Newcomer Stanley Gloster last week hosted his first fundraiser for the District 5 City Council seat in 2011. The seat is being vacated by Tom Scott, who is running for mayor in 2011. Many of the folks who turned out for Gloster's event said they first became familiar with him when he helped defeat a planned tent city for homeless people in the East Lake neighborhood.

Also on hand at the event: fellow black Republicans Eddie Adams, who is running for Congress, and Al McCray, a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Republican party regular Mark Proctor was there, as was community activist Michelle Williams.

Williams, a Democrat, said she likes Gloster because he's "a young fresh face" who wants to help the East Tampa neighborhood.  Williams said she plans to support Valerie Goddard in the race against Les Miller and Kevin White for the District 3 Hillsborough County Commission seat. Williams, who describes herself as a troublemaker with a big mouth, said she met with Goddard recently and "challenged her." And Goddard challenged right back.

"She had my heart," Williams said.

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer

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