Classy Moment From Mark Sharpe

Mark Sharpe goes against his natural conservative leanings to vote to repeal the 2005 policy that prohibits recognition of gay pride by Hillsborough County. Sharpe isn't about to go out and promote gay pride. He does feel quite emotional about "singling out a group" in a very negative public way.

Last week, Sharpe tearfully told the crowd that he was late to the commission meeting because he'd been at school with his son, who was being given the American Legion Award. His voice broke as he described telling his son, "When you make a mistake, you correct it yourself." After a long pause, he expressed his regret for having voted for the policy in the first place.

"We made a mistake, and I am just glad that I'm here today to be able to correct that mistake. ... I'm supporting the motion to repeal what we-- the vote that took place in 2005."

Sharpe get receive scorn from the tea party and Christian Right base of the Republican Party. It is nice to see a politician show political courage.

Hillsborough County Commission Makes Good Start Against Gun Violence

Commissioner Kevin Beckner got the Hillsborough County Commission to animously approve a $150,000 spending measure to to create a committee to stop gun violence.

Commissioner Les Miller and had a vote on finding out if the county was allowed to implement gun background checks. Commissioner Mark Sharpe was the only member to vote against Miller's proposal. P>

The makeup gun violence study group.

The violence committee approved Wednesday will consist of community stakeholders, Commissioner Beckner and a professional facilitator.

It is unknown what the Hillsborough County Commission will do or is allowed to under law. However, this is a rather surprising development from a mostly Republican commission.

Hillsborough County Commission Fails on Domestic Registry

The Hillsborough County Commission voted against a domestic registry for same sex couples. The domestic registry would have allowed straight and gay unmarried partners to have hospital visitation rights and involvement in financial decisions.

The board voted 4-3 against creating a Domestic Partnership Registry for Hillsborough County.

Commissioners Victor Crist, Ken Hagan, Al Higginbothom and Sandra Murman voted against the motion. Commissioners Les Miller, Kevin Beckner and Mark Sharpe voted in favor.

Republican Mark Sharpe put the domestic registry up for a vote. Sharpe deserves praise for bucking his party on this issue. The four nay votes were all cast by Republicans. This was a chance for the commission to lead on gay rights. Once again the commission pandered to conservative intolerance.

Dems Reaction to Mark Sharpe's Candidacy

Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe (R) announced that he will run for District 11 House of Representatives seat. In the past Castor has ran against walking punch line candidates like Tim Fasano. Redistricting has changed things. Due to the uncertainty, the Florida Democratic Party fired off an email stating their support of Castor.

Statement from Scott Arceneaux, Executive Director of the Florida Democratic Party:

“Congresswoman Kathy Castor has a strong record of fighting on behalf of the families of the Tampa Bay area, always putting the interests of the people of Florida ahead of the special interests in Washington,” said Florida Democratic Party Executive Director Scott Arceneaux. “She is a principled leader working hard to create jobs, improve schools, and protect consumers and the environment. Elected to Congress in the last cycle with overwhelming support, she is a proven fighter on behalf of the people in her district, and we are confident that her constituents will send her back to Congress next fall.”

The Hillsborough County Democratic Party is demanding that Sharpe step down from the Commission.

“Voters in Hillsborough County have a right to full-time representation," states Chris Mitchell, Chair of the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee. “Today's announcement makes it clear that Mark Sharpe will be paying attention to his US House campaign, and that is not what people expected when they voted for him last November.”

Candidates hold elected office and run campaigns all the time. I wish both parties would dump this attack. It does say that the Florida Democratic establishment is taking Sharpe's candidacy seriously.

Looks Like Mark Sharpe Is Running

It certainly seems like Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe is going to run against Rep. Kathy Castor. Sharpe talked to The Buzz on his policy positions. It is clear that Sharpe is going to run as a moderate.

Sharpe on the use of military force.

"Before you send a man or woman overseas, you better understand what you're going to do, how you're going to get in, and how you're going to get out," Sharpe said. "I want to have that conversation about military affairs."

Sharpe does not support the Paul Ryan budget plan. Sharpe is interested in using the nearly as bad proposals from the Simpson-Bowles deficit commission.

"They spent a lot of time working on it and it just kind of got dropped. It ought to be part of the conversation," Sharpe said.

Mike Haridopolos would not support Paul Ryan's Medicare proposal. Republican presidential Jon Huntsman said, "I respect the president of the United States." Now Sharpe is positioning himself as a centrist. This is an interesting development. However, it is too early to proclaim the return of the Rockefeller Republicans.

Side note: Sharpe's position on gay rights is right-wing. Sharpe is one of the seven county commissioners that refused to sign a proclamation for GaYBOR DAYS. The only commissioners to sign proclamations were Democrats Kevin Beckner and Les Miller.

Electric Car Stations Coming to Tampa

The Hillsborough County Commission approved the building of ten commercial electric car charging stations in the county. Commissioner Mark Sharpe explained that it will help boost businesses.

"We've got a number of Tampa Bay businesses that are going to be investing in electric cars and selling them, but they want to make sure that before they start selling electric cars, we've got the stations in place. The people that buy the cars want to know that there's accessibility to stations, so it requires everyone working together," said Sharpe. "This is a great opportunity for the business community to benefit."

The environment will also benefit.

Quote of the Day

"Nice quote: 'Never trust the bureaucracy to get it right.' From the book 'Lessons in Disaster': McGeorge Bundy - p. 96."

Mark Sharpe, Hillsborough County Commissioner.

Mr. Commissioner, did the HCC get it right when they voted to pay the legal bills of Commissioner Kevin White's sexual harassment suit. White lost the case.