Greco won't run for Tampa mayor again

Former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco, 73, announced today he will not run for mayor this year.  Greco was Tampa's 50th and 56th mayor, having first won in 1967 and again in 1995.

Greco said he loves politics but is enjoying life in the private sector and the ability to take two-week vacations.  "I'm doing what's best for me and my family,"  he said.

Former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco, 73, announced today he will not run for mayor this year.  Greco was Tampa's 50th and 56th mayor, having first won in 1967 and again in 1995.

Greco said he loves politics but is enjoying life in the private sector and the ability to take two-week vacations.  "I'm doing what's best for me and my family,"  he said.

Comments

[DC eye]

...yawn...Greco's time is way over...

[Omega83]

oh GOD, not 4 more years of Pam...Please SOMEONE from the business community step up and run

[hobson-thats who!]

It is hard to conceive of a scenario in which Dick Greco could have dislodged Mayor Pam Iorio. Its just that simple. Kind of remnds me of when ole Frank Rizzo launched back inot the Mayor's race in Philly. Ted Koppel asked him "Mr. Rizzo, at your age, why are you putting yourself through this?" (Rizzo susbsequntly weeks later keeled over and died from a heart His answer would be the answer of Mr.Greco. It is ego. It is all about missing the smell of war paint and the roar of the crowd. While Mayor Greco might have been flattered by the attention and entreaties of what anti-Iorio factions there are, I think he well realized he would have been shellacked the same way Teddy Kennedy was by Jimmy Carter. The landscape has changed baby!

[Boca Grande]

Looks like Pam will have little opposition in her reelection bid. That's bad news for Tampa taxpayers. City government spending exploded during her first term. She loaded up the city budget with highly paid staffers and consultants. And she vehemently opposed the token millage rate cut passed by city council, though property values have increased at double digit rates. For taxpayers, salvation will depend on the city council, not a strong-willed bunch. All I hear from the council candidates is mush like "we need smart growth" and "let's better use our resources." HOW ABOUT A TAX CUT? Our neighborhoods are losing their character as small businesses and rental units are taxed out of the market. Maybe the Governor and the State Legislature will come to the rescue.

[Chris W]

Spending might not have "exploded" quite so much if "credit card" Greco hadn't started so many big-dollar projects and ignored the neighborhoods for so long.

Mayor Traveisa ?

Besides, Greco is enjoying Mons too much.

[Zhombre]

Stepford Democrats from South Tampa like Iorio will continue to dominate the city for the foreseeable future. Get used to it.

Joe Redner for Mayor of Tampa!

[politicalspectator]

Dang, 8:51, beat me to it. Tampa could a fox in charge of its henhouse.

[politicalspectator]

"could use". That's better.

Dick Greco: "You all thought I'd actually run again?!...Syke!!!

Gail said you would, you dirty old man!

[Mark Ferguson]

Okay folks I know this is kind of late getting in but....after the last 2006 election we had I have not had the time to really do my homework on who is the best qualified for the job of Mayor and City Council. Eventhough the election is two months away, if I was to vote today based on name recognition, and reputation, I would vote for Pam for Mayor. Joe Redner for District 1, Mary Mulhern for District 2, Linda Saul Sena for District 3, John Dingfelder for District 4, and Charles Perkins for District 7.

www.unbanned.org