Peter Schorsch
While many students (and their parents) throughout Tampa Bay are enjoying a Spring Break, there’s no break in the news for local political aficionados. In fact, the next few weeks will see a flurry of activity as incumbent lawmakers make the rounds at legislative wrap-up events (like the one hosted by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and moderated by yours truly) and prospective candidates jump out of the gate. Speaking of prospective candidates, this edition of ‘Ninja Bow” leads with a potential candidate not looking at 2018 or 2020, but 2021. We guess it’s never too early.
Ken Welch running for St. Pete Mayor?
The Pinellas County Commissioner told a Tampa audience he will be running for St. Petersburg Mayor in 2021. Welch made the comment on his future ambitions at the weekly Cafe con Tampa, where he and Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandy Murman were talking about regional cooperation. “It’s never been a secret,” Welch said, according to the Tampa Bay Times. “I’m strongly considering it. More strongly than ever before. My focus is on the county right now. I have a job.” But it wasn’t an announcement, he added. “I can blame Bill Carlson at Tucker/Hall. I was asked a question and was being transparent when I answered it.” Welch, 53, has served in the County Commission since 2000.
Kathy Castor: Omnibus bill ‘life-saving’
Congresswoman Castor praised the passage of the omnibus appropriations bill: “The omnibus appropriations bill invests boldly in Tampa Bay area economic engines … Major investments in education help our kids and will lead to higher-wage jobs through the bill’s robust support for Hillsborough public schools, Hillsborough Community College, Head Start and students at all levels. Despite irresponsible cuts proposed by President Trump, the bill makes significant investments in the fabric of our community including community health centers, Tampa Housing Authority, City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, opioid treatment, law enforcement, clean water and energy initiatives, and transit … These job-creating, life-saving investments stand in sharp contrast to the Trump Budget.”
Janet Cruz’s surprising pick for Governor
Every year, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce holds its legislative wrap-up, where regional lawmakers look back on key issues and gains from the recently concluded Session. This time, each panelist was asked to predict who will be their party’s nominee in the upcoming gubernatorial elections. Democratic House Leader Cruz, term-limited in 2018 and running for a seat on the Hillsborough County Commission, offered a somewhat surprising choice – Philip Levine. A recent Gravis Marketing poll shows the former Miami Beach mayor tied with former Congresswoman Gwen Graham in the Democratic field, each with only 12 percent. Sixty-three percent of Democrats are undecided.
Sean Shaw kicks off AG bid
State Rep. Shaw kicked-off his Attorney General campaign with a fundraiser Saturday at the home of former Democratic CFO and gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink. “I’m proud to support his campaign because I know Sean is a man of integrity, experience, and dedication to the people of Florida and that he will stand up and do what’s right for Floridians just as he has in the Florida House,” Sink wrote in an invite. Spotted at the event were Levine, Reps. Janet Cruz, Ben Diamond, Margaret Good, Hillsborough County Commissioner Pat Kemp, Bob Buesing, Jennifer Webb, Jason Lamoureux, Joe Redner, and Dale Swope.
A win … for Mark Puente?
Gov. Scott signed HB 1137 this week, putting the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board under county oversight. Created in 1973 by a special act of the Legislature, the PCCLB regulates construction in Pinellas and reported only to its own governing board. That meant any changes must come from the Legislature. While the bill passed both the House and Senate unanimously, the real winner was Tampa Bay Times reporter Mark Puente, who doggedly uncovered corruption and abuse in the board, which often acted without accountability and in full disregard of both state law and agency rules. Earlier, the PCCLB head resigned and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office took over the agency’s responsibilities.
Hillsborough GOP chair neutral in HD 59 primary
Hillsborough Republican Executive Committee chair Jim Waurishuk is remaining neutral in the HD 59 GOP primary between Ronda Storms and Joe Wicker. Storms, a staunchly conservative former Hillsborough County Commissioner and state Senator, is facing Wicker for the House seat vacated by state Rep. Ross Spano, who is running for Attorney General. Wicker had recently named Waurishuk, a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and Hillsborough Republican State Committeeman, as a member of the host committee for a fundraising event and calls him a supporter. Wicker already received several high-profile endorsements, including Spano and county commissioners Stacy White and Al Higginbotham. In 2012, Wicker lost to Spano in a primary bid.
St. Pete Chamber legislative post-mortem
Members of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce filled the Lynn Pippenger Hall Auditorium at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg Kate Tiedemann College of Business to hear the county’s Legislative Delegation discuss the 2018 Legislative Session. Spectrum and the Tampa Bay Times hosting the event, which featured Sens. Jeff Brandes and Darryl Rouson and Reps. Larry Ahern, Ben Diamond, Wengay Newton and Kathleen Peters. Tim Nickens, the Times’ editor of editorials, moderated the discussion, covering topics such as USF consolidation, the Parkland shooting, unfunded budget items and social issues. The conversation then turned toward a broad overview of justice reform and increased funding for mental health.
Darryl Rouson backs Rene Flowers for re-election
Rouson
is endorsing Flowers for her second full term on the Pinellas County School Board. The St. Pete Democrat said Flowers is “well-informed on the issues, and advocate for our teachers, and a voice for our students and families.” She has already received the backing from Commissioner Welch, St. Petersburg City Council Chair Lisa Wheeler-Bowman and local pastor Dr. G. Gregg Murray. First elected in 2012 to serve out the rest of the late Lew Williams’ term, Flowers won with 77 percent of the vote and took 96 percent in 2014. School board elections are Aug. 28.
Tallest Tampa tower planned for Riverwalk
Riverwalk Place developer Feldman Equities is adding West Palm Beach-based luxury tower specialist Two Roads Development to the Riverwalk Place team as a partner and co-owner, taking a leading role in the design, construction and sales of condominiums and services in the 50-story tower set for Ashley Drive. Two Roads has built and financed more than a billion dollars in projects in multiple states, including the 52-story Biscayne Beach tower in downtown Miami and the currently under construction 57-story Elysee Miami tower. Two Roads is also developing a master-planned, 1,400-acre community in Freeport in the Florida Panhandle, with approximately 1,800 homes, multifamily and commercial spaces – as well as additional tower residences elsewhere in the planning stages.
Grand Prix co-owner divorcing
The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg race earlier this month may have been a hit with fans, but not for Kim Green. Green is co-owner of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, the Indiana company that “owns, operates and promotes” auto races, including the Grand Prix. The day after the race, Green’s wife Cortney filed for divorce. The couple have been married since 2007 and have four children. Cortney is seeking alimony, child support, half the proceeds from the planned sale of the family’s Snell Isle home, and a stake in Green Savoree. Cortney Green also wants the “non time-sharing parent” — assumed to be husband Kim — to remain in a rental apartment until that home is sold.
Mother sues over molestation
Katheryn Bolden says Campbell Park Elementary cafeteria worker Ira Boyd has a “reputation for putting his arms around young girls.” So, when a teaching assistant saw Bolden’s adoptive daughter wander from the cafeteria in April 2016 and into the boiler room with Boyd, a new lawsuit says the assistant should have intervened right away, especially since the 11-year-old girl had a “language and learning impairment” and functions at a 5-year-old level. But the teaching assistant waited; when she did look for the student, she witnessed Boyd firmly hugging and kissing the child. The suit claims the girl is displaying hoarding behavior, prefers to be alone, and is not responding well to therapy. Her adoptive mother seeks damages for negligence.
Childhood cancer survivor to sing anthem for Rowdies
At the age of 10, Marissa Preddie stood on the pitch for the first time at Al Lang Stadium at a “Gold Together for Childhood Cancer” match, wowing the crowd with her heartfelt rendition of the national anthem. Two years earlier, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia. Now, the 12-year-old Peddie is cancer free and the first ever official anthem singer of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. “I’m so excited to become the Rowdies’ official anthem singer,” Marissa said. “When the Rowdies asked me if I was interested, I was like OMG, really? YES!! I love coming to the games and cheering the Rowdies to victory.”
