Deveron Gibbons denied reappointment to Pinellas Housing Authority

ST. PETERSBURG — Gov. Charlie Crist chose not to reappoint mayoral hopeful Deveron Gibbons to the Pinellas County Housing Authority board this week.

Crist announced his board appointments Monday. Gibbons, who sought reappointment, was not named.

"Mr. Gibbons did not withdraw his name. The governor selected the individuals to serve based on the pool of applicants we received," spokesman Sterling Ivey wrote in an e-mail today.

Gibbons, who also serves on the St. Petersburg Housing Authority, served as vice chairman of the Pinellas Housing Authority. He joined the board in May 2005, and his term expired in December. He continued on the board as officials awaited word from Crist's office about whether Gibbons would be reappointed.

In a brief interview Tuesday, Gibbons would not discuss why he had not been reappointed.

"Charlie and I had a great conversation," Gibbons said. "It's time for some new blood on the housing authority."

Gibbons said that he will continue to serve on the St. Petersburg Housing Authority. He also serves on the St. Petersburg College board of trustees.

"I'm still going to be as busy as ever," Gibbons said

Darrell Irions, chief executive officer of the St. Petersburg and Pinellas housing authorities, said he has no idea why Gibbons was not reappointed. He said he had no complaints against Gibbons.

Cristina Silva and Aaron Sharockman, Times Staff Writers

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Comments

[devron = kickbacks]

maybe he didnt get re appointed cause hes been using the housing board as his own personal ATM machine

[Campaign Manager]

I’m not so sure that people are so intently aware of the Board’s work nor so grateful for what they do that “former board member” is measurably less useful as a title than “current board member.”

In short, I think we make too much of these things. This race will be won by money, good strategy, and shoe leather. Gibbons is likely to have the first; the second and third are up for discussion. Most germanely, “board appointments” is not even on my little list of key factors.

[NIck get off the blogs]

Come on Nick get off the blogs defending your boss

[:-)]

Campaign Manager,

Very good points. But this race will be won by whom ever employees the services of the 1989 blue Chrysler van that will drive around on Election Day with a bank bag filled with cash to buy and transport St. Pete voters to the polls.

That said, the “non” reappointment does indicate a problem; but agreed… only to those who follow the process closely. Baker won the last time because 12 of the 17 people who actually voted, voted for him. I think the times called a landslide mandate of the people… well, at least 12 people out of 17.

[The Darkness]

It's called shucking-and-jiving Deveron and people are tired of it. First it was that you had only had your driver's license suspended once and it was the state's fault. Then it turned out to be seven times. Liar. Now it's you didn't want to serve on the Pinellas Housing Authority even though you submitted an application. When exactly did you and "Charlie" have this conversation about new blood? Please tell us.

Do you realize that people are going to go to jail over this. And that's not the usual conspiratorial crap that plagues these boards. This is the end of the road, maybe not for Gibbons, but for someone. No bid contracts. Rigged bids. Cash payments.

How exactly did you pay for that house Deveron Montez? Go and the boys can't save you now. They're not going to go down with you.

Get out of the race this week and maybe you stay out of jail.

[PLS]

Housing Authorities are one of the largest scams running in America. The hierarchical structures are comprised of politicos, campaign contributors, and relatives of the local politicians who direct the funding.

An estimated 67% of those on housing assistance do not need it and would not qualify for it if the qualifying process were executed with integrity. Also, most recipients can be connected directly and/or indirectly with local movers and shakers and politicians in some fashion of another.

This racket needs to be cleaned up from top to bottom, and it will be ugly.

[!]

Brutha got all uppity. Running for mayor and such. Gibbons was walkin' and talkin' and rippin' people off just like the good 'ol boys. He convinced himself he was one of them!

lol!

Was it the skin color or the party affiliation?

[WhatNerve]

The racist overtones in these posts are ugly and contribute to the coarsening of a civil discourse. Can you imagine being black and reading this stuff and realizing that even supposedly ENLIGHTENED white people still will post racial comments -- especially when they believe they are anonymous?

[Richard]

Mr. Gibbons and Mr. Irions have made a wise political move. Remember the word for the day is Smart Power: Stay Focused.

[For St. Pete's Sake]

Wise political move on his own, NOT. Mr. Gibbons has not made his own decisions since before college. He can not decide the political consequences to him if he were to admit to simple traffic violations.

It seems decades ago this was all supposed to be so easy in the world of Big Mel...King Carl as ambassador, 'MC' Baker as new SPC president as steppingstone to statewide or national stage, and Gibbons as Mayor while on Boards including SPC.

What a difference an informed and scrutinizing electorate makes, and we all trust vigilance of the non-hating posters will continue into November for St. Pete's sake.

[Paul]

Is it possible that he was a little too far to the left for even Charlie?

I wonder who will take his place?

[Michele]

Its about time people new what he did in the housing authority. He threw out 60 poor elderly folks from the home, Magnolia Gardens because he said it wasn't making any money. He made it for rich people now. He got a spanish lady from Miami that got a management contract. She fired everyone that worked hard there. I bet she helped his campaign.

[Michele]

Its about time people new what he did in the housing authority. He threw out 60 poor elderly folks from the home, Magnolia Gardens because he said it wasn't making any money. He made it for rich people now. He got a spanish lady from Miami that got a management contract. She fired everyone that worked hard there. I bet she helped his campaign.

[It's getting To Be About time...]

There is not enough spin or softsoap available for the Mel-machine candidate to come clean, sometimes dirt is dirt and not even political oxyclean will work.

Some of the open ended talking points

1) Housing authority issues are important, no doubt, 2) money for mcmansion and lifestyle is important, 3) on the city payroll insider/ advisor/mystery cult figure Peter is more than a curiosity given links to mayor baker and planning/ development issues 4) AIG-type bonus of $60 to president of SPC out of donor funds in fondation last year to pay life insurance premiums when all other employees are struggling with potential pay cuts of 10 percent is an explosive issue 5) out of area donors expectations of return on invetment, duh........ 6)predatory icome shemes from AMSCOT as source of wealth, getting rich off the backs of those least able to afford it.

Mr. Gibbons and professional spinners who are spinning oh what a web we decieve, more questions than these to follow before (supported by written official paper), durig and after the St. Pete beach candidates forum if the candidate is not fundraising in Crawford Texas.

VOTERS, be afraid, be very afraid of this puppet candidate.

[Concerned about who Deveron works for.]

Deveron Gibbons works for AMSCOT. He is the Vice President of Public Affairs. He has also been instrumental in obtaining the contracts with different counties to make AMSCOT a place to make payments on utilities.

I wonder just how much money Deveron gave to county governments (Amscot money really) to obtain these contracts??

With AMSCOT being so big on public acceptance and appearance, one wonders why they would continue to support and employ an individual surrounding by so much controversy.

My guess is that AMSCOT, who always touted itself with INTEGRITY, and HONESTY, has pushed that all aside in favor of the almighty dollar. GREED is responsible for the downfall of many a corporation and I feel that AMSCOT is now going to see a decrease in profits because of Deveron and the choices that both Deveron and AMSCOT have made.

I feel sorry for the family run corporation AMSCOT and the choices they have made. One would have thought that AMSCOT would have learned some valuable lessons from the Insurance scandal from years ago, which ended with a plea agreement with the owner of Amscot, and the owner has been banned from ever selling insurance in the State for life. Without that plea agreement, I believe the owner would have gone to jail.

[Deveronomics]

Great points 7:08p.m. Remember, that not too long ago the AMSCOT cash cow with the city of St. Petersburg was derailed by public outcry and mayor baker looked oh so tall and foolish in his I knew nothing about it statements.

Preying on those least able to afford it is the business model of AMSCOT and it has run out of pretty words that make it sound anything but what it is, PREDATORY PAYROLL LENDING. So it now reruns a sports tune in the background to get people all fired up??????

But hey, checks cashed for free.

Mr. Gibbons was the principal writer of the predatory lending 'safeguard' laws and he might be in some very deep pockets because of that, AMSCOT and beyond. That is why he fundraises further and further away from the city he is trying to govern.

DO BE VERY CONCERNED about who he works for!

[Constance]

I don't think any of the board members are doing anything significant for Pinellas County residents. They are all using the position as a means for more political prestige in the future.

[Terri]

Constance- have you followed the board's activities?
True, many of the past board members have progressed to higher plitical ranks. We vote the idiots in don't we? Take Angelo Rouson and Deveron Gibbons- shuck and jiving and of course lying!!!!