So is Clearwater Councilman Paul Gibson a flip-flopper? Why did the man who campaigned two years ago against the $11-million downtown boat slip project vote Thursday night to approve more than $12-million in bonds to pay for the slips?

His answer? The City Council already approved the project and it needs some way to fund it, and he’s not willing to use general fund dollars. When casting his vote, he quipped: "I’m convinced today as I was two years ago that (this project) is not going to cash flow."

Apparently, the other four members think it will. Only time will tell, but already, the project is expected to cost $2-million more than voters were initially told.

- Mike Donila, Times Staff Writer