Month: October 2017
Hagan, Shaw, Sykes Rush Shady Stadium Deal as Bloggers Tighten Noose on Shennanigans

By Jim Bleyer A land deal that would cost Hillsborough County taxpayers an estimated $600 million to enrich corporate interests, at least one public official, and Tampa Bay Times investors was suddenly unveiled yesterday to an unsuspecting public. It’s an unraveling plot that is worthy of the duplicity, …
Darryl Shaw Rumored as Another Tampa Bay Times “Investor”
Tampa Bay Times Investor’s Sarasota Getaway nearly complete, say architects

By Jim Bleyer Passersby could easily mistake the boxy ivory-hued edifice for an art museum annex or upscale assisted living center. But this is St. Armands Key where tony residences and several palatial estates abound. Still, there is nothing quite like Tampa Bay Times investor and hockey franchise owner Jeff …
Fast Track HB 13 to Stop Subsidizing Stadiums and the Pay to Play

By Sharon Calvert (Reprinted with permission from Eye on Tampa Bay) According to this Floridapolitics.com article, House Bill 13, that bans Florida sports franchises from constructing or renovating facilities on leased public land, is heading to the House floor. It does have a companion bill in the Senate SB352. …
Justin Bean’s Team Doubles down on his Entitlement, Elitism by Insulting Working Class Voters

By Jim Bleyer A scornful social media post from a key operative of St. Petersburg City Council candidate Justin Bean derides his opponent’s net worth and income, apparently forgetting that Bean is employed by his wealthy parents’ company and that the vast majority of voters are working class people not …
Powerless Couple
Tampa Bay Times Won’t Deny That Local Politicians Lent Them Money
Straz: Wrong leader for Tampa in 2019; 1959 maybe
Wall Street Piles on Raymond James Fave Amid Fraud Accusations

By Jim Bleyer Accusations that Ubiquiti, a tech company heavily promoted by St. Petersburg-based Raymond James & Associates, committed fraud have gained traction with stock analysts and law firms seeking damages during the past week. Ubiquiti, a manufacturer of wireless data communication and wireless broadband products, has been relentlessly touted …