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TARP's Shadows Deserve Spotlight

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 6, 2009

A group of area business leaders is seeking to help the community make sense of how federal funds are gong to shore up the nation's financial market. It should be a useful exercise.

They've invited numerous elected officials to a Feb. 18 forum that will focus on how TARP - Troubled Assets Relief Program - funds will be used. Commercial real estate developer Don Phillips, one of the sponsors, says, "We want there to be an open discussion by the community, one that will bring transparency to what is going on."

And another sponsor, Fassil Gabremariam, a former GTE executive who is a board member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Jacksonville, says the gathering will allow regulators to hear what locals think needs to be done to get money flowing through the community again.

Both stress it will be a nonpartisan gathering with no secret agendas. Union members, civic groups and the general public, not just business interests, are invited.

The event is free, though there is only room for 600. The gathering will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tampa Port Authority.

Call 813-868-3100, ext. 118 or email Government@PDRLLC.com for more information.

So far there has been little public involvement as Washington has scrambled to deal with the financial crisis. The TARP Forum promises to help taxpayers better understand what is being done with their money and also help Washington officials learn how to put the funds to better use.

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