Thursday, March 7, 2019

The Merchants Of Ybor: Cigar City Barbershop

Nicole Rosario

Visit them here

City Elections Reflect Tampa’s Apathy, Resistance to Change

Tampa voters are satisfied residing in a large city with no national identity, an out-migration of tech-savvy, well-educated Millennials, a below-average public education system, and an eight-year stream of negative 
national headlines. 
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The City Council races also reflected the city’s reluctance to change. Longtime City Councilman Charlie Miranda, who has served without distinction for decades, received 57 percent of the vote against two challengers.  One of them, John Godwin,  enumerated innovative programs for transit, the environment, housing, and a culture of inclusiveness 
to no avail.

TECO Fracking Tampa Bay

Hillsborough County Bureaucratic Bull Shit

Today many of us in Hillsborough County Florida attended the County Commissioners meeting. Going into this meeting I had some high hopes of receptive commissioners that had a little bit of heart and compassion. Leaving the meeting I now feel that we have real issues with a totally disconnected board of county commissioners that have not only a double standard but also suffer from a "holier than thou" syndrome. The main purpose of our visit to this meeting was to get some type of action or assistance with the abuse of power shown and flexed by HCSO in regards to the undercover deputy, Philip J. Montesi, that hit and killed Josiah Pinner on
 January 11th of 2019.
Today we witnessed County commissioners laughing at people that were standing up to address their concerns. Today we witnessed Commissioners ignoring speakers during their 3 minute allotted talk time. After seeing and hearing the excuses we were given it has become clear that this coverup of lies is blanketed with the corrupt political bureaucratic bull dung. It is this journalist opinion that the county commissioners are in full criminal collusion with the HCSO. I say this because the funding for the HCSO is provided by the county commissioners and yet they say they have no control or influence over the HCSO. When unlawful actions are covered up or ignored by higher up officials it dose mean that all parties are active participants in criminal collusion.

As a "people" of Hillsborough County we should not be laughed at by those that we elect into offices or positions. We should all be given the same respect and dignity that these elected officials demand. After witnessing the things I saw today at this public meeting it has become clear to me that we have major corruption and collusion problems in Hillsborough County Florida. You can bet that we will not give up in our stance to expose this corruption to the fullest extent of our ability. We will continue to hold protest and to peacefully assemble 
to voice our concerns.

Our peaceful protest deprive this criminal collusion enterprise of three things: Capitol, Control, and Credibility. 
Anonymous Watchman

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Lenny For Tampa Mayor



 April 23, 2019
SIEMPRE LA LUCHA!

Congratulations Bill Carlson & Orlando Gudes!

A round of congratulations to City Councilor elect Bill Carlson, and to Orlando Gudes, who made it to the runoff election! We will need to vote for Orlando next month and support Bill on the Council. Also, congratulations to Guido Maniscalco and Luis Viera on their re-election!

As for the Mayor’s race, it seems as though Tampa has lost outright with the two worst choices being our options in the runoff election.

Do you want a reason NOT to vote for Jane Castor? Here are some.

She oversaw “Biking While Black” which profiled and persecuted people of color while being an ineffective, racist police policy, proven by the DOJ. It was not fully investigated... interesting how as I stood before City Council asking that the investigation be reopened to look at Jane’s emails and who was responsible for oversight, I sat down and checked Facebook (after delivering my remarks) to find that she had just announced her run for Mayor.

Jane first stood by the policy, & later changed to Democrat right before running for Mayor, and finally “apologized,” also right before running for Mayor. Her apologists are quick to gloss over and dismiss “Biking While Black” an issue — which is astounding to me. Jane said, of a friend, who was harassed at a “black” park, that he shouldn’t have been there, asking something like “why was he there?” Questionable words.

She is in Buckhorn’s circle and should not be trusted to be any better than his disaster of a mayoralty. How about her oodles of financial backing from GOP firms and so on? I hope that people are aware of this stuff.

I cannot fathom how any true progressive would consider her campaign, voting for her knowing the facts, or make the call that she ought to be Mayor. It is astounding to me. And horrible, considering how my friends and family will live in Tampa for years to come, and some folk would go so far as to use identity politics to justify such an awful candidate. It’s disgusting, identity politics gone wrong, and should not be okay with true progressives. That being said, there is another option.

Straz is too much of a wild card. Straz is a billionaire who voted for Trump, and certainly has a litany of past actions hidden from the general public—I presume many (not all, per say) people in his wealth margin are similar, especially those who dip into politics as Straz and others have done. How can we trust Straz to be anything, at all, more than the lesser of two evils in this situation?

I know he has taken some progressive policy positions, including the minimum wage being raised. How can we hold him to that; what has he done to politically indicate that he would be good and leftist for Tampa, aside from dumping two million dollars into a local election while essentially forging a nice looking platform? Voting for Trump wasn’t a progressive political move; and while it isn’t an immediate disqualification for me, it’s a serious question of character and political allegiance.

I hope that we will have the write in option. I wrote in my own name rather than vote for Buckhorn in the 2015 mayoral election. This time I will be more creative should the WI option be present. If there is not a WI option, this mayoral runoff could end up being the FIRST election I do not vote for at all, and I have voted each and every opportunity since the 2012 general election, my first time eligible to vote at age 18. That says something about the state of Tampa politics and the quality of choices our municipal voters have made—the few of them that voted at all. I wish Harry Cohen had received more votes.

Ybor Life

7th Ave

CIW in Tampa







4 for Fair Food Tour: UF March

Norman Field - Gainesville INFO

Poll Watching With Candy Lowe









Lunch at Ruben's Cubans

My, thank you Candy!

Where were all the voters?

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Ybor Paparazzi

Johanna at Chillum

Florida Inc. on Adams Street

In Tallahassee, a spree of fundraising events toke place Monday next door to the Capitol, as special interests race to pad lawmakers’ political committees with cash before the start of the legislative session the next day. HERE

What Stogie had for lunch

Thai Boat Noodle
At  Asiatic in Ybor
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EAT LOCAL!

THE POVERTY SCHOLARS TOUR COMING TO ST. PETE

MARCH 13TH, THE POVERTY SCHOLARS TOUR PRESENTED BY POOR PEOPLES ECONOMIC HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN, REFUGE MINISTRIES, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD RADIO SHOW, MISSIO DEI COMMUNITY, AND REVOLUTIONARY CAUCUS OF TAMPA BAY. 

STARTS AT 3PM, DINNER AT 6PM WITH MUSIC PERFORMANCES AND 7PM PROGRAM. 
CALL BRUCE 727 278 1547 

Topher Morrison for Mayor

Monday, March 4, 2019

Vote tomorrow! Our City needs it!

Hello Tampa friends! I hope that you will vote if you have not already!

I recommend Vibha Shevade for District 3, who is a progressive running to help build Tampa strong! She is gaining traction online with her videos which detail her platform, and commitment to the environment. Ms. V’s videos online have garnered an incredible 30,000 views! She is a part of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Advisory Council which promotes public safety in Tampa.She is committed to earning your vote and needs your support at the polls!

I recommend Orlando Gudes for District 5! He is dedicated to public transit, has been a youth mentor for years, and has been a smal business owner. Orlando will be the best choice in ensuring that District 5 is looked after, and that disenfranchised constituents are provided a level playing field to find work and vote. Orlando is a personable individual who will be a voice for disadvantaged  communities such as youth, seniors, and those who struggle for public transit options like the free Intowner Bus, which Orlando stood by to support the people. He walks the walk and would be an excellent City Councilor!

I recommend Bill Carlson for District 4! Bill will be an avid proponent for the South Tampa area, and  voted to approve a plan for sensitivity training within the City, as a Charter Review Commissioner. He will ensure that our City moves forward from the mistakes of the Buckhorn years.

I recommend John Godwin for District 2! He is the right person for the job, with a sincere political message to change Tampa for the better and pay attention to criminal justice and other issues. He has a pro disability platform which is a fantastic testament to his candidacy!

I recommend Joe Citro for District 1! He has been a longtime advocate for helping to grow Tampa, and he is someone who will listen to others regardless of agreement or disagreement.

Definitely vote for Guido Maniscalco, who championed the ban on conversion therapy, and Luis Viera, a staunch ally to the disability community, for their reelection bids in (D6)West and (D7)New Tampa, respectively!

Vote Harry Cohen for Mayor of Tampa!

I hope to see you on the barricades!

— Asher

Ybor Paparazzi

Asher at Chillum

The People's Forum on TECO in Brandon

TECO is proposing the largest fossil fuel expansion in county history. This hearing is your chance to stand up to TECO’s plans for nearly $1 Billion to pay for a fracked gas expansion. HERE

Right Wing "Florida Citizens Alliance"

Keith Flaugh (Founding Director of FLCA) points out the fact that Florida narrowly escaped electing a socialist governor in the 2018 elections (a mere 33,000 votes out of the 8 million who voted made the difference in the gubernatorial race).

The 4 million who did not vote for Governor DeSantis voted for socialism, sanctuary cities, abortion on demand, and a 40% tax increase on small businesses.
source

Justin Nozuka USA tour in Ybor

Tampa Tea Party recommends Ed Turanchik

Nice company he keeps. Chasing votes you will never get is never a good idea. If there is a runoff, he probably won't be in it.

Extinction Rebellion Tampa Bay Noise at Clearwater Beach

Wednesday March 6th

Extinction Rebellion Tampa Bay will gather at The Sandpearl Resort & Spa in Clearwater Beach to protest the Spring Coal Forum, organized by the American Coal Council. The forum is an elite 3-day networking event for senior executives of coal suppliers, utilities, transport and trading companies, designed to examine markets and public policies and strengthen the position of coal as an 
energy source. 

At a time of catastrophic climate breakdown, when science urges us to halt all fossil fuel burning as soon as possible, the coal industry cannot be allowed to continue to push its agenda unchallenged.“The American Coal Council intends to meet quietly here in Tampa Bay, so we thought we’d bring some noise,” said Extinction Rebellion coordinator 
James Lamont. 

“When our region could be uninhabitable within a few decades due to extreme weather it is an insult for them to come and enjoy our beaches and an
afternoon of golf.”

The static noise demonstration will be an attempt to inform locals of the presence of the forum, as well as tell those inside that their event is not welcome. The demo will begin at 6 pm outside the hotel while the forum hosts an evening reception. Participants are encouraged to bring their noisiest instruments, sports appliances, children and kitchen ware. HERE

Extinction Rebellion Tampa Bay is a chapter of a new international movement demanding an emergency mobilization to combat climate change. 

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Ybor City Homeless

Meet Tabitha 

Reclaiming My Mind: Nicholas Glover

Who I like for mayor of Tampa

MAYOR
Ed Turanchik
Best résumé of all candidates.
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Topher Morrison
Not a politician. Smart, nice guy!
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Harry Cohen
Cannabis decriminalization.


DISCLAIMER: I am a photographer and blogger. I do not work for any candidate or management company.
 I was not paid for this endorsement.

Florida Late Voting

Temple Terrace to Largo: 2 Weeks

Tampa Welcomes the CIW

March 5, 2019 at 6 PM
Waters Avenue Church - Tampa

Friday, March 1, 2019

STANDOUT for PEACE

STANDOUT FOR PEACE IN SOUTH ASIA

I'm sure many of our readers have learned of the recent escalation of the conflict between India and Pakistan that is causing our sisters and brothers in Kashmir great suffering. This is another of the many unjust wars being waged between greedy and power hungry governments at the deadly expense of the innocent.
 
As part of the GLOBAL STANDOUT FOR PEACE IN SOUTH ASIA, an event has been organized for March 4 on the USF campus. Two young, passionate women who are students at USF have organized this event and they are asking for help from the activist community here in Tampa. This is an ideal opportunity to connect with activists at USF while lending your support to a just and noble cause. Please, if you can, join us Monday afternoon and help amplify the voices of these comrades for peace and justice.


Ybor Paparazzi

Johana Reynolds

Day in life of Tampa Mayoral Candidate Topher Morrison

Florids GOP wants to make It harder for the poor to access Medicaid

While the Democratic party's left flank is pushing lawmakers to extend Medicare to all citizens and/or create a "single-payer" healthcare system similar to those in every other developed nation on earth, many Florida Republicans are still coming up with new ways to chip away at healthcare access in the Sunshine State. HERE

Matt Gaetz Grovels To Nancy Pelosi