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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 16, 2008

Keep Opinions Private

Every time an election is approaching, The Tampa Tribune Editorial Board attempts to influence the outcome of the election. This is done by pandering to and pimping for the politicians of their choice.

This is extreme arrogance and a brazen attempt to otherwise write what should be labeled as paid advertisement. Please keep your opinions to yourselves, and let the populace make their own choices.

KEN WALKER

Wesley Chapel

Shame On Incumbents
Once elected, politicians spend their entire term telling us, the public, what a great job they are doing in office. When they run for re-election, however, they can hardly be found. Incumbents are doing a major disservice to the public and to the citizens who elected them by refusing to participate in debates and forums with their challengers.

Many of these incumbents refused to participate in the recently televised debates sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County in this year's primary season, and it appears they are also snubbing Tiger Bay by refusing to appear at the luncheon as well.

It's time for voters to take notice and punish these candidates for their arrogant behavior. It's equally disheartening those institutions like The Tampa Tribune would reward this behavior with their endorsements. Shame on both the incumbents and the Tribune.

MICHAEL McKINNEY

Wesley Chapel

Shocked By Picks

I was shocked to see that the Tribune endorsed Brian Blair and Ken Hagan for the Hillsborough County Commission (Our Opinion, Aug. 10). Do you even read your own paper? The Tribune complains about sprawl, poor leadership, and pushes the light-rail agenda one day and then endorses these two the next? If you have ever attended a BOCC meeting you would know that even though Blair still reads from a script, he has difficulty forming sentences, and that Hagan hardly ever utters one even as the chair of the Gang of Five.

If you have ever attended a TBARTA meeting you would know that challenger Tom Aderhold offers intelligent transportation solutions during public comment while Hagan leaves early if he showed up.

By endorsing Blair and Hagan you are sentencing us to more of the same puppets for special interests. Their voting records and comments tell the story.

KELLY CORNELIUS

Lithia

Candidate Has Agenda

The Tribune Editorial Board pontificates about needing to elect judges who won't bring partisan axes to grind on the bench? That's ironic, especially considering they go on to recommend a clearly partisan activist candidate for judge in Caroline Tesche (Our Opinion, Aug. 4). A few of her professional "experiences" include working hand-in-hand with Janet Reno, heading up efforts for national pro-abortion organizations, and contributing thousands to leftist candidates. I find solace in the fact she got your endorsement before and did not even make the runoff.

I'm unwilling to discount all of the paper's current endorsements because even a stopped clock is right twice a day. However, I generally use it as a slate of candidates who are suspect. I'm heartened by the fact that endorsements by themselves don't vote - people do!

As voters, I implore your readers to take time and research exactly who they're voting for in advance of their arrival at the polls on Aug. 26 and in subsequent elections.

TRAVIS HORN

Tampa

Very Few Highlights

I read with amusement and dismay your endorsement to re-elect Ken Hagan for county commission. With so many serious issues facing the county today - traffic, uncontrolled growth and water to name a few - it was alarming that highlights for Hagan's first four years in office amounted to installing red-light cameras for speeders and supporting dog parks. Funny, there was nothing in the editorial about his support of sacrificing our wetlands for the financial benefit of developers.

Let's face facts; Hagan is very developer-friendly to the extent it impacts the voters and damages communities in District 2. And you think the voters should give him another chance to make good on his promises? Hagan has had his chance! He was not up to the task so let's change to someone who will support the voters, protect the community and work to improving the quality of life for all that live in this county.

I also questioned the Tribune's endorsement of Hagan based on all the negative press he has received over the years. He is either an effective commissioner, or he isn't. In my opinion, your endorsement of Hagan confirmed we need someone else in that position.

SARAH J. MORRIS

Odessa

Service Is Commendable

Regarding "In Area Judicial Races, Here Are Our Recommendations" (Our Opinion, Aug. 4):

Two judges were mentioned in your Aug. 4 editorial; the first was Judge Kevin Carey, who did not receive your endorsement, and the other was Judge Wayne Cobb, who sits in Dade City and is stepping down after 31 years because of mandatory retirement. Your editorial attacked Carey on being late, indecisive and disorganized, but then you state in the next paragraph that his output is in line with other judges! Go figure.

An attorney friend told me once that Cobb did not start his court at 7:59 or at 8:01 a.m., but he started it at 8 a.m. always! Would Cobb get your endorsement if he were running again?

Knowing both of these men for many years, they are both known for their hard work and their service with integrity. I endorse Judge Carey. Also, I thank Judge Cobb for his decades of humble service to our community!

DALE KIMBALL

Tampa

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