Mitch Perry - page 510

The term “game-changer” was expressed often during the 90-minute press event that developer Jeff Vinik presented yesterday regarding his plans to revitalize a major part of downtown Tampa. But the true potential game-changer yesterday was President Obama’s announcement regarding a change in policies with Cuba, which has profound implications for both countries. Predictably, reactions were widely varying; critics like Marco Rubio bashed the president, while supporters like Kathy Castor extolled the virtues of the move. The fact is we simply…

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Developer and Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik unveiled his much touted, billion-dollar plan to transform the Channelside area of downtown Tampa this morning. Scheduled to take sometime between 5-10 years to fully come to fruition, it will undoubtedly be the biggest mixed-use development ever  built in the Cigar City. And certainly for a city that promotes Busch Gardens as a prime destination spot for tourists, it will provide loads of more interesting things to do, and arguably could be more interesting…

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Today’s blockbuster announcement that the U.S. will restore full diplomatic relations with Cuba and open an embassy in Havana for the first time in more than a half-century has been met with mixed emotions across Florida, but perhaps no member of Congress is more ecstatic about the breakthrough than Tampa Democratic Representative Kathy Castor. “It was the Tampa community, the Greater Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, the Tampa International Airport, the small businesses, and Cuban families who spurred on this…

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The absurdity that has marred the HD 64 contest since last summer continues, with GOP candidate Miriam Steinberg dropping out of the special election GOP primary scheduled for February. That means that Jamie Grant, the former incumbent, will now face (and likely destroy) write-in candidate Daniel Matthews in the special general election contest scheduled for April 21. The contest will cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, with the outcome not in doubt, as no write-in candidate has ever won…

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Whatever Jeb Bush decided to do regarding the presidential sweepstakes, it would be major news. But in his announcing a leadership PAC (but not an exploratory committee) via Facebook on Tuesday morning,  he definitely has made the first strike in attempting to join his father and brother in the most exclusive club in America, if not the world. Make no mistake about it — the announcement of this leadership PAC (which several other candidates for president have formed) is simply a formality before Bush gets even more press…

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In a close election, Hillsborough County Republicans on Tuesday night chose former state Rep. Deborah Tamargo to be their new party chair, defeating former party chair Debbie Cox-Roush on a 110-80 vote. She succeeds Brandon state Sen. Tom Lee, who has led the local party for the past two years. Tamargo had been running for weeks on what she called a “Unity Ticket,” a slate that also featured candidates for vice chair, treasurer and secretary. They had been the lone…

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For the average Floridian, much if not most of what takes place in Tallahassee isn’t something that usually captures their imagination – until months or perhaps years later when the true effects of some law hits them in their wallet. But the battle between Big Beer and the craft brewing industry during last year’s legislative session was followed closely by the public, as craft beer enthusiasts become angered and disillusioned about how a simple bill to allow for the legal…

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