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Janelle Irwin - page 209

Janelle Irwin has 1517 articles published.

Janelle Irwin has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in the Tampa Bay area since 2003. She also hosts a weekly political talk show on WMNF Community radio. Janelle formerly served as the sole staff reporter for WMNF News and previously covered news for Patch.com and various local neighborhood newsletters. Her work has been featured in the New York Daily News, Free Speech Radio News and Florida Public Radio and she's been interviewed by radio stations across the nation for her coverage of the 2012 Republican National Convention. Janelle is a diehard news junkie who isn't afraid to take on big names in local politics including Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, the dirty business of trash and recycling in St. Pete and the ongoing Pier debacle. Her work as a reporter and radio host has earned her two WMNF awards including News Volunteer of the Year and Public Affairs Volunteer of the Year. Janelle is also the devoted mother to three brilliant and beautiful daughters who are a constant source of inspiration and occasional blogging fodder. To contact, email [email protected].

Meet Carl Folkman, NPA candidate for Pinellas County Commission

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Dunedin Mayor Dave Eggers managed to fight off six challengers in a crowded GOP primary for the north Pinellas District 4 County Commission seat. Now he faces three more challengers. Carl Folkman is an NPA, but with some conservative talking points. His Facebook page doesn’t say much. He’s ā€œserving the people, not the party,ā€ but it also announces in the very brief ā€œAbout Meā€ section that he supports the group No Tax for Tracks. That means Folkman opposes the transit…

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In HD 65 race, Carl Zimmerman blasts opponent Chris Sprowls for Medicaid gaffe

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“You might be physically better off not to have insurance than Medicaid.” Those were the words out of Chris Sprowls mouth yesterday during a Suncoast Tiger Bay luncheon in St. Pete. His opponent, Carl Zimmerman, isn’t wasting the golden nugget plopped right in his lap for a second. “It’s an outrage that Chris Sprowls believes Floridians would be better off without any health insurance than to have Medicaid,” Zimmerman wrote in a statement.Ā  What Zimmerman’s statement doesn’t say is that…

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Prominent Pinellas women are looking for votes — and money — for Greenlight Pinellas

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A group of leading Pinellas County women is trying to earn support for the transit referendum on the November 4 ballot in Pinellas County. And they need money to do it. Pinellas County Commissioners Susan Latvala, Janet Long and Karen Seel will be pitching the plan on September 9 at a fundraiser at the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa. They’ll be addressing what the plan is and laying out why they think it’s good for the county. Women…

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County Commission candidate Marcus Harrison’s website could use a good proofread

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There are some pretty basic rules of grammar to follow and, while we all make mistakes and typos are teh way of the future as society becomes increasingly paperless, there are some instances where it’s just not cool to throw fourthĀ grade basics out the window. Marcus Harrison did. He’s running with No Party Affiliation for Pinellas County Commission in the uber-conservative north county District 4. He won’t win. Period. He lacks name recognition, has less than $1,000 in the bank,…

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Incumbents sweep Pinellas School Board races

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Incumbents Linda Lerner, Terry Krassner and Peggy O’Shea easily shook off opposition in the Pinellas County School Board race. Krassner pummeled her District 2 countywide challenger, Chris Tauchnitz, 71 to 29 percent. O’Shea held on to her district 3 countywide seat with a commanding 65-35% lead against USF St. Pete Professor Kent Kurtis. Lerner’s district 6 race was the closest with only a 55-45% lead over former journalist Maureen Ahern. The district 4 seat being vacatedĀ by Robin Wikle will come…

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Pam Bondi calls for debate against opponent George Sheldon

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Attorney General Pam Bondi wasted no time in challengingĀ her General ElectionĀ opponent to a debate. Bondi made the call after congratulating Democrat George Sheldon on his commanding 62-38 percent win over Perry Thurston in Tuesday’s primary. “The voters willĀ have a clear choice between candidates in this election, and they deserve to hear directly from us on the distinct difference in visions and leadership that each candidate will offer to the Attorney General’s Office. This can be accomplished through thoughtful and respectful…

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Pinellas’ pro-business tax exemption measure sails to approval

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Pinellas voters approved a measure that would allow qualifying businesses to deduct new tangibleĀ buildings and things like computers on their taxes. It passed with 63% of the vote. The sole referendum on the primary ballot is meant to entice more businesses to the area. Commissioners voted unanimously in June to place the measure on the ballot. State law allows localities to grant the exemptions. Cities like St. Pete, Sarasota and Tampa have already jumped on board. Commissioners would still have…

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