Reno's tour stops to listen, gather funds

The former U.S. attorney general met privately with potential supporters and donors.

By BILL VARIAN, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 9, 2002

TAMPA -- Dorothy Bourassa describes herself as a die-hard Democrat.

So when the 79-year-old poll worker heard early Friday that Janet Reno was visiting the home of one of her Seffner neighbors, she camped outside hoping for a photograph.

"I wish they would have told us she was coming," Bourassa said. "We would have had a luncheon or something."

Reno's red truck tour, the 15-day trek across the state that is supposed to breathe excitement into her campaign for governor, whispered into Tampa on Friday.

Like her first stop in the area, St. Petersburg a week ago, the event was marked by mostly private meetings with potential supporters and donors.

The former U.S. attorney general, who is seeking the Democratic party nomination, said she was here to gather information. She promised plenty of public visits in the months to come.

"The whole thing has been designed for me to talk to people, and to listen and learn," Reno said.

Still, for an event crafted to create excitement, the Tampa leg of the red truck tour felt more like a Stealth flyover. Even her red Ford XLT, adorned only with two Reno bumper stickers, attracted little attention from passing motorists on Interstate 4.

Reno actually flew into Tampa for the 11th day of her state tour. An aide drove the truck from Tallahassee.

Reno drove to the Hillsborough County Health Department offices on Adamo Drive in eastern Tampa, where she met with state Healthy Start workers. Reno then drove to Seffner, where she visited the home of Jeanne Clougher, a former assistant attorney general in Tampa. She said she met with police union and teacher representatives to hear about the issues that concern them.

Attorneys met with Reno at a fundraiser in downtown Tampa. It was held at the offices of MacFarlane, Ferguson & McMullen and sponsored by two of the firm's lawyers.

About 30 people attended the fundraiser, including spouses and children.

Reno told the group she wants to pursue smaller class sizes, improve health care for children and place a continued emphasis on growth management.

"I want to hand down Florida to future generations . . . in the way it was handed down to me," Reno said.

A second fundraiser was closed to the media.

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