Comments on: why not quarles?

By: Creative Loafing tampa » Blurbex » Blog Archive » The Short List — Wed., Sept. 25

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:36:11 +0000

[...] Loafie winner Sticks of Fire has some good links on Gov. Crist’s appointment of former Bucs middle linebacker Shelton Quarles to head the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority. Quarles first order of business: Deciding whether to keep both “Area” and “Regional” in the title. [...]

By: Creative Loafing sarasota » the 941 » Blog Archive » Lunch Links for Wednesday, September 26

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:35:52 +0000

[...] +Gov. Crist appoints former Bucs middle linebacker Shelton Quarles to head the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority. Quarles first order of business: Deciding whether to keep both “Area” and “Regional” in the title. [Sticks of Fire] [...]

By: Maf54

Maf54 — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 13:08:45 +0000

Oh, I seriously doubt $500 would influence much of anything, so I disagree with that.

I don’t think that Quarles bought influence. But sometimes I think Crist has stars in his eyes.

By: oiler

oiler — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:43:16 +0000

So someone thinks $500 influences a state governor these days? $500 was the legal limit for an individual, did Quarles give money to the GOP directly? That amount is uncapped and is worth discussing, but considering the kind of money he raised last year, a $500 contribution to the 06 Crist campaign really doesn’t even garner enough influence to request a 5 minute meeting with the governor.

By: voxy

voxy — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:09:02 +0000

I agree with john and maf54.

specially THIS part: is he just being named as a surrogate for someone outside the fray who wants to influence things?

By: Maf54

Maf54 — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 21:45:25 +0000

I think there is some confusion here.

First of all, my points are not that he’s a football player and he’s too dumb to be in this post. It has nothing to do with the fact that he’s a football player, and more to do with the fact that he is in a position to set the agenda for an agency that not only has the ability to PLAN these projects, but BUILD these projects as well.

I don’t know if there are funds allocated to it or not, but the point is that this is more than just some advisory committee somewhere.

And whether Quarles was a football player, the head of a major corporation or Donald Trump … the question isn’t his education, but his EXPERIENCE. What in Quarles’ past prepared him to run a committee to not just advise on transportation issues, but to DEVELOP AND BUILD transportation issues for the 13th largest metro market in the United States?

I know he has a degree. That’s great. You don’t see a lot of professional football players who do that. But I would like to see him answer some direct questions about transportation issues in this region. I bet he couldn’t even tell us how much it costs to build a one-mile single lane of highway — something even the clerk of this board should know.

Transportation is not a light issue, and it’s just plan dumb to choose this opportunity to put a figurehead at the top of a committee. You want to put him ON the committee, sure … but to chair it?

What was wrong with Shawn Harrison?

By: Mr. Bill

Mr. Bill — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:15:40 +0000

There is NO Money allocated to any of these proposed projects. SO, it seems to me to be more of an Honorary Transportation Position. There already are lots of transportation studies and proposals in the cabinets. Many are very good. ALL have gathered dust with NO Money allocated. What an effort in futility. As a supporter of mass transit, this entire TBART is nothing but another effort to placate people like me with pretty drawings and concepts with no real substance.

By: james

james — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 19:59:49 +0000

I do think those who say he should not be the chair because of he was a professional football player should be so quick to judge. I have met Mr. Quarles and spoken with him at length. I think he will do a fine job. The board needs a leader and that is what he brings, leadership. Never judge a book by the cover.

By: Clark

Clark — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:22:37 +0000

The basic premise of a democratic government (in theory) is that the best-qualified citizens can hold office. It used to be farmers and merchants; who’s to say it can’t be a former football player? Quarles earned a degree from Vanderbilt, not (insert name of football factory university here).

By: chaaalie

chaaalie — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 17:19:54 +0000

I have no problem with Shelton. He’s proven to be a thoughtful person and a solid citizen — unlike many pro athletes.

My commentary above was simply intended to point out the irony of the “How dare Crist appoint an athlete!” crowd, when the voters do the exact same thing.