Congressional candidate returns contributions

The mayor of Dunedin has returned two contributions to his congressional campaign because he felt the donors were trying to influence him.

Bob Hackworth said today he returned $500 from two Dunedin developers. At a runaway Dunedin City Commission meeting last month, Richard Gehring and Bill Kimpton argued with the commission when it tried to set an expiration date on development plans approved by the city. They asked for an exception for their major downtown project that the commission approved three years ago, Hackworth said.

Hackworth, a Democrat, is running for Congressional District 10 and will face two other Democrats in an Aug. 26 primary to determine who faces the incumbent, U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young.

Hackworth said he has received phone calls from other developers who tried to pressure him into changing his mind on the issue. They said they were ready to donate to his campaign but didn't because of his position on the site plan ordinance.

Hackworth, who will consider the issue again tonight at another meeting, said he didn't want the conflict of interest looming over his vote.

"That’s not how I make my decisions, and they know better than that," Hackworth said. "I just wasn’t comfortable and so I figured it was best to send them back."

--Stephanie Garry, Times Staff Writer

Comments

[Kilgore Trout]

Just another elitist hack whose only remorse is that he was caught with his grubby little claws in the cookie jar.

What is it with THESE people?

We have serious problems here in Florida, in America and in District 10 and rather than doing what it takes to solve them this guy is only concerned with jumping in front of CW Bill Young for his spot in line at the feeding trough?

What about Bob? Would he have returned the donations were they not subject to sunlight? And how many more have been trying to influence this guy?

Legitimate questions since now every part of the government is up for sale.

Time for a change, if you are going to back the hack you may as well just keep CW back in office - at least we know where his loyalties are and despite his lockstep obedience to the Bush regime at least we are getting some roads built here - better the crook you know th an the one you don't.

[Dunedin Voter]

Hackworth has been taking campaign money from developers for years. In his campaign for Dunedin Mayor about 1/3 of his $40,000+ was from developers or related contributors.

the two developers that tried to pay him off are in violation of a federal law. they should be arrested.

8:50:
Max: you are disgusting and you are losing it. or is it Hackworth?

Stephanie:
Don't you think your 8:50 poster is a little crude for your article? I sure don't appreciate it and I hope the Times doesn't either. This paper is becoming a competitor to the Star. Who is running this paper anyway? I hope the real journalistic media picks up on this disgusting blog and portrays the trash the Times is encouraging.

Way to go Hackworth. You just accused two of your constituents of a federal crime. I am sure they are going to appreciate that.

[Bob Johnson]

Hackworth is a charlatan masquerading as a man of the people, if you are going to throw in your support behind a Republican at least choose the real one.

Of course the real choice is none of the above.

This guy is a shameless pretty-boy opportunist who only represents more of the same politics/business as usual.

[WE NEED TERM LIMITS]

BILL YOUNG MUST GO!!!! ALREADY!!!!!!!! I AM SICK OF THAT WAR MONGER BUSH LOVER

9:47:
Term limits = voting. That is term limits. if the voters want to end a term, they vote them out. simple.

Bill Young has been serving the people of Pinellas for almost 50 years. They seem to like him. So if you don't like him, why don't you move to Tampa and start all over with someone you like.
Get real, Susan Smith of the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee. This isn't your town and your opinons are not wanted, needed or welcomed. You really are pathetic. And lonely.

9:47: How do you know Young is a George Bush lover? Do you know him personally? Has he told you he loves Bush? NO,I think not. Pay attention. He and Bush have been at odds many times. You are a profiler. Just because someone is a Republican, doesn't make them a "Bush Lover" and unless he has told you that personally, you are speaking out of line and dishonestly. That makes you a liar. How about that for profiling.

to Bob Johnson:
He definitely is an opportunist. I saw him at a program today in Dunedin and he didn't have the class to introduce his Congressman, Bill Young, with one word of support or thanks. He looked like he was panicking and every other word was "and, uh, um , and , uh". \
He can't handle a crowd, he has no clue what is going on and whoever writes his speeches should be fired.
Also, he is definitely not a pretty boy.

I was there as well and he did in fact introduce Bill Young. You don't know what is going on. His speech sounded fine to me. Stop trying to put someone down simply because you think it makes your guy look better

and by the way Young votes with Bush over 90% of the time. So he is a fan of Bush policies according to his voting record

10:15:
Yeah, Hackworth. I know you were there, so were the rest of us. Yes, you did introduce him. "UH, DUH, I'd like to introduce Bill Young who is going to present Dunedin with a flag". I'm not putting you down, you just doesn't have what it takes. You should have swallowed your pride and acted like a gentleman. You put yourself down Bob.

10:17:
He doesn't VOTE WITH BUSH 90% of the time. He votes the way he feels 100% of the time and if it happens to be the way Bush votes, so be it. It sure doesn't mean he votes WITH Bush. Actually, most Congresspeople vote their own conscience, the way they feel they will benefit their districts and constituency. Not the WAY any President tells them too. You have no idea or concept of Washington or politics. New guys try to please their party, the seasoned politician knows what he has to do, and does it the way he feels it should be done. Get off the Bush wagon. IF the next President is a Democrat, I wonder if you will run around saying all democrats vote the way the President does. Just doesn't work that way. You are very childish and have no knowledge of the workings in Washington or this country.

[Repug to Dem in under a year]

Hackworth has been registered as a Democrat less than a year.

He changed his party affiliation from Rethuglican to Democratic recently.

A leopard cannot change its spots.

Cool, then Bill CHOOSES to vote the way that the guy that has a supermajority of the country disapproving of his policies and job performance does a supermajority of the time.

Thanks for clearing that up. Bill doesn't march in lockstep with Bush. He just naturally votes in a way that the majority of folks disapprove of.

[Repug to Dem in under a year]

Hackworth has been registered as a Democrat less than a year.

He changed his party affiliation from Rethuglican to Democratic recently.

A leopard cannot change its spots.

Is anyone else sickened by Bob's huge campaign sign at the Douglas Cemetary on Keene?

And Bob, are you willing to support the homeowners of St. Pete in their fight for justice vs the toxic plume? Oh, forgot, your Republican training taught you to never cross a corporation/monied interest to stand up for the people you'll be representing.

[Bob Johnson]

RE: Hackworth's GOP past

As the great H.L. Mencken once said..

"Imagine a gentleman, and you have imagined everything he was not"

The Hack is just insurance that the big con can keep going on with the repug brand name having been dipped in sewage and two insurgent Democrats who are antiwar and not corporatists in the running in District 10.

An opportunist and a shameless one at that.

Yea, right, turned down money, you sure told those boys where they could go. Too bad you couldn't get them or anyone else under control at the actual meeting, also too bad you didn't have your paid press guy there with you the night of the meeting, maybe they could have told you what to say, or do, to get the meeting under control.
I find it remarkable that you deem these people criminal, but you choose to ignore the law of the land, that would be the Constitution. It does not say you "can" impeach, it says you "shall" impeach. So if you are going to keep trying to separate your self from your party, by making statements about this being a horrible administration, then back it up with some action, andstart talking about following the laws that were put in place over 200 years ago. All talk and no action. Can't take your paid PR person to work with you everday, can you?

1:21
I saw that huge sign at the Dunedin Cemetary, and I was wondering if that property was owned by one of his developer friends, or if it is public property? If it's city owned, I guess you can put it there, if you're the Mayor. I'm sure that code enforcement, won't let it stay, if that's the case. They do not go for campaign signs that are put on public, or city property. Maybe that is another perk of having the keys to the city, just like him being allowed to have partisn campaign events at a city owned park, without a permit, but non-partisn groups are not allowed to even obtain a permit, unless it is city run, funny how one thinks they are should not follow the rules, and bend the law to suit their own interest. Walks and talks like a duck. Sure does sound like a GW and pals, in training. Just because he changed his party on his voter ID, doesn't mean a thing.

Rich elitists always vote with their rich elitist sponsors. Ike warned us about the military/industrial complex taking over our country.

Yet we let the warmongers get away with calling us unpatriotic for their illegal aggressive war against innocents in Iraq.

Shame on McCain and anyone else who supported being BUSHwhacked. Vote the bums out. Stealing oil from Iraq does NOT make America great. I'm so ashamed of our failure to stop the criminal behaviors of this administration.

[True Blue]

Hack-as in political hack-has proven himself a liar and bribe taker. Opps- that right he returned the bribe. If someone held up a 7-11 and got caught would they be given the opportunity to return the money and go on their way??
What do you think??

this guys gig is up! first he addresses the south st. pete dems club "as you democrats" and them today he admits to riding on Obama' coat tails. he's a big fat fraud. shame on anyone in the dem party who is buying his reason, for switching parties. it is only for his political gain. he is clearly a republican plant