Tampa Bay builders (heart) incumbents

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

Comments

[Toby]

WHAT! Developers have endorsed the incumbents who have allowed them unfettered access, approvals, and speculation development… from which they’ve made millions, screwed the workforce, and employed illegal immigrants as taxpayer expense?

Why: I never heard of such a thing.

If they are for them, we should all vote against them.

It’s simple math; politicians + developers = everyone else gets screwed.

At least Francois got the Realtors endorsement.

Oh wait they always endorse losers. Crap!!

TBBA on affordable housing: "Why should we be responsible for society's ills? What's next, we have to be taxed to give to the homeless, too?"

TBBA on affordable housing: "What's the problem... I can aford one! Who the hell cares if those who build mine can."

Greedy, short-sighted developers.

TBBA could save a lot of time if they just did a blanket endorsement of all R’s and DINO’s each cycle. Why waste everybody’s time. Just send out a one-question survey to each candidate…

Will you let us build whatever and wherever we damn well please?

Yes [ ] No [ ]

Why cant Norm Roche ever get an endorsement?

[Kevin]

Actually, I believe Roche has 5 so far. And he’ll get mine on Election Day as well. Try a little research; it's fun and informative!

http://www.vote4norm.com/

Doesnt Norm have a brother name kevin who was a write in last time so they could close the primary?

How did that work out for you? Calvin still won every single precinct.

[Erik Libby]

It isn't a suprise that Repub's and DINO's are getting endorsements from Builders association. There is little opposition to developers and no reasonable growth mangement in the Pinellas or Hillsborough county plans. Screw the working man/woman and just get out of the way so we can make money.

Dubov wasn't she asleep at property appraiser's office when Jim Smith got his great deal? Oh yeah that included Karen Seel too she voted for it! Bush can go back to Texas and take the R's back with you from Pinellas county!

[Norm Roche]

Well. Tough crowd I see (read).

Good Day Folks,

Hope all is well. It’s not very nice to take shots at someone who isn’t around to defend themselves. Tsktsktsk, shame on you. Anyhoo, I’m very proud of the endorsements I’ve received thus far, as I suspect every other candidate is of theirs.

As for the TBBA one. I felt my meeting with them went very well. I was very candid as to my positions, as always, and they were of theirs. It was respectful, informative, and interesting to say the least. In fact, the group showed a great deal on interest in my SAW Zone concept (Sustainable, Affordable, Workforce Housing Zone), and look forward to further discussions should I to be blessed with a win in this election.

I suspect that several of the “better known” endorsing organizations are playing it safe given the current uncertain political environment. That’s the word I’m getting anyway. But for me, it doesn’t really matter. I’m most interested in the endorsement that comes in November, and I’m working hard for it.

But the bottom line for me is --- if you have the right idea, bring it! I don’t care what Party you belong to, what organization you represent, or what color badge you’re wearing – if it’s the right idea with the best interest of our county, its future, and we taxpayers in mind --- bring it forward!

My best to you all!

Norm is the only person that rushes to the blog everytime someone brings up his name.

Dont take it personally my man.

I think I might vote for Norm because he has a cute daughter.

I think Norm is hot!

Looks like a slate of winners to me. Shall we check back after the election?

[Dem]

Erik, your DINO rhetoric is increasingly boring. Is there a single elected Democrat in Pinellas who you think is NOT a DINO?

7:44,

Looks more like a slate of criminals. What say we check back after court!

8:25 your facts for such an accusation?

It’s not an “accusation”, it’s an opinion – kind of like yours I’d say. Try paying attention to what’s going on, and I’ll bet you’ll end up with the same “opinion” sooner or later.

In fact, the difference between our posts is like that of night and day. Mine was a prediction about the outcome of the election. I will probably be wrong on a few counts, but right on a majority.

In contrast, your post referred to the people on the list as criminals. A criminal is someone who has been found guilty of violating the law. That is indeed an accusation. As such, it should be backed up with facts.

Condescending statements such as "Try paying attention to what’s going on, and I’ll bet you’ll end up with the same 'opinion' sooner or later" may make you feel superior, but they detract from the impact of the point you are trying to make.

A criminal is someone who commits a crime, whether he/she get caught or not. By your method, you’re not a murderer until you get caught… but someone is still dead. I guess they’re not “really” dead until the person who killed them gets caught.

Hmmmm… interesting world you live in… must reek of decomposition.

And stow the “condescending statement” crap. Go grab a late’ and a Stewart Smally book to help your low self-esteem.

Unfortunately you still miss (or ignore) the point completely. In your own example above you have accused the murderer of committing a crime, and provide supporting rationale to back up your assertion. In the case of the candidates on the slate you have offered nothing but an insult. You fail to provide evidence against even one of them let alone the entire list that you have painted with the same guilty brush. So you have in fact contradicted yourself.

My logic is sound. The basis of our legal system is that someone is innocent until proven guilty. Yes, the murderer is a murderer when he commits the act of murder, but I would not refer to him as a criminal until he is found guilty through the due process of law. I will grant you that others such as yourself may have a broader use of the term "criminal", but I think just about everyone would agree that a criminal is one who has actually committed a crime with some evidence being present.

Since I am from the generation prior to Mr. Rogers I do not have an esteem problem. However, I do long for the days of more civilized and intellectual debate rather than the shallow insults and name calling that seem so prevalent on blogs. It is not that it upsets me, but rather bores me. In fact, I have no grown tired of this debate.

What a bunch of children! Is that all you two can do is go back and forth with your definitions? That's enough already. 8:51 if you don't like what you call "name calling" or whatever on the blogs, then stay off them! You're just clogging the blogs with your stupid debate and off the subject.

I see you miss the point completely as well. An accusation was made without any backup rationale, therefore it is worthless. Elevate your intellect!

"It is not that it upsets me, but rather bores me. In fact, I have no grown tired of this debate."

Translation: You're right, I'm wrong... but I wont admit it so I'll just condescend and leave.

Let me guess… you’re one of the Republicons on the list! Still living it that perceptive world of yours huh. Well, reality has come home sport, and you don’t possess the intellect to handle it. Then again; it could all just be in our heads... right?

… dope