Our County Commission Has Another Punching Bag

For years, the local press has enjoyed attacking former County Commissioner Brian Blair. I guess sometimes he deserved their criticism, and at other times, I think local reporters and editorial boards simply hate conservative politicians.

I consider Brian a friend. Aside from politics, I know him to be a good Baptist, a good family man, and a guy who spends a lot of time working with kids in the community.

On the other hand, I would not have sued Kevin Beckner for campaign slanders. To do so just seems like sour grapes, which is my particular specialty. But, Blair’s lawyer did have a good point when he said Beckner must be nervous to have retained the famous and expensive Barry Cohen for a defense attorney. I mean, shoot….Barry could make Al Sharpton and Barney Frank cry uncle.


And Now For the Kevin White Show


During his campaign a couple years back, we found out the current County Commissioner Kevin White likes expensive suits. We also found out he wanted to pay for those suits out of his campaign election funds, not out of his own pocket.

After being elected, White hired a 22 year old aide. Within seven months, he fired her for “poor job performance.” Immediately, she filed suit for sexual harassment and sexual discrimination.

One episode of this suit revolves around a trip to Atlanta that included White, his new young aide, and Florida Sentinel publisher, 77 year old C. Blythe Andrews. The young assistant accuses White of trying to bed her, while White says the young woman was romantically after the old guy. Now, White’s uncle is saying his nephew Kevin is lying is ass off.

I know we’ll see this whole thing work its course and be reported in big headlines. But there is another intrigue that has now been disclosed.

Hillsborough County hired an attorney to defend itself against wrong-doing in this suit. That lawyer has already billed the county for $93,833. White’s personal attorney will also seek reimbursement for an equal or greater amount. Internal county lawyers and staff will also bill for expenses.

White’s salary as a county commissioner is just over $90,000 yearly.

Anyone besides me think Mr. White needs to resign and let someone with an unblemished record represent his district???????????


Daniel Ruth Need a Smoke

Most of you know that Daniel Ruth wrote many columns each week in the Tampa Tribune. Love him or hate him, he was usually amusing. His stories about Malcolm Glazier and his two sons, Ebb and Tide, along with Hello Sucker Stadium, were always right on target.

Unlike me, he did get a bit too personal sometimes when attacking politicians, but, he always did so with some sense of humor.

Then last fall, he was laid off from the Tribune, but in short time he signed on for a weekly column in the SP Times. If you’ve read his work lately, you’ll see his writings along with his subjects have become milk-toast-esque….bland…mundane at best. Bummer!

A few years back, ole Dan had the big one at his Tribune cubicle. He spoke openly of his embarrassment, laying on the floor with every orifice in his body oozing something. So he had to quit smoking and drinking. Recently, I saw him out shopping. He looked like hell. No doubt his wife and his doctor have a noose around his testicles and they keep yanking. Poor Dandaroo! All this after the scars left by his Catholic School nuns beating his ass.

My advice to Dan: …….embrace your addictions. Grab those Winstons, open that bottle of single malt….and have at it. Maybe even grab some pork rinds. After all, your legacy will be your writing and entertaining, not living a long boring life.

Dan the Man: You can still be a contenda!

posted by admin @ 4:56 PM