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For Hillsborough Commission

In print: Friday, August 8, 2008

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The Aug. 26 primary includes three races for Hillsborough County Commission. The winner of each primary moves to the general election. The District 2 race is open to Republicans in north Hillsborough. Each party has a primary race in District 6, a countywide seat. Tom Aderhold

Republicans, District 2

His relative youth and thin record of accomplishment should make incumbent Ken Hagan all that he is not — accountable, open and eager to leave a proud legacy. Hagan, though, has staked his political career on keeping the development industry happy, and he avoids meeting people who disagree with him. That is why Tom Aderhold, a 64-year-old retiree and civic activist, got into the race.

The detachment between officeholder and constituent is evident in this bedroom community, which is sagging under the weight of sprawl, pollution and congestion. Aderhold wants to make better use of mass transit. He would end subsidies for home builders by restructuring taxes and fees so that existing residents do not pay for new growth. He also talks about restoring trust in county government by bringing citizens more into the decisionmaking process.

Hagan, 40, was first elected in 2002. His support for parks and his belated support for having home builders pay more for their impact on the school system lessen the sting of an otherwise lamentable record — one that has compounded the county's financial problems in this slow economy. He refuses to connect the dots between unchecked growth and the district's quality of life. Aderhold is more mature and responsive.

For Republicans in the primary for Hillsborough County Commission District 2, the Times recommends Tom Aderhold. Brian Blair

Republicans, District 6

Neither candidate reflects well on his party. Since winning election in 2004, Brian Blair has championed silly issues, peddled paranoia and marched to the command of the building industry.

But at least Blair shows some respect for the office he holds. Challenger Don Kruse, a 48-year-old car dealer, rightly faults Blair for a range of mistakes. Those include Blair's effort to roll back protection of environmental lands, his focus on roads at the expense of mass transit, and his ties to development and other special interests.

But Kruse never lifted a finger to challenge Blair or the board when his civic involvement would have mattered. His self-described independence looks more like the absence of core values.

Blair has stopped some wasteful county spending. He is active in the community. The 51-year-old former business owner at least acts on his beliefs and puts his record on the table, as opposed to merely showing up at election time for publicity.

For Republicans in the countywide race for Hillsborough County Commission District 6, the Times recommends Brian Blair. Kevin Beckner

Democrats, District 6

There's not a dime's worth of difference among the three candidates in this race on issues of policy or priorities. All recognize the need to better manage growth, invest in mass transit, protect environmental lands and attract more high-quality jobs. Kevin Beckner, though, better articulates how these policies could improve the area's quality of life, and his communication skills could help bridge the partisan divide and move the county forward.

Beckner, a 37-year-old financial planner, has a command of local issues for a first-time candidate who has lived in the region barely a decade. He can be overly cautious to commit. But his deeper understanding of the roots to the county's development, housing and transportation problems give him ammunition to push the right agenda. His broad community service gives him an ability to connect with people at a retail level.

Joe Redner, 68, an iconic strip club owner, carries too much baggage for his sensible ideas to shine through. Denise Layne, a 53-year-old paralegal and civic activist, talks too much about process and too little about vision.

For Democrats in the countywide race for Hillsborough County Commission District 6, the Times recommends Kevin Beckner.

Opportunity to reply The Times offers candidates not recommended by the editorial board an opportunity to reply. Candidates for County Commission should send their replies no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday to: Philip Gailey, editor of editorials, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731; by fax: (727) 893-8675; or online at: www.tampabay.com/ letters. Replies are limited to 200 words.

Opportunity to reply

The Times offers candidates not recommended by the editorial board an opportunity to reply. Candidates for County Commission should send their replies no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday to: Philip Gailey, editor of editorials, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731; by fax: (727) 893-8675; or online at: www.tampabay.com/letters. Replies are limited to 200 words.