TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online
Email
Print
Alligator Bob Snaps Up Seat On County Tourism Council
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: April 3, 2008
TAMPA - With a name like Alligator Bob, you'd be a natural to host visitors at Busch Gardens' soon-to-open Jungala exhibit.
The real Alligator Bob, however, is the man who Wednesday beat out Busch Gardens for its traditional seat on the Hillsborough County Tourist Development Council.
Bob Young, an alligator trapper, hiking and canoeing guide, and distributor of gourmet alligator meat snacks, was appointed to the tourism council Wednesday by a 6-1 vote of the County Commission. The 11-member council helps determine how millions of dollars in tourist development, or "bed tax," dollars are spent.
In choosing Young, commissioners passed over three other applicants, including Busch Gardens' general manager, Donald Mills.
That leaves Busch Gardens without a position on the council for the first time in years, and the tourism council without a representative from the biggest tourist attraction in the county. The seat was previously held by Robin Carson and Dan Brown, the last two general managers at Busch Gardens.
Even Alligator Bob didn't think he would beat out Busch Gardens. The amusement park, after all, helps create more bed tax revenue than any other business in the county.
"I really didn't think I stood a chance in hell of getting it," Young said with a laugh. "I'm feeling good now."
Young said he applied for the job because he wants to see the council do more to promote ecotourism.
"The Hillsborough River is an outstanding waterway," Young said. "Twelve miles of it are under preservation and nobody knows it. I do because I do ecotours there."
Busch Gardens spokesman Gerard Hoeppner said Mills would have liked to have served but will continue to use his talents to promote tourism in other venues.
Commissioners who voted for Young said he lobbied them for the job. Young is on the county Republican Executive Committee.
"He asked for my support at the last Republican Executive Committee meeting," said commission Chairman Ken Hagan, who said he did not know Mills is general manager at Busch Gardens.
Commissioner Mark Sharpe said the decision to vote for Young over Mills was a tough one.
"Bob has been a spokesman for the environment," Sharpe said. "This was no slight on Busch Gardens; there is not a greater partner in the community."
The sole vote for Mills was cast by Commissioner Jim Norman. He said he was astounded the county's most significant tourist attraction would not be represented on a tourism-related council.
"This guy Mills represents the business that brings in more bed tax than anybody in the whole county," Norman said, "and we just voted him off."
Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303 or msalinero@tampatrib.com
Email
Print
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online Member Agreement | Privacy Statement | Work With Us
