Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannDecember 15, 2017

Extending a two-decade record for Everglades restoration south of Lake Okeechobee, a group of farmers — armed with an effective water quality treatment strategy — have posted historic water-quality performance levels in 2017, sending more clean water than ever flowing south. Seizing on numbers announced this week by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), […]

Phil AmmannDecember 12, 2017

In the race for Florida Governor, if anything, Gwen Graham is audacious. As well as announcing a “strong fundraising streak” through November, a new email from the Democratic hopeful makes a bold declaration — her campaign “has more supporters” than any other candidate in the race, either Democratic or Republican. That’s quite a statement for […]

Phil AmmannDecember 12, 2017

Alabama Senate race heads back into uncertainty Heading into the weekend, conventional wisdom seemed to lean toward a Roy Moore victory in Tuesday’s special election for an Alabama Senate seat. Even Democratic pundits were starting to go with “Roy Moore is going to win, but the GOP will be the big loser” line. Or words to that effect. President Donald […]

Phil AmmannDecember 11, 2017

Seminole Mayor Leslie Waters is backing Nick DiCeglie in his bid for House District 66. DiCiglie, who has been Pinellas County Republican Party Executive Committee chair since 2014, is seeking the seat of state Rep. Larry Ahern, a Seminole Republican term-limited in 2018. He is facing Berny Jacques in the GOP primary. “Nick will bring to […]

Phil AmmannDecember 11, 2017

Several of Pasco County’s Republican élite will be gathering for a fundraiser this week to support Mike Wells in his bid for a second term on the Board of Commissioners. Set for Tuesday, Dec. 12, the event begins 5:30 p.m. at the home of First National Bank of Pasco President Steve Hickman and his wife Lynn, 37402 Church Ave. in Dade City. […]

Phil AmmannDecember 5, 2017

Former Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford is endorsing Republican Mike Wells for re-election to the Pasco County Board of Commissioners. Weatherford, who represented eastern Pasco County from 2006 to 2014, became Speaker during his final two-year term in the Florida House. At that time, the 33-year-old was the youngest presiding officer for any state legislative […]

Phil AmmannDecember 1, 2017

Nelson rhetoric sent signal tax bill was about to pass … or was it? There were telltale signs the GOP tax reform measure was about to cross a threshold. On the day before the final vote was scheduled to take place, the rhetoric from Senate Democrats ratcheted upward. When moderate Republicans John McCain of Arizona said […]

Phil AmmannDecember 1, 2017

In this issue of Bold, there’s not a lot of unwelcome news. Today, there’s: — Travis Hutson potentially ascending to Senate leadership. — The local paper’s editorial board finally noticed Hutson’s Senate colleague, Rob Bradley. — A popular local politician — Sheriff Mike Williams — is (finally) officially running for re-election. — If you read […]

Phil AmmannNovember 20, 2017

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Marriott International, among other major hotel and hospitality chains, did a very respectable job during Hurricane Irma. As the September storm forced many in South Florida to seek shelter points North, hotels and other services – like home-sharing Airbnb — stepped up in a big way to offer accommodations for victims and relief workers. For […]

Phil AmmannNovember 17, 2017

A frenetic year in Jacksonville politics — including the passage of the Human Rights Ordinance expansion, pension reform, and the Kids Hope Alliance — is ending. And not a moment too soon. The Jacksonville City Council meeting this week had nothing on the agenda was worth covering, even by the standards of our Jacksonville correspondent. […]

Phil Ammann
Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Image via Visit Florida.

Everglades farmers celebrate another record year of clean water flowing south

Email insights: Gwen Graham’s bold claim — more supporters than any Gov. candidate

The Delegation for 12.12.17 — Insights from the Beltway to the Sunshine State

Seminole Mayor Leslie Waters endorses Nick DiCeglie for HD 66

Pasco GOP elite gather for Mike Wells fundraiser Tuesday

Will Weatherford endorses Mike Wells for Pasco Commissioner

The Delegation for 12.1.17 — Insights from the Beltway to the Sunshine State

Jacksonville Bold for 12.1.17 — So much winning

Did hotel CEO really have to humblebrag about post-Irma profits?

Jacksonville Bold for 11.17.17 — Time for reflection