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Time for county mayor

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 7, 2009

Re: "City workers, union split on raises" (Metro, Aug. 5):

While Hillsborough County Administrator Pat Bean tried with all her might to save double-digit raises for select staffers, city of Tampa employees understand today's economic condition much better. I was pleased when some split with their union and agreed with Mayor Pam Iorio that raises were not fiscally responsible. Hopefully, the remaining rank and file will follow.

The stark difference is that Tampa has a mayor, and the county does not. With that, we witnessed elected city leadership, who has both taxpayers and employee interests in the forefront.

At county, one hired employee, Bean, was looking out for her select employees. It took several months for the county commission to correct Bean's raise boondoggle.

That won't happen in Tampa, because our mayor keeps her eye on the bottom line. Not once a week or six months later, but every day. That's what mayors do.

It may be time for the county to get a mayor, too.

GENE WELLS

Tampa

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