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Beth Leytham

As 2016 closes, Hillsborough’s transportation problems still mostly unsolved

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Another year of our lives is about to become history, and that means another year where little tangible was accomplished in terms of addressing the transportation needs of the citizenry in Hillsborough County. But a whole lot of people did get angry with each other over the process, anyway. At this time a year ago, the biggest concern was: What would come out of the Hillsborough County Sheriff Department’s investigation into Go Hillsborough, the two-years-in-the-making transportation plan that called for a 30-year,…

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The end for SaintPetersBlog

Ever since I acquired the rights to the perfect domain for my efforts — FloridaPolitics.com — I knew that one

Hillsborough Commission to copy Richard Corcoran’s proposal to ban texting by lobbyists?

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Hillsborough County Commissioners approved a motion on Wednesday directing their attorney to research and provide draft language on a proposal that would ban them from receiving text messages from a lobbyist during a board meeting. However, the proposal’s ultimate passage is unclear, based on comments from some members. “In the event that we did receive a text message during a commission meeting from a lobbyist related to official public business, we would have to disclose that communication by filing it with our…

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The company you keep: Sam Rashid turns up at Marco Rubio Tampa fundraiser

in Peter/Top Headlines by

An old proverb goes: “You are the company you keep.” Another saying, not quite as old, is “stop saying dumb things on social media.” That last one is a bit of wisdom Marco Rubio might have imparted on Republican activist Sam Rashid during Thursday’s $500-a-plate “Day One Marco” fundraiser in Tampa. Florida’s junior Senator has been very busy this summer, crisscrossing the state in his re-election effort. That means pressing a lot of flesh. So it should come as no surprise to see Rubio…

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Vote on whether Go Hillsborough goes on ballot to take place April 27

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After more than two years of preparation, the Hillsborough County Commission will hold a meeting on April 27 to decide whether a half-cent transportation tax referendum will be on this November’s ballot. The hearing is planned a night after the board will hold a separate hearing on implementing a new mobility fee ordinance, very much a part of addressing what County Administrator Mike Merrill says are the more than $9 billion in transportation needs of the county. Both meetings could be held away from…

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Go Hillsborough cleared of ethics violations, yet many questions remain

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Although an extensive review of a “Go Hillsborough” contract award cleared the project of ethics violations, several unanswered questions remain. In a nearly 2,000-page report, both the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and State Attorney Mark Ober found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing by county staff, commissioners or consultant Beth Leytham before awarding the profitable transportation expansion study to Parsons Brinckerhoff, Leytham’s client. Nevertheless, Noah Pransky of WTSP says the investigation corroborates earlier findings that show Leytham’s regular practice of behind-the-scenes…

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Hillsborough Sheriffs Office to media: We’ll tell you when Go Hillsborough investigation is done

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

With a half-cent sales tax for transportation at stake potentially this fall, there is a great deal of anticipation about the results of an investigation regarding the Go Hillsborough transportation plan. Since last September, the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office has been looking into allegations of improprieties in the hiring of engineering firm Parsons Brinckerhoff to the lead in the effort. One of those allegations was that Parsons was hired based on the advocacy of public relations consultant Beth Leytham, who was…

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Chip Diehl appointed to Hillsborough County Aviation Authority

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

The long delay in Rick Scott replacing Sam Rashid‘s replacement on the Hillsborough Aviation Authority is over. After months of being shorthanded, Scott announced the appointment of Arthur “Chip” Diehl III to the agency on Monday. Diehl, 62, of Tampa, is the managing director of Diehl Associates and a retired Air Force brigadier general He ‘s a member of the Florida Defense Support Task Force, the Hillsborough State College District Board of Trustees, and the Commission on Healthcare and Hospital…

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