Going into Friday afternoon's vote for Tampa City Council, it was obvious there were only two choices to become the next Chairman of the council - Charlie Miranda or Mary Mulhern, both returning back for a 2nd four year term after easily winning re-election a month ago.
And by a 4-3 vote, it was Miranda coming out on top, with, as it turned out, the three other men on the council supporting him, while the two other females on the board, Yolie Capin and Lisa Montelione, choose Mulhern.
Mulhern was then nominated to be Chairman Pro Tem by Yolie Capin. Miranda then nominated Harry Cohen. But Mulhern was voted in 5-2, with only Miranda and Cohen voting for Cohen.
For Miranda, this will be his second time serving as chair. He previously did so in 1999-2003, where one of his colleagues was the new Mayor, Bob Buckhorn. Speaking to CL immediately after the meeting adjourned, Miranda said the economic conditions that the city faces are more challenging than the last time he served as chair. "Every time you're in the Council, whether you're chairman or on a member, you have to deal with how the cards are. And the cards are certainly much more difficult now than in '99."
