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Grimaces And Grins: The Editorial Board's First Annual Year-End Awards

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 30, 2007

When the board met to reflect on 2007, we decided to create awards that celebrate the year's newsmakers and events, the highlights and the lowlights, the champs and the chumps.

With no further ado, the winners are:

On Second Thought

Basketball coach Billy Donovan was lured away from the University of Florida by a huge contract from the Orlando Magic, but quickly changed his mind and bounced himself right back to the Gators, who were delighted to welcome the man who had led them to two straight national championships.

Rising Political Stars

At the state level, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink could well be the savior of the Democratic Party. She's already mentioned as a possible challenger to U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez or Gov. Charlie Crist.

In Washington, U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam of Bartow is chairman of the Republican House Conference Committee and a spokesman for his party's policies. A regular on national talk shows, he's also forming statewide ties. Could a run for governor be in the cards?

Locally, Hillsborough Commissioner Mark Sharpe focuses on solving problems that matter. While others dither, Sharpe has kept his shoulder to the wheel on transportation planning and on developing a high-tech economy.

Biggest Comeback

The death grip on the state's citrus industry broke this year. While still battling canker and citrus greening, Florida's signature crop found its way back to the black. The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts Florida's production will increase again next year.

Most Overexposed

Jessica Sierra of Tampa, a former top-10 performer on "American Idol," crossed the line from nearly famous to infamous. Soon after pleading no contest to battery and possession of cocaine, she got in trouble again for being rowdy and resisting arrest outside an Ybor City bar. She also is widely reported to be the star of a sex video.

Government Secrecy

Tallahassee lawmakers say working behind closed doors helps them get things done. No matter that things don't get done right. Private citizens played little role during three special sessions on property insurance and property taxes. And when decisions were being made, minority Democrats also were left out. What arrogance.

Runners-up: The state kept secret its half-billion-dollar deal with CSX Transportation for "competitive reasons." Was another railroad waiting to lay lines? Similarly, St. Pete kept secret the Tampa Bay Rays' ballpark pitch. Was another team in the hunt?

Biggest Collapse

High hopes sank this year when financing trouble delayed, or possibly stopped, a 52-story condo bearing the Trump brand. The tower was to rise on the banks of the Hillsborough River. Adding to the disappointment, Donald Trump huffed that for him it was just a licensing deal. A close runner-up is the 54-acre New Port Tampa Bay project. Land planned for 1,200 condos and a marina near the Gandy Bridge is vacant and for sale.

Best Quote For T-Shirts

University of Florida student Andrew Meyer became an instant celebrity when police stunned him with a Taser during his disruption of a speech by Sen. John Kerry. His plea, "Don't tase me, Bro!" is repeated on T-shirts and cell phone ringtones nationwide.

Riveting Political Theater

Hillsborough County commissioners stepped into a nest of water moccasins when they tried to eliminate county wetlands protections last summer. Stung by the public's venomous reaction, commissioners high-tailed it. They decided to keep the regulations, but streamline the process.

Political Courage

It took a moderate senator from a moderate state to lead the fight for comprehensive immigration reform. Even though his efforts ultimately failed, Sen. Mel Martinez, Florida's Cuban-born junior senator, demonstrated enormous courage during a bitter political fight.

Runner-up: State Rep. Dennis Ross of Lakeland, who took a principled stand against the Legislature's limp-wristed property insurance reforms and lost his committee chairmanship as a result.

Worst Political Move

Karen Thurmond, chairwoman of Florida's Democrats, wept when the national party stripped Florida of its convention delegates for moving its presidential primary to Jan. 29. The idiocy was compounded when the candidates agreed to boycott Florida. Democratic voters are the losers.

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