October 26, 2023
Latest:

Deep Something

Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it. ~~Mark Twain

Hillsborough County

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

2022 Election – Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners District 1

B. John 16 Views 0 Comments , , , ,

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.

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

2020 Election – Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners District 6

B. John 659 Views 0 Comments , , ,

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.

Read more
@020 Candidates for Hillsborough County School Board District 7
Society Education Featured Places Tampa Politics Election 

2020 Election – Hillsborough School Board District 7

B. John 609 Views 0 Comments , , ,

This is a county-wide seat and the only school board race I vote in this round. Lynn Gray, the incumbent, is being opposed by Sally Harris who previously served on the board and was voted out. Harris served in 2017 and 2018 as Chair of the Board of Education, but her entire tenure was pretty lack-lustier. Given the challenges that will be faced by the district in 2021 and into next year, that’s just not going to cut it. I talked to Lynn Gray this time and in her previous election. She has over 40 years of classroom and school administrative experience and is involved in the schools as more than just a member of the board. She shares my concerns about the loss of funding to for-profit charter companies. So, for all those reasons, I’m going with Lynn Gray for Hillsborough School Board District 7.

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

2020 Election – Hillsborough County Commission District 1

B. John 131 Views 0 Comments , , ,

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.

Read more
202 Candidates for Hillsborough County Tax Collector
Featured Places Tampa Politics Election 

2020 Election – Hillsborough Tax Collector

B. John 193 Views 0 Comments , , , ,

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.

Read more
2020 Candidates for Hillsborough County Sheriff
Featured Places Tampa Politics Election 

2020 Election – Hillsborough County Sheriff

B. John 210 Views 0 Comments , , , ,

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.

Read more
Andrew Warren Hillsborough State Attorney
Featured Politics Election 

2020 Votes – Hillsborough State Attorney

B. John 176 Views 0 Comments , , , ,

Incumbent Andrew Warren (D) is being challenged by Attorney and Former Sheriff’s Officer Mike Perotti. I talked to Warren when he last ran, and again this time along with Mike Perotti. I don’t think there should be some kind of marriage between law enforcement and the judical system. That doesn’t mean I don’t think they have to work together, but one shouldn’t be seen as “serving” the other. I think Perotti’s career is one of law enforcement, not Justice. Perotti also said he wouldn’t enforce the mask mandate in Hillsborough County as the verdict isn’t in on their effectiveness, so you can imagine that’s all I needed to say no to him. I’ll be voting for Andrew Warren.

Read more
Fun Stuff Places Tampa Society Crime 

News Roundup for The Week Ending April 11, 2008

B. John 179 Views 0 Comments , , , , , , , ,

This is the catch all basket for odd news items for the week ending April 11, 2008. We’ve got an escaped monkey in Orlando, Verizon employees picketing because their customer service is so bad, and a guy hitting a police horse. The elections supervisor can’t seem to get around to paying his property taxes either.

Read more
Society 

Another “Storm” Over Tampa

B. John 179 Views , , , , , , , , , ,

Famed homophobic bigot and all around sex-obsessed Hillsborough County Commissioner Rhonda Storms has called for a referendum on nudity. I can’t tell if she wants more of it or less, but having seen her ass in a pair of pants…I’m hoping less. In keeping with her past MO, she sprung this on the other Commissioners without warning.

Read more