Jim Norman Admits to Violating the Law

Jim Norman protested about how he was innocent. Norman maintained that a $500,000 house paid for by Ralph Hughes of a business venture by Norman's wife Mearline.

NORMAN: "I'm not getting into my wife's investment portfolio. That's my wife's interests."

Mearline Norman hasn't worked in years and shares a joint bank account with Norman. Norman says he knew nothing about the $500,000 Arkansas home in his wife's name. That doesn't pass the laugh test. Apparently, the Florida Commission of Ethics felt the same way. Norman decided to take a plea deal.

TAMPA State Sen. Jim Norman has signed a consent order with the Florida Commission on Ethics admitting he violated the law when he did not disclose a $500,000 loan from a political supporter to his wife.

Norman, 58, of Tampa, signed the consent order Feb. 9, six days after the ethics commission found probable cause he had broken the law. He admitted to four counts, including not disclosing a gift, and not disclosing his interest in an Arkansas home and two boats.

The good news is Norman admits to breaking the law. The bad news is Norman is still a member of the Florida Senate. Florida is in desperate need for stiffer corruption laws. If we don't reform the system the result is more bought of politicians like Norman. If you aren't convinced that Hughes buying the Norman family a house isn't corruption than you are either a partisan or disengaged from reality.

Alexander the (Less Than) Great

It has been a bad week for Florida state Sen. JD Alexander. That translate into a good week for Floridians.

Alexander is the Robert Byrd of the Florida Senate. Byrd was the king of pork spending. Byrd even tried to move the CIA to his home state of West Virginia. Byrd was able to use his position as chairman of the Appropriations Committee to pass his personal pet projects.

Like Byrd, Alexander attempted to take the Tampa-based USF's College of Pharmacy to Lakeland. It is no coincidence that Alexander's district covers Polk County. Alexander failed to be able to move the College of Pharmacy. Alexander used his position as chair of the Senate Budget Committee to strip all funding from the USF College of Pharmacy.

In November of last year, Alexander then made a move for the USF Lakeland-based USF Polytechnic. Alexander wanted USF Polytechnic to be independent from USF. Alexander didn't care that Polytechnic had no campus or would not have accreditation.

The bill doesn't address accreditation, but state Sen. JD Alexander, R-Lake Wales, who supports the move, has said the new institution could get quick provisional accreditation.

A top accrediting official said there's no such thing.

"The lawmaker can make the campus independent, but it will not be accredited," said Belle Whellan, president of the Southern Association of Colleges Commission on Colleges.

"Until the (SACS) board approves them as an institution, they don't exist as far as we're concerned."

And that means it can't receive federal grants or student aid. Other universities wouldn't accept its credits.

Students at the Polytechnic school overwhelmingly do not want to be separated from USF. Last year, the Board of Governors voted to delay a decision to split the Polytechnic school from USF.

There are good reason the Polytechnic school and USF is against the split. Under the USF umbrella, Polytechnic has the resources of USF. As an independent school, Polytechnic would have less resources and prestige. Alexander cares about none of this. Alexander was defied by president Judy Genshaft. Alexander was going to legislatively enact revenge. Alexander cut 58 percent of USF's state funding. This was too much for even fellow Republicans to stomach. The Florida Senate killed Alexander's Draconian cuts.

The Senate budget committee has decided to drop controversial language that would have held back $25 million in funding for the University of South Florida until it handed over all the property of USF Polytechnic as part of an initiative to make the Lakeland campus independent.

The budget conforming bill containing the change (SPB 7100) would still create an independent Florida Polytechnic University, but the change seemed to largely soothe Tampa Bay area lawmakers who had sharply criticized withholding the money.

In other news: Alexander fought vigorously to make sure that there was no government oversight of the Senate private prison bills. Alexander claimed that private prisons would save the state money. There would be no way of finding that out since Alexander co-sponsored a bill that would make private prisons exempt from state financial review.

The good news is prison privatization is dead.

After three hours of often-emotional debate Tuesday, the Florida Senate slapped down a controversial plan to put a private company in charge of 14,500 prisoners in South Florida, killing a proposal that potentially meant millions of dollars for the Boca Raton-based Geo Group.

The plan, a top priority of Senate President Mike Haridopolos and Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander, would have privatized 28 prisons and work camps in South Florida. But though it had the clout of the legislative leaders behind it, it divided the Senate and a final vote was delayed for more than a week while both sides wrangled votes.

The proposal split the Senate, which voted 19-21 on the measure, SB 2038.

Gary Siplin was the tiebreaker. I'm speechless. Siplin is not known for doing the right thing. Ever.

Update Alexander is now going after the USF cash reserves. Alexander got hammered at the hearing by fellow senators Jim Norman and Gwen Margolis. Alexander really went over the line when Norman is the voice of reason

A Senate budget hearing is taking place over the next two days, and Wednesday, Senator JD Alexander went round and round with other senators.

Jim Norman, from Hillsborough County fought against Alexander saying, "This acceleration is on the backs of these students who are in college and I am, you don't bargain futures like this, even in this appropriations process," Norman said.

But Alexander instantly responded, "That's not a factual statement. It's being made to inflame folks in an attempt to protect what I believe is an indefensible policy of maintaining too high of a cash balance in universities."

Senator Gwen Margolis, from South Florida told Alexander, "This is probably the worst message you can send to university presidents. Just spend your money, cause they're going to take it away if you don't."

The cash reserves are rainy day funds. If there is an emergency, USF will need that money. Alexander is losing face with this petty feud with USF. He had to back off his original cuts. Now he is going after reserve money. Alexander has literally lost his mind. The Senate freed up $25 million for USF. The university is still facing a dramatic shortfall.

Vote For Librit in the Best of the Bay Awards

I know Peter Schorsch and that crazy woman that wrote about her boob job on Sticks of Fire are going to stuff the voting with a shitload of fake e-mail addresses. I am asking you to vote for Litbrit for the Best of the Bay awards. I would love nothing more than to see Deb win the readers' choice award for best blogger.

Other worthy candidates:

Best Local Website: Ninebullets.net.

MP3 blogger Bryan Childs also deserves serious consideration for best DJ for his WMNF show of the same name. Childs has given a lot of exposure to local and national cowpunk bands. Ninebullets is a highly respected national music blog. It is a shame more people don't know more about it locally.

Best Local Columnist: Sue Carlton

People rightly bitch about how terrible the current state of punditry is. Carlton is a superb columnist because she doesn't assume her readers are stupid. Carlton writes from a place of sanity which makes her dismay her the craziness that is Florida politics all the more insightful.


Best Local Politician: Kevin Beckner

It would really piss off the homophobic Terry Kemple off if Beckner won. Plus, Beckner is the best member of the Hillsborough County Commission.

Best Local Hero: Andrew Julian Aviles

Aviles died at the age of 18 years-old in Iraq. He would be 26 years-old today. Maybe married and with kids. Instead...

Worst Local Politician: Jim Norman

This is a tough category. Why I chose Norman over Buddy Johnson and Kevin White is because Norman is still holding office. It was discovered during Norman's state senate campaign that his wife accepted a $500,000 home from the late Ralph Hughes. Norman claimed it was an investment his wife made with Hughes. Norman could not explain how his wife could make such an investment after not working for several years.

Best CLTampa.com Contributor: Joe Bardi

The writing has really gone downhill at CL. I am actually glad Scott Harrell is back. Joe's movie columns are good. However, you should follow Bardi on Tweeter. He is hysterical.

Best Protest: Awake the State

The best grassroots organizing I have seen in the state.

Best Rays Player: David Price

James Shields is a perfectly acceptable choice. I would argue that Price had worse run support. However, Evan Longoria or any starting fielder is not acceptable. This team can't hit for shit.

Side note: can sports columnists stop writing op-eds about when BJ Upton is going to become a superstar. Does Gary Shelton realize how stupid it is to openly write such words about a guy that hardly gets on base.

Worst Sports Coach: Ray Perkins

Every person that I have talked to that has met Perkins describes him as being a world class asshole. Not to mention Perkins giving college players booster money when at Alabama.

Best Sports Coach: Guy Boucher

Took a team that hadn't made the playoffs in years to one goal from the Stanley Cup in his first season.

Update: Peter Schorsch is not campaigning for best blogger.

U.S. Attorney John O'Neill Investigating Corruption

Adam Smith of The Saint Petersberg Times really went out on a limb by declaring Kevin White the political loser of the week. I disagree with Smith on declaring Mitt "I'm unemployed" the winner of the week. Romney's visit to Tampa was a disaster.

The real winner of the week was U.S. Attorney John O'Neill. Not only did O'Neill get a 10 count indictment on White, O'Neill is making progress on the Jim Norman corruption case. It appears O'Neill is investigating Norman's aide Ben Kelly.

Kelly began working as Norman's commission aide in 1996, earning $24,960 year, according to county personnel records. He was making $71,928 a year when he left the county in November 2010 to join Norman in Tallahassee. Kelly earns $63,000 annually as Norman's Senate aide.

Kelly worked on Norman's campaigns for county commission, and served as campaign treasurer for Norman's Senate run.

Kelly and his wife, Heather, were paid $31,480 for work on Norman's Senate campaign from August 2008 through October 2010, according to Florida Division of Elections records.

O'Neill is aggressively investigating corruption with members of both political parties. Tampa has had its share of political corruption. We finally have a U.S. Attorney that wants to hold elected officials accountable for their misdeeds. That makes the people of Hillsborough County the winners of the week.

Jim Norman Crusade Against Farm Photography

I literally laughed my ass off when I read this.

SB 1246 by Sen. Jim Norman, R-Tampa, would make it a first-degree felony to photograph a farm without first obtaining written permission from the owner. A farm is defined as any land "cultivated for the purpose of agricultural production, the raising and breeding of domestic animals or the storage of a commodity."

Thank goodness Sen. Norman wants to put a stop to the wave of farm photography. I have no doubt this will make Alex Pickett's Bipartisan Guide to Ridiculous Legislation.

The text of SB 1246.

Section 1. 
(1) A person who enters onto a farm or other property where legitimate agriculture operations are being conducted without the written consent of the owner, or an authorized representative of the owner, commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, Florida Statutes.

(2) A person who photographs, video records, or otherwise produces images or pictorial records, digital or otherwise, at or of a farm or other property where legitimate agriculture operations are being conducted without the written consent of the owner, or an authorized representative of the owner, commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, Florida Statutes.

(3) As used in this section, the term “farm” includes any tract of land cultivated for the purpose of agricultural production, the raising and breeding of domestic animals, or the storage of a commodity.

There are already laws against trespassing. The bill also makes it illegal to film a farm off the grounds of the property. Judy Dalglish had the best legal summary of the bill.

Judy Dalglish, executive director for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said shooting property from a roadside or from the air is legal. The bill "is just flat-out unconstitutional not to mention stupid," she said.

We are talking about the the same Jim Norman who thought people wouldn't find out about longtime campaign contributor Ralph Hughes buying Norman's wife a house. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Norman never had read the First amendment. Arresting people for taking photographs will never hold up in the courts.

F.B.I Investigation of Jim Norman

The F.B.I. has expanded their investagation into Florida Sen. Jim Norman. The Feds have filed a documents request pertaining to Norman's time on the Hillsborough County Commission. The HC attorney Renee Lee confirmed the St. Petersburg Times of the F.B.I request.

It appears the F.B.I. is looking for documents that will help build a case against Norman. The investigation started after primary opponent Kevin Ambler and the media reported that the late Ralph Hughes gave Norman's wife the money to buy a $435,000 home in Arkansas. Norman failed to list to home on his financial disclosure form all political candidate must file. Norman's wife has no employment and in no way could have paid for the house on her own. What made matters more suspicious is Norman refuse to say who gave his wife the money to purchase the house. Mearline Norman was able to purchase the house with no bank loan.

NORMAN: "I'm not getting into my wife's investment portfolio. That's my wife's interests."

Kevin Ambler's legal attempts to throw Norman off the ballot revealed that the late Ralph Hughes gave the money to Mearline Norman. Hughes' living relatives became interested and wanted the $435,000 back. The F.B.I. is also intersted. The documents requested deal with Norman's relationship with Hughes.

* Any rule, law or policy that identifies ethics requirements of county commissioners.

* Commissioners' oath of office.

* Any conflict of interest forms filed by Norman in the years 2005 to 2007, and a blank conflict form.

* A list of contractors for the county six months before and after March 6, 2006.

* All appearances by Hughes before any county board or commission from 2005 to 2007.

The F.B.I. is focused on the time between 2005 to 2007 because the Arkansas home was purchased in 2006. The F.B.I. is looking into county document that shows Norman's home violating is service to public office. The fact that Norman failed to list the home on several financial diclosure statements is potential a legal liablity.

Jim Norman Hates Clean Air

In 2009, ESPN did an investigative story on air quality in ice hockey rinks. ESPN found that nearly 200 people got sick from breathing in carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide or ultrafine particles. One of the rinks that had problems was Tampa Bay Skating Academy.

One of those rinks was in Tampa, Fla., where the East Lake High School hockey team took the ice in January for a practice at the Tampa Bay Skating Academy. Players struggled to breathe during practice and as the night wore on, their symptoms worsened.

"I was playing normal, and then halfway through practice, my chest started feeling weird," said East Lake player Alex Miller. "I had trouble breathing."

Ice-resurfacing machines that run either on propane or natural gas are safe when properly maintained. But poorly maintained machines can release high levels of emissions that are even more dangerous in rinks with poor ventilation.

Florida Sen. Mike Fasano has proposed SB 202. The legislation would allow local government to check rinks that have reported respiratory problems. Sen. Jim Norman is attempting to kill the bill.

Sen. Jim Norman, R-Tampa, said no. Norman worried it could affect large private entities like the St. Pete Times Forum: "Our mission is to have less government. I don't want to have more government."

Fasano said he did not envision the bill being an issue for large arenas like the Times Forum, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He suspects the arena tests its ice frequently. "You know me, I'm a hockey fan," he said, "so I'm at the games as many times as possible. I don't go away (from) there feeling numb or faint."

Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, owns an ice-skating rink in Ellenton. He jumped to the bill's defense, saying air-quality tests are inexpensive and rink owners wouldn't mind inspections after the Oldsmar incident. "As an owner of an ice skating rink, I would be supportive of this bill," he said.

Norman can only think in "less government" slogans. It is bad when Mike Bennett is to the left of Norman.

Jim Norman: A Lobbyist's Best Friend

Florida State Sen. Jim Norman has no credibility claiming that he is not influenced by lobbyists. Norman failed to disclose $500,000 the late Ralph Hughes gave Norman's wife $500,000 to purchase a house in Arkansas. Hughes donated to Norman's political campaigns. Norman claims the money was a loan and an investment on property. Hughes surving family want the money back.

Norman's first Senate bill (which I can't find online) would make structural changes to the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission. The PTC regulates taxi and limousine services that operate in Hillsborough County, Florida. Norman claims he talked to no lobbyists when making this bill.

Norman said he didn't consider the contributions when sponsoring the bill. "I didn't even speak with anyone from the cab industry," he said.

Documents filed in Hillsborough County lists Tampa Taxi Coalition Louis Betz as the person who prepared Norman's legislation. Betz has no idea how paperwork he filed would have his name on it.

Norman received $5,000 from the taxi and limo industry during his Senate campaign. Norman has zero credibility when he says lobbyists hold no sway on him.

Sen. Ronda Storms want to eliminate the PTC. Her reasoning is rather bizarre.

Storms: "They have a rule that says cabbies have to wear socks. I mean, please. Come on.

Mike Haridopolos Stands By Jim Norman

It is nice to see Florida Senate Republicans stand up against corruption by appointing Jim Norman as the chair of the Administrative Procedures Committee. Who is more qualified to chair a committee in charge of oversight on government decisions than a State Senator under an FBI investigation.

Sen. Mike Haridopolos made the decision to reward Norman with the chairmanship. Haridopolos. The State Commission of Ethics' report found that Haridopolos failed to properly disclose assets. The Commission found "sufficient evidence to order a public hearing." the report found that Haridopolos is the only employee and corporate officer for MJH Consulting Company. It is a bogus for-profit company Haridopolos uses to charge corporations for consulting fees Haridopolos claims he advises companies on advistising and marketing. Haridopolos has no background in marketing and advertising. The MJH Consulting Company is a legal way corporations can pay off a state senator. It is little wonder why Haridopolos failed to list it as a second form of income on his financial disclosure.

Norman was forced to admit that Ralph Hughes gave $500,000 to buy Norman and his wife a Arkansas home. The relatives of the late Hughes want their money back. The Florida Democratic Democratic Party in their wisdom decided not to run opponents against Haridopolos and Norman. And Democrats wonder why Republicans have super-majorities in the Florida legislature.

Why Jim Norman Represents What is Wrong With Florida GOP

Jim Norman is a candidate for the Florida Senate. Norman was taken off the ballot by Leon County Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford. In her ruling, Fulford disqualified Norman because he did not disclosed the $500,000 gift the late Ralph Hughes gave to Norman and his wife to purchase an Arkansas home. Fulford also ruled Kevin Amber cannot replace Norman on the ballot. Amber filed a lawsuit to have Norman thrown off the ballot. Amber lost to Norman in the Republican primary.The Pasco and Hillsborough county Republican parties will form a six member panel to decide who will replace Norman.

What is troubling is the Florida Republican establishment chose to double down on Norman after his ethical lapses were well known. On September 28, Norman received $25,000 of GOP money for his general election campaign. On this date there was already media reports of Norman being investigated by the FBI. Republicans gave Norman $29,932 on October 5th. This was four days after Norman admitted in court Hughes helped pay for the Arkansas house. There was no effort by county and state Republicans to do their own internal investigation to see if the allegations against Norman were true. Republicans went into damage control and ignored Norman's highly-publicized scandal.

Norman also received media scrutiny for using a Salvation Army company car for political business. As a Hillsborough County commissioner, Norman received a $233 monthly car allowance. Norman was collecting an taxpaid allowance for an automobile he does not own. Norman receives $95,000-a-year for working part-time for the Salvation Army. Norman has been vague about what his duties for that job entail.

Norman has been a lightning rod for controversy for years. He is another example of the Florida Republican establishment's unwillingness to police itself.

Jim Norman Officially Busted

Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman and Florida Senate District 12 candidate Jim Norman was forced to admit that longtime campaign contributor Ralph Hughes partially paid for a house that is in the name of Norman's wife. John Stanton, president of Hughes' company, Cast-Crete, told the St. Petersburg Times that after Hughes died in 2008, Shea Hughes called Stanton asking about a $500,000 expense given to Mearline Norman. Apparently, Hughes' living relatives were not happy with the financial transaction.

"The impression I had is that they wanted the money back," Stanton said.

Norman's attorney Frank Winkles confirmed to the Tampa Tribune that Hughes helped buy the Arkansas home for Mearline Norman.

"Mearline Norman made her own business investment with Ralph Hughes, a man who had been her friend, mentor and adviser for 20 years," Winkles said Friday. "She put over $100,000 of her own money and had hundreds of hours of work on the project."

Tampa attorney Paul Phillips filed an ethics complaint against Norman. Phillips correctly stated that Hughes helped pay for the home. The complaint was dropped for legal matters. Norman was asked at the time if Hughes paid for the house. Norman's answer was less than transparent.

"It's an investment my wife has. I have gone there, but it's not mine," said Norman, who is facing state Rep. Kevin Ambler in the Republican primary for the District 12 state Senate seat on Aug. 24.

So how did his wife come up with $435,000 to pay for the house? "It came with my wife's investors," he said, though he declined to name them. "I'm not getting into my wife's investment portfolio. That's my wife's interests."

Primary opponent Republican Kevin Ambler is legally fighting to have Norman disqualified from the general election. Mearline Norman gave a six-hour deposition in court. There will likely be an appeal by either Norman or Amber depending on who wins. All Norman has to do legally is run out the clock. After the general election it becomes a moot issue. The legally more pressing issue for Norman is the deposition obtained by Amber's legal team can be used by the FBI. Several media outlets have reported that Norman is being investigated for his alleged financial ties to Hughes. Norman failed to disclose the Arkansas house and two boats. Mearline Norman is not employed. Norman and his attorney have failed to explain how she could buy a home.

Below is a local ABC Action News story on Norman.



I miss the 2008 Obama year of "chamge" and "hope." It seems almost every Florida political candidate I write about has an ethics or corruption scandal. I hear people tell me to hold my nose and vote for the lesser evil. I'm getting rather tired of the smell. The Florida political system is corrupt and needs reform. Being a partisan cheerleader and pretending there isn't a serious problem will make matters worse.

Republican blogger Chris Ingram expressed distain by refusing to endorse any candidate in the any of the big three candidates in the U.S. Senate. (Ingram endorsed no chance in hell Libertarian Alex Snitker.) Ingram also shockingly endorsed Loranne Ausley over Jeff Atwater for CFO. I agree with Ingram on almost nothing in terms of policy. I do think bloggers on the Left and Right should be calling attention to dirty politicians.

Media is has become more corporate. The Tampa Tribune's former sports editor Tom McEwen used the publication to further the profits of himself and his business friends. Nevermind, if he tied a few lies about the Tampa Bay Lightning's financial troubles in order to secure a tax subsidized arena. Blog ads and blogosphere talent being recruited into the landscape is changing the internet landscape. My fear is there will be more Tom McEwens and fewer Thomas Paines.

Ethics Complaint Against Jim Norman

Tampa attorney Paul Phillips has filed an ethics complaint against Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman. According to the Daily Loaf blogger Chris Ingram, Phillips is a registered Republican. Norman is a Republican running for Florida Senate district 12. Norman's primary opponent is Kevin Ambler.

Phillips contends the $435,000 Arkansas home in Norman's wife's name was given as a gift by conservative activist Ralph Hughes. You may remember Norman had championed renaming the Moral Courage award after Hughes. The award's name was changed again after it was revealed Hughes owed $300 million in corporate and income taxes to the IRS.

Norman was asked by the St. Petersburg Times how his wife came about the money to buy the Arkansas house. Norman was less than forthcoming.

"It's an investment my wife has. I have gone there, but it's not mine," said Norman, who is facing state Rep. Kevin Ambler in the Republican primary for the District 12 state Senate seat on Aug. 24.

So how did his wife come up with $435,000 to pay for the house? "It came with my wife's investors," he said, though he declined to name them. "I'm not getting into my wife's investment portfolio. That's my wife's interests."

Norman is running for a state senate seat. He may feel it is an invasion of his privacy, but the voters have a right to know. Refusing to give answers will only instill distrust in his fitness to serve. Phillips alleges in his complaint that Mearline Norman has "does not have any visible means of earning income." According to Phillips, Jim and Mearline Norman have filed joint tax returns. The question is if Mearline Norman is not employed then how was she able to purchase a $435,000 home?

Mr. and Mrs Norman had two boats under both their names at the Arkansas house. Both boats were worth over a $1,000. Under law as a political candidate, Norman should have listed the boats in his financial disclosure. Norman failed to do so in 2006.

Norman receives a free car to use as an employee of the Salvation Army. Norman also a $233 monthly car allowance as a member of the Hillsborough County Commission. Norman receives taxpaid a car allowance to use a free car from a nonprofit organization. Norman's financial diclosure list two cars. Neither automobile is the 2006 Toyota Camry the Salvation Army allows Norman to use. Norman drove the Camry to a East Pasco Tea Party Patriots event. That certainly does not qualify as Commission or Savation Army business.

Norman works part-time hours at the Salvation Army. He is paid $90,000. I am positive many people would love to have a part-time job that pays that much and throws in a free car.

Championship PARK is Dead

The controversial vote on Championship Park came and went. The Hillsborough County commission voted unanimously, including Norman, to kill Championship Park and use the $40 million for other projects. Norman saw how the political tides have turned and voted against his own pet project. Ouch.

It's bad when Plant City Mayor Rick Lott backed away from his own proposal.

"I would be hard-pressed to ask you to approve this park today."

Norman got snappy at the other commissioners for backing projects he also supported in the past.

"People from Idaho are not going to come here and go to the aquarium, but they'll come here for a ballgame," Norman said.

People are not going to come from Idaho to watch little league baseball and soccer games in Plant City. I'm willing to bet very few Idaho residents visit the Strawberry Festival. It never made sense to build the park in Plant City.

"I fail to see how teams are going to drive 45 minutes or longer to go to a game," Commissioner Ken Hagan said.

What hurt Norman was Wayne Garcia's Creative Loafing article. The timing of the article and the Florida legislature's special session to cut the budget was fatal to Championship Park. I say good riddance.

Charlie Crist Hearts Jim Norman

This has to be the first time I can remember anyone telling Jim Norman he has a good idea. We should mark this day. It's going to be a long time before a another prominent public figure admits he likes a Norman plan.

Governor Charlie Crist praised Jim Norman's spending cap initiative at the Florida State Fair Governor's Day Luncheon.

"Jim, God bless you for capping the taxes in Hillsborough County," Crist said, thanking him for his leadership.

He said afterward that he thinks the spending cap commissioners imposed on themselves last week at Norman's urging complements his proposals, which would reduce revenue to governments around the state.

"I think they go together," Crist said.

Kenneth Quinnell hates Norman's initiative. Ideologically, I don't have a problem with the concept in theory. I'm a lefty who wants to see government more fiscally responsible. Norman is a county commissioner that used a budget surplus to build an unneeded $40 million sports park. He is hardly a fiscal conservative.

Caps on spending means limiting growth. Ruskin residents were against the zoning of 360 waterfront homes. Norman approved the plan. He also received $6,000 of campaign contributions from the developers. Norman does not have the discipline to properly handle the people's money. Regardless of whether there is spending caps.