I appeal to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners to not allow the recommendations of the Hillsborough County Transportation Task Force to proceed to a ballot initiative in November 2010. The BOCC should not be satisfied with the poorly researched recommendations. ...more

November 28, 2009

To give or not to give in to the interests of building contractors? That is the question. ...more

November 8, 2009

Staff report Members of the Sun City Center Community Association Board of Directors are urging Hillsborough County commissioners to maintain the County's Consumer Protection Agency, which is at risk for being cut as the county reviews its possible cost-cutting measures. ...more

August 5, 2009

It will be difficult, dangerous and plain foolish to balance next year's budget through spending cuts alone. So why is there no discussion of an increase in the county gasoline tax? With every single source of revenue in decline, and little reason to expect a reversal anytime soon, the BOCC must look for additional sources of income. Five cents per gallon would generate $20 million for Hillsborough County. Such a broad-based tax would create significant revenue while minimizing the pain. It is hard to argue an additional $1 per tankful is an unmanageable burden when gas was $2 a gallon higher just a few months ago. But this is more than a source of badly needed funds. It is the type of policy we need to wean ourselves off oil and reduce emissions. No one likes a tax increase, but compared to some of the budget cuts being proposed, it is the lesser evil. As one local baseball manager might say, 5 cents equals $20 million. ...more

May 2, 2009

One Dance Too Many Keith Bricklemyer's viewpoints are well expressed and acknowledged. However, one is led to wonder if the law firm he heads has been or currently is involved in representing developers who continue to insist on even less oversight from this county's already-streamlined EPC. ...more

March 26, 2009

A Golden Opportunity The article "Hatchery Plan Rejected" by Yvette C. Hammett (Metro, March 12) is an excellent description of a new research and educational facility for this side of Florida. This was clearly seen by the favorable position taken by the Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP) general committee. ...more

March 13, 2009

While we congratulate the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for taking what appears to be a positive step forward by establishing two standing committees to be headed by Commissioner Rocco (Budget) and Commissioner Druzbick (Economic Development), we hope these efforts produce better decisions. ...more

January 11, 2009

We are in the deepest recession in the last 20 years and the Hernando Board of County Commissioners is having trouble defining the meaning of "local." ...more

December 21, 2008

OUR OPINION ...more

October 26, 2008

Does anyone really believe that I would have continued to spend money to collect signatures on a petition that was flawed? There is not now nor has there been a need to have changed the date in the petition. The issue was anticipated and addressed prior to seeking signatures. ...more

August 8, 2008