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A mayor on a chair and other Tampa tales

 
Published July 4, 2015

Was that former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman standing barefoot on a chair at the fancy Mise en Place restaurant this week?

It was, indeed. Freedman addressed a packed house of Hillary Clinton supporters at a $25-per-person fundraiser (more, for those inclined). At 5 feet plus a half-inch ("I'm not vertically tall in terms of inches, but I stand tall," she says), Freedman has been known to kick off her shoes and climb atop a chair to make an announcement.

On this evening, she was introducing current Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who would introduce the headliner, Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook. This gave Buckhorn a chance to tell the crowd how, when he worked for Freedman when she was mayor, it was his back she stood upon for such pronouncements.

Democrats Freedman and Buckhorn (who is notably expected to run for governor) have a history of supporting Clintons.

Hers goes back to 1991 after she heard Bill Clinton speak, liked him and helped with his presidential campaign. In Tampa, he wanted to visit a school with at-risk students, so she took him to Alexander Elementary. Only one TV reporter showed. The teacher — who would later attend his inauguration — had strung up a banner printed on computer paper that read: WELCOME BOB CLINTON!

Tampa can likely expect to see one of the Clintons — Hillary or Bob — in the fall.

Speaking of Mise en Place: Did you hear industry experts snarking about how Tampa International Airport "blew it" by not including the ubiquitous Outback Steakhouse in its big renovation plans, instead adding interesting local flavors like Guy Harvey RumFish Grill, the Cafe by Mise en Place and Four Green Fields Irish pub?

And, really? Even with the airport's inexpensive options — Chik-fil-A, Wendy's — do these experts predict passengers will sit sulking at airsides, refusing to partake in Tampa Bay-specific culinary offerings because they have been denied access to yet another Bloomin' Onion?

How much do supporters of the 110-year-old Tampa Yacht & Country Club care about the kerfuffle over plans for a pool bar, and the subsequent question of whether serving alcohol outside — something they've done forever — is technically allowed?

Just ask city officials working to clarify this — city officials who can likely expect legal action no matter which side they come down on. Council member Harry Cohen's office has already received more than 700 letters, far and away in support of the yacht club tradition.

Best name for a job at the courthouse: Hillsborough's newest court administrator, about to step into the shoes of the retiring Mike Bridenback, who saw the courthouse through its scandalous years, is Gina Justice, who was chief deputy clerk of the U.S. District Court in Hawaii.

On justice, something to watch as police in Miami-Dade get the option of issuing civil citations instead of charges for small amounts of marijuana, a progressive move that could even happen here.

Over time, will who get cited versus who gets charged break down on racial or socioeconomic lines? Will teens from the projects fare the same as those in the suburbs? Do a homeless guy and a high-powered lawyer get the same break? Stay tuned.