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Moral Courage Awardee Has No Gripe

Tribune file photo (2008)

The county's Citizen Advisory Committee nominated Brown for correcting flood maps and for challenging the county water department's requirement that residents with secondary water supplies get above-ground backflow valves.

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By MIKE SALINERO

msalinero@tampatrib.com

Published: October 15, 2008

TAMPA - The presentation of Hillsborough County's Ralph Hughes Moral Courage Award today will be free of controversy if the latest recipient has anything to say about the matter.

Dave Brown, who will receive the award at the county commission meeting, said he will not mention the board's recent decision to rename it for Hughes, a conservative political activist who had donated to the campaigns of many of the commissioners.

The decision was criticized by some residents and in media columns and editorials, and one past recipient gave back her award in protest.

Brown said he plans to "stay above the fray."

"I'm going to accept it in the spirit it was given in," Brown said.

The county's Citizen Advisory Committee nominated Brown for correcting flood maps and for challenging the county water department's requirement that residents with secondary water supplies get above-ground backflow valves. The valves can cost up to $600, they are often unnecessary and can be easily tampered with, Brown said.

Although he doesn't plan to reignite the controversy, Brown said he worries the award will be diminished by the continuing debate over Hughes' legacy.

"I'm surprised the Hughes family is allowing the award to be named after Ralph Hughes," he said. "I think they should be saying, 'Thank you, but no thank you.'"

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303.

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