Less is more: Dropped 'a' enhances resume

On her campaign literature, Hillsborough Commissioner Stacey Easterling typically includes resume information from her time in the State Attorney's Office.

First, she describes herself as a criminal prosecutor. Then, in a separate notation, she describes herself as "Lead Criminal Prosecutor for Hillsborough County State Attorney (1999-2000)," her final year in the office.

The description is technically accurate. During her final year, Easterling was, by title, "a lead trial attorney." But the operative word is "a."

Easterling was one of 12 lead trial attorneys: one for each felony division of the State Attorney's Office. It means she was basically one notch above the rank-and-file trial attorney. It's a distinction that typically comes after four or five years in the office, barring a major dropped ball.

She actually had two people above her in the division: a chief and a deputy.

Does dropping the article "a" make Easterling sound more highfalutin than she actually was?

"That's semantics," Easterling said. "There's nothing misleading about it unless I'm supposed to define how the office works. You typically don't use an article on a resume."

Democrats have begun to look for a permanent replacement for party chairman Mike Scionti, who passed away last week.

The party's vice chairman, Rob Ray, took over as acting chairman. But it's not clear that Ray, who has family commitments, wants to be the guy to lead Democrats through the fall elections.

A steering committee for the party meets tonight to discuss plans for fall. An election could take place as early as Sept. 16.

Some names being discussed as possible replacements include lawyer Herbert Berkowitz, Democratic Executive Committee treasurer Henry Gill and Betty Castor, former state education commissioner and former president of the University of South Florida.

Castor, now president of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, still spends many weekends at her South Tampa home. Castor, however, isn't a member of the local DEC, and her daughter, Kathy, called the prospect that she would take over extremely doubtful.

Another name being mentioned is that of state Sen. Les Miller, the Tampa Democrat who doesn't have to worry about a re-election campaign because he didn't draw any opposition.

The party's bylaws don't allow an elected official to serve as DEC chairman, but rules can always be changed. Miller could raise money for the local party, and also serve as an effective spokesman.

"Something will happen soon," said Democratic activist April Griffin.

Everyone knows the problem with many four-letter words.

But it's a three-letter word -- for -- that's causing trouble in the District 4 School Board race in east Hillsborough County.

Supporters of Jennifer Faliero mailed a complaint this week to the Florida Elections Commission concerning candidate Larry Martin's yard signs.

State law requires campaign literature to have the word "for" between candidates' names and the seat they are seeking unless they are incumbents. Some of Martin's signs read only: Elect Larry Martin School Board District 4. Faliero said the signs should read: Elect Larry Martin for School Board District 4.

In a race with no incumbent and four political newcomers -- including engineer and parent Cliff Roberts and retired school administrator John Werner -- Faliero said the signs give the impression Martin is the incumbent. It's a touchy issue for Faliero, since Martin, a retired school district administrator, was recruited to run by outgoing board member Joe Newsome.

"It's the law," said Faliero, a member of the Buckhorn Elementary School PTA.

Martin said he didn't intend to give the impression that he was the incumbent.

"It just slipped our minds," he said. "If it's wrong, we'll take care of it."

Martin's political consultant Patrick Manteiga, publisher of La Gaceta, said the error was caught on recent campaign printings.

"If candidates in this community were to worry about the qualities it takes to do the jobs they're running for instead of where signs are posted, what signs say, we'd have a lot better government," he said.

Still, don't be surprised to see Martin walking the streets with a magic marker in hand. Manteiga said Martin plans to "go out and write the word 'for' on the signs he notices around."

-- Times staff writer Melanie Ave contributed to this column. Political junkies can reach David Karp at 226-3376 or karp@sptimes.com, and Bill Varian can be reached at 226-3387 or varian@sptimes.com.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright