By Jim Bleyer Gov. Ron DeSantis’ just concluded trip to Israel aimed at cementing ties between Florida and the Jewish state found a serious audience. In contrast to the Florida media circus that hypocritically demeaned and attempted to undermine the bolstering of scientific, agricultural, economic, and political cooperation, the …
By Jim Bleyer Don’t be deceived by Bill Carlson’s calm demeanor. The rookie city councilman’s passion for Tampa runs wide, deep, and beyond his avid penchant for a good cigar. Along with enthusiasm for all things Tampeño, Carlson brings to City Hall a world view, willingness to explore and …
By Jim Bleyer The Florida Department of State has notified Jeff Vinik that his corporation, Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment LLC, may be in non-compliance with state statutes and, therefore, subject to fines. The company has been doing business in Florida since 2010 but never registered as a …
By Jim Bleyer Andrew Gillum brought healthy doses of his charisma, bankroll, and grit to Tampa on Thursday in an effort to rally Democrats for the 2020 election and beyond. The main photo op for the local press was his presenting a large facsimile of a $100,000 …
By Dr. Jim Davison Hillsborough County’s Metropolitan Planning Organization has concocted an impractical transit scheme that involves tearing down 10 miles of Interstate-275 in favor of a boulevard concept, a plan ranked last by a survey of Tampa Bay citizens. The unfathomable concept attempts to shoehorn a …
By Jim Bleyer Jeff Vinik selling the Tampa Bay Lightning would never enter the mind of most local hockey fans but the idea is not at all far-fetched. In fact, over the next 15 months it is rated a 50-50 proposition to those paying close attention to the machinations …
By Clocker Vandalay, Contributor I have a friend, who is a fellow professional and young, relative to me. She was drawn to horse racing a couple of years ago, her interest triggered by a move from Florida to Louisville, where horse racing is considered a legitimate and interesting sport, second …
By Jim Bleyer A class action lawsuit has been filed against Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment that could conservatively could cost the Jeff Vinik-led company $300 million. The legal action alleges TBSE, owner of the National Hockey League’s Tampa Bay Lightning, violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Litigation …
By Jim Bleyer Acknowledging he feels pressure in deliberating and ruling on a lawsuit challenging the validity of the Hillsborough County sales tax for transit, Judge Rex Barbas nevertheless promised anything but a quick resolution to the issue. Both sides participated in a marathon hearing Friday with more arguments …
By Sharon Calvert, from Eye on Tampa Bay All for Transportation (AFT) has been dishonest from the start. It tried to create a false narrative last June that the Hillsborough County tax hike ballot initiative was a “grassroots” initiative launched by everyday citizens. That was quickly debunked. Five special interests …
By Jim Bleyer A Hillsborough transit tax activist and noted conspiracy theorist has filed an ethics complaint against Hillsborough County Commissioner Stacy White in a transparent attempt to deflect public attention from just how misguided the special interest levy is and how it was sold to a misinformed public. …
By Tom Rask, from the Tampa Bay Guardian Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik has violated Florida law every year since he purchased the team by not registering the out-of-state corporation that owns the team with the State of Florida. In doing so, Vinik has avoided paying annual fees …
By Jim Bleyer Jeff Vinik, through Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment LLC, owns the major interest in the Tampa Bay Times, according to corporate records obtained by Tampa Bay Beat from Bloomberg, the world’s primary distributor of financial data. It accounts for the Times’ sheer, unfettered promotion …
By Jim Bleyer Former Police Chief Jane Castor rolled to an easy victory Tuesday in Tampa’s mayoral runoff, making history as the city’s first openly gay mayor. Her election ensures what essentially will be a four-year extension of policies promulgated by her predecessor, Bob Buckhorn. With 98 …
By Jim Bleyer Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik doubled down on retaining Jon Cooper, his underachieving head coach. The former hedge fund manager and would-be developer supported Cooper in the wake of the most historic collapse in the history of North American professional sports. The Lightning, …
By Jim Bleyer The sudden departure of Tampa Bay Lightning’s General Manager Steve Yzerman only three weeks before the National Hockey League’s 2018-19 season was the subject of much speculation with no definitive answer. At the time, observers focused on possible Yzerman health problems or his wearying of …
By Jim Bleyer By getting swept in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Tampa Bay Lightning not only broke the hearts of local hockey fans but punctured a huge hole in owner Jeff Vinik’s wallet. If the Lightning, who tied a regular season National Hockey …
By Jim Bleyer The Tampa Bay Lightning four days ago were overwhelming favorites to win hockey’s cherished Stanley Cup. Not anymore. The eighth and last seed Columbus Blue Jackets blew the doors off the Lightning in the last five periods of hockey and lead 2-0 in the …
By Jim Davison, Contributor The term “bridge to nowhere” conjures up many different images from short-sighted government planning to outright corruption. The term spans the entire spectrum of negative perception about government performance. We all know that bridges are built to connect two areas divided by some type …
By Jim Bleyer The Tampa Bay Lightning can afford to be underachievers during the National Hockey League playoffs which begin tonight. That’s how powerful a lineup they have put on the ice during the 2018-19 season. The Bolts tied the NHL record with 62 regular-season victories. They racked …
