TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Tax Official Wants Petition Group Curbed

ADVERTISEMENT

By CHRISTIAN M. WADE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 24, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - They stake out their spots in front of the tax collector's office near Gulf Harbors, soliciting signatures from people entering and leaving the building.

The causes run the gamut, from politics to human rights and environmental initiatives.

For the petitioners, it's about exercising their First Amendment rights and making a little money in the process.

For Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Olson, however, it's become a downright nuisance.

Although the county created a special area for the petitioners outside the office, Olson said one group that runs a marketing firm called America's Politically Incorrect Inc. has entered the building, harassed customers and brushed aside complaints despite numerous requests to obey county regulations.

On Wednesday, Olson filed a lawsuit in Pasco-Pinellas Circuit Court seeking to bar the New Port Richey-based group from petitioning outside the established boundaries.

"We've tried to work it out with them, but they refuse to listen," he said. "This has been going on for years and years, and they seem to think they can do anything they want."

The lawsuit lists several corporations and individuals associated with the local petition group, including Cardwell Enterprises Inc.; Cardwell Financial Group Inc.; Edwin and Jessica Cardwell; Kristin Cardwell; and George Hulse, Jr.

The Cardwells could not be reached for comment. A New Port Richey phone number listed under their name is disconnected and there are no listings for any of the companies.

America's Politically Incorrect, which has an office on Trouble Creek Road, is paid by political action committees and others to collect petition signatures.

Olson said he just wants the company to respect the tax office's customers.

"We have received numerous complaints from the public," he said.

"This has to stop."

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (727) 815-1082 or cwade@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT