The lead-up to last year's Republican National Convention in Tampa placed unprecedented pressure on Mayor Bob Buckhorn and members of his staff. One of those on the firing line was City Attorney Jim Shimberg.
The controversial "Clean Zone" area for RNC protesters created extreme angst in many sectors of the body politic, beginning with its name. (Some activists thought the name was disrespectful. It was later amended to the "Event Zone.") Shimberg was the point man being confronted with tough questions from the City Council about the new rules for demonstrators. Though some were never satisfied with decisions the city made, the fact that only two people were arrested (with no lawsuits filed against the city or the police force ) was a tribute to many on the staff.
Now, after two years on the job, Shimberg is moving on, taking a gig with the Tampa Bay Lightning. At today's City Council meeting, Shimberg was honored with a commendation as well as a barrage of hats, flung at him after Councilwoman Yolie Capin declared that the Lightning had scored a hat trick in acquiring him from the city.
This article appears in Apr 25 – May 1, 2013.