While they don't run the streets, the Gang of Five Four do run our county. Known for their environmental attacks, sprawl creation and developer-friendly wide stance, the Gang of Five has recently controled the Hillsborough County Commission. That is until it's weakest link was picked off Tuesday by a citizen army fighting for a respectable candidate.
Kevin Beckner has beaten the incumbent Brian Blair!
The gang of 5 consisted of Blair, Norman, White, Higginbotham and Hagan. The board itself has seven members so while it still seems as if the gang will have a majority, the message sent on election day is certain to get through to even the dullest members remaining. The power of an unhappy constituency can still be greater than the dollars of special interest. Beckner and his troops have proven that.
Two other gang members were up for re-election but Hagan had only a questionable write in and the other, Al Higginbotham had unknown Pete Gifford to contend with. Gifford had almost no campaign contributions only $4,340 to Higginbotham's $160,000+ yet he still garnered 30% of the vote without doing much of anything. That should send the message that if someone campaigned in earnest that Higginbotham is vulnerable.
While the war on this gang will probably continue, I have a feeling Beckner's win might just sway a few of the gang votes in the direction of the community instead of over-developers in the near future. It might also convince them to take citizens a little more seriously instead of just disregarding those citizens willing to get involved. Just a hunch.
This article appears in Nov 12-18, 2008.