An Inquiring Reader

An inquiring reader and no doubt community pillar wrote this weekend asking if I’m a f_ _ _ ing a_ _hole for defending former Elections Supervisor Buddy Johnson while attacking the integrity of La Gaceta editor and owner, Patrick Manteiga. Truth is, Buddy doesn’t need me to defend him. He more needs the OJ dream team and some divine intervention. But, those comments lead me to the following text that I was going to post at a later date.


Patrick Manteiga, editor of La Gaceta, calls himself a yellow-dog Democrat. That is a refreshing admission, because only the most naïve reader would think his “newspaper” unbiased.

While the Tribune and Times would like us believe that they’re neutral politically, I believe most readers would disagree. I have never heard anyone comment that the Times leans Republican. But at a recent Suncoast Tiger Bay Club meeting, I heard one Democrat and one Republican both complaining the Tribune politically biased. As Sergeant Schultz used to say, “Very interestink.”

As a school board candidate this past spring and summer, I did have one interesting experience with the Times. Right after my endorsement interview with John Hill, chief Tampa editor, I was invited to attend a reception and meet-n-greet with their advertising department. I did not attend…..and did not get their endorsement. Hmmm…wonder if there was a connection.

I do not wonder about La Gaceta’s endorsement of school board member Susan Valdes. In her last campaign finance report to the Supervisor of Elections office, she reported a $610.00 consulting fee paid to La Gaceta.

Over the years, I have heard many times that local candidates seek campaign management advice from Mr. Manteiga, and La Gaceta goes on to endorse those same candidates. With the Valdes campaign fee to La Gaceta now in an official report, we no longer have to speculate.

posted by admin @ 7:41 PM