Crist picks Duncan to replace Quarles on TBARTA
Gov. Charlie Crist has named former Pinellas County Commissioner Ronnie Duncan, left, to replace Shelton Quarles on the Tampa Bay Regional Transportation Authority. Duncan, an advocate of rail and previous board member, succeeds the former Bucs star, who asked not be reappointed this year.
Attorney Hugh McGuire of Parrish was reappointed. Emilio “Sonny” Vergara, 67, of Brooksville, former executive director of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, will succeed Sarasota banker Michael Bullerdick for a term that ends Sept. 30.
The new faces arrive as the regional agency pushes adding rail and more bus service -- and potentially a higher sales tax -- in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
David DeCamp, Times staff writer
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Great news. Ronnie got his appointment so now he can join the rest of us in Pinellas County that support the next US Senator-Marco Rubio
Posted by: In the Know | November 04, 2009 at 07:29 PM
This will be good. You definately have to clear out Pro Bowl linebackers when you get a chance.
Posted by: Rah-Rah Morrris | November 05, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Once again the public is exposed to Ronnie Duncan and his questionable ethics.
If you think the Jim Smith property scandal was bad, just wait until Duncan's sneaky real estate dealings hit the fan.
Watch out! Duncan and his buddy, Commissioner Martinez from Miami-Dad, are buying up property along CSX railway lines so that our tax dollars can pad their pockets when the light rail comes. Check out property acquisitions near Homestead…
Posted by: Charlie, Charlie, Charlie: what were your thinking? | November 05, 2009 at 02:44 PM
The smart one in all this was Shelton Quarles who finally figured out that the crooks were just using his name to provide legitimate cover for their closed door rotten deals at the taxpayers expense. TBARTA is just a sham cover for FDOT which is just a shame cover for rotten State leadership. It's amazing what $$$$ can do to ethics and morals.
Perhaps Dan Gelber will get elected AG in 2010, use his federal prosecutor expertise, and crack down on all the insider misuse of public funds, including Ronnie Duncan's questionable inside dealing business practices.
Posted by: Night Stalker | November 05, 2009 at 05:10 PM
"The smart one in all this was Shelton Quarles who finally figured out that the crooks were just using his name to provide legitimate cover for their closed door rotten deals at the taxpayers expense."
Posted by: nailed it dead on! | November 06, 2009 at 08:53 AM