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Commission Hands Chairman's Seat To Hagan

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By Anthony McCartney | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 8, 2007

TAMPA - A new era in the leadership of the Hillsborough County Commission began this morning.

Commissioners elected Ken Hagan to serve as chairman, the first time in three years there has been a change in the board's top leadership post.

Ken Hagan

Jim Norman had led the board for three years. The commission's longest-serving member, he had to find a new seat on the dais this morning.

Mark Sharpe will serve as vice chairman; Brian Blair retains his role as chaplain.

The chair shifting was part of an annual reorganization session, when commissioners vie for appointments to numerous boards and leadership positions. The meeting featured no fireworks but included political jockeying that stripped Rose Ferlita of her position on the Tampa Port Authority. Blair will take over her seat on that board.

Ferlita was the board's vice chairwoman and stressed to commissioners she felt her district, which includes Hillsborough County's entire coastline, should have a permanent seat on the Port Authority board.

She said that change should occur after her term ends. Only Sharpe supported Ferlita retaining her seat, so she is off the Port Authority immediately.

Blair lost control of another key board, the Environmental Protection Commission. Al Higginbotham will lead that board.

Blair was chairman during a months-long fight over whether to end local oversight of wetlands. Blair was criticized for his handling of those contentious meetings.

Ferlita said she was not surprised at the outcome.

"It's still me against the boys," Ferlita said. "The only difference is they changed seats."

She said her removal from the Port Authority could hurt progress on several issues, including getting federal funding to help clean up canals. "Kathy Castor and I have a much better relationship than Commissioner Blair and Congresswoman Castor."

Hagan said he would become more vocal at commission meetings and can champion issues relating to transportation, affordable housing and economic development.

There will be challenges, however. Hagan's term likely will include budget cuts and declining property tax revenue.

Commissioners honored Norman for his three years as chairman, presenting him with a plaque that included his smiling face etched in stone.

"It's really nice – and heavy," Hagan joked before handing it to Norman.

Norman continued the banter: "You could have gotten a prettier picture."

Reporter Anthony McCartney can be reached at (813) 259-7616 or amccartney@tampatrib.com.

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