I was looking forward to reporting on last night's Tampa Mayoral debate hosted by the great Mike Deeson on WTSP-Channel 10, which was to be the first televised debate of the season.
Shunning the short drive to the Tampa Bay History Center, I dined early and turned on the laptop and Channel 10 at 7:00 p.m. last night.
And got a whole lotta Dr. Phil instead.
Channel 10 reporter Noah Pransky informed us late last night that the station had intended on airing the debate, but logistics got in the way. Hey, it happens.
In any event, no recapping here. We do know for sure that next Tuesday night, Bay News 9 and the St. Pete Times are co-hosting a debate live from Blake High School in Tampa that last we heard is still scheduled to air at 7 p.m.
And a week from tonight, the folks at this website/publication, Creative Loafing, are hosting a debate from our Ybor City offices, beginning at 6:30 p.m. That will not be televised or even (unfortunately) live streamed, meaning the only way to see is to come to the event. And there is still room to do so, though the powers that be want you to RSVP, which you can do so by going to this particular URL.
In today's news, the Tampa City Council will vote on a partial panhandling ban. That comes a day after Hillsborough County discussed adding state roads to their enforcement of a ban on country and most city roads – most city roads other than Tampa that is. And at least the Commissioner started to talk about seriously finding a way to get more services, if not housing, to those out on the streets right now.
Meanwhile, Tampa City Council District 6 candidate Kelly Benjamin said he's had it with talking about panhandling. The Seminole Heights resident, who actually is in full support of a ban on such activities in Tampa, says he's reached his tether after the discussion came up as part of a candidates forum Tuesday night in Tampa.
Florida Democratic U.S. Senator Bill Nelson voted against repealing the federal health care reform bill yesterday. A new poll released this morning shows a majority of Floridians still don't like that piece of legislation, but they do like Nelson, especially independents.
On the GOP Presidential front, we take a look at former Utah Governor John Huntsman, the man currently serving our nation as ambassador to China – who may decide to run against his current boss. Well, that's if he could survive a Republican primary, which frankly we doubt.
the report here.
This article appears in Feb 3-9, 2011.