No second term for Duncan; Gallucci enters race
Pinellas County Commissioner Ronnie Duncan won't run for re-election in November. After having presided as commission chairman last year during the Jim Smith land deal, he faced a potentially ugly contest. But Duncan, 50, said that prospect played little role in his decision. The job just took too much time from family, he said.
"My children are 5 and 10 years old and I want to spend more time with them as they are growing up," Duncan said.
Pinellas School Board member Jane Gallucci annouced today she would seek Duncan's seat. She faces Ray Brooks in the Republican primary. Republican Neil Brickfield is also said to be weighing a run. Paul Matton is the Democrat in the race.
From the writers of the St. Petersburg Times, The Buzz offers the latest news in Florida politics. This is a public forum sponsored and maintained by the St. Petersburg Times. When you post comments here, what you say becomes public and could appear in the newspaper. You are not engaging in private communication with candidates or Times staffers.
Go Jane!
Posted by: | March 25, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Janet Long could win that seat. Please Janet RUN!
Posted by: | March 25, 2008 at 02:41 PM
What a loss. Duncan is a business owner, isnt a career politican, and is a family man yet decides not to run for a sure reelection. Sad day for Pinellas my friends.
Posted by: | March 25, 2008 at 03:15 PM
He made a mistake and a big one. That doesn't get awarded with a re-election.
Sorry Charlie.
Posted by: | March 25, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Any Republican entering this race now has even less integrity than Duncan himself. Clearly, the R-Party wanted Duncan out the race in an effort to protect the other incumbents from “guilt by association” throughout the campaign over the Smith deal. The only problem is the lingering reality of a unanimous (7-0) vote by the BOCC to approve the Smith deal, which is just the tip of the iceberg.
Making Churuti the fall gal didn’t work, letting Spratt walk with another “sweet deal” didn’t work… and this move will not work either.
Moreover, if Gallucci, Brickfield, or any other Party minion who jumps in had true integrity, independent thought, and a sincere concern for our County and its citizens… they would have entered the race already regardless of Duncan’s pending decision.
It is obvious that they were directed by the Party to wait for Duncan’s decision and “The Party’s” permission. Therefore, it is also clear exactly where these folk’s loyalty lay and whom they intend to serve… that being themselves and the Party; NOT the people of Pinellas.
What we have here is… S. O. S. D. Republican.
Posted by: The Truth! | March 25, 2008 at 03:28 PM
Hey Truth,
Fairy Tales, I love em, you like most people on this blog have no clue about what the R party does, but it's fun reading.
PCREC Person
Posted by: | March 25, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Hey PCREC Person,
If the best the R party can do is to hope to "promote" ex school board members to the BCC, you may be in real trouble. I hear Mary Russel is interested too.
Posted by: | March 25, 2008 at 04:03 PM
3:28 is clueless. That's the truth.
Posted by: | March 25, 2008 at 04:21 PM
Me thinks "The Truth" stuck a "truth" nerve!
You're are dean on, Truth, that's exactly what has happened!
Posted by: Tony D. | March 25, 2008 at 04:24 PM
What nest...
Claton Wilcox for County Admistrator!... and my third grage teacher (Mrs. Fisher) can run the Tax Collector's office!... oooo, we can get the Beaver to run for Mayor of St. Pete!
Posted by: | March 25, 2008 at 04:27 PM
You can't go wrong with Long
Posted by: | March 25, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Trust us… We went wrong with Long… Peter did too… now we’re picking Cotton!
Posted by: | March 25, 2008 at 04:42 PM
Long would have to get her affairs in order before she runs...
Posted by: | March 25, 2008 at 04:46 PM
Good Lord… can we please stop using our local governments for Party-hack training, retirement supplements, and geriatric day care?
Posted by: | March 25, 2008 at 04:47 PM
To those of you who believe that :The Truth" is just a nutcase, why argue with sheer logic...
Considering that Ms Galucci, and Mr Brickfield are party insiders, and, a few weeks ago Ms Bostock, another party hack was mentioned as a candidate in waiting as well, it would appear that not only is it "probable" that these folks were waiting -- or told to wait -- ( it's all symantecs at this point ) but the timing of the opening of the floodgates makes sense,regardless of who you like or don't like...
Than's all I'm saying...
Posted by: None of the Above | March 25, 2008 at 04:53 PM
The future of our County Commission looks great! Let’s see, what do we have to look forward too…
No baggy pants in County offices
No talk of Darwin in the halls
Sex scandals with the students/the help
Segregated workplaces
FCAT testing for all employees
PSTA dropping people off at the wrong stop
Privatization
A lot of discussion about clothes and make up
Portables used for jails
Everybody to work by 7 and out by 3
Summers off
Then again, Brickfield could win and we’d have really clean bathrooms in which to tap dance!
Posted by: | March 25, 2008 at 04:54 PM
Once again NoneOfTheAbove can get his facts straight. Gallucci and Bostock are running for different seats. Your theory sucks, as do most of your black helicopter posts.
Posted by: Multiple Choice | March 25, 2008 at 05:00 PM
What Facts do I have Wront -- let's review...
Is or was Ms Bostock mentioned as a possible candidate for the BOCC...Yes
Did I mention that she and Galucci were running for the Same Seat...No
Go home and take a nap or a Midol...
Whirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...
Posted by: None of the Above | March 25, 2008 at 05:39 PM
"Multiple Choice"
I assume that also sums up you selection of daily meds!
HACKS; ALL OF THEM!
No Thanks Meatball, we've had enought of you and the Janitor!
Posted by: | March 25, 2008 at 05:55 PM
"You selection of daily meds"? Spell much 5:55?
Posted by: | March 25, 2008 at 05:58 PM
5:58,
No, I can't spell at all. That's why I'm running for County Commissioner.
Love,
(Insert School Board Member Name Here)
Posted by: | March 25, 2008 at 08:18 PM
"My children are 5 and 10 years old and I want to spend more time with them as they are growing up," Duncan said.
"... besides, after the CSX boondoggle gets approved, I'll be loaded!"
Never elect a boy to do a mans job.
Posted by: | March 25, 2008 at 08:47 PM