Pasco's Cox backs Aronberg for AG

When Democratic attorney general candidates Sen. Dave Aronberg and Sen.Dan Gelber hit a Pasco County fund-raiser tonight, County Commissioner Michael Cox will have already picked sides.

Cox backs Aronberg, who has helped the county Democrats raise money and gave time to Cox when Cox has gone to Tallahassee on insurance issues.

"Aronberg is an extremely sharp guy and he shows a lot of talents," Cox said, who quipped this about his own relevance in their contest: "I’m just a county commissioner. I’m nobody special."

The county Democrats have their Chiles-Graham Dinner at 7 p.m. tonight at Heritage Springs Country Club in Trinity.

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.

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Pinellas straw poll looms for Senate race

UPDATE: The straw poll now looks like it will be in January to accommodate Crist's schedule (he is expected to visit party members in December), Pinellas GOP Chairman J.J. Beyrouti said.

The Pinellas GOP plans to hold a straw poll on the U.S. Senate race, among other contests, in December, county Republican Party chairman J.J. Beyrouti confirmed to Republicans this week.

As it's sketched out, Gov. Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio will speak in October and November at the party's monthly meetings. Beyrouti has said he wants the vote itself to big a large, attention-getting event for the party.

But' it's mainly notable because Pinellas is the backyard of Crist, and Crist has been getting swamped in similar polls of party regulars in other counties, including Pasco and Hernando counties.

David DeCamp, Times staff writer

Tax notices hit the mail

Property appraiser offices in Tampa Bay area counties have begun mailing annual tax bill notices to homeowners -- and they might hold one bit of good news for people who bought homes at the top of the real estate boom.

People who bought from 2004 to 2007, when prices were high, could see their tax bills dip with their property values because they've received less benefit from the state's Save Our Homes cap on assessments.

If you're a homeowner whose tax notice shows a drop and you would be willing to talk to a reporter, please e-mail David DeCamp at ddecamp@sptimes.com.

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Retailers back Corcoran in Florida House race

Republican Richard Corcoran has claimed the Florida Retail Federation's backing in his House District 45 race in 2010.

From an email to supporters from Corcoran's campaign:

Rick McAllister, President and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation, had this to say:
 
"The Florida Retail Federation is pleased to support your candidacy for the Florida House of Representatives, District 45.  We believe that you will prove to be a strong voice for the retail business community in your district, and for the state."

-- David DeCamp, Times staff writer

Florida House candidate called a slumlord by tenants, former employees

CLEARWATER — While campaigning for the state House of Representatives, property owner and radio host Fabian Calvo has touted his skill in running a $20 million real estate company that spans the state.

"I am a successful small-businessman who believes state government should be run like a business," Calvo wrote in campaign literature. "This is the type of leadership that is needed in Tallahassee, leadership from the small business world, people that have created jobs, paid payrolls, balanced budgets."

Renters and former property managers of Calvo say that's precisely his problem. He's a slumlord, they say, alleging he fails to pay his debts and lets property degrade into disrepair. Two ex-employees are taking him to court.

Here's the rest of the story.

UPDATE: Calvo's Twitter feed, updated yesterday: "The demons in the left have tried to slander my name over the weekend, beware to those that stand up for truth, they are trying to break us"

Calvo snags Burke's endorsement in House race

UPDATE: Burke said Calvo's conservatism, energy and underdog status won him over.

"He doesn't have a lot of the advantages of other people when you come from the establishment," Burke said, referring to Starkey as a "person of affluence" from an established Pasco family. "I like that. That appeals to me."

Burke said he met Calvo at a meeting soon after he filed to run and has never listened to his radio show. 

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Republican Fabian Calvo, most recently known for another supporter, announced that Pinellas Clerk of Court Ken Burke has backed his campaign in House District 45 in 2010. It's the most notable sign of support for his campaign in the Pinellas-Pasco race yet.

Calvo, a real estate company owner and Clearwater conservative radio host, and Carl Folkman, who filed late last month, are newcomers running against two more established candidates: Pasco School Board member Kathryn Starkey and Richard Corcoran, a lawyer and former aide to Marco Rubio.

Straight from the Calvo news release:

“Rarely is there a candidate who combines intellect, energy and integrity like Fabian Calvo,” said Clerk of the Circuit Court for Pinellas County Ken Burke. “He defines conservative values. It is an honor to endorse him for election to the Florida House of Representatives. With his election -- all of Florida wins.”

David DeCamp and Drew Harwell, Times Staff Writers

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GOP officials endorse Richard Corcoran in House District 45 primary

Richard Corcoran has picked up new endorsements in the Republican primary race for House District 45, this time from the state committeemen and state committeewomen of Pasco and Pinellas counties.

Pinellas State Committeewoman Nancy Riley, Pinellas State Committeeman Tony DiMatteo, Pasco State Committeewoman Lona O’Reilly and Pasco State Committeeman Bill Bunting say they are supporting him in his bid for the seat being vacated by Republican Tom Anderson.

Corcoran, a lawyer, has a close and powerful friend, state Sen. Mike Fasano, a New Port Richey Republican.

According to a news release from the Corcoran camp, the reasons cited for the endorsements were his “ability to get things done quickly and his conservative roots.”

Marco Rubio stumping throughout Tampa Bay area

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio will be campaigning across Tampa Bay over the next couple days. Here's the schedule:

Thursday, 7 p.m.: Rubio addresses the Faith and Family Values Republican Club of Pasco County.
Word of Life Fellowship, 13247 Word of Life Drive in Hudson.
Friday, 7:30 p.m.   Rubio addresses the Hillsborough County Summer Dinner Series "Issues & Ideas," Dr. Blaise F. Alfano Conference and Banquet Center, 11606 McKinley Drive in Tampa.
Saturday, 11 a,m. to 4 p.m.: Rubio attends the South Shore Republican Club and Sun City Center Club's annual picnic at E.G. Simmons Park, 240119th Avenue NW in Apollo Beach.  

Adam Smith, Times political editor

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Morroni backs Corcoran in Florida House 45 race

Pinellas County Commissioner John Morroni has endorsed Richard Corcoran to succeed Rep. Tom Anderson, R-Dunedin.

"I’ve known Richard for over 15 years, and he will be a true conservative voice in Tallahassee," Morroni said in a news release by Corcoran.

Corcoran faces Pasco School Board member Kathryn Starkey and newcomer Fabian Calvo in the 2010 primary. Anderson is term-limited.

David DeCamp, Times staff writer

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