Elevator pitch

Phil AmmannJuly 30, 2017

Voting is now open in one of most significant elections in St. Petersburg for 2017. No, not that one; this ballot has nothing to do with City Hall or the “two Ricks.” Creative Loafing is celebrating Tampa Bay’s finest for 2017 Best of the Bay — its annual local list of the “tastiest restaurants … […]

Phil AmmannJuly 28, 2017

If this week’s issue of Bold has a unifying theme, it’s “institutional knowledge.” What that phrase means, in a political sense: knowing your milieu, learning what you can and can’t do in office. “Passing the torch,” so to speak. For our area’s congressmen, you will see below how the power of knowing one’s way around […]

Phil AmmannJuly 27, 2017

One day into her candidacy for Florida House District 58, Yvonne Fry received the endorsement of all five current Plant City Commissioners, including Mayor Rick Lott as well as another former member. The longtime Hillsborough County activist is entering the race to succeed soon-to-retire state Rep. Dan Raulerson. “I am proud to endorse Yvonne Fry […]

Phil AmmannJuly 25, 2017

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Amber Moody is a new support analyst for the House Office of Information Technology. Off: Michael Ellis is no longer a journal writer/editor for the Legislative Process Division. Off and on: Natasha Sutherland has […]

Phil AmmannJuly 24, 2017

Ed Hooper received two key law enforcement endorsements, as both the Florida Police Benevolent Association and Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association are supporting his bid for Florida Senate. Hooper, a retired fire Lieutenant who served on the Clearwater City Council before spending eight years in the Florida House, is seeking to replace term-limited Republican Sen. […]

Phil AmmannJuly 23, 2017

St. Petersburg mayoral candidate Jesse Nevel is organizing a “major public event” this week in response to racially charged statements made by fellow candidate Paul Congemi. During a recent mayoral debate, Congemi berated supporters of the International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement, telling them to “go back to Africa.” Nevel – the Uhuru-backed candidate – has […]

Phil AmmannJuly 22, 2017

For those in Jacksonville City Hall, these are halcyon days (somewhat). The mayor proposed the most ambitious budget in nearly a decade, addressing long-deferred needs. But, as is always the case in a Florida summer, storm clouds are on the horizon — with quiet assaults on the mayor’s vision. We cover two of them here: […]

Phil AmmannJuly 20, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott announced eight appointments and reappointments this week to a variety of Florida judicial, state boards, and commissions. 11th Judicial Circuit Court Scott began by naming Judge Lourdes Simon to the 11th Judicial Circuit Court. Simon, 49, of Miami, currently serves as county judge for Dade County. She previously served as an Assistant […]

Phil AmmannJuly 14, 2017

As the Jacksonville City Council wraps up its two-week break, Councilmembers will get a first peek at Mayor Lenny Curry’s budget Monday. They already know at least some of what to expect: a $100 million capital improvement budget and $8.4 million for Edward Waters College. Now the question is: Will everyone play ball? A.G. Gancarski […]

Phil AmmannJuly 7, 2017

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State Attorney Brian Haas is endorsing Republican Ben Albritton in the Florida Senate District 26 seat now held by Denise Grimsley, who is forgoing re-election for an Agriculture Commissioner bid. “Ben has the right convictions and values to serve our area well,” said Haas, who serves the 10th Judicial Circuit covering Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties. “He […]

Phil Ammann
Image via AP

Why visual artist Margaret Juul is one of the Best of the Bay

Jacksonville Bold for 7.28.17 — Institutional knowledge

Yvonne Fry gets early endorsements from Plant City Commission

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Law enforcement lines up behind Ed Hooper for SD 16

Jesse Nevel protesting Paul Congemi ‘go back to Africa’ rant at rally Tuesday

Jacksonville Bold for 7.22.17 — Shadow play

Rick Scott makes eight judicial, state board appointments

Jacksonville Bold for 7.14.17 — Playtime is over

State Attorney Brian Haas endorses Ben Albritton in SD 26