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William March: Tampa pols pick sides on St. Petersburg mayor race

 
Tampa Bay Times Correspondent William March
Tampa Bay Times Correspondent William March
Published June 15, 2017

It's officially a non-partisan race, but that isn't stopping Tampa Democrats and Republicans from lining up with their party's candidates in the St. Petersburg mayor's race.

Tampa Democrats have at least two fundraising events in the works for Mayor Rick Kriseman, a Democrat, and Tampa Republicans are planning one for GOP challenger and former Mayor Rick Baker.

Mayor Bob Buckhorn, City Council members Yolie Capin, Harry Cohen, Mike Suarez and Luis Vieira, and prominent Democrats including Betty Castor, Jim Davis and Alex Sink will hold an event for Kriseman June 20 at the Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick law firm.

Lawyer and civic activist Ed Turanchik is planning another Aug. 8 at Mise en Place with bi g-name Dems, including county Commissioner Pat Kemp, Tom and Linda Scarritt, Bob and Karen Buesing, Bill Carlson, Tom Hall and others.

On the GOP side, GOP donor and developer Dick Beard and former Mayor Dick Greco will host a fundraiser for Baker on June 30, along with prominent GOP donors including Robert and Nancy Watkins and Ken Jones.

Maniscalco cleared of ethics complaint

The Florida Commission on Ethics has dismissed a complaint against Tampa City Councilman Guido Maniscalco over a helicopter ride he took in 2015 at St. Joseph's Women's Hospital.

Maniscalco said the ride on the Bayflite trauma copter was merely part of a tour by a then-newly elected council member of a large employer in his district -- the hospital.

But the hospital at the time was in a legal battle with the city over rezoning a parking lot and a neighbor opposed to the rezoning, Nancy Huerta, said the helicopter trip was an unreported gift of a "joy ride" to influence Maniscalco's vote.

The commission followed the recommendation of its investigator, who said there was no probable cause for the complaint.

Investigator Melody Hadley said there was no evidence that Maniscalco asked for the 11-minute flight, which included then-hospital President Lorraine Lutton, or that the rezoning was discussed during the tour or flight.

Hadley said it was unclear whether the flight was worth $100 or more, the amount required to be reported as a gift, and that the cost was borne not by the hospital but by Bayflite, a separate company not involved in the rezoning.

Neighbors on Lake Avenue near the hospital had opposed the rezoning for years, including Huerta and Councilman Charlie Miranda, who abstained from voting but argued against it.

After the council denied the request in 2012, the hospital sued in 2014.

Maniscalco wasn't elected until 2015, and said he was unaware of the issue at the time he took the tour and flight.

"I was only six weeks in office, and the hospital is one of the biggest employers in my district, so I took a tour," he said. "It was totally innocent."

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In 2016, the council voted 4-2, with Maniscalco in favor, to approve a settlement recommended by the city staff, including adding a "linear park" between the parking lot and the neighbors.

Neither Huerta nor her attorney could be reached for comment late this week.

Moody campaign starts with local flavor

Former Hillsborough County Judge Ashley Moody's campaign for state attorney general is kicking off with a local flavor.

Moody this week announced endorsements from the five Republican Hillsborough County commissioners -- Victor Crist, Ken Hagan, Al Higginbotham, Sandy Murman and Stacy White – plus outgoing Sheriff David Gee.

She'll hold a campaign kickoff event June 29 at the Floridan Hotel downtown.

But before that, on June 27, Republicans in Plant City, where Moody grew up, will hold a "family and friends" fundraiser for her, organized by former county GOP Chairman Art Wood and hosted by Moody's brother Jamey Moody in his Plant City home, which once belonged to their grandparents, Wood said.

Another $100,000 month for Hagan

For the second consecutive month, and the second of his re-election campaign, Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan has pulled in $100,000 in campaign funds.

Hagan raised $101,200 during June, his campaign finance report shows.

Contact William March at wemarch@gmai.com