South Hillsborough County environmental activist Mariella Smith is co-hosting a meet and greet with county commission candidate John Dingfelder on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Other hosts are Annette  and Terry DeLisle and Sharon and Dean Henry. "What I like about John is that he's a politician who listens to the citizens, who listens to his constituents and he does his homework," Smith said. "He looks into issues before he makes a decision and makes a deicsion based on what's best for the community regardless of special interests or politics."

Dingfelder, a Democrat, has represented south Tampa on the City Council for eight years. He's running for the District 1 commission seat now held by Rose Ferlita, who's expected to run for mayor. Dingelder said he's already been going door-to-door in south Hillsborough.

"I know a lot of people in south Tampa, but i don't know a lot of people in Ruskin, Gibsonton and Apollo Beach and we're going to work hard to change that," Dingelder said.

So far, Dingfelder is the only Democrat who's filed to appear on the ballot for the District 1 seat in 2010. Two Republicans have filed: Anne Madden and Trey Rustmann. Former Republican Florida legislator Sandy Murman has said she may seek the post, too.

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer