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Hillsborough's Scandalous Anniversary

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 1, 2008

Updated: 01/31/2008 08:55 pm

Today is a key date in Hillsborough County's history, though not one that merits celebration. Twenty-five years ago three Hillsborough County commissioners, charged with taking bribes from developers, were led from the courthouse in handcuffs.

An investigation revealed widespread corruption. Commissioners Jerry Bowmer, Joe Kotvas and the late Fred Anderson were convicted of selling their votes on zoning decisions. A former commissioner, Charlie Bean, a lawyer and six bribe-paying businessmen also were convicted.

The traumatic scandal continues to haunt county government.

An example: When four commissioners last year sought to drop Hillsborough's wetlands protections, something long sought by developers, citizens angrily protested, some virtually calling commissioners crooks.

Commissioners seeking to jettison the safeguards, who said they wanted to avoid duplication with state rules, were offended. But they eventually backed off the ill-advised scheme, which they had hatched without public discussion.

The name-calling was unwarranted. But it's understandable why longtime residents would think the worst.

The corrupt commissioners of the '80s made land-use decisions that gouged taxpayers and harmed neighborhoods. It was clear to observers these commissioners had their minds made up on matters before issues were ever discussed.

Some friction and suspicion is unavoidable in a county where so many development decisions are made.

But if today's commissioners would keep their distance from special interests and influential contributors, not mettle in staff decisions, and listen to all parties, they could do much to dispel the scandalous cloud that has lingered over Hillsborough for 25 years.

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