May 7, 2026
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Deep Something

The site for ranting and reporting by John Masters

County Commission

Image of two "Dr" depictions
Featured Politics Election County Commission 

The Tale of Two Doctors

B. John 113 Views 1 Comment , , , , , , , ,
This entry is in the series 2026 Elections

In a political era where labels are often used as shields, few examples are as stark as the “Dr.” honorific Donna Cameron-Cepeda wears to project authority over Hillsborough County’s $12 billion budget. While she cites her background as a financial analyst for a global corporation, her actual policy record reveals a troubling pattern of “pulling up the ladder” behind her. Having once relied on the very social safety nets and affordable housing she now votes to dismantle, her leadership has become a case study in the disconnect between personal history and public consequence.

The upcoming election presents a rare, high-contrast choice as Dr. Neil Manimala, a board-certified physician, enters the race with a platform centered on “healing” the damage done by recent regressive shifts. While Cameron-Cepeda’s tenure has been defined by culture-war distractions and the defunding of vital community nonprofits, Manimala represents a return to verified, professional competence. With even members of her own party filing to challenge her, the message is clear: Hillsborough is ready for a leader who values evidence over ideology and people over performance.

To understand the full scope of this “Doctor vs. Doctor” showdown and why this race has become a focal point for the future of our county, read the full analysis.

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Society Crack Pots County Commission Featured Politics 

The Architecture of Abandonment: The Performance of Josh Wostal

B. John 98 Views 0 Comments , , , , , , , ,
This entry is in the series 2026 Elections

In the sterile halls of the Hillsborough County Center, he is known as “Hostile Wostal”—a man who treats the public treasury like a distressed asset ripe for liquidation. While he preens for social media as a fiscal hawk, his actual record is a masterclass in calculated abandonment, trading essential bus routes in South County for high-end sprawl subsidies that line the pockets of mega-developers like Lennar and Homes by WestBay. It isn’t “saving” when you strip the foundation of a community to pave the private driveways of the donor class; it is patrimonialism disguised as prudence.

Wostal’s governance is a performance of cruelty, evidenced by his crusade to defund the Supervisor of Elections and dismiss 100,000 of our neighbors as mere “ghost voters.” This isn’t about the bottom line; it is about rigging the game by silencing the voices he can’t win over. From stranding essential workers on the roadside to attacking the ballot box, Wostal has shown us that he knows the price of everything but the value of nothing. It is time to decide if we want a county that serves its people, or a family business that serves only its patrons. Follow the paper trail and learn more about how we can build a Hillsborough that belongs to everyone.

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Mariella Smith working to preserve Lower Green Swamp Nature Preserve
Featured Politics County Commission 

2022 Election – Board of County Commissioners District 5

B. John 1168 Views 0 Comments , ,
This entry is in the series 2022 Election

This one is an easy one. I have no reason to think that Cepeda’s candidacy is anything more than an attempt to grab attention and advance some MAGA Christian Nationalist agenda, which Commissioner Smith has demonstrated her understanding of the issues important for a county commission to address, and can build a coalition to get things done. Keep Hillsborough County safe from an unhinged MAGA agenda, and vote for Mariella Smith.

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Photo of Harry Cohen and Scott Levinson
Featured Politics Election County Commission 

2022 Election – Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners District 1

B. John 1199 Views 0 Comments , , , ,
This entry is in the series 2022 Election

I had one of the most interesting candidate conversations I think I have ever had around this race. I had a long conversation with Scott D. Levinson, the Republican running for the seat. This is where it got interesting. He seems to be very socially progressive, to the point I eventually said, “Scott, you need not be telling people this. You may get kicked out of the Republican party. But the thing is, Harry gave me an appointment when he was a member of the City Council and heard me out on some contractor behavior issues we were having in the neighborhood.

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2020 Candidates for Hillsborough County Commission District 6
Featured Places Tampa Politics Election County Commission 

2020 Election – Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners District 6

B. John 1189 Views 0 Comments , , ,
This entry is in the series 2020 Election

This has Republican Sandy Murman seeking to unseat Democratic incumbent Pat Kemp. This is a tough one for me. Sandy Murman panders, moves from office to office as she’s termed out, and serves only developers. On the other hand, Kemp, who I contributed to, has refused to return calls and messages, so I won’t be voting for either candidate.

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2020 Candidates for Hillsborough County Commission District
Featured Places Tampa Politics Election County Commission 

2020 Election – Hillsborough County Commission District 1

B. John 603 Views 0 Comments , , ,
This entry is in the series 2020 Election

Democrat Harry Cohen and Republican Scott Levinson are vying for this seat. I did not get a call from Levinson, but I did hear from Harry Cohen. In fact, that’s not the first time we’ve talked. Cohen is a policy wonk. He makes sure he knows what he’s talking about, and he will have thought through any proposals he makes, and he takes the long view. So for Hillsborough County Commission District 1, I’m recommending Harry Cohen.

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Featured Politics Election County Commission 

A Vague Survey Question and How to Answer It

B. John 869 Views 1 Comment , ,
This entry is in the series 2018 Elections

On the way to dinner tonight my phone rang and the car display didn’t show the number, so I answered. It was a survey company/organization of some sort conducting a brief survey related to the upcoming Hillsborough County Commission election. The question was, “Do you believe the Hillsborough County Public Schools are headed in the right direction?” I found that a surprisingly difficult question to answer.

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Featured Places Tampa Politics County Commission 

A HART Failure

B. John 844 Views 2 Comments , , , , , , , ,

A recent experience caused me to gain some insight into the process the local transit authority, HART (Hillsborough County, FL) for those with medical requirements needing their door-to-door services. It is, as it turns out, way more complex than it should be, and likely makes flat impractical from some people who need the service on a shorter-term basis to be able to use it.

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Right Wingnuts Crack Pots Featured County Commission Places Tampa Politics Religion Society Gay Issues 

Three Way Tie for Douche-bag of the Day

B. John 1901 Views 2 Comments , , , , , , , , ,
This entry is in the series Daily Douche-Bag

This one is interesting I know, but they are all three of the same situation…if it really is three. Let me explain. Last week, Hillsborough, FL, County Commissioner and conservative firebrand, Stacy White (who I will note claims to be a Methodist), supposedly got a report of an anonymous employee who found flying the Rainbow Flag in memory and honor of the victims in Orlando created a hostile work environment for her. White was quick to call the flag a, “divisive, politically-charged symbol.”

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