Deep Something

202 Candidates for Hillsborough County Tax Collector

2020 Election – Hillsborough Tax Collector

October 18, 2020October 18, 2020 B. John 744 Views 0 Comments 2020 Election, Nancy Millan, T. K. Smith, Tax Collector, Hillsborough County

This entry is part 5 of 9 in the series 2020 Election

The two candidates are Democrat Nancy Millan and Republican T.K. Smith. I put out my usual call to both but spoke only with Millan. McMillan has 30 years of experience at the tax collector’s office. In speaking with her she was suggesting some innovative ways to meet the needs of the citizens with some simple common-sense approaches to the many tasks performed by the tax collector. She was open to minor suggestion I made, and I thought she was smart and practical. I’m recommending Nancy Millan based on her years of experience, knowledge of the office and its duties, and her commonsense approach to the office.

2020 Candidates for Hillsborough County Sheriff

Election Featured Places Tampa Politics

2020 Election – Hillsborough County Sheriff

October 18, 2020 B. John 520 Views 0 Comments Chad Chronister, Gary Pruitt, Ron McMullen, Hillsborough County, Sheriff

This entry is part 4 of 9 in the series 2020 Election

The incumbent is “married into money” Chad Chronister opposed by Independent Ron McMullen and Democrat Gary Pruitt. Pruitt is the only candidate who returned my calls (and you know my rule). I didn’t expect to hear from Chronister. Chronister is the recommendation of Times Editorial Board, and we could do worse. In my conversations with Gary Pruitt I found him to be genuine and level-headed. He seems to care a lot more about “law enforcement” than about politics. He wants body cams and windshield cams. He also favors an actual “Citizens’ Oversight” function over just an “advisory committee.” I’m recommending Gary Pruitt.

Places Tampa Politics Courts Society Gay Issues Right Wingnuts Hate Groups Featured

Judge William Jung-Douchebag of the Day

October 6, 2019October 9, 2019 B. John 2319 Views 1 Comment Liberty Counsel, Robert Vazzo, David H. Pickup, Reparative Therapy, LGBT Youth Suicide, William Jung

This entry is part 53 of 54 in the series Daily Douche-Bag

In 2017, Tampa passed an ordinance that prohibited conversion therapy for children under 18. As they always do, Liberty Counsel and their perpetual “client,” Las Vegas-based Robert Vazzo (not even a resident of Florida), and a David Pickup of Dallas (not licensed in Florida) filed a lawsuit to get the ordinance overturned. However, Republican Trump-appointee William Jung had to bend himself into a Gordian Knot of legal reasoning to give them that win.

Feature Photo for Castor Office Detention Protest

Featured Places Tampa Politics Congress

Immigrant Child Detention Protest

July 4, 2019 B. John 542 Views 0 Comments Kathy Castor, Child Detention, Immigrants, Assylum, Protest

Tuesday morning I received a Move-on email announcing a protest against the Child Detention Centers at the local office of U.S. Representative Kathy Castor. I decided to attend. News stories estimated the crowd at a few dozen, I’d put it a little higher, but it was not a huge crowd. It seemed somewhat hastily called, so that may account for it.

Featured Fun Stuff Places Tampa Society Gay Issues

Politicians and Pride

April 4, 2019April 4, 2019 B. John 678 Views 0 Comments Ybor City, Mayor, Bob Buckhorn, Pride

This past Saturday I went with some friends to the annual Tampa Bay Pride parade over in Ybor City. The parade was led off by a couple of Grand Masters of course, but then came all the candidates (Tampa is having municipal election runoffs) and local office holders. They kept coming and coming, and finally when the first actual float came by I looked at my watch, and it had taken nearly 25 minutes for all the pols to get by.

Food Places Tampa Restaurants

Deviled Pig – A Restaurant Review

December 1, 2018 B. John 784 Views 0 Comments South Tampa, Barbecue, BBQ

The Deviled Pig opened within the past few months at 3307 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33629. I was getting good comments on a neighborhood message, and over 4.5 stars on Yelp. It does turn out it didn’t rate quite that high once Yelp realized that there were a sizeable number of recently created accounts that one review giving the location 5 stars (guess who that restaurant was). However, once that was cleaned out, it still had decent reviews, so we decided to try it last night (Friday) early.

Places Tampa

Entitled Tampans And Tampa Airport

November 5, 2018November 4, 2018 B. John 732 Views 0 Comments Westshore, Aircraft, Landing, Take-off, Airplanes, Tampa International Airport

I don’t know if some people just don’t think, or feel entitled in some extreme sort of royalty-like way. I recently came across a Facebook Group for people who are complaining about the sound of airplanes landing at Tampa International Airport, despite having bought homes they knew to be right under the primary approach path. Go figure.

Places Tampa Politics Election

Hillsborough County Commission District 7

October 19, 2018October 23, 2018 B. John 713 Views 0 Comments Kimberly Overman, Board of Commissioners, Hillsborough County

This entry is part 2 of 4 in the series 2018 Elections

There are three candidates for this at-large seat on the County Commission. In keeping with my commitment to talk to people running in local elections, I’ve talked to Kimberly Overman and Todd Marks. I’m endorsing Kimberly Overman.

Environment Weather Places Tampa Science

The Weather in Tampa Today 09-10-2018

October 10, 2018 B. John 1342 Views 0 Comments Tampa, National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Michael

Right this minute, at 5:15 PM we’re getting a pretty good downpour that started about 10 minutes ago. According to

Featured Food Fun Stuff Places Tampa Politics Legislature

Letter to Publix CEO Re Adam Putnam

May 21, 2018October 3, 2018 B. John 1674 Views 2 Comments Anti-Immigrant, Publix, Anti-LGBT, Adam Putnam, florida, Todd Jones, Governor

Florida headquartered Publix Super Markets, has contributed nearly $670k to Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam ($250K of the recently), now the Commissioner of Agriculture. The Tampa Bay Times has recently published an article calling this to the attention of everyone, and Publix’s has been in damage control ever since, issuing the typical PR-written, Lawyer-approved bullshit form letter. I’ve written my own letter in response to the form letter I’ve seen posted all over social media. Let’s see if Publix gets the message.

Food Fun Stuff Places Tampa Restaurants

Casa Mexicana Bar and Grill – Restaurant Review

May 6, 2018September 29, 2018 B. John 534 Views 0 Comments restaurants, reviews, Mexian

Very good service, nice atmosphere, and clean restaurant. The food was good and Lay especially their “on-request” hot sauce, but it was a little pricey for what you get. We will eat there again.