TEMPLE TERRACE — Bart Siegel, an outspoken advocate for the display of the giant Confederate flag near the intersection of Interstate 4 and I-75, was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot in his Temple Terrace home Thursday.
Siegel, 50, was a Republican accountant who penned long letters to newspapers and verbally sparred with columnists.
In 2000, he announced his desire to "stir things up" by running against then-Hillsborough Clerk of the Circuit Court Richard Ake, a Democrat unopposed since 1986. Siegel lost, but kept stirring things up.
In the face of a protest, Siegel professed his love for the sport of gator hunting. He defended his boating club, the Tampa Cruis-a-Cade, amid a city lawsuit, and he often spoke out at Temple Terrace city meetings. Most recently, he became one of the loudest voices defending the Confederate flag.
Siegel wasn't even Southern.
He was born in New Jersey and raised Jewish, but married Lunelle Mizell, a fifth-generation Floridian with Confederate ancestors. He became fascinated with all things Southern, and about 10 years ago, became an associate member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
He lacked the lineage, said fellow member Marion Lambert. "But he had the heart and soul of a Confederate."
Siegel steadfastly maintained that the flag wasn't a racist symbol, but one of pride.
A few years ago, Siegel converted to Messianic Judaism, and attended Fowler Avenue Baptist Church. He called Lambert the day before he died, asking if he would go to church with him. Lambert couldn't make it.
The Hillsborough County medical examiner preliminarily ruled Siegel's death a suicide.
[Last modified: Aug 15, 2008 01:55 PM]
764258
SHOW_AD
Loading comments...
Subscribe to the Times
Click here for daily delivery of the St. Petersburg Times.
News
