With apologies to Bob Gualtieri and Jack Latvala, two of Pinellas’ most important politicians are celebrating their birthdays today and tomorrow: St. Pete Mayor Bill Foster and Commissioner Neil Brickfield.
Honestly, I have complicated relations with both men: I endorsed and supported Bill Foster for Mayor, but remain one of his harshest critics. Still, we are fraternity brothers and men of faith, so I genuinely like Mayor Foster.
As for Neil Brickfield, here was a guy I really disappointed several years ago when I ran into trouble. But today, Neil is someone I look up to as the kind of leader who truly ‘gets it’ even though I disagree with some of his viewpoints. And Neil has gone out of his way to help me regain some of what I lost seven years ago.
So Happy Birthday Mayor Foster. Happy Birthday Commish.