bio for the forum's program. Judge Kevin Carey was the only male at the table, underscoring the fact that all but two of the contenders in the Aug. 26 race are women.
Janet Zink, Times staff writer
So it's a bit of an anamoly in Florida's anti-tax climate: Voters over and over again usually agree to raise their taxes for public schools even as they demand property tax relief from local governments.
But with the current sour economy, Bay Buzz wonders how last night's vote by the Pinellas County School Board is going to sit. Sure, Amendment 1, the January property tax break passed by voters, will ameliorate some of the concern because of the additional $25,000 homestead exemption for homeowners. And local governments have had to rollback tax rates from 2007 legislation, generally.
But non-homesteaded property owners will definitely see this rate hike as an overall tax increase from last year-- unless they've had a 4 percent or more drop in their assessed property value (which is entirely possible).
So thoughts, Bay Buzz readers? Does the pro-education current in the body politic hold strong even in the face of current economics?
--Joni James, Times state editor
Pasco County Commission candidate John Nicolette has ripped Commissioner Ted Schrader's record on property taxes and rising county spending.
But Nicolette -- along with a few other candidates -- has struggled to pay his own taxes, records show.
RIVERVIEW -- U.S. House of Representatives candidate Doug Tudor says he's not a viable opponent to Adam Putnam, an incumbent and the No. 3 Republican in the House, but he's getting there.
Tudor, a Democrat, is the only person standing between Putnam and his third term representing District 12 in Washington, D.C.
Tudor spends about seven hours each day in his Riverview house, calling friends and local Democrats to ask for money. He's gone to union meetings, and he'll be at a Lakeland fundraiser tonight for Morgan Bentley, a Democrat running for a seat in the Florida Senate. Tudor hopes to meet people there interested in helping him beat Putnam.
But he's still about $1.3-million behind.
Tudor has received about $25,000 from individuals, through the end of June, Federal Elections Commission records show. He's also pulled a $25,000 loan, a strain that comes on top of his February retirement from the U.S. Navy. He's currently unemployed.
Putnam has raised almost $1.4-million, according to records filed this month.
Tudor knows he'll never match Putnam in campaign funds. He can't, he said. And even if he did, he's afraid Putnam could put thousands into his own campaign. Last year, Putnam made between $100,000 and $1-million from his family's business, financial disclosure records show. His family owns Putnam Groves, a cattle and citrus company in Polk County.
Tudor hopes to make a quarter million -- enough to show he's a viable candidate, he said. He may be the underdog, but Tudor likens himself to David and Putnam to Goliath.
"If there's any craziness in me, it's because I have hope," he said.
Putnam hasn't spent time campaigning yet, his senior advisor, Keith Rupp, said. He's been working in Washington, D.C., but he has a staff that works year-round to raise money for his re-election, Rupp said.
Neither candidate has an opponent in the primary election.
-- Jessica Vander Velde, Times staff writer
BROOKSVILLE - Mayor David Pugh said today that he will abandon his pursuit of a state investigation into the filing process for City Council candidates, saying that he didn't want to "waste taxpayer dollars."
Pugh (left) said last week that he would file a complaint with the Florida Elections Commission because he was concerned about a number of errors in documents filed by other City Council candidates and the perception of bias in the process.
But Pugh later changed his mind, deciding to focus his efforts on a recent proposal from council member Lara Bradburn that would transfer the city's election duties to the Hernando County Supervisor of Elections office.
"I'm going to gather all the information that I can and present it to the council," Pugh said today, "just to reaffirm my position."
Bradburn said she came up with the proposal after a couple of recent problems, including one when the city staff sent out an e-mail announcing the candidacy of one candidate but failed to do the same for others.
- Joel Anderson, Times Staff Writer
[Maurice Rivenbark, Times files]
State Rep. Darryl Rouson skipped out on a candidate's forum in Sarasota Monday evening, even though he told organizers he would be there.
Leon Harris, president of the Sarasota-Manatee Democratic Black Caucus, said Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, never called to cancel the appearance.
"He said he would be there," said Harris.
But Rouson, who is running for reelection against the Rev. Charles McKenzie, said it was simply a scheduling error. He said he received an email that stated the debate was being held on Aug. 28. Rouson forwarded the email to Bay Buzz.
"I would never deliberately, purposely, blow off an organization that invited me to speak in Sarasota, the backyard of Charles McKenzie," he said.
Rouson said he called the black caucus this morning to set the record straight and to apologize.
Meanwhile, the Florida Professional Firefighters and the Pinellas County Council of Firefighters endorsed McKenzie this week.
"The Florida Professional Firefighters and the Pinellas County Council of Firefighters share my commitment to public service and the labor movement," said McKenzie in a statement.
The District 55 Democratic Primary is Aug. 26.
-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer
The perennial ritual in election years has begun anew: Vandalized campaign signs. Read about the problem in Pasco.
The Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission will hold public interviews in Tampa Aug. 11-12 with each of the 50 judges and lawyers seeking one of two upcoming court vacancies.
The nine-member JNC will devote 25 minutes to each candidate, with 25 interviews on each day at the Tampa Airport Marriott. Public comments on the candidates will be accepted up until Aug. 11 and should be sent to the attention of chair Robert Hackleman at the firm of Gunster, Yoakley and Stewart in Fort Lauderdale.
Budget cuts have put the Hillsborough County television station in jeopardy, but that doesn't mean you won't be seeing County Commissioner Rose Ferlita on the tube.
Ferlita will be the host of Taking Sides, a new political affairs talk show on WTTA-Ch. 38 that debuts Sunday at 10:30 p.m. Ferlita will moderate a 30-minute program that will feature six guests debating a single topic. This week's show will focus on the recent Rays stadium proposal and where the issue is headed now.
The panelists will be drawn from a pool of "regulars:" Times columnist Ernest Hooper, Hillsborough Clerk of the Circuit Court Pat Frank, St. Petersburg resident Ed Davis, former Tampa mayor Dick Greco, attorneys Fred McClure and Brad Culpepper, Tampa hotel broker Lou Plasencia and Christa Watson, former director of investor relations for the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.
Initial plans call for the show to air twice a month.
The Tampa Bay Area Builders have endorsed lots incumbents this year, though open-seat picks include Pam Dubov, a Republican for Pinellas County property appraiser. See the group's picks in its announcement here.
Bay Buzz readers may recall this post from last week, however, where one candidate said she never had a shot at winning the group's heart.
David DeCamp/Times staff writer
So the latest idea from the assertive state Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg: He's asked Gov. Charlie Crist to call a special session of the Florida Legisalture to deal with homeowner's insurance, the anemic state budget, and the ongoing mortgage crisis.
So why would Crist, a Republican and Republican legislative leaders (who also have the power to call a special session) agree in an election year? Good question.
--Cristina Silva, Times staff writer
The Barack Obama campaign is set to formally open a Clearwater campaign office - 133 N Fort Harrison Ave - tomorrow afternoon, and a St. Pete field office - 2321 Central Ave (super convenient to the only spot we know of where naked, deaf guys dangle from the ceiling) - Wednesday afternoon. That brings to four the number of field offices in Tampa Bay, and by our count, 13 in Florida: Those two in Pinellas; two in Tampa; one in Sarasota; Hollywood; Homestead; Naples; Fort Lauderdale; Gainesville; Miami Gardens; Fort Myers; Jacksonville.
John McCain and the RPOF also have two offices in Pinellas and two in Hillsborough, and one in Pasco
---Adam Smith
Most of the time, presidential "get out the vote" efforts in African-American neighborhoods consist of, "Here today, gone tomorrow."
Sisters United For Change, a statewide coalition of African-American elected officials and community leaders, is looking to change all that.
"The empowerment of black women constitutes ... the empowerment of our entire community," says Rep. Betty Reed, D-Tampa. "We plan to educate African-Americans to prepare them to vote their interest in the upcoming election."
Read more about the group and it's Tampa Bay connections in from Times columnist Ernest Hooper.
Gus Bilirakis has long had the benefit of name recognition. But what happens if he goes up against a n opponent whom the Democratic Congressional Campaign committee has dubbed "one of the 20 emerging races" nationwide?
That's because former Plant City Mayor John Dicks is one of three Democrats vying for the chance to unseat Bilirakis, the 9th District Republican congressman. The other two are Tampa lawyer Bill Mitchell and Hispanic advocate Anita de Palma. Read more here.
With accusations flying in the Pasco County Commission race for the District 1 race, Politifact put the charges flying between Commissioner Ted Schrader and challenger John Nicolette to the test.
Did Schrader really forgive $170,000 in fines for a developer? Not at all, earning Nicolette the lowest Politifact rating: Pants on Fire!!["Barely]("http://tampabay.com/universal/graphics/politifact/tom-barelytrue.gif")
Is Nicolette really funded by developers? Schrader's charge is Barely True.
See the results here.
-- David DeCamp, Times staff writer
Before he was running as a Democrat for Congress or for governor with the Reform Party, Max Linn was featured in the St. Petersburg Times for possibly being St. Petersburg's youngest stock broker.
In an awe-filled September 1983 article titled "His youth didn't stand in the way," 24-year-old Linn is described as an "avid adventurer" whose more remarkable feat was joining the A.G. Edwards & Sons investment firm six months out of college.
"St. Petersburg native Max Linn's avocations include scuba diving, flying and sky diving. But it's this avid adventurer's occupation that merits attention," the article began.
It continued, "What makes the accomplishment even more amazing is that Linn, a handsome, articulate 24-year-old, didn't major in finance or economics at Louisiana Tech, or even take business-related courses while in college. Linn graduated with a bachelor of science degree in professional aviation. How did this young executive with his eyes skyward end up with his feet firmly planted in the financial world?"
The answer: He met the executive vice president of A.G. Edwards at a wedding reception.
To read more, check out the original article, below.
DUNEDIN -- Mayor Bob Hackworth, who's running as a Democrat for the Congressional District 10 seat now held by U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young, had his hands full at a city commission meeting Thursday night.
From the Times story:
Decorum and Robert's Rules of Order flew out the window as commissioners talked to each other across the mayor. One commissioner repeatedly argued with the developers who were sitting in the audience. One developer demanded answers from the city, often from his seat.
Though the mayor tried, he couldn't stop the runaway meeting, slumping down in his seat at one point in obvious frustration.
--Stephanie Garry, Times Staff Writer
With the latest financial reports in, there's a lot of bucks going to Pasco County Republican candidates, despite fears of anxiety toward Republicans and incumbents (mostly one in the same in Pasco).
David DeCamp/Times staff writer
Folks, here's a story that's to appear in tomorrow's paper. Frank Gregoire is taking Pam Dubov to task over the Jim Smith debacle:
Should Property Appraiser candidate Pam Dubov share blame for the scandal that ensnared and tainted her former boss Jim Smith last year?
You bet, says Frank Gregoire, Dubov’s opponent in the Republican primary.
To make that point, Gregoire Friday visited the 1.5-acre parcel on Brooker Creek that inspired headlines and a grand jury probe after Smith sold it to the county for nearly four times its assessed value.
Gregoire went to the lot, secluded from Tarpon Woods Boulevard and overgrown by vegetation, armed with paperwork showing the values Smith’s office gave the land from 1999 to 2007. He also had values given four adjacent parcels during the same period.
Darden Rice is well ahead of Rene Flowers in the money race when it comes to the Pinellas County Commission District 3 Democratic primary, according to campaign finance reports due today. Rice took in $22,908 in the recent quarter, bringing her total to $30,008. Rice has given herself some heftly loans, however, including one for $5,000. Flowers took in $9,003 in the quarter. Her total contributions stand at $11,089.
In the race for Pinellas County Property Appraiser, Republican Frank Gregoire had a solid quarter, taking in $25,736, bringing his fundraising total to $44,506. His primary opponent Pam Dubov, who has thrown slightly less of her own money into the race than Gregoire, took in $9,247 in the quarter, bringing her total to $42,882.
In the Sheriff's Office race, Democrats Randall Jones and John Pikramenos are about even, with $18,420 and $18,709, respectively, in total contributions. But both are well behind Republican incumbent Jim Coats, who boasts $131,151 in the bank.
In the Pinellas County Commission District 1 Republican primary, School Board member Jane Gallucci took in $32,140 in the quarter, bringing her total to $37,140. Her opponent Neil Brickfield's report was not available from elections officials today. Election officials said he had decided to mail his in, which candidates may do so long as the material is postmarked by the filing deadline.
UPDATE: This evening, less than 15 minutes after Bay Buzz posted the previous paragraph, Brickfield called to share the numbers he will report. He said he started the quarter with $275 and will report raising $39,671, bringing his total for the campaign to $39,946.
Will Van Sant, Times staff writer
Our sister blog, The Buzz, is reporting the 50 lawyers who've applied for the two upcoming vacancies on the Florida Supreme Court.
But we here at Bay Buzz want to make it easier to get the local gossip. So over cocktails tonight, wow your friends by knowing the Tampa Bay applicants:
Circuit Judge William Levens of Tampa
Southwest Florida Water Management District general counsel William S. Bilenky of Inverness
Circuit Judge Emily Peacock of Tampa
Circuit Judge Steven Stephens of Tampa
Circuit Judge Stephen O. Rushing of Brooksville
Circuit Judge Marva L. Crenshaw of Tampa
ST. PETERSBURG- State House candidates Darryl Rouson and Charles McKenzie both talk like grassroots activists.
But when it comes to campaign fundraising, Rouson is all business.
The incumbent raised $25,936 since April with the help of donations from the state Democratic party, the Florida Physical Therapy Association, Amscot Financial Services and the Florida Education Association. St. Petersburg City Council Member Karl Nurse also donated $100 to Rouson's campaign.
Meanwhile, McKenzie has $9,050 in donations. His supporters include the St. Petersburg Democrats, the law firm of Czaia & Gallagher and Pinellas Stonewall Political Action Committee. Most of his donations come from individuals, including $50 from Council Member Wengay Newton.
Rouson also raised more money than McKenzie when the two men faced off against each other in the March District 55 special election primary. McKenzie is holding a fundraiser at the Enoch Davis Center Saturday.
Calvester Benjamin-Anderson, a write-in candidate and the only Republican in the race, didn't raise a cent.
-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer
Pasco GOP Chairman Bill Bunting has the support of County Commissioner Jack Mariano, meaning insurgent Republicans seeking to kick out Bunting from leadership will have to look elsewhere for support.
Mariano, a Republican who lives in Bunting's precinct, told Bay Buzz today he will vote to re-elect Bunting as precinct committeeman in the Aug. 26 primary.
The committee members make up the county party's executive committee, and Bunting has to keep his post to be eligible to be chairman. Critics of Bunting are running against him for the job, hoping to oust Bunting from power by beating him in his own neighborhood.
--David DeCamp/Times staff writer
Tampa City Council member Mary Mulhern has endorsed Kevin Beckner in the District 6 Hillsborough County Commission Democratic primary. It's the second endorsement this week for Beckner, a financial planner. Linda Saul-Sena also threw her support behind Beckner. He faces enterpreneur Joe Redner and environmental activist Dee Layne in the Aug. 26 primary. The winner will take on Republican Brian Blair in November.
Janet Zink, Times staff writer
Despite "targeting" state Sen. Mike Fasano's ouster, the Democrats have raised little cash to mount a big campaign against the New Port Richey Republican.
Finance reports today show Fred Taylor -- the party's candidate of choice -- raising $2,660 the last quarter and receiving $17,625, mostly in party support. Overall, Taylor has received $17,285 in cash and almost $38,000 inkind. Another Democrat, Richard Skandera, raising all of his $2,015 from his own pocket.
The winner in their primary gets to face this: A Fasano campaign that raised $57,477 in cash in May and June, topping off his $396,000 total in direct donations and more than $37,000 received in kind. Can you say war chest?
"I think they’re trying to pretend they can beat us, but they can’t," state Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, said recently. "There’s nobody in the Legislature that can compete with how hard Mike Fasano works."
David DeCamp/Times staff writer
ST. PETERSBURG- A City Council Workshop to discuss open government in the wake of a controversial incentives package for Jabil Circuit has been pushed back to late August or September.
The city approved the workshop Thursday, nearly a month after the council approved a multi-million incentive package for Jabil without public notice or discussion.
Council Chairman Jamie Bennett, who sets the council agenda, had said the workshop would tentatively be held in early August if approved by the council.
But the city has had some trouble setting a date that would accommodate all the involved parties. State, county and city officials are expected to attend and discuss the state's confidentiality law, which requires economic development staff members, but not elected officials, to shield business deals at a company's request.
ST. PETERSBURG-- Local candidate debates could soon air on the city's television channel.
City Council Members directed staff to figure out how to broadcast a local debate during a Public Services and Infrastructure Committee meeting Thursday morning.
The live debate would allow residents to learn about political candidates from an unfiltered forum, said Council member Karl Nurse, the city's newest election official.
"It's a great day for democracy," said Nurse following the meeting.
Continue reading "St. Pete candidates could get free air time" »
Democrat Richard Skandera of Palm Harbor doesn't have any campaign contributions for his state Senate bid. He doesn't have a campaign staff. At 21, he's still finishing his college degree.
But as he tries to beat Democratic rival Fred Taylor and get a chance to unseat Sen. Mike Fasano, Skandera has unleashed his own "100" plan -- the "100 Ways Campaign."
It starts with passing the Equal Rights Amendment in the Senate at No. 1. It ends with repealing "outdated" telephone and cable regulation laws. In between are repealing laws allowing for curfews and passing tougher building standards.
Continue reading "Move over Rubio, a new 100-idea plan sprouts" »
The Darden Rice campaign released a damning photograph today of a Rene Flowers' yard sign. The two are in the Pinellas County Commission District 3 Democratic primary. The photo shows a lone 'm' absent from the word 'Commission' in the directive: Elect Rene Flowers for County Commission.
"There are just some details you have to get right," Rice said in a statement that accompanied the photo. "Especially the name of the job you're asking voters to hire you for."
Told of the move, Flowers said that her printer had made a mistake and had apologized to her profusely, then printed her another batch of correctly spelled signs. Her campaign, she said, started replacing the bad signs about two weeks ago.
"Bless her heart if that's the best she could do," Flowers said of Rice. "I'm continuing to focus on the issues."
Will Van Sant, Times staff writer
Tampa communications strategist John D. Reffue will host a fundraising reception for Former Plant City Mayor John Dicks, Democratic primary candidate for the 9th Congressional District, at 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3 at the clubhouse at Equestrian Parc, 18201 Highwoods Preserve Parkway, Tampa.
Other members of the host committee: Roy and Doris Weatherford, Christopher and Alissa Brown and Ramsay and Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan.
Suggested minimum contributions are $25/person, $50/couple. To reserve, call (813) 732-6238.
- Rita Farlow, Times Staff Writer
It's not easy running for the communty development district board in Cory Lake Isles. This posh New Tampa development, controlled for years by Gene Thomason and its family, now finds itself embroiled in a court fight between homeowners and management over money; the plaintiffs say a lot of it is unaccounted for. Among other things, the suit has become a campaign issue for board member Suzanne Manzi, who is running for re-election. The latest turn has homeowners bracing for higher assessments to cover legal costs. We've been covering it here.
Posturing, gamesmanship and accusations of fiscal irresponsibility were all part of this year's budget talks between the Pinellas County administration and the Sheriff's Office. Now it appears a settlement of sorts has been reached. There will be lay-offs in the Sheriff's Office, but several programs once on the chopping block have been restored. Read more here.
Will Van Sant, Times staff writer
If the mood of a crowd in Sun City Center is any indication, supporters of a plan to have an elected county mayor have some work to do. Read more here.
Max Linn's new fundraising Web site, "Must Change Congress," ties his effort to Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign. It features a picture of Obama holding Linn's self-published book about the senator.
Asked to comment on the Web site, Obama spokeswoman Adora Andy wrote in an e-mail, "The Obama campaign was not involved with the use of Sen. Obama's images and videos, and despite what the Web site may inaccurately suggest, Sen. Obama does not and will not endorse a candidate in the Florida's 10th Congressional District primary."
Stephanie Garry, Times staff writer
Two of the three Democrats on the ballot for the U.S. House District 9 Democratic primary - former Plant City Mayor John Dicks and Tampa attorney Bill Mitchell - expressed similar views on several issues at a forum Monday hosted by the Greater Tarpon Springs Democratic Club.
* Both candidates said they support the creation of a national catastrophic insurance fund to alleviate Florida's property insurance crisis.
* Both said they supported a family care tax credit for those caring for elderly or disabled relatives.
* Regarding gas prices, Mitchell said he wanted to see an investigation into the role of speculation in driving prices up. Dicks said he supports oversight of energy futures speculators. Both said they were not in favor of lifting a ban on offshore drilling.
But the agreement ended on social security. Mitchell said it was premature to talk about cutting benefits, and that economic growth was the key to the system’s longterm viability. Dicks, on the other hand, said he favors gradually raising the retirement age as opposed to cutting benefits or raising rates.
The third Democratic candidate, Anita de Palma, was out of the country and unable to attend. Former Clearwater Mayor Rita Garvey represented de Palma at the forum. Garvey did not participate in the question and answer session, but gave brief opening and closing statements in support of de Palma.
- Rita Farlow, Times Staff Writer
Tampa residents Dr. Melvin and Mrs. Elizabeth Tockman will host a reception for Bill Mitchell, candidate for U.S. House District 9, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, July 27. The event will be held at the Tockman’s home, 5033 Wesley Drive, Tampa. Interested in attending? RSVP at (813) 975-1295 or Btockman@hotmail.com
UPDATE: Full story here.
Jim King, the controversial GOP challenger to incumbent U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown Waite, R-Brooksville, officially ended his campaign this week, according to documents filed with the Federal Elections Commission.
King mailed a termination report to the agency July 14, the day he said he would leave the race after a Times investigation exposed his bogus claims about being a doctor and serving in Afghanistan. It was received Monday and made available today after a public records request.
--John Frank, Times staff writer
Despite the anti-incumbent mood, Pasco County Commissioner Ann Hildebrand has built a fund-raising advantage in her bid to win a seventh term. The west Pasco Republican this week reported raising $33,000 in her latest quarterly report, adding to $53,000 she raised previously.
That may not seem eye popping on it's own. But Hildebrand is competing against two Republicans and two Democrats. Combined they've raised just $16,000 through April 1. With reports due Friday, all four have said fund-raising has been tough against Hildebrand, who benefits from easy ties to business interests.
Hildebrand faces GOP candidates Wil Nickerson and Matt Matey in August. The Democratic primary pits Terri Conroy and Nick Planck.
--David DeCamp/Times staff writer
Hillsborough County Commission District 6 candidate Dee Layne received a letter from the Tampa Bay Builders Association today politely declining to endorse her but thanking her for meeting with their political action committee.
Trouble is, Layne never met with them. "I don't know who they were talking to that day, but it wasn't me," she said.
Layne, an environmental advocate, said she wouldn't have expected to get the group's backing anyway. Jennifer Doerfel, director of governmental affairs for the builders, said she sent out a bunch of letters to candidates and Layne, who has been interviewed by the organization before previous races, simply got the wrong one. "I apologize," Doerfel said.
The builders group is backing Republican incumbent Brian Blair. Layne faces business owner Joe Redner, best known his Mons Venus strip club, and financial planner Kevin Beckner in the Democratic primary.
Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
Longtime Tampa City Council member Linda Saul-Sena has endorsed Kevin Beckner in the Democratic primary for the HIllsborough County Commission's District 6 seat. Saul-Sena chose Beckner, financial planner, over over Joe Redner, who's also vying for the post now held by Republican Brian Blair.
Last year, Saul-Sena miffed council chairwoman Gwen Miller by tacitly backing her opponent -- Joe Redner -- in the race for Miller's seat. But in a press release issued by Beckner's campaign manager, Mitch Kates, Saul-Sena said: "Kevin is a great combination of business head and community heart who will use these qualities to better Hillsborough County." Saul-Sena also cited Beckner's interest in the environment, mass transit, and working cooperatively with the county.
- Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
Dunedin Mayor Bob Hackworth was on WMNF tonight talking about his candidacy for Congressional District 10. Nothing terribly surprising -- Hackworth was "offended" at the suggestion of offshore drilling, having America's No.1 beach, Caladesi Island, in his jurisdiction. Hear it all here.
Max Linn released this press release today:
"Max Linn, Democratic candidate for Congress in District 10,
hosted a group of veterans at the Bay Pines Park on Saturday where concerns were voiced about the current treatment of veterans.
Topics included recent cuts in benefits and mismanagement of the funds
available. “At Bay Pines, I see new
furniture and flat screen TV's when the money should be spent increasing the
number of qualified doctors, Jackie Turner said. “I have a difficult time even getting an
appointment because there are so few doctors available for the number of
patients they need to see.”
There was also criticism of Walter Reed's deplorable
conditions and frustration with Congressman Bill Young for not taking his
concerns directly to Congress for immediate action. “Party loyalty sometimes outweighs doing what
is right,” one attendee observed. Everyone agreed that more needs to be done for the veterans returning
home from the war in the Middle East.
"We must recognize the enormous sacrifices our veterans have made and honor the promises we've made to them,” Linn said. A website, www.girightshotline.org was suggested as a good resource for help with benefits. The next picnic is scheduled for Bay Pines Park Pavilion #3 at noon on August 2nd. All veterans interested in voicing their concerns, and meeting Congressional candidate Max Linn, are invited for a cookout. Attendees are encouraged to come prepared to discuss issues they want addressed in Washington and in Pinellas County.
For further information regarding Veterans Picnic on August 2nd, call the Max Linn For Congress Campaign 727-345-2025."
Continue reading "District 10 update: Hackworth on WMNF, Linn on veterans" »
Pasco County GOP Chairman Bill Bunting has a mutiny to fight against disaffected Republicans who say he wrongly tried to kick them off the ballot, and a state committeeman race to pursue. But the leader of the state GOP's Second Amendment wing still has friends in the local gun-rights club.
Bay Buzz has learned the Second Amendment Club leaders are throwing a wine and cheese fund-raiser for Bunting at Fairhave Farms next Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m., according to an email by club leader John DiGaetano making the rounds today. No cost to attend, so mount up!
David DeCamp/Times staff writer
The Rev. Charles McKenzie today criticized state Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, for supporting a controversial tax swap proposal on November's ballot. McKenzie called the plan -- placed on the ballot by the state Tax and Budget Reform Commission that Rouson was a member of -- dangerous and unreliable.
"Amendment Five is a direct assault on the school children of District 55 and their parents," said McKenzie, a longtime public school teacher who is challenging Rouson in the Democratic District 55 primary. "It will increase the sales tax burden on all our working families and this amendment jeopardizes funding for our public schools at a time when public school teachers and students are already under assault by the Republican-led Legislature."
Amendment Five calls for eliminating most school property taxes for a savings of at least 25 percent. The Legislature would have to come up with $9 billion or more for schools by increasing the sales tax 1-cent and picking from a menu of other options.
Rouson is leading the campaign along with Rep. Frank Attkisson, R-Kissimmee.
McKenzie said the plan would unfairly impact low-income families who do not own property. It also puts the public education system at risk, he said.
To read more about Amendment Five check out the Buzz, our sister political blog.
Meanwhile, McKenzie also secured the endorsement of Pinellas County School Board Member Linda Lerner today.
-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer
The county government minutes ago launched its redesigned Web site, which is a bit easier on the eye. Check it out here.
David DeCamp/Times staff writer
GOP heavyweight Nancy Watkins has taken the reins as campaign treasurer for Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections Buddy Johnson. Watkins, an accountant, said she has been handling the duties since April, when Johnson "had a problem brought on suddenly where he needed a treasurer." It was in April that the St. Petersburg Times published a story noting that Johnson's previous campaign treasurer, J. Floyd Hall, was also president of a bank that approved a loan for Johnson.
Hall's bank made a $400,000 loan to Johnson in 2007, allowing him to purchase a 20-acre parcel off Thonotosassa Road for $800,000. Johnson in his latest financial disclosure says the property's value has risen to $1.35-million.
Watkins, who said she's working for Johnson for free, also serves as campaign treasurer for Hillsborough County school board candidate Carol Kurdell, and her clients include 90 or so other state and federal campaigns. Johnson will face Democrat Phyllis Busansky, a former Hillsborough County Commissioner, in November.
-- Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
Samm Simpson, a Democrat running for the Congressional District 10 seat now held by C.W. Bill Young, released this response to a Times editorial that called hers and her fellow Democratic opponent Max Linn's campaigning at Raytheon meetings "Politics at its worst."
“We should concentrate on working together to help families victimized by government greed and corporate malfeasance, not on accusations made against our campaign, “ remarked Ms. Samm Simpson, Democratic candidate for Congress in Florida’s 10th district, in response to a St. Petersburg Times Sunday editorial entitled Politics at its Worst.
The editorial claims that the Simpson campaign staff was involved in self promoting activities at the expense of hurting families. It quotes portions of a letter that State Representative Rick Kriseman sent to Simpson last week.
Rep. Kriseman also sent the letter to the St. Petersburg Times before Simpson had a chance to respond to its inaccuracies and sharp accusations.
Simpson asks, “Representative Kriseman didn’t call to check his facts, and didn’t email me with his concerns. Was his motive to share constructive criticism and protect constituents or to defame and debase my character and campaign? Or is this how he promotes his evident candidate of choice, Bob Hackworth?“
Ms. Simpson, who is running a grass roots campaign as a “voice for the people” agreed that sign waving at a May 30th Raytheon meeting was inappropriate and it was stopped. Simpson also felt uncomfortable with her campaign coordinator asking about Congressman Young’s involvement. She remarked, “As I responded in my letter to Rep. Kriseman, “If an apology is in order, I am happy to comply.”
Overall, the experience has been an eye opener for Simpson, who was virtually ignored in her 2006 run. “Being attacked twice – first in a letter and now in an editorial – must mean our campaign is making waves and that’s good news. “
As for the sincerity of the campaign, Simpson said, “There are thousands of District 10 residents who know I would lay my life down to protect and defend the Constitution and that I am an advocate for accountability, justice and the truth. My hope is that Representative Kriseman and the St. Petersburg Times will concentrate on the serious issues that face us, rather than engage in attacks and distractions. “
Maybe it was the fact that another Pinellas candidate forum was scheduled in Crescent Lake about the same time, but turnout was pretty meager last night at the NAACP Clearwater/Upper Pinellas event. About a dozen folks turned out to hear County Commission candidates Jane Gallucci, Darden Rice and Rene Flowers and Property Appraiser candidates Frank Gregoire and Pam Dubov, followed by Sheriff's Office contenders.
Some in the audience appeared to be campaign workers. Anybody know whether there was more of a crowd at the Crescent Oaks Country Club event?
Will Van Sant, Times staff writer
Two major teachers unions have endorsed state Rep. Darryl Rouson's re-election bid.
Both the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association and the Florida Education Association previously endorsed Rouson's opponent, the Rev. Charles McKenzie, in the last District 55 race in March.
Rouson and McKenzie face off again in the August Democratic primary.
-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer
Several Pasco County Commissioners said today it's worth considering cutting impact fees to help stoke the county's floundering housing industry after being asked by developer Alex Deeb. A 25-percent reduction for 18 months could allow the county to qualify for a state fund that helps first-time homebuyers purchase homes.
Last year, Pasco raised the impact fees to build a new home to more than $22,000, among the highest in the state. Then the rate of building hit the floor for various reasons.
"Anything we can do to jump start the economy, I think it's worth us taking a look at," Commissioner Michael Cox said, noting no one has committed to cutting the fee costs.
-- David DeCamp/Times staff writer
ST. PETERSBURG-- The Rev. Charles McKenzie, who is challenging state Rep. Darryl Rouson for his District 55 seat, will perform in a one-man show depicting 12 scenes from the life of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Saturday.
McKenzie, known for his dead-on impersonations of King, says the show is intended as a thank you to friends and supporters. A $20 donation is requested. Proceeds will benefit the McKenzie campaign.
The show, titled "Keeping the Dream Alive: The Civil Rights Movement through the Eyes and Words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr," will be held at the Enoch Davis Center in St. Petersburg at 7 p.m.
Advance tickets are required. Call 727-743-1674 or 727-866-7335 to reserve a ticket. Campaign contributions will not be collected the night of the show.
-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer
State Sen. Mike Fasano tells the Bay Buzz the Pasco Republicans that sent loyalty oaths to the state party on June 20 will be safe, based on a converstation with Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer, who is overseas.
Greer "called me today to reassure me that those people who turned in the oaths to the state party will be accepted," said Fasano. Greer is due back Wednesday.
Those candidates for the county executive committee did not turn in oaths to Pasco Chairman Bill Bunting, as the party rules require. They say Bunting couldn't be found and refused to receive their oaths. Four days later, Bunting unsuccessfully tried to get 27 candidates booted from the ballot.
-- David DeCamp/Times staff writer
Talk about slugging a town when it’s down.