St. Petersburg Candidate Forum-Tuesday, July 14, 6pm

Brewster=Bricker.....Hum???

Your right the Unions were promised something, better working enviroment and a tougher stance on crime.

Your right the Unions were promised something, better working enviroment and a tougher stance on crime.

Until then, her promises are just hot air. She won't deliver on 10% of her promises, whether by her own choice or the actions of others around her. One way or the other, they are still empty promises.

[Tom]

Ford vs. Foster or Gibbons

Seeing is Believing says:

Until then, her promises are just hot air. She won't deliver on 10% of her promises, whether by her own choice or the actions of others around her. One way or the other, they are still empty promises.

Actually Ford has a good track record for getting things done and is the only candidate to release detailed plans. Criticize her if you like but what about the other 9 candidates who only offer vauge suggestions for city government?

The Times has never been kind to Ford, their bias for Rick Baker in the '01 election noted in the Columbia Journalism Review, but in todays paper they give her credit for being the only candidate to offer the voters specifics.

Mayoral hopeful Kathleen Ford says she'll cut taxes by 8 percent and spend $1.3 million on new hires and equipment, mostly on police and fire.

She'll pay for it by redirecting $20 million of the city's bulging $286 million reserve.

The plan has drawn accolades from city union workers and criticism from Mayor Rick Baker and Ford's opponents, including the handful of candidates who say they, too, will invade the city's plentiful coffers to fund their campaign promises.

Critics call Ford's plan shortsighted or unrealistic. Supporters argue it would return tax dollars to taxpayers.

But for all the rancor, Ford is the only mayoral candidate whose budget suggestions are stirring much discussion. Why?

She's the only candidate talking numbers.

Her rivals have mostly sidestepped friction by offering vague promises to cut bureaucratic fat and feed government hallmarks such as public safety and economic development.

Foster gives us the "Foster Formula" which reminds me of the Baker Plan of 8 years ago except that it is so short on specifics.

Deveron Gibbons of Amscot:

He says he will fund police, fire, infrastructure and public transportation and in lean times, cut "non-essential" services. He will free up dollars by eliminating duplication and some unnecessary management jobs.

"I will continue the process of streamlining city government begun by Mayor Rick Baker, and will reallocate the resources we have to meet our consensus priorities," he said.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgo...cle1019710.ece

Tom, Brewster said it best:

Vote for "none of the Above"

(Hey Brewster, I saw the movie!)

this is a more appropriate title of these posts

[Tom]

To Seeing is Believing, you can join the majority in not voting if you really don't like the choices. I understand the frustration with our ballot choices in state and national elections but our city makes it easy for anyone to put their name on the ballot and many good people are running. Instead of picking the lessor of two evils we have many good ones and a few not so good.

I see much to admire in these new candidates.

What's with the coalition getting their picture taken with Gibbens for a campaign photo? All of them were wearing campaign shirts for Gibbens, and the Times had it that although the union is backing Foster, the administration is backing Gibbens. There was not a white administrator among them. Maybe the caption should have read "the black police administration" backs Gibbens to be more accurate. And Reggie is no longer with the department, yet there is no mention that he is with another agency. Once a coalition member, always a coalition member.

I heard the photo was taken during the normal duty day for these "administrators". When is IA going to investigate Luke, Cornbread, AW, et al for this violation? Thye investigated officers for coking hamburgers when it was known that the officers were not on duty at the time. As usual, there is a double standard when it comes to anything in this department.

Let the black police administration, aka The Coalition, involved in the picture prove that the picture was not taken during the duty day. White officers are guilty until proven innocent. Let's see how cornbread explains this.

That should be a clear indication of how to vote. We all know where the problems are in the administration. Harmon's a puppet, but a fair puppet. Williams and Gordon are out for themsevles and their cause. hey don't care who they step on and hav proven to be biased time and time again. A vote for Gibbons will put oe of them in the chief's office and we even though its seemingly impossible....things will get worse at the SPPD.

Harmon's a puppet, but a fair puppet.

Are you out of your mind? You'd better check your cruiser for an exhaust leak! There is no way in hell he could ever be considered fair. Look at the way he dispenses discipline. The disparity is overwhelming against white officers. It's not close to being equitable. But he IS the least of all evils currently available.

He's a mental midget. But hopefully he won't be in there when the new mayor is elected. Rumor has it that Gibbens is going to appoint Cornbread as Luke is rumored to be leaving for Fedville. And you can see the coalition followers preening oin the hallways, waiting for there turn to move up. If this all pans out this way, the mass exodus of good officers will be overwhelming.

I never thought it could worse here, but it will. And by a large percentage.