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Putting A Spin On Moral Courage If You Go To The Beach, Wear Your Galoshes

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 17, 2008

Another half-baked idea by Commissioner Jim Norman is to rename the county's moral courage award for the late Ralph Hughes, a wealthy business owner who advocated tirelessly for lower taxes and less regulation.

Like Norman's push for a local tax rebate, the proposal to add a controversial person's name to a citizens award puts his fellow board members, many of whom accepted political contributions from Hughes, in an awkward position.

Without a doubt, Hughes had the moral courage to champion his beliefs. He also had the money to support politicians who took his calls and followed his cues.

Hughes wielded enormous influence over the past few decades and had a sharply edged political agenda that demonized those who disagreed. Calling it the Ralph Hughes Moral Courage Award would give this award political overtones. Many Hughes critics wouldn't want to win it, any more than Hughes would have wanted to win an award named for one of them.

Former Commissioner Jan Platt conceived of the award as a way to recognize everyday citizens brave enough to stand up to the corrupt county commission of the early 1980s, when three commissioners sold their votes and were hauled off to jail.

Commissioners should summon the moral courage to refuse to put a political name, or any other name, on an award whose purpose is to transcend politics.

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