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Hooper: Real government reform starts with public service

 
Published May 10, 2015

My friend Mortimer Brown says government reform will be best if we can create a system that requires candidates to be competent in "public service, humanitarian ideals, respect for minority views and other marks of an enlightened society."

He's so right, because now it seems they need be competent only in raising money. C'mon state House, Gov. Scott, prove us wrong. …

Seen on a bumper sticker: The System Isn't Broken. It's Fixed. …

When the Love First Christian Center Music Ministry opens the East Tampa Relay For Life celebration at Middleton High School on Friday, the performance will hold special meaning.

With Jomo Cousins, the church's pastor, recently telling the congregation he's battling cancer, the choir will kick off the event with added heart.

It'll also be heartfelt for coordinator Keith Harris, whose mother died from cancer last year. Harris, the Tampa Bay Lightning's vice president for human resources, hopes to raise greater awareness in the minority community. The event, themed decades of music, kicks off at 6 p.m. and features various music acts, including jazz saxophonist Marlon Boone. …

The Lightning's playoff run might collide with some of the "Disney on Ice: Frozen" shows slated for this weekend. But contingency plans have been developed. Please kids, don't resort to rooting for Montreal. …

There was a time when my daughter reveled in a kiddie mosh pit at a Laurie Berkner concert. The woman Time magazine calls a "sippy-cup Sheryl Crow" returns to Clearwater's Capital Theatre Sunday. Take your young ones, because before you know it they'll be asking about tickets to the Ariana Grande concert.

That's all I'm saying.