Life and politics from the Sunshine State's best city

Author

Gene Webb

Gene Webb has 7 articles published.

Florida Primary watch party illustrates what’s wrong with the GOP

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Was it a party or a wake? The Pinellas County Republican Party Executive Committee held its Primary Watch Party Tuesday evening in Pinellas Park. Held at the Big Storm Brewing Company, a brand-new craft brewery and tap house, the event drew about 50 (or so) Party members, who gathered for Presidential Primary results. Nick DiCeglie, President of the Pinellas County Republican Executive Committee, hosted the event. The event was like none I could remember. Very low key. The crowd was…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Observations from the Pinellas Co. Donald Trump election watch party

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Last week, the Republican Party of Pinellas County emailed an announcement for the Donald Trump South Carolina Primary Watch Party. The event was to be held Saturday in Pinellas Park at Quaker Steak and Lube on 49th Street. Theresa and I decided to drop by. We arrived about 6:30 p.m. and the organizers were already setting up. T-shirts, hats, yard signs and other Trump material were on display. By 7:15 p.m., the large room at Quaker Steak was full of people…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Gene Webb: No room for dissent at PSTA board meeting

in Uncategorized by

If you are an opponent of the Greenlight Pinellas sales tax initiative and are planning on going to a PSTA Board of Directors meeting to express your opinion, don’t expect a warm welcome or a lot of respect. It seems the skin of some elected officials on the board is getting a bit thin. On Wednesday, Barb Haselden of No Tax for Tracks asked the PSTA attorney a couple of  questions regarding the elimination of the property tax; when he…

Keep Reading

It’s decision time on who will be the next St. Pete Police Chief

in Uncategorized by

So far Rick Kriseman’s administration has been long on planning and a bit short on action. The resumes have been reviewed; the candidates have talked to the City Council, the Mayor, the Police staff and the public. It is time for a decision. There is some indication that the Mayor will wait until after he returns from his vacation in July to make his final decision. WHY? What difference could two or three weeks make? Just more time for wrangling…

Keep Reading

Is Greenlight Yes in trouble in north Pinellas?

in Uncategorized by

It was a bit like Custer’s last stand as Don Ewing seemed to be the lone GreenLight proponent in Thursday’s North Pinellas County Regional Chamber of Commerce (NPRCC) transit forum. NPRCC is the County’s newest Chamber of Commerce and has not yet taken a position on the Greenlight sales tax referendum. There were about 60 people in attendance and when asked, “How many of you are small business owners?” a majority of the people raised their hand. Barb Haselden of…

Keep Reading

Rick Musset’s departure is a genuine loss to City Hall

in Uncategorized by

Rick Mussett, Development Senior Administrator for the city of St. Petersburg, announced he is leaving the city administration at the end of March.    Musset started with the city in 1980; I began my career there in 1981. With the exception of a short stint up north, Musset has been a fixture in the city’s administrations.   Mussett is an exceptional person. Hard working, intelligent and very skilled in negotiating and arranging the big deal. He easily navigated among both the…

Keep Reading

‘Greenlight Yes’ campaign for transit tax off to bumpy start

in Uncategorized by

Right out of the box, the push to impose a $130 million dollar sales tax on Pinellas County residents and tourists is off to a bumpy start. Ronnie Duncan, who is one of the co-chairs of the ‘Greenlight Yes’ committee, is being criticized by the Tampa Tribune editorial board for a conflict of interest related to his role as chairman of the Tampa Bay Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA). Duncan told the Tribune’s Christopher O’Donnell that he consulted TBARTA’s attorney and…

Keep Reading

Go to Top