Creative Loafing Tampa Bay readers respond to gas prices, Guy Fieri, fired sheriff’s deputy and more

Creative Loafing Tampa Bay keeps reaching into the mailbag, and treading carefully into the comments section. The exercise leaves us increasingly grateful for readers who come to us in print—and especially online—to read the news and thoughtfully respond. Keep it coming, folks  (you can email us!), and we’ll keep posting it.

HOAs are ‘out of control’: Tampa Bay voters vent to Florida gubernatorial candidate Paul Renner on ‘Affordability Tour’ (via Facebook)

Pointing out: HOAs are just the property owners. The HOA has a budget that all homeowners get to see. They can come to board meetings and discuss, they can vote the board out if they want. But, guess what? Hardly anyone shows up at the meetings. Very little input is given on the budget. It’s just a lot easier to complain.—Bill Berra

And the governor can fix HOA’s, how? I can see why he’s struggling in the polls.—John Pedraza

We love our HOA—Eileen Stafford

‘This is illegal’: Florida Democrats blast coming congressional redistricting session

I thought the amendents that Florida voters approved back in 2010, was basically to outlaw gerrymandering. yet even with that, doesn’t seem like much has changed. So how is this allowed, even though its clearly illegal under those amendments? Do Democrats have any ideas beyond just shaking their fist—Charles Morgan

Before you comment, google Illinois’ congressional map. Take a few minutes to ponder the design.—Daniel Davis

It wasn’t for Virginia or California or Illinois or any other state!—Donna Neal

Florida Dem Chair Nikki Fried says party has more candidates signing up to run for office than ever have before

This is what we call pulling of straws—Mark Yetter

How many of them take AIPAC money?—Daniel Satizabal

The party is at its best when we have the option of working class candidates—@earlefordfl on Instagram

We’re missing candidates in like half of the state house and legislature seats.. Also can the Dems please allow independents to vote in our democratic primaries—@williamp_08

Hillsborough sheriff says fired major was ‘under the influence’ while on duty, but won’t say how he got caught

He’s taller and Chad got scared—Patrick Henderson

Florida Gas prices spike another 24 cents as war in Iran continues (via Instagram)

Are we great again yet—@djjpprolificproductions

Soooo much winning—@greentrailwanderer

I’m jealous of $4.19—@libertyoneill

Guy Fieri, Mayor of Flavortown, has been spotted outside Tampa’s Supernatural Food & Wine (via Instagram)

This should make getting a donut wayyyy easier 😂—@griffmeister86

“These breakfast sandwiches are gangster!”—@conversationpace

spells doom, that’s what happened to taco bus—@havesandthirds

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This article appears in Apr. 09 – 15, 2026.