09/02/2026
New Leadership to Take the Helm at Tampa Area Scouting Council.
The previous Scout Executive has retired and the Council President, Benson Porters term has ended. The Council had previously said they must explore their due diligence to look at funding sources which included the unfortunate sale of 52 acres to WREC and the messy fight on the deed and intent of the land donor, Mr. Larry Diepolder.
The new leadership will be seated and what will their course of action be regarding the future of Sand Hill Scout Reservation?
Will they honor Diepolders will; albeit with full coffers of money in the tens of millions or will they continue to sell out Scouting values and sell more land?
We are attempting a meeting with the new Scout Executive and Council President and will post information when we have it. (edit: Commissioner Cordani has reached out to me and we hope to schedule a meeting soon).
The facts are: over HALF A MILLION people have shared our mission and posted their thoughts with us. Can Tampa Area Scouting afford any more bad publicity, at what cost?
Thank you for spreading our message of hope, integrity and land conservation!
(Pictured, Rachelle Bedke, Council President; Matthew Cordani, Council Commissioner, standing; Greg Balog, Scout Executive) Photo Courtesy: Greater Tampa Bay Area Council
PS: if you want to support Scouting, which we hope you do, donate CASH to a local troop. It goes much farther than other fund raising methods.
