Sorry, Charlie, It's Even More Dysfunctional Over There FROM THE BLOG

By STEVE OTTO The Tampa Tribune

Published: Apr 21, 2008

It wasn't exactly breaking news, but the source of it was a little unusual. Charlie Miranda, a member of the Tampa City Council, announced that the council is dysfunctional.

For several reasons Charlie is my favorite councilman, and one of them is his ability to cut to the chase.

On Thursday, council members managed to drag out a discussion on limiting contributions to their campaigns for what seemed like hours.

As the city's sewers and wastewater infrastructure continues to deteriorate, services get worse and parking tickets more expensive, about all they could do was babble on about their political campaigns.

It finally got to the point where Miranda lost it, declared the whole crowd dysfunctional and announced he was going to run for the Hillsborough County Commission.

Of course, should that happen and he gets a seat on the board, you have to wonder how long it's going to take for him to realize he has fallen into the Black Hole of Dysfunction.

New Definition For 'Right Away'

Wright Gres grew up in Tampa but now lives near Savannah where he pilots a tugboat and has written his first novel, "Macedonia Passage: Dangerous Cargo." He drove into town the other day to do a book signing at Inkwood Books in Hyde Park.

"I was lucky to make it on time," he says. "Had a fuel pump failure on my car, stranding me in the median of I-275 in the middle of downtown. I got hold of someone at the sheriff's department via 911, who told me they would get someone to help right away. Over two hours later - no help. Finally managed to get a tow truck on my own."

At least Wright got some material for his next novel, "Tampa Passage: Don't Call Us."

One's A Buddy, One's A True Friend

A lot of your mail this week focuses on two columns: one on Farmer Buddy Johnson, who is Hillsborough County's Supervisor of Elections, and one on the passing of Adrienne Brennan, a long-time social justice advocate in this community.

Bob Moore of Tampa commented: "I thought there were fines and penalties for not paying taxes on time. Does being an elected official exempt someone from paying taxes or being penalized for not paying them? For my benefit, how DOES one 'work the system?'"

Mary Anderson of Tampa wrote: "I first met Adrienne Brennan when I was a single working mom trying to raise two children. Adrienne managed to find not just care for my daughter and son, but good counseling for me. She became my friend, which I know is what she did for many other people but when it is you, then you don't forget. God bless her."

In Praise Of Colleen Bevis

The Children's Board of Hillsborough County, one of our better ideas, celebrated its 20th anniversary last week.

The real star at the dinner at Higgins Hall was Colleen Bevis, who was so instrumental in the board's founding.

You see her name stuck on buildings across town and at the University of South Florida, and it is all deserving.

For decades she fought for children's services in education, health care and especially in early intervention and prevention programs.

Now, at age 91, she quoted Winston Churchill when she told the audience she gets applause for just getting out of her seat.

They gave her something called the "Visionary Leader for Children Award."

I would change the name to the "Colleen Bevis Visionary Leader for Children Award."

Keyword: Otto Graphs, to read and comment on Steve Otto's blog.