More heavyweight lobbyists join Pasco landfill fight

FEBRUARY 09, 2009

Angelo's Aggregate Materials, the Largo company behind the controversial east Pasco landfill near the Green Swamp, has hired more lobbyists as the state's decision on the project nears.

The latest to join: former "Everglades czar" Allison DeFoor and Colleen Castille, previously secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and before that, secretary of the Department of Community Affairs. They're joined by Eva Armstrong, former director of DEP's Division of State Lands, of their recently created firm, Castille, DeFoor & Armstrong in Tallahassee (see Web site here).

That brings the total to at least 11 lobbyists supporting or fighting the 90-acre project south of Dade City. Lobbyists for Angelo's also include Brian Ballard, an ally of Gov. Charlie Crist. Nearby landowners Robert Thomas and Bill Blanchard have hired former Gov. Bob Martinez and attorney Chris Kise, a confidant Crist, to fight the project.

How intertwined are these folks? DeFoor was Martinez's running mate in 1990 when the governor lost re-election. Ballard was Martinez's chief of staff.

DEP is expected to announce its decision on a permit for the project Thursday.

David DeCamp, Times Staff Writer

Posted by Times Editor at 4:37:05 pm on February 09, 2009 in

| Permalink | Comments |

Join the discussion: Click to view comments, add yours

Most Recent Blog Posts

Pasco commission candidate turned away from Chasco parade, cries foul February 15

Hillsborough County to create its own regulation-cutting task force February 14

Hillsborough commissioners to ask legislature to spare USF from cuts February 14

Republican challengers lining up to take on state Rep. Peter Nehr of Palm Harbor in August February 10

Democrat Hillsborough commissioner gets some love from the governor February 09

Regional vendor preference plan rejected in Hillsborough February 08

Tom Scott considering run for Hillsborough elections supervisor February 08

Red light camera critic becomes pollster February 08

Hillsborough County to repave Bayshore Boulevard in time for RNC February 08

Commissioners asks state to spare Hillsborough Correctional Institution February 08

About the blog

Bay Buzz is your source for Tampa Bay politics news and discussion. Tampa Bay Times writers offer the latest in Tampa Bay politics and government news from Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County and Hernando County. Keep in mind: This is a public forum sponsored and maintained by the Tampa Bay Times. When you post comments here, what you say becomes public and could appear in the newspaper.

Have a story idea? E-mail Times editor Tom Scherberger: tscherberger@tampabay.com.

Comment Policy

Please be sure your comments are appropriate before submitting them. Inappropriate comments include content that:

Is libelous

Is abusive, harassing, or threatening

Is obscene, vulgar, or profane

Is racially, ethnically or religiously offensive

Is illegal or encourages criminal acts

Is known to be inaccurate or contains a false attribution

Infringes copyrights, trademarks, publicity or any other rights of others

Impersonates anyone (actual or fictitious)

Solicits funds, goods or services, or advertises

The Tampa Bay Times does not edit posts but reserves the right to delete comments that violate our policy.

Registration FAQ

Read our Frequently Asked Questions on how to register to comment on the site.