Clear Channel 'surprised' at Pinellas billboard move

Pinellas County Commissioners' decision to stick a moratorium on new digital signs -- the latest front in long-running billboard battles -- "surprised" Clear Channel, said lobbyist Todd Pressman on Wednesday.

Without putting the issue on the published agenda, the board voted 5-2 for the moratorium Tuesday. Pressman learned of the proposal Monday, and that day urged an "open" discussion. There was no opportunity for public debate, and Pressman -- also doubting a moratorium would come down -- left to attend a previously scheduled hearing in Temple Terrace.

"We’re surprised, and we wish there would have been public input and discourse and a vetting," Pressman said. "We understand why they did what they did, and it’s going to come back."

The moratorium lasts at least until a vote on an ordinance making the ban full-fledged. That's expected after public hearings Dec. 1 and Dec. 15, Pressman said. He said the company did take solace in the county's decision not to put two pending permit applications under the moratorium.

The increasing industry push for digital billboards has sparked debate over their risk of distracting drivers.

"We do understand why they did it. Our posture is to work with the county," Pressman said.

David DeCamp, Times Staff Writer

*

Pinellas to oppose offshore oil drilling

Pinellas County legislative priorities will include opposing efforts to allow offshore drilling within 125 miles of the county's tourist-rich beaches, according to the list of lobbying priorities to be discussed at Tuesday's County Commission meeting.

The county will support "establishment of a special task force or study committee to study the short and
long term implications of oil and gas drilling and other alternative energy sources including effects on the economy of the state and its local governments, coastal communities, and fish and wildlife with a report of the findings to a future session of the Florida Legislature."

Commissioner Ken Welch has helped spearhead opposition to allowing drilling closer to the shores.

"Rather than risk Florida's clean, tourism-based economy and thousands of tourism-related jobs, in return for a Big Oil budget fix, I suggest that what Floridians really need is a stimulus of leadership in Tallahassee, and in local government," he said in a recent letter to the editor in the Times.

David DeCamp, Times staff writer

Pasco's lobbyist steps down after 22 years

Joe Mannion, 75, has stepped down from the $85,000 lobbying position after 22 years on the job, which he was the first one to have. County officials have no immediate plans to fill the position amid budget constraints, reports Times staff writer Jodie Tillman.

Last week, commissioners honored him with a resolution and detailed his key efforts over the years — from helping land the state veterans nursing home in Land O'Lakes to helping secure funds for utility projects — as well as his consistent presence at the statehouse, bird-dogging legislation important to the county.

At last week's meeting, commissioners heaped praise on the man whom Chairman Jack Mariano called "a true gentleman."

"You gave credibility to Pasco," Commissioner Ann Hildebrand told him.

"You give lobbyists a good name," Commissioner Michael Cox told him.

*

Florida Chamber backs Latvala for state Senate

The Florida Chamber of Commerce's CCE has endorsed Republican Jack Latvala's bid to return to the state Senate in the District 16 race in 2010. In an e-mail this morning, the chamber's political committee called him "the pro-business candidate" in the Pinellas-Hillsborough district.

The other announced candidate is Democrat Nina Hayden, a Pinellas School Board member.

"I am confident that Jack Latvala will be a strong voice for Florida businesses. I urge you to personally support Jack and to do whatever you can to assist him with his campaign for the State Senate so that he may effectively advocate on behalf of Florida businesses," said Doug Wheeler, chamber vice president
grassroots advocacy & PAC development, in the e-mail.

-- David DeCamp, Times staff writer

*

More heavyweight lobbyists join Pasco landfill fight

Angelo's Aggregate Materials, the Largo company behind the controversial east Pasco landfill near the Green Swamp, has hired more lobbyists as the state's decision on the project nears.

The latest to join: former "Everglades czar" Allison DeFoor and Colleen Castille, previously secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and before that, secretary of the Department of Community Affairs. They're joined by Eva Armstrong, former director of DEP's Division of State Lands, of their recently created firm, Castille, DeFoor & Armstrong in Tallahassee (see Web site here).

That brings the total to at least 11 lobbyists supporting or fighting the 90-acre project south of Dade City. Lobbyists for Angelo's also include Brian Ballard, an ally of Gov. Charlie Crist. Nearby landowners Robert Thomas and Bill Blanchard have hired former Gov. Bob Martinez and attorney Chris Kise, a confidant Crist, to fight the project.

How intertwined are these folks? DeFoor was Martinez's running mate in 1990 when the governor lost re-election. Ballard was Martinez's chief of staff.

DEP is expected to announce its decision on a permit for the project Thursday.

David DeCamp, Times Staff Writer

Special interests target Hernando Commissioner

A week from Election Day, the District 3 race between Diane Rowden and John Druzbick has turned nasty, forcing both Hernando County Commission candidates to defend their previous tenures on the School Board.

The most negative attacks — possibly unprecedented in nature — are aimed at Rowden, the two-term Democratic incumbent. A nebulous political group called the Committee to Protect Florida mailed fliers to Hernando County voters and created a Web site called DianeRowdenRealityCheck.com. The group is led by  GOP super-operative Roger "Rocky" Pennington and possibly funded by Thomas Barnette, a former lobbyist and Rowden supporter. Read more here.

Democrat criticizes Schenck as 'corporate candidate'

State Rep. Robert Schenck's campaign war chest is overflowing with cash but few of the dollars are coming from people in his own district.

The Spring Hill Republican collected $9 out of every $10 from outside Hernando County, according to a St. Petersburg Times analysis of the latest campaign finance reports filed Friday. The cash is fueling the first-term lawmaker's re-election campaign, but it could prove a liability.

Democratic challenger Jason Melton is making it an issue. "I am not a corporate candidate," he said in an interview.

"I don't have problems with companies being involved in campaigns," Melton continued. "But what I do have a problem with is a company that has nothing to do with the district or the candidate" giving so much. Read more here.

John Frank, Times staff writer

*

Moffitt Cancer Center reviewing lobbyist policy

Two days ago, Buzz noted that Mark Ferrulo of the left-leaning group Progress Florida had pointed out that H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center employs lobbyists, such as Mike Harrell, Carole Duncanson and Sebastian Aleksander, who also work for tobacco companies. (Check out Ferrulo's posting here.)

Moffitt Cancer Center told Buzz that they're "concerned about the perception" of hiring lobbyists who lobby for both the center and tobacco companies and "moving forward, Moffitt will be reviewing its policies concerning who represents the cancer center with the legislature," said Michelle Foley, spokeswoman for Moffitt Cancer Center.

--Jennifer Liberto, Times staff write

What do Moffitt and tobacco share?

Mark Ferrulo of the left-leaning group Progress Florida notes today that H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center employs lobbyists, such as Mike Harrell, Carole Duncanson and Sebastian Aleksander, who also work for tobacco companies. Check out Ferrulo's posting here.

--Jennifer Liberto