Forgive me but out comes the soap box. 
I have been a fan of this blog for quite some time. Posting originally as anonymous like lots of you, then finally with a name and now as a guest host. I have read for months while many of you whined and blamed everything on everyone, City Council, the Mayor, the Governor, Senators, Policemen, Code Officials, taxes, Homeowners Insurance, on and on. Your various associations heard your comments and took note, and decided you wanted to hear those running for office in your area address the concerns about which you had been complaining and were concerned.
So the Candidate Forum 2006 was born. Your association leaders asked for your questions and had various meetings reviewing your concerns and forming them into concise questions to be asked of the candidates. Your voices were heard, your questions were asked and guess what?
YOU WEREN’T THERE!
They were excellent questions and the answers were very instructive. I learned a lot from listening to the various candidates answer. Some were intelligent, some were not. Some understood the jobs they were seeking and some obviously did not. I, because I went, am a much better informed voter.
So I thank you for your input on the questions, but the truth is, when the election is done and we have whom we have, I will give no credence to your negative opinions about how things are going.
If you can’t leave the TV, computer, bar or whatever, to educate yourselves on who is running and what you can expect when they win an office, then you have little say in anything. In the future, when things do not go as you would wish, turn on the TV to drown out the sound of your own discontent.
This morning, I was taking the dogs out and my neighbor popped over the fence with his paper in hand screaming "Man this Mayor Iorio is vindictive." (He is her biggest fan by the way - Works for the city) I laughed and asked what she had (or in her case had NOT done). He went on to say how evil she was and since City Council took a stand on her wasteful budget, the mayor had gone in and cut almost anything of substance, East Tampa initiatives, etc. She is like the little spoiled brat that doesn't get her way. He went on to say that his coworkers are always talking about how she screams and yells all the times, throws papers, etc. I have always heard this as well. I think it will be interesting to see her closer to election as she starts to unravel and lose it. The city will have plenty of time this time to see her true colors. If she is pulling funding to East Tampa, this will kill her as this has been her one true voter base. She has always catered to East Tampa to help keep the votes coming from people that aren't well connected to the news that do not know she is a shallow, no platform leader!
ReplyDeleteShe is bad news. Keep it up Pammy, we don't want you re-elected either!
ReplyDeleteLast night was a perfect opportunity to gain exposure to the candidates for County Commission and State Representative seats for the Central Tampa area. However, resident attendance at the Candidate Forum was dismal, at best.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened? Was the location too far from the neighborhood?
After attending the Forum last night, I have decided to vote for the following candidates:
Ken Anthony, who is running against Kevin White for County Commission is an impressive candidate who is very well spoken and is a proponent of focusing on urban renewal rather than suburban sprawl.
Yamel Christina Arronte is a viable choice for County Commission and she will give Joe Redner and Jim Norman a run for their money.
Michael Scionti, candidate for State Rep District 58 was very impressive and has some interesting ideas for solving Florida's insurance crisis and property tax issues.
I am sorry that more people were not present to see these candidates in person.
Seminole Heights' reputation as nothing but a bunch of gutless whiners was just reinforced last night. The vast majority of those in attendance were the candidates, the candidates' campaign volunteers and 20 residents from around Seminole Heights. There were only 4 SESH residents in attendance, 3 of whom serve on the Board of Directors: Sherry Simons, Maria Garcia and Mike Ferlita. I bet everyone is going to get all defensive now claiming that they had to take care of their kids, or they had to work late or they were tired, or that they didn't want to miss their favorite TV program. WHATEVER!!!!!!! It is quickly becoming obvious that this neighborhood is very undeserving of the hard work that has been done for it by its volunteers. SHAME ON YOU!!
ReplyDeleteseminole heights full of gutless whiners?? no, say it aint so... who woulda known.....
ReplyDeleteDear NoMore.
ReplyDeleteSome of us living here .....WORK NIGHTS!
Sorry My life is just a little bit more important than your directive
How i pay my bills is far more important as well
Thank you for speaking for all of us Seminole Heighters slackers
I see you signed off under your name >hmm
To the first comment:
ReplyDeleteYou are, obviously as uninformed as you feel the residents of East Tampa are. Comments from disgruntled employees generally are not the most factual. If you honestly think all that is true you should find out for sure. Do a little work.
As to your less than complimentary comments about those in East Tampa. I suggest that you know nothing about "them" and are perpetuating the them vs us thing.
I have had the privilege of working with "them" and find them to be hard working, honest, creative and responsible. They work in an area that is lower income and in general has far less education and with or without the support of the city, do more than many neighborhoods with all the money and education in the world. They are realistic and not complacent. You would do well to learn about them and not talk about things you do not understand.
YOU are part of the problem and obviously have no interest in sharing in the responsibility.
The some of you who work nights are not the directive of the complaints about no shows.
ReplyDeleteOf course you have to make a living. But, as you well know, MOST of the residents of the neighborhoods that sponsored this forum, do not work at night.
I went to the forum last night. I found it amazing that so many candidates did not have a clue about the job they were running for and also found it amazing how well informed some of them were. State Rep Dist 47 has my sympathies. None of the candidates, IMO, were qualified. But, one of them will get the job.
ReplyDeleteMost shocking of all was the fact that only about 3 gay residents showed up to find out about the county commissioner's race. I thought they would pack the place and put the incumbents on the hot seat for their discriminatory anti-gay ban last year. But, not many showed. Hmmm....
Heads up! City Council forum is next.
It did not work with my schedule, however the main reason for not going is becuase it is a political rally for polititians trying to get a vote. They will say anything, do anything to get your attention. However, the minute you vote for them, they do what they want. Look at Mayor Pam. She was "committed to neighborhoods" She was tough on code. She has not done a thing to either one. I am basing my decision on their previous records.
ReplyDeleteResident, I think you may have misinterpreted the first comment. East Tampa IS some of the hardest working people. They have to fight for every single thing they do. However, when it comes to many obtaining the daily/local news, they often times do not enjoy the luxury of internet access, Tampa Tribune, etc. The don't hear as much of the day to day political bickering and grandstanding that we do. I think that is the reference made to East Tampa.
ReplyDeleteThe comment said the he is her biggest fan (A supporter, not disgruntled) Pam Iorio is taking an approoach that many are not happy with through out the city. It will be interesting to see at what point pre election she will come around asking forgiveness.
Were a list of the questions being asked sent out Previously? Was there an opportunity to speak to the candidates to address our issue?
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I did not attend as it, in my opinion, was not a true forum. I wanted a forum in which I could ask my question, and get my answer. No offense, to each their own. I will keep watching and find on the format of what I think would benefit my preference.
Thank you to all who organized it. I know it took a lot of work and was a great service to the communities.
I would go to no debate, or forum and expect the absolute truth. Get real. But I am a fairly good judge of character and as such, I learned alot about the candidates that were there. On tv, in a byte, it is all meaningless. At least in a fourm you have an opportunity to see how they handle themselves. I can tell you this. It was darn easy to see who was capable and who was not. So while I might not have the true idea of how they will vote, I at least can tell who is intelligent enough to know what the heck they are voting on!
ReplyDeleteAND BTW many of these candidates are new and have no previous records.
ReplyDeleteAnd now a message from Carl Sandburg:
ReplyDeleteThe people so often sleepy, weary, enigmatic,
is a vast huddle with many units saying:
"I earn my living.
I make enough to get by
and it takes all my time.
If I had more time
I could do more for myself
and maybe for others.
I could read and study
and talk things over
and find out about things.
It takes time.
I wish I had the time."
(excerpt from The People, Yes)
And now a message from me -
Where's the digital recording of this event? Has it been youtubed? podcast?
Do you really think scolding is going to get more community partcipation?
Let's try to focus more on the creative solutions and less the moral posturing, shall we?
Ah, I'm just kidding. Scold all you want. It's delicious!
To Anon 5:28
ReplyDeleteEach of the sponsoring organizations collected questions and concerns from their members.
In the case of BGoSH, we sent out an email notice to our mailing list, and there were some very good responses back.
The organization leaders gathered our responses and questions and met to compile the questions directly these responses from residents and business owners in our neighborhoods.
These were the very questions put to the candidates last night. Each candidate answered the same question and had a good amount of time to go into detail, so we didn't just get 'sound bytes' from them.
I agree with residentblogger, you could learn alot about the candidates, in person like this, by not only their answers but how they responded, if they cared, were passionate, or were just "phoning-it-in", so to speak.
I definately made some decisions on who to vote for after attending this event.
ya, because this event was the only place i can learn about the candidates...since i was not at that event, please judge me forever...your post is more telling about yourself than your assumtions about anyone else...unless you can read minds.
ReplyDeleteYou're all self-centered fucking retards! And now I am for being judgemental!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anon 6:57 as far as being more positive and constructive. If these are issues inportant to you, and for our community, talking about it with open hands seems more effective than with back-handed comments.
ReplyDeleteWas there a recording by the way? It is 2006 you know.
A bunch of freaking children. OMG grow up. The orginal post was one person's opinion, and I suspect by some of the responses that it hit the nail on the head. Sounds like a ton of people in denial. I think I agree with the poster, you would think that with all the complaining that goes on here, that just a few more people would have gone to the forum. Me, I had to work, but guess what, I don't feal guilty and am not defending myself. I just had to work. Missed this and many other things.
ReplyDeletebut you did feel the need to feed your ego and tell us about it!
ReplyDeleteCouldBeSherry: "I am the queen of all that is civic-minded. I will cast my scolding spell on the entire village and they will recognize my powers. It is up to me to let them know just how pathetic they really are."
ReplyDeleteResident Blogger: "Sherry's powers pale in comparison to mine. I could take her on, toe-to-toe, but I am too smart for that. Rather, I will join her in her scolding of the community, but I will show everyone that I can do it better. I am a good judge of character and people will see who exactly is the strongest authoritarian judge monger in the village."
Sherry: "Look at that fool Resident Blogger follwoing my lead. He is nothing more than one of my sheep--a puppet on my string. I saw him at the forum yesterday, sucking up to the guy with the italian suit on. He knows nothing about civic activism."
--Meanwhile, at Viva La Frieda's, Gregg is studying the ancient arts of Santaria . . .
Gregg: "I have devised the perfect plan to crush Rick and to rule all of Seminole Heights. My Santaria powers are growing stronger. Soon, I will turn everyone at 1303 and Solid Rock into zombies. Ha, Ha, Ha! With my army of sex offender zombies, no one will dare challenge me! I'll take my zombies with me on hooker patrol! Ha, ha, ha!!! It's the perfect plan."
To be continued . . .
Thanks to those who attended Candidate Forum 2006. The attendance was dismal, but I can understand why you may have chosen not to attend. The questions were well thought out, and should have come as no surprise to the candidates, but many were embarassingly in the weeds on the issues. The incumbants who showed seemed bored and insincere. Mr White was ill, but was able to stay for the entire event. Mr Scott thru down the mike when caught in some fancy side stepping and got called on it... He wanted to leave and could be seen whispering to an opponant, "when is this thing over". But at least he showed. Mr Sharpe, who agreed to attend in September, bailed on the day of the event to attend a function in Plant City. Mr Norman, after being contacted 5 TIMES over 45 days finally gave a reply thru his staff as way too busy to attend. So.... if you were apathetic, I can see why. One of the questions focused on the relevance of county government to city residents? I am still wondering
ReplyDeletethanks for the positive feedback on the event TampaGary...!
ReplyDeleteI don't remember seeing an email or post for solicitiation of questions, was that sent out?
ReplyDeleteFINALLY!!! THE CHRONICLES ARE BACK... I'm always a fan of making fun of people who take themselves too seriously.
ReplyDeleteI am a much bigger fan of the chronicles than "bigfan". Can't wait for the next episode.
ReplyDeleteThere was a 5th SESH resident in attendance, a good-looking young man in a suit (that would be me). I have been to a few political forums in the past, and this one was organized and run very well (although I feel it is inappropriate for M.C.'s to make digs at candidates).
ReplyDeleteThe level of attendance by elected officials and candidates was excellent. Being relatively politically active, I have come to realize that most people are not interested enough in politics to become involved. Everyone has an opinion, some people even enjoy discussing their ideas, but few like to actually participate. Despite recurring complaints regarding insurance and property taxes, things must not be bad enough to motivate most citizens to voice their concerns with the actual decision-makers.
Because the adage: "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" rings true for local government, it is important that our neighborhood leaders continue to represent the voice of Seminole Heights to our elected officials and candidates.
we did see you, hansdome man in suit, and you were counted in the 4.
ReplyDeleteI thought the forum was "too rehearsed" on the part of the candidates. I felt like you could not judge your decision based on the forum. It is almost saying "I will vote for her because she is a better public speaker" They are regurgitating canned answers to common questions. Next year, we may want to make them fill out a questionnaire before attending. At least this way, we have it in writing exactly what their position is.
ReplyDeleteto mcberry 10/12 @11:57...
ReplyDeletedid i see you on the corner of nebraska and hillsborough holding a political sign waving last week? just curiuos.