The Blogger(s) Criticism of the Shelton Quarles Hiring

The St Petersburg Times interviewed Shelton Quarles about his appointment as Chairman of the TBARTA. I was struck by this question Mike Brassfield asked Quarles.

There's been a mix of positive and negative reactions to your appointment. On local blogs and Web sites, some people are saying "Oh, come on, he's not qualified for that." Does that bother you?

Wayne Garcia wrote "Bloggers said it looked like Crist was trying to kill the new transportation board." I checked Tampablab and I am the only blogger that was highly critical of the hiring. If there is another blogger that wrote a negative post, I will be more than happy to give credit. I'm wondering how I became "bloggers."

I wrote, "Quarles did donate to Crist's last campaign. Which says much about how seriously Crist takes issues like busing and light rail." What strikes me is that I (or the mystery bloggers) affected how the Quarles hiring was covered. There are interesting questions about whether or not this is good. The bogus Swiftboat attacks on John Kerry hurt his campaign. Fortunately, the media learned it's lesson and fact-checked the Right-Wing blogosphere's assault on Graeme Frost.

I am not about to say Pushing Rope is the official site for Tampa news. That would be silly. PR is a lefty blog. The site is many things. We are not a news service. I do believe that bloggers have a responsiblity to put accurate information in their posts. We are entitled to our opinions, but not facts.

I am glad that the media is questioning the Quarles hiring. The fact he left parts of his application blank should have disqualified him. He was not the most qualified person for the post. Hopefully, Quarles proves me wrong and makes positive change in transportation.

As far as getting credit for questioning Quarles hiring, who cares. I want blogs to make the media do their job. That is what really matters. We wish Mr. Quarles well. We will also take him to task if he is an ineffective chairman.

Shelton "Blank Application" Quarles

Apparently, I wasn't the only one that was mystified about Shelton Quarles being appointed Chairman of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority board. Fellow candidate Ed Turanchik is stumped as to why Quarles would be selected.

"It's a complicated topic, and it takes a lot of effort," said former Hillsborough County commissioner and longtime rail advocate Ed Turanchik, who applied but was not selected. "For Shelton or anyone else like him, there's a huge amount of learning to do, and there's no staff to help him."

Quarles application was something of a joke. He left the selections about his experience and reasons for wanting the job blank. It's more disturbing that Quarles beat out an experienced New York state transit official.

Quarles explained his qualifications to the Tampa Tribune.

"The dumb jock theory definitely doesn't apply to me," he said.

That's the best he can do? How utterly unconvincing. Ofcourse, Quarles did something many other recent Charlie Crist appointees did, he donated to the Governor's last campaign.

Chairman Shelton Quarles

In what is the biggest joke of a political appointment, Charlie Crist appointed recently retired Tampa Bay Bucs player Shelton Quarles as Chairman of the Tampa Bay Regional Transportation Authority. Quarles has been a pro football player his adult life and has no experience with public transportation. Quarles did donate to Crist's last campaign. Which says much about how seriously Crist takes issues like busing and light rail.

Quarles will lead a 15 member board. Mayors Pam Iorio, Rick Baker and the Hillsborough County Commission will serve as members. Quarles will be in charge of setting the agenda for tying public transportation from several bordering counties.

Quarles told the (no link) St. Petersburg Times he is no "dumb jock." The article didn't list how he felt he was qualified for the job.

This appointment reeks of political payback.