Seth Nelson and Jason Wilson
What happened to these guys?
Sunday, February 17, 2019
Saturday, February 16, 2019
Topher Morrison and the homeless
Jeff Zampitella said Topher knows, by name, every homeless person in all of
downtown Tampa.
Florida GOP Allen West Trashes Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
“Nancy Pelosi may be the new speaker of the House, but socialist Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
is the voice of their party,”
is the voice of their party,”
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“Young, liberal, completely disconnected from reality – she represents the growing number of progressive socialists who have seized control in the House and care little for individual freedom or fiscal responsibility. Ocasio-Cortez liberals demand ideological domination and collectivism even if it means undermining the American Republic.” HERE
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Friday, February 15, 2019
Community Forum on Transportation - February 13, 2019
Opening comments by Commissioners Mariella Smith, Kimberly Overman and Pat Kemp (left to right)
Please forgive me if the video and sound are slightly out of sync in these videos. In the rush to get this post out today, I neglected to preview the final edited versions of the videos. The sync should be close enough that you won't be distracted from the message.
There were about 50 people representing the interests of the public and a grand total of 3 public officials on the panel. In this first serious attempt to establish a line of communication between our government officials and the public, of the 7 members of the County Commission, only 3 bothered to answer the open invitation to attend, Commissioners Mariella Smith, Kimberly Overman and Pat Kemp. Of the 14 members of the HART Board of Directors, only 3 members attended and coincidentally they were, Mariella Smith, Kimberly Overman and Pat Kemp. Of the 7 members of the City Council of Tampa, not one councilperson showed up. In the audience, there was 1 candidate for the upcoming election for mayor, Topher Morrison, and 2 candidates for councilmen, Walter L. Smith II and John Godwin. This dismal turnout of county government officials and candidates seems to me a clear indication that, despite the rhetoric to the contrary, the large majority of present and future hopeful officials have their own agenda of how they intend to spend this new transportation windfall and have no serious interest in the wants or needs the public, who voted for the initiative and is financing it in full. I have to add that John Turanchik, the son of Ed Turanchik, candidate for mayor, spent some time outside the event handing out flyers promoting Ed's "Go Plan", his agenda for transportation. John didn't attend the event itself. If your interest is in the people who actually rely on the bus system in Hillsborough County, I can only add that, when the host of the event asked for a show of hands of how many people in the audience had taken a bus to get to the event, only 1 person, myself, raised his hand. When he asked how many WOULD have taken a bus if there was one available to get them there, nearly half the audience raised their hands. I think the host was trying to make a point of how lacking our bus system is by asking these questions but I, personally, interpreted the responses completely differently. I found the responses rather odd because the HART MetroRapid has a stop 3 blocks from the event and I find it difficult to believe that I alone among the 50 or so attendees of the forum live near enough to a bus line capable of getting me to the event. I hope you get my point.
I also hope that, in the near future, I will see a real concerted effort to establish a working relationship between our government officials and the citizens of Hillsborough County. I'd like to see the schools in the county handing out notices to their students, to take home to their parents, advertising upcoming forums in their school auditoriums. I'd like to see questionnaires on all the buses that can be filled out and returned to any driver, asking riders what they want from the new bus system and inviting them to future outreach events. I'd like to see an upsurge by the public, demanding of the county officials, who THEY elected and whose salaries they pay for, listen to their concerns about the future of the transportation system they are funding. I'd like to see an indication by our county representatives that they will at least make an effort to reach out to the public they supposedly represent. Voting for the transportation initiative is a fine example of talking the talk. County officials telling each other how important it is to establish a concerted program of community outreach is a fine example of talking the talk. I'm hoping to see many, many more of these people begin actually walking the walk......but I'm not holding my breath.
Finally, there are thousands of Hart patrons who rely on the buses to get back and forth to work or school every day and will continue to suffer a dismally broken bus system for at least another year thanks to a lawsuit, meant to completely undermine the intent of the transportation initiative, filed by the self-serving Commissioner Stacy White. Whether you are a Democrat, a Republican or any other political affiliation, you must know that Stacy White does not represent you and should not have a seat on our county commission. I urge everyone to keep this in mind when the elections come around next year.
Stop Harming Children at the Florida State Fair
Tampa Bay’s Black community has been impacted by an unprecedented number of crimes against OUR children at the hands of the police in recently history, specifically at the hands of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
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As, a community of parents, community members and activist, we say “NO MORE”. Our children are still children, despite their presentation, and must be protected as any other child of any other race. HERE
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As, a community of parents, community members and activist, we say “NO MORE”. Our children are still children, despite their presentation, and must be protected as any other child of any other race. HERE
Candlelight Vigil for Victims of Gun Violence - Tampa
Mike Suarez
Juhi Kore, Topher Morrison and Macie
With Susan Lee
Tampa City Hall - 2.14.2019
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Thursday, February 14, 2019
Vote Ms. V for District 3!
This Stogie writer strongly supports municipal candidates such as Harry Cohen, John Godwin, Bill Carlson, and Orlando Gudes. One candidate who is not receiving so much attention (and should) is Vibha Shevade, candidate for City Council District 3!
She is someone worthy of the progressive vote. Supportive of cannabis legalization and protecting those who seek medical pot, Vibha is running to be a citywide advocate for improving Tampa’s sidewalks, and greater transit options. She supports commuter rail by way of the CSX tracks. She is an accessible candidate who I strongly recommend each of you reach out to, and share a dialogue with her. She has my vote for City Council; does she have yours?
Vote Ms. V for District 3!
—Asher
Harry Cohen Has Jane Castor's Support
When Castor was asked who she would vote for if she couldn't vote for herself, she said Cohen. HERE
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STATUS QUO, SOS, BUCKHORN 2!
Words of Jeffrey Zampitella
People ask me why I took the job as campaign manager for Topher Morrison. This is why.
When I ran for county commission I tried to use public transit every time I could to go to speaking events (or walk or bike).
Topher is the only candidate that will arrive tonight at the Hillsborough County LGBTA Democratic Caucus forum by bus. That's what I admire about him, among many things. It's not something he does because he's a candidate it's something he's been doing for years, 9 years in fact. It's been that long since he has owned a car.
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
What Stogie Had For Lunch
Palomilla
With Beans, Pice and Tostones
At Nilsa's Puertorican Bistro - Tampa
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EAT LOCAL!
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
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