one hand washes the other
Needless to say, I’m not invited to the fundraising parties for the re-election of county commissioners Brian Blair & Ken Hagan. But I do have copies of the invitations, so let’s have a look at the host committees to see who’s backing whom.
Less than a week after Blair and Hagan appointed Hung Mai to the Planning Commission, Mai is soliciting funds for their campaigns, e-mailing the invitations out and handling the RSVPs. (Smell that disgusting odor? That’s cronyism.)
The host committees for both candidates are almost identical and include plenty of fundraising heavyweights, with lots of support from the development lobby. Sticks readers will recognize some of the hosts’ names, including Ralph Hughes, Todd Pressman, and Judy James. All 3 were used as references on Hung Mai’s recent application for the Planning Commission. (The Trib printed headshots of all 3 plus Mai with my Op Ed.) I told you Mai knew commissioners would hear that cash register a-jinglin’ when they voted for him. But I didn’t imagine it would be this blatant.
Stephen Dibbs, a leader of the recent attacks on our local wetlands regulations, is also on the host committees for both Blair & Hagan.
Most of the county commissioners are already taking sides in each other’s political campaigns, which is sure to bring out the nasty on this ridiculously dysfunctional board. Commissioners Blair, Hagan & Norman are all backing each other. Commissioner Sharpe is backing Hagan, but not Blair at these country-club soirées, while professed Democrat Kevin White is backing Republican Brian Blair, but not Ken Hagan. Higginbotham & Ferlita are sitting this dance out. How will they all work together from now until November 2008, while mired neck deep in each others’ politics?
This is all further evidence that the primary concern for most of our commissioners is not our county but merely their own campaigns. They can’t even maintain a pretense of integrity, because they have no idea what integrity is.
Tags: county, election '08, hc bocc, politics
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September 26th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
I like that: professed democrat. LOL !!!
I use ‘acting democrats’ but … I may incorporate this.
Keep shining the light, Maricella.
I was not invited to the fundraiser, either.
Odd, considering they think enough of me and the value of my property to stalk me clear to washington dc.
I guess they’ve given up trying to make frineds with or marry me. LOL !!
Oh, and here’s something puzzling: This blog, sticks of fire is viewable thru netnanny while ALL of Florida’s progressive blogs are BLOCKED. few exceptions. (via SPC seminole campus library in pinellas)
Take note.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
ps. feel free to delete this: Maricella don’t trust anything to box that you have no copy of. Just like with driveway these internet storage places have a way of … letting you down. just an fyi for all because not all are savvy .. AND thanks for the peek.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
I see the Times covered it: http://www.sptimes.com/2007/09/26/Hillsborough/Funding_parties_reviv.shtml
Give ‘em enough rope…orange, like the jumpsuits they’ll be wearing.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
“How will they all work together from now until November 2008…?”
I have yet to see these bozos work together on anything other than being the “can do” guys for their developer pals.
It is all so very short sighted.
RE: Mai, Hughes, Dibbs, Pressman, and James: the conflicts stemming from their ham-fisted and very obvious self-enrichment agendas makes me wonder how such a stupid situation can not only exist, but be allowed to exist.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Someone left a link here on SOF last week for an organization called U-Can. Check it out; some of the Sticks posters are affliated with this organization.
http://u-canhillsborough.net/
Am I the only one wondering if there is some ethics or legal investigation going on to look at all these cosy bedfellow relationships? If not, then why? Does anyone know if a request has been made, is an investigation in the works or how to request one?
I’m suspicious of corruption, collusion or kickbacks maybe?
This smells very much like the previous Hills. County Commission a few years back when the majority of them went to prison for kickbacks I think. Didn’t it involve developers and a sewage treatment plant? Can’t remember.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Mariella:
Thank you for continuing to work so tirelessly to let us know what’s really going on!!! It’s incredible that a majority of the County Commission is so unresponsive to the public interest.
September 26th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Great Job Mariella!
It is so blatant……. and just like all of their other bad decisions they just don’t care who is watching. They bank on the fact that not many people pay attention or care. I do hope the EPC spectacle was enough to make people aware and vote in some changes!
Only Ferlita is a true leader. The other 6 seem to be led by developers. Thank you for exposing this.
September 26th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Thank you Mariella. Sometimes, the perception is reality as someone on the BOCC said not too long ago. Guess we’ll just have to keep the vigil for ethics and conflict violations. Seems Rose Ferlita is the only Commissioner who is “what you see is what you get”. Al Higginbotham still bears watching though. At times he appears to distance himself from the others but that may be a strategy. They are all so clever.
September 26th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
it’s not clever-ousness, it’s duplicity and diabolical-ness.
Also, it’s pre-planning. Like a funeral arrangement.
Shall we cremate or annihlate and pyre-ate the wetlands and the rest of your civil rights???
And, they all go to the same club … don’t kid yourself. Other than that, you nailed it.
Mariella, if, in the past, I have spelled your name wrong it is unintentional. I used to have an employee named Maricella and the word just gets typed. Usually I return to correct and if I ever don’t … I DO apologize. I am generally rushed but wish to remain supportive of you.
As well, take heed fellow bloggers: there are lo THE MANY in Tampa blogoworld who fail to be what they claim to be. About as left as my right foot.
any hoooooooooooooo
September 26th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Blair has implied publicly that he is not the least bit concerned about what we’re saying about him. Seems to be true of most of BOCC except when they are forced to lie and backpedal, as White, Norman, Hagan, and Blair all did when they changed their votes on Wetlands. They lied and dissembled with aplomb, however, because it’s their diabolical nature. (I’d just like for Blair to stop his public praying, since his disingenuousness makes me regurgitate.) He says that those who elect him are ones that he never sees. It is now our collective job to let the entire county see him “up close and personal”…. Lots of big money will again go into these reprobates’ campaign coffers, thanks to the development community who is licking its chops at South County now. Our “collective job” is cut out for us in 2008 with these Disney villains. I feel equal to the task.
September 26th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
The “collective job” for county voters in 2008 is to replace Blair and Hagen. Also, if Higginbotham continues to be unduly influenced by the “Norman Block”, he should be replaced.
To be sure, an outstanding slate of electable candidates must be found and provided assurances of widespread county support. Where are these candidates?
Mariella, I’ve followed and agreed with your articles and comments before the BOCC on several occasions. Are you interested and available for public office? If so, you would have my vote!
September 27th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Today’s Times has an editorial on this: “Developers get to work for allies on commission”
Syncing with Tommy’s article they write:
Thanks, everyone, for the comments. Voxy, don’t worry about misspelling my name here or there — I’ve been called worse!
Glad you enjoyed my choice of words — you have a way with words yourself!
September 27th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Well, said Mariella! (or is it Maricella, ha ha! I kind of like that, sounds like an Italian wine)
I agree with “Dusty”:
“Am I the only one wondering if there is some ethics or legal investigation going on to look at all these cosy bedfellow relationships? If not, then why? Does anyone know if a request has been made, is an investigation in the works or how to request one?”
When can we get the FBI or somebody to investigate these corrupt so-and-so’s – as was done to our corrupt county commission back in the ’80’s?! Wasn’t there a letter submitted to the state asking for an investigation?
September 27th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
This got so long, I stuck it over at my place … please read. It’s one of my better and more comely diatribes.
RECALL THEM
I guess this means they’ll roll out the big semi truck with
recall
recall
recall
all over the side of it.
That’s sposed to translate to SHUT THE FUCK UP.
I got that one all by myself.
LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 28th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Thanks Mariella. How refreshing to read well written, thorough journalism.
t…
September 29th, 2007 at 8:09 am
Government by the rich for the rich….
September 29th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
ALERT!!!!!!
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2007 BOCC BOARD MEETING – JIM NORMAN’S CHAMPIONSHIP PARK
PLEASE ATTEND PUBLIC COMMENT BEGINNING AT 9:00 AM AT THE COUNTY CENTER, 601 E. KENNEDY BLVD., 2ND FLOOR BOARDROOM.
Contact: Denise Layne, Executive Director
Coalition 4 Responsible Growth, Inc.
813-246-0485
Agenda Item B-6 at 10:30 am time certain the $40,000,000 Jim Norman Stadium will be discussed by our BOCC. Whether you support or oppose the use of this Community Investment Tax money for this project, we need to make sure our DUE PROCESS rights are being protected. The CIT process involves an evening public hearing for any decisions on the use of the CIT funds. The bocc earmarked this money during the CIT process; put it on hold for a study; and it now needs to continue the CIT process – PUBLIC HEARING!
As if the use of our tax dollars for this project isn’t controversial enough, Budget staff sent the BOCC the attached warning of less CIT monies expected due to “upheavals in the mortgage and housing markets”. Goodness, this letter is a warning of already $98,600,000 less than expected by 2026!!! This will also be discussed at Wednesday’s BOCC meeting.
The BOCC might try to slide a vote in at this regular meeting. We MUST demand a public hearing on the use of this $40 million. Let’s put this issue to rest once and for all protecting the community’s due process for the use of OUR tax dollars.
Please write to your commissioners: (cut and paste)
ferlitar@hillsboroughcounty.org; sharpem@hillsboroughcounty.org; whitek@hillsboroughcounty.org; hagank@hillsboroughcounty.org; normanj@hillsboroughcounty.org; blairb@hillsboroughcounty.org; higginbothama@hillsboroughcounty.org
and attend the BOCC meeting for 9:00 am public comment on Wednesday with the following request:
THE $40,000,000 SET ASIDE FROM THE CIT MONIES BE SET FOR PUBLIC HEARING AFTER 5 PM TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH THE MONEY: Championship Park or desperately needed infrastructure throughout the county.
September 29th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
THANKS SHP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I’ll blog this in a bit, too.
September 30th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Columnist Steve Otto writes about the “fishy smell” of this in Sunday’s Tribune.
See also: “Development Industry Who’s-Who Raise $$ for Blair, Hagan”
and Dan Ruth’s “Try On Garter Belts And See What Develops”
Anonymous: where will you be blogging about Championship Park?
September 30th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Mariella, keep up the great work!
Hopefully, someone will blog “Chumpionship Park”.
October 2nd, 2007 at 7:30 am
[...] added three newspaper commentaries about the cozy relationships between the developer industry and a couple of your county [...]
October 22nd, 2008 at 11:34 am
Brian Blair was given information along with paper proof about wrong doings at the Tampa Port Authority in 2008 via email yesterday morning as well as the Tampa Tribute, St Petes Time and another party clearly showing wasteful tax payers money and nothing is being done about it. Let’s see how they get around this.
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Hey Port Employee – I’d love to see that… Can you email it to me? tommyduncn at yahoo dot com or sticks at sticksoffire dot com
October 23rd, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Tommy, tell me what are you going to do with it since Blair, the papers and the other party did nothing since Tuesday? Let me know and I will pass everything on to you.
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Hey Port… I run this Sticks of Fire site. I love to point out wasteful local government spending.
As to your information – It depends on exactly what it tells us, but I can assure you I won’t ignore it.
October 24th, 2008 at 10:10 am
You will have it over the weekend
October 27th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Sorry I will get it to you soon