Les Miller on the Stogie

HERE

Stogie Election Watch!

Now that the Tampa municipal election is over, the 2020 elections loom in the near distance. Who will run for the various local races? We have School Board, County Commission, Clerk of the Ciruit Court, Supervisor of Elections, and state legislator races to consider, as well as candidates to mull (will they run, should they run?). Let’s take an initial peek!

For BOCC (County Commission) there will be three elections (same for School Board), and one of those is for District 3. The candidates who have filed thus far are Sky White, who came in second place during the Democratic primary for District 7 in 2018; and Gwen Myers, who has been in the race longer. I like both of these candidates to succeed Commissioner Les Miller, and will be canvassing this weekend with Team Sky in Progress Village!

Who else might jump in? I think it is highly possible that we will see outgoing City Councilor Frank Reddick enter the race at some point. Who else do YOU think or hope will jump in?

— Asher

What we don't know CAN hurt us!

During the last BOCC meeting (1/9/19), several statements were made that indicate that our county commission not only intended to conduct negotiations with the Tampa Bay Rays out of the view of the public, who they expected to bare half of the billion dollars of constructing a new stadium in Ybor City, but that they intend to CONTINUE negotiations without public scrutiny. All text in white are directly from the official closed caption scripts of the commission meeting.

Mariella Smith: Over four years ago in October of 2014, a working group was formed to explore the potential of having a stadium in Hillsborough County. Commissioner Hagan was designated as the county's representative, the mayor represented the city of Tampa and we had a representative from the sports authority and some private interest were on that working group. Things are very different now than they were when this working group was formed over four years ago. Things are different now than they were when we last discussed this. Some of the main reasons for having a working group that could operate out of the sunshine no longer apply. For example, they selected their preferred site location and that is public knowledge now. The county has presented a proposed funding framework and that is public knowledge and with all that public information, the public has been wanting to be more involved in the discussions and have more input.

This working group was obviously never meant to "explore the potential of having a baseball stadium in Hillsborough County"; it's purpose was to secretely negotiate a financial deal with the RAYS franchise. Commissioner Smith describes the working group as one whose intent was to work outside the state sunshine laws, i.e. without public knowledge, and how information discovered by a local news media outlet made the negotiations known to the public. Because of the public becoming aware of those negotiations and the resulting backlash against a Rays stadium, Commissioner Smith rightfully felt that this secret working group no longer applied and should be disbanded.

Ken Hagan: I completely agree with those comments. Working within the confines of the sunshine law can be challenging.

Commissioner Hagan affirmed the difficulty of conducting business in the light of public scrutiny. OF COURSE IT IS when you know that the public would disapprove of what is being negotiated. On more than one occasion Ken Hagan stated clearly that he intended for the process used by the Atlanta Braves franchise to relocate their stadium to be the blueprint for how he planned to conduct the process for the Rays franchise move to Tampa. The Atlanta Braves process was conducted completely in secret and even approved by the Cobb County Commission secretly. The president of the Atlanta Braves, John Schuerholz, later admitted that the deal had to be in private to avoid a public backlash (HERE). Ken Hagan intended to keep the Rays negotiations secret from the public for the same reason. How is that even close to being ethical for a commission whose sole purpose is to represent the needs of the people of Hillsborough County?

Less Miller:  And the other thing, our attorney is still having conversations both with the baseball commissioner and with Stu Sternberg. I didn't want you to leave here thinking all conversations have stopped because until the Rays sign a contract with Saint Pete or some other city, from our point of view, keeping the lines open are important and, in particular, our attorney wanted both the baseball commissioner and Stu to know that we, in fact, when we said we had private investment money, [w]e did. He offered to provide that to the baseball commissioner as evidence because the commissioner wrote a rather unpleasant letter to us saying he didn't think we had the money. We did have private investors who provide a proposal. He wanted Stu to know that as well. We had our 50% and I didn't want anybody to think....(at this point, Less Miller was cut off by another commissioner)

Here, Les Miller, placating those with financial interests, makes it clear that negotiations WILL continue, and continue outside the state sunshine laws. He also stresses that 50% of the cost for building the stadium has been committed by private interests but neglects to mention that the other 50% would come from public funds. The baseball commissioner was right in saying that we didn't have the money. That other 50%, that $500 million, would be OUR money and the commission, by voting to continue the working group and continue negotiations outside our sunshine laws, are effectively saying that our voice doesn't matter in decisions concerning how OUR money is to be spent. If they are allowed to continue this debacle unopposed, it will benefit only a select few individuals at our expense. Public funds are intended to be used to benefit the PUBLIC and not enrich a few. Independent studies overwhelmingly show that major sports venues DO NOT economically benefit the communities in which they operate.

WHAT DO WE DO WHEN THEY STEAL OUR MONEY?!

RAYBOR IS STILL ALIVE AND WELL DAMN IT!

For the last regular meeting of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, held on January 9, there was an item (Item F-8), which was added as an addendum to the agenda as the last item for discussion. Yesterday, Item F-8 was listed as an agenda item "F-8 Discussion concerning the County's representation in any future negotiations with the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team regarding a stadium in the County.". Today, the official agenda (HERE) shows that Item F-8 has been deleted and relisted at the end of the agenda as "F-8 Off the Agenda". The discussion DID take place at the end of the Commission meeting, as you will see in the following videos, so it WAS officially addressed during the meeting. The following videos and texts will clearly show that the negotiations to bring the Rays franchise here to Hillsborough County and very possibly the original selected site in Ybor City are still very much active and still being held outside public scrutiny. During the discussion Mariella Smith, one of our new commissioners, placed a motion to disband the commission's involvement in the "informal" work group created in 2015 to negotiate with the Rays. In a 4-3 vote, Commissioner Smith's motion was defeated (Commissioners Hagan, Miller, Murman and Overman voted to retain the Commission's active involvement in the work group and therefore continuing negotiations). It was mentioned during the discussions that the contract for the legal firm hired by the Commission to represent them during their involvement in the negotiations will be taken over by the Tampa Sports Authority. Ken Hagen stated "The TSA assumed Council's contract and any future negotiations will be led by the TSA.". The TSA has no obligation to make public any of their proceedings.

I will present here segments of the video of this County Commission meeting, touching on the most pertinent statements during the discussion. With each segment, I will give some commentary of the VERY obvious implications that arose. The full video of the meeting can be found HERE and the Item F-8 discussion begins at 3:28:24 in the video.

In the first video excerpt, Mariella Smith explains why the working group, which was intended to work "out of the sunshine" is no longer needed.

In this excerpt, Ken Hagan explains why Commissioner Smith's intended motion is "moot" and, as he has many times, expressed that he is not and never was a "negotiator" during the dealings with the Rays. Hagan, quite obviously does not want negotiations to end because he, the County Administrator, Mike Merrill, and other friends of his, who were given information withheld from the public, have made serious financial investments into the success of a Rays stadium in Ybor. At the end of the video, I have added an excerpt from a radio interview Hagan did in 2017* (HERE) which clearly shows that he was taking a lead in the negotiations with the owner and manager of the Rays and that he was having private meetings with both. Though he stresses that he was never "officially" a negotiator, he was definitely a negotiator, if not the lead negotiator.

Pat Kemp states that things have changed since the last meeting, alluding to the fact that much of what the Commission intended to keep secret was ultimately reported by local media and that the public, namely the Ybor 6, responded. She also explains that even she, a commissioner on the board, had difficulties obtaining information from the working group. Les Miller then asks Commissioner Smith, "Do you think a motion is necessary at this point?", seemingly trying to encourage Mariella Smith to retract her motion. She doesn't but instead places the motion before the board.

And that leaves a couple final comments and the vote. Ken Hagan again tries to counter the motion by offending Commissioner Smith and calling it "meaningless", in a patronizing and insulting way. He then contradicts his "meaningless" comment by explaining that voting Yes on the motion might effectively "kill the deal" with the Rays. Les Miller climbs onto the misogynistic challenge to Commissioner Smith by calling the motion "fruitless" and "not appropriate". The motion is then voted on and defeated. Kimberly Overman, had she been the progressive she purports to be, could have been the vote to help kill the negotiations with the Rays but, instead voted to NOT disband the working group.

To wrap it all up, our County Commission is making it clear that negotiations are going to continue with the Rays franchise and that, because their plans for secrecy were thwarted by a local media outlet and the appearance of several citizens at the last meeting, voicing their clear opposition to RAYBOR, future negotiations will be conducted even further from the public eye. The negotiations are being handed chiefly to the Tampa Sports Authority in order to further conceal from the public what they are doing, in effect moving the back room dealing to a back room in the back of the back room. During the discussion, both Mike Merrill and Les Miller stated that "We have the money!" but they continue to ignore that they have only private investor's money, which amounts to 50% of the projected cost of a new stadium and ignoring that they ultimately intend to use $500 million, or more, of taxpayer funds to make up the other 50%.. Besides the private investments to partially fund the cost of the stadium, there is is also money invested in properties in the area surrounding the originally proposed Ybor City site and I have no doubt that the continuing negotiations will focus on Ybor City.

We have GOT to continue to pressure the officials in our government to listen to the citizens they are sworn to serve and end forever any further negotiations to move the Rays to Hillsborough County, and especially to Ybor City, and to realize that the voters of this county will NEVER accept having to fund half of the third most expensive stadium ever built, yet the smallest stadium in all Major League Baseball, smaller even than Tropicana Field. It would be doomed to fail and destroy Ybor City along with it.

* Correction: Ken Hagan's interview with Sports Talk Florida took place on May 31, 2017 instead of in 2015 as I mistakenly stated.

Thanks Commissioner Pat Kemp

Words of Pat Kemp:

Thank you all for standing up and emailing & calling to bring back the ferry study/plan. We are back on track again! The BOCC had voted 5-1 to restart the ferry study/plan that we had already paid $500,000 to finally get done.(Only Comm. Les Miller voted no this time.) (Special thanks to Jae Passmore, Gwen Meyers, Cleo L. Townsend for making it 
to the meeting.

In Sept, just 2 months ago, the BOCC approved the ferry study/plan by 7-0, then suddenly for no apparent reason put the ferry on the agenda on the lame-duck session and killed the study/plan 2 months into a 4 month plan by a 6-1 vote with only me supporting finishing the study/plan we had already mostly paid for.

Learn more about Mr. Miller here

Tampa DINO Les Miller

To Board of County Commissioner Les Miller.

WHY ON GOD'S EARTH WOULD YOU BE SUPPORTING Republican TOM LEE when we have Democrat KATHY LEWIS running for this seat?" Beth Eriksen Shoup
---

Learn more about Mr. Miller's 

GOP tainted past here

Justice For Andrew Joseph III

Round 1 of accountability calls. Since 2014, the Joseph family has been fighting for justice for the tragic loss of their son Andrew Joseph III. We need to work together to continue bogging down the elected officials and leaders who have a say. I know it may be tough when one of those officials is usually a friend and ally. 

However, Commissioner Les Miller serves on the Board of Directors and has the ability to be a voice for the Joseph family and hold the fair accountable. Do not allow party-line interfere with achieving justice. Please review this Google Form for more details, his phone # and a sample script and PLEASE be an active participant in justice. Questions? Ask! here

Hillsborough County Right Wing Infestation

Right wing Hillsborough County Commissioners Lesley Les Miller, Ken Hagan, Sandy Murman, Stacy White, Al Higginbotham and Victor D Crist intend to restrict the number of medical marijuana dispensaries to 13.

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Florida GOP Commissioners Ken Hagan and Sandy Murman made unfavorable comparisons to the dispensaries resembling the state’s notorious pill mills. 

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her
Can we clone Pat Kemp?

Hillsborough County GOP Loves Developers

Despite calls from residents
to implore commissioners to put more money into the county’s bus system and to find other ways to move people without building more roads. here

Florida GOP 
Sandy Murman
Victor Crist
Al Higginbotham
Stacy White
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and Ken Hagan
approved a road-centric $812 million, 
10-year transportation plan.
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They could care less about what you want. Next time they are up for reelection
we hope you remember this.

Also remember this guy

Les Miller

He is a Dem and he also voted for this.

Thank you Pat Kemp

“We cannot build our way out of congestion. It’s time we make some wise investments." 
Pat Kemp

A Critical Day For Hillsborough County

This Wednesday morning, March 1st is a critical day for Hillsborough County. If you cannot be there, PLEASE EMAIL your County Commissioners all at once ASAP with the link below to demand the County Commission FUND TRANSIT NOW!

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Email is the BEST way for written record of all comments but if possible please call, too!

Sandra L. Murman 813-272-5470 

Victor D. Crist 813-272-5452 

Lesley "Les" Miller Jr. 813-272-5720 

Stacy White 813-272-5740 

Ken Hagan 813-272-5725 

Pat Kemp 813-272-5730 

Al Higginbotham 813-272-5735

The Liberals Takeover Of Tampa

Hillsborough County Registered Voters

Dems 323,159

GOP 261, 279

Other 234,279
Currently IT LOOKS LIKE THIS.
Ken Hagan
Sandy Murman
Al Hhigginbotham
victor crist, Stacy White
Les Miller and Kevin Beckner being the only Dems. 
Murman is up for re-election.
Mr. Beckners seat needs to be kept blue.
There are more Dems then GOP.

Why do they get to rule?
Join 
The Tampa Bay Chapter of the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida
here

Did Kimberly Overman Scare Les Miller Into Doing The Right Thing?

A week after Seminole Heights resident Kimberly Overman said she would be taking on Miller in the Hillsborough County Commission District 3 race, she drops out. Miller voted no on TBX. here 

USF Professor Doug Jesseph warned lawmakers on the MPO that they were putting their political futures in doubt if they supported the TBX. “If you have political ambitions, you should take note,” he said. “Support TBX and literally hundreds of
people will work 

tirelessly for your electoral downfall.

Speak Out Against TBX In Tampa

3.1 - 9AM DOWNTOWN TAMPA

Tell the MPO Board, especially

 Les Miller, Sandy Murman,
Lisa Montelione and Harry Cohen

• We don’t appreciate our concerns being ignored and voted against at the Aug. 4 MPO board meeting!
• We want TBX stopped and removed from the TIP.
• They should be vigorously fighting for and defending their constituents, who are being asked to give up so much for zero benefit. info

Attend MPO Board Meeting Today: Stop TBX

6 PM

Tell the MPO Board, especially Les Miller, Sandy Murman,Lisa Montelione and Harry Cohen, that:

• We don’t appreciate our concerns being ignored and voted against at the Aug. 4 MPO board meeting!
• We want TBX stopped and removed from the TIP.
• They should be vigorously fighting for and defending their constituents, who are being asked to give up so much for zero benefit.
• Tell them how you feel- be there, and bring 5 friends with you!

Frederick B. Karl County Center
601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Second Floor, Tampa
info

Beckner, Montelione, Miller And Cohen Vote For TBX

Yes on TBX

Kevin Beckner

Lisa Montelione

Les Miller

Harry Cohen

here

Florida GOP

Ken Hagan,  Sandra Murman, Josh Burgin and  Stacy White.
Also voted yes.

Update: I wrote Mr. Beckner to express my disappointment with his yes vote. He thanked me for my feedback and said "This issue is far from over. If FDOT does not take considerable action to work with the citizens and neighborhoods, I will not hesitate pulling my support."

Hillsborough County Commissioner's Lack Of Vision

To their great credit, Commissioners Stacy White and Les Miller did their best to persuade fellow commissioners last week to spend much of the $23 million the county will receive in oil spill damages from BP on the Jan K. Platt Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program, which is virtually out of money. But their colleagues refused. 

Ken Hagan said there should be no urgency in spending the money — despite renewed development now taking place.
Sandra Murman suggested spending the nonrecurring funds on transportation. That’s clearly a need, but the county has other revenue sources for roads and is considering a half-cent sales tax increase for transportation needs. ELAPP, in contrast, is being neglected.
Kevin Beckner similarly argued that since the settlement was compensation for the loss of tourism and other economic activity, it should go toward the economy, including ecotourism. here

_________________

Thank you Mr. White (We might have been wrong about you) and Mr. Miller.

“You people won’t ghettoize this community.”

Hillsborough County community activist Marilyn Smith was removed from the County’s Charter Review Commission on Friday. The move came after County Commissioners Ken Hagan and Les Miller heard heaps of criticism about Smith from members of the Latino community. here 

Ronda And Brian What Do You Think Of Us Now

“I am a Baptist deacon but I faced discrimination, I know no one should face discrimination regardless of who they may be.”Les Miller. The rest of the commissioners agreed, voting 7-0 to expand the Human Rights ordinance to cover sexual orientation and gender identity. here 

Amanda Murphy Party In Tampa

Some local greats will be there. Janet Cruz, The Great Comm. Kevin Beckner, Pat Frank, Bob Henriquez, Comm. Les Miller, Stacy Frank, Mike Suarez and Mayor Bob will be there,which is very rare to see him at aDemocratic event.

October 1st from 5:30 to 7 pm at 

3006 W. Angeles St. Tampa,  

Please RSVP by calling Brian at (561) 843-1824.

The stain on Hillsborough County's reputation

 A majority of the commissioners — four of the seven — have expressed to the 

Tampa Bay Times their qualified support for expanding Hillsborough's human rights ordinance to also ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in hiring, housing and public accommodations. here

Democrat Les Miller and Republicans Victor Crist and Sandy Murman told the Times they support barring discrimination against gay and transgender people, but would need to see the actual ordinance in writing first. Commissioners Al Higginbotham and 

Mark (Sailors Haven) Sharpe, both Republicans, wouldn't weigh in before Wednesday.

One local conservative activist has started mounting an effort to defeat the ordinance. Terry Kemple, a Hillsborough School Board candidate, called the offices of several commissioners Monday to express his concerns. "It's bad policy, and this is a huge issue," Kemple said in a phone interview. "This puts government in the position of trampling on people's religious liberties in favor of people's sexual preferences."