05/17/2023
La Gaceta Newspaper
As We Heard It
May 5, 2023
The City of Tampa's press release about Mayor Jane Castor's first speech after being sworn in for her second term read ,"....the mayor touted Tampa's key ingredients for success: unity, collaboration, an farsighted thinking."
Nice words, but her actions and the actions of her team over the last four months regarding City Council elections have been marked by division, meanness and short-sightedness. While we hope the election results have been a come-to-Jesus moment for the mayor, we will patiently observe her actions to see if the mayor has adopted a new demeanor in working with Council and people who have policy disagreements with her.
The use of her power and money to attack Bill Carlson and Lynn Hurtak during their campaigns showed no long-term thinking then how it would further damage those relationships. Her last-minute support of Joe Citro in the City Council race that Alan Clendenin won, sowed seeds of distrust. There is a reason why mayors should use a light touch in City Council races. The mayor ignored those reasons and came into this political season with a sledgehammer and kept swinging it to the end.
Even City Council members have feelings and even if the mayor is on her best behavior, it will take time for the bruises to fade away. We can't wait to trace who funded those PACs paying for the attacks against Council members.
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Tampa City Council will need to confirm all of the mayor's department heads for her new term.
We wonder if someone such as Adam Smith will be able to receive a unanimous vote or even a majority. As the director of marketing and communications, he's often used his position to attack Council when they disagree with the mayor.
He even went as far as to post, "Run, Bill, Run" as a taunt for Tampa City Councilman Bill Carlson to run for mayor against Mayor Castor. We don't know how that type of messaging fits into his job description.
Director of Strategic Initiatives Marley Wilkes and Director of Neighborhood Enhancement Keith O'Connor also might face additional scrutiny.
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The Tampa City Council reorganized during its first meeting after the election.
There wasn't much drama. Guido Maniscalco was elected chair.
Bill Carlson was nominated for vice-chair and turned it down. Alan Clendenin was nominated and voted in as vice-chair, unanimously.
Lynn Hurtak was nominated as chair of the CRA and declined. Henderson was nominated and voted in as CRA chair.
Luis Viera was voted in as CRA vice chair.
Clendenin will serve on the Tampa Sports Authority, chair the Transportation Committee and serve as vice chair of the Building, Zoning and Preservation Committee.
Maniscalco will serve on the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Straz Performing Arts Center, Tampa Museum of Art and Tampa Theatre.
Charlie Miranda will serve on the Council of Governments, Florida Aquarium Board and Lowry Park Zoo. He is he chair of the Finance Committee and vice chair of the Public Safety Committee.
Bill Carlson would chair Building, Zoning and Preservation Committee and will be vice chair of the Public Works.
Lynn Hurtak will serve on the Hillsborough River Interlocal Planning Board and the Metropolitan Planning Organization. She will chair Public Works Committee and be vice chair of Parks, Recreation and Culture Committee.
Gwen Henderson will serve on the Public Safety Coordinating Council and the Tampa Bay regional Planning Board. She'll chair Parks, Recreation and Culture Committee and will be vice chair of the Transportation Committee.
Luis Viera will chair the Public Safety Committee and be the vice chair of the Finance Committee.
