Catching up with Dick, Rose and Bob

Recently I had the privilege of spending some time with three of the candidates who squared off for mayor of Tampa last year. They all have different strengths and styles, and each adds some spice and spark to the Tampa political scene.

I met former Mayor Dick Greco for breakfast at a local diner where the servers know him well. When I told my waitress who I was waiting on, she said, "Go back to your paper, honey; he'll be 20 minutes." Then we both chuckled as we watched "Mr. Tampa" work his way around the restaurant chatting to patrons as they ate their breakfast.

Several minutes later he made his way to my table and apologized for taking so long — the way Santa Clause would apologize for making noise on your roof on Christmas Eve.

Before he sat down he had me feel his bicep — it was solid as a rock — and he started to say something about his wife, Linda (who is a doctor), giving him something, but he interrupted himself to go greet someone he hadn't noticed when he came in.

When he came back to the table Greco whispered cautiously, "I don't want them to think I'm ignoring them."

He lamented for a moment about his race for a fifth term last year by saying he has no regrets because he ran a clean campaign. Without pointing any fingers, he talked about the negative influence third-party groups are having on politics. Then in predictable Greco fashion, he turned the discussion positive by adding: "I'm not disappointed with my race. I did it my way. I didn't compromise who I am."

No sir, he didn't. And despite his loss, he'll always be "THE Mayor."

I haven't always agreed with Rose Ferlita, and I didn't support her in the mayoral race. Still, she is a great public servant who isn't afraid to speak her mind — a trait we should put more stock in when considering candidates. But Ferlita's "temperament" was an issue in the campaign, and students of politics should note there can be ballot-box repercussions for using a gallon of vinegar when a cup of sugar would do to make a point.

Ferlita is looking great and admits she is enjoying her time out of the public arena. She spoke of enjoying time to herself and casually walking her beloved dogs every night, whereas that task used to be a chore she had to fit in her hectic schedule.

She says she's not interested in running for office right now. You have to admire her for not "office shopping" for the next most convenient position to run for — as most of today's ladder-climbing members of the political class do.

When I told her I had recently talked with Bob Buckhorn, who won the mayor's race, about Republican National Convention security, she jokingly offered to polish her guns and help, if the mayor asked her.

Kidding aside, Ferlita is smart, capable and willing to fight — qualities many of our elected officials lack. We need her back in the arena whenever she's ready.

Of the candidates for mayor, I supported Buckhorn because I liked his vision, tenacity and demeanor. So far he hasn't let voters down.

I told Mayor Buckhorn the worst thing I hear his critics say about him is that "he hasn't screwed anything up" — to which they almost universally add the word, "yet." The mayor chuckled.

My visit with the mayor was purposeful in that I wanted to ask him about the city's security plans for this summer's GOP convention and how inconvenienced residents might be from all the traffic generated by delegates, VIPs, volunteers, protesters and 15,000 members of the press.

The mayor cautioned that political conventions are highly charged events at which there are abundant natural targets for people to cause problems — unlike a Super Bowl where everyone is in town to have a good time. He said he is confident law enforcement will keep things orderly.

When I asked about inconveniences city residents might encounter, Buckhorn said he doesn't expect there to be too much aggravation — so long as residents avoid the convention area.

Then he adds with a wink and a smile: "Of course North Carolina is real nice in August too."