Police union backs Greco's fifth mayoral bid

TAMPA The Tampa Police Benevolent Association, whose endorsement is considered influential in city politics, will be throwing its support behind a familiar ally in the March elections: former Mayor Dick Greco.

Greco received 62 percent of the vote from 222 union members who participated in an internal election. Bob Buckhorn placed second with 23 percent of the vote, followed by former Police Capt. Marion Lewis with 10 percent and Rose Ferlita, with 4 percent.

PBA President Greg Stout said at a press conference Friday that the union was looking for a candidate with a strong, proven record of supporting the city's police department.

"It was a very long and arduous process for all of us," he said.

Greco thanked PBA members for the endorsement and said he would "work hard" for their support. "I'll do everything in my power to make this a better city," he said.

The PBA also endorsed Tampa City Council District 1 candidate Curtis Stokes, District 2 candidate Scott Strepina, District 3 candidate Seth Nelson, District 4 candidate Dennis Meyers and District 5 candidate Frank Reddick in the city elections.

Stout said the endorsements carry with them volunteer and possibly campaign work including political mailings by PBA members, but he didn't provide specific details.

"We're going to do everything we can to muster our membership to bring them together to help these candidates win this election," he said. "We believe these are the most qualified candidates, not just for the police department but for the entire city."

Still to be awarded is the endorsement for the District 6 seat, which is currently occupied by Charlie Miranda. Miranda hasn't filed for re-election, though he has indicated that he likely will run in 2011. The only other candidate who has filed to run is Kelly Benjamin.

The PBA already endorsed incumbent Councilman Joseph Caetano's re-election bid for the District 7 seat, which represents New Tampa and Sulphur Springs.

Caetano cast the lone dissenting vote on Dec. 2 against a request by Mayor Pam Iorio to suspend step plan increases this year for roughly 500 police officers who were eligible. Iorio imposed a wage freeze and provided no funding for raises for city employees in the fiscal 2010 budget to help deal with a $51 million deficit.

In a way, Greco's endorsement comes as no surprise. Throughout his 15-year tenure as mayor, he enjoyed a Messiah-like reputation among the police and fire departments.

In the 2003 elections, Buckhorn was endorsed by the PBA, even though he would lose the primary to challenger Pam Iorio who went on to win the mayoral election.

In statement, Buckhorn downplayed the union endorsement, and pointed out that the city's crime rate has been reduced by 50 percent since Greco's years at the helm.

"Now more than ever we need a mayor and a police department focused on the future, not the past," Buckhorn said.

Earlier this year, the International Association of Firefighters Local 754 announced that it will back Buckhorn's mayoral bid, an endorsement that had previously gone to Greco.

This is the first time the union - which represents the city's roughly 1,000-strong police force - has asked its membership to decide who to support for the city's next mayor.

Each candidate was given a questionnaire that asked about issues ranging from cost-of-living raises and step plan increases to layoffs and the city's take home vehicle policy.

In his responses, Greco was ambiguous about pay raises and other monetary issues, saying he couldn't commit to giving them until the city's financial situation is clearer.

He said he supports take home vehicles for police officers, a policy that he reinstated during his third term in office, and that he backs the city's vehicle pursuit policy.

"A major reason our crime rate has dropped is the ratio of police officers to population," Greco said in response to a question about department layoffs. "I will do all possible not to reduce the size of the force since public safety has always been my top priority."

Tampa City Council candidates - who currently number 25 - were interviewed during the past month and chosen by the PBA's six-member political action committee.

Most political observers say endorsements such as those of the PBA and other public safety unions are most valuable for generating donations, volunteer time and to help with voter turnout efforts, rather than for influencing votes.

cwade@tampatrib.com

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