As readers to this blog well know, we've fretted over the high level attention that panhandling in Tampa has received in the mayoral and city council races in advance of the March 1 election.
But we have to report it – especially after the Hillsborough County Commission discusses it (like they did today), and probably will on Thursday, as the Tampa City Council votes on a "partial" ban of soliciting on certain roadways.
One candidate now says he's had enough. That would be Kelly Benjamin, the 35-year-old running against an incumbent twice his age, 70-year-old Charlie Miranda, who was first elected to the council in 1974.
After reading our review of the South Tampa city council candidates forum, which included some of the candidates reactions to that question, Benjamin complained about our post, though he later admitted he was simply venting his frustration about how it has seemed to dwarf every other issue in the campaign.
In a press release issued late Wednesday afternoon, he said he no longer wants to talk about it at all. Here's his entire press release:
Last night's South Tampa Candidate Forum marked the 200th time (more or less) that I've been asked to give my opinion on the issue of panhandling in the City of Tampa. Enough is enough. Of all the major issues facing this city in the 21st century, the fact that panhandling (or street solicitation) is dominating the dialogue this election cycle is absolutely 100% tragic. We are less than four weeks from a major City Election that will determine the direction this city goes for years to come and candidates for public office are wasting valuable time talking about this one issue above all else…Really?? What happened to attracting sustainable green collar jobs to the City, inner city redevelopment, smart growth based on density and walkability, MASS TRANSIT, better coding to encourage small business development, bike lanes, the green corridor, nurturing our creative class with the arts and a livable built environment, my transition initiative to make Tampa a less energy intensive city?? These are just a few of the things my campaign is bringing to the table. Is anyone listening?
This article appears in Jan 27 – Feb 2, 2011.