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Our Picks In Commission Primary: Hagan, Blair And Beckner

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 10, 2008

A sluggish economy and a slowdown in growth have left Hillsborough County leaders no margin for error, no tax dollars to waste.

The next four years are sure to bring unprecedented challenges to a county commission more comfortable cutting taxes and approving development than figuring out how to pay for urban needs, including rail transit.

It is encouraging that the field of challengers is strong and that the commissioners seeking re-election have improved with experience.

On this month's primary ballot are three races, one to select the Republican nominee in north Hillsborough's District 2, and two to select both Republican and Democratic nominees in countywide District 6.

Hagan Kept Promise

In District 2, incumbent Republican Ken Hagan deserves another term just for making good on his promise to improve transportation.

Hagan is leading a task force of community leaders holding regular meetings on how to catch up with other major urban areas in roads and transit. Following his advice, commissioners have significantly increased annual investments in highway and intersection improvements. And he plays an active role on the new regional transportation authority, believing that "rail is in our future... I'm excited about it."

A strong believer in parks and recreation, Hagan showed independence and fiscal caution in opposing a proposal by Commissioner Jim Norman to build a giant sports complex in northeast Hillsborough.

Though sometimes too accommodating to developers' proposals, Hagan also demonstrated courage in voting for a long-needed increase in school impact fees.

His primary opponent is Tom Aderhold, president of the Keystone Civic Association.

A write-in candidate also entered the race, unfortunately. That means the primary won't be opened to non-Republicans.

Aderhold's main message, that over-development has been a costly mistake for the county, tends to resonate more with Democrats.

"Build for what we need, not what agents want to sell," says Aderhold, who retired last year from his job in human resources and risk management. He has been involved with community issues for more than a decade and, like Hagan, has conservative instincts.

Hagan has room for improvement on environmental and growth-management issues. He also should better address wasteful spending in the running of county government. But he has a long list of accomplishments. Quiet but effective, Hagan is a strong proponent of red-light cameras that will improve safety by sending out automatic fines to violators. He has championed dog parks in Lutz and Temple Terrace, as well as a cultural center in Carrollwood. And he continues to seek ways to provide affordable housing.

In District 2, the Tribune recommends Ken Hagan.

Blair Fought For Lower Taxes

In countywide District 6, Republican Brian Blair drew three Democratic and one Republican challenger.

He is seen as vulnerable because he often appears less thoughtful, less farsighted and more strident than his colleagues.

Blair's challenger in the primary is Don Kruse, a sales manager for Bill Currie Ford. Kruse sometimes drives an antique firetruck to illustrate his complaint that the county is "burning out tax dollars."

Kruse has community spirit, helping lead a group that provides used cars to needy workers, but he doesn't make a convincing case that he could be more anti-tax than Blair.

Blair boasts of pushing for the largest tax decrease in the history of the county.

"In the fat years we had, I pounded the table about property taxes," Blair says, and he did.

He joined the majority in an unwarranted assault on wetlands protections, but now points to a compromise resolution that "even the no-growth people applauded."

When he first joined the board, Blair seemed uncomfortable, often reading from a prepared statement that seemed to have been prepared by someone else. But as he learned the issues, Blair found his voice. He never misses a meeting and clearly loves the job.

The choice in the primary is Blair or someone who would be Blair-like. Voters should stick with the original. The Tribune endorses Brian Blair in the Republican primary in District 6.

New Leader Emerges

The Democratic primary in District 6 offers a difficult choice between a promising novice and a veteran activist.

Voters can't go far wrong in the choice between Kevin Beckner and Denise Layne. And, for those who want someone totally different, nightclub and health-club owner Joe Redner is running again.

An advocate of free speech and good growth, Redner is not campaigning in a way that can win him majority support.

But either Beckner or Layne could give Blair a serious challenge. Their platforms are similar yet they are very different candidates.

Beckner, a political newcomer and financial planner, is a good listener. He focuses on the big picture and inclusion. Layne, a civic activist who lost to Mark Sharpe in a countywide race four years ago, pays close attention to details.

Layne has lobbied for better growth controls, has been an effective watchdog in Tampa and Tallahassee, and understands environmental rules and the ways developers circumvent them. Diplomacy, however, is not her strength. She is right that she would be "a very strong leader from the beginning," but she seems to have only one volume: high. Even friends complain she's not a good listener. She would not be a unifying force on the board.

Beckner, a former police officer who makes neither a secret nor an issue of his gay sexual orientation, correctly observes that the county lacks a clear long-range vision.

He stresses civility and teamwork and would make public safety his top priority. Other goals are to improve transportation, housing and job growth to make the county a top choice of relocating businesses, retirees, families and young professionals.

His campaign is picking up speed as key Democrats see him as having the leadership potential of a Kathy Castor or Ed Turanchik.

"We all have ideas to improve the quality of life," Beckner says. "My invitation is to everyone to come to the table."

In the District 6 Democratic primary, the Tribune endorses Kevin Beckner.

The Tribune invites candidates not endorsed by the editorial board to write rebuttals. E-mail all replies to tribletters@tampatrib.com, faxes to (813) 259-8080, or write to Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 191, Tampa, FL 33601-0191. Rebuttals should be limited to 200 words.

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