Poor Kevin White

Recently, both the Tribune and the Times hammered Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin White after he lost his sexual harassment trial to a former aide.

During the trial, White also had to admit to egregious campaign finance violations during his run to be elected to the county commission.

Former state senator Les Miller, White’s opponent for the upcoming election, must be smiling. Another candidate,Hillsborough Children's Board CEO Valarie Goddard, must be singing ‘Happy days are here again.”

I’ve met both White and Miller over the past few years. White is friendly enough, always has some “babe” close by, and after shaking hands, I always felt a need to wash.

Miller is a more conservative type, easy with a greeting, and has an “intellectual” air about him. Years ago, when Erwin Technical Center hosted yearly forums for local politicians to learn more about vocational programs offered by the district, Miller would be one of few to show up and listen.

The Tribune suggested White should resign immediately. The Times suggested he pay for all costs incurred by the lawsuit, up to $500,000. Maybe it is time Too-Tan Charlie Crist steps in and cans White and appoints Miller.

Wouldn’t that be fun to watch unfold. I’d suspect the black community of Hillsborough County would welcome that change.

But maybe not.

The St Pete Times reported that White does indeed have defenders, such as our old friend Michelle Patty, who thought the all-white jury was biased. “I’m out in the community quite a bit,” Patty said. “What I’m hearing is people are more outraged by the makeup of the jury.

So you know, she supported the Buddy Johnson campaign only after he paid her about $14,000.

The real fun during the past few commission meetings was watching my old friend Rose Ferlita trying to ask White about how much he’ll pay toward settling the case. And ole Kevin has to sit there looking dumber than a sack of oyster shells making few comments.

As one bloviator wrote in the media, the jury found White guilty or something: either sexual harassment or trying to be the pimp of 78 year old Florida Sentinel Bulletin publisher Blythe Andrews.

I wonder if the Sentinel Bulletin will endorse White next year?

posted by admin @ 5:40 PM