Iorio shows she'll have different grasp on job

Iorio

But behind the smiles, it was clear just how different the new mayor will be.

Mayor Dick Greco, known for his hugging and squeezing, ended the news conference as mayor-elect Pam Iorio was still taking questions.

A microphone set up by WTVT-Ch.13 picked up what Greco said:

"Come on, baby."

Iorio stood still, taking more questions. Then Greco took her by the hand and walked away with her.

Iorio pulled her hand away. She wanted to make sure reporters didn't have more to discuss.

We'll be here all day, Greco told her, as he reached for her elbow.

"That would be Dick," Iorio said Thursday. "That is the way he is."

Don't expect Iorio to be calling men "baby," "honey" or "sugar."

"People call me Pam," she said. "And I think they will call me Mayor Pam."

CAMPAIGN FOR CHAIRMAN: With the election over, now comes the vote Tuesday for the new City Council chairman.

Linda Saul-Sena, Gwen Miller and Rose Ferlita want the job.

Whoever wins will help set the tone on a council that will lack well-known figures Charlie Miranda and Bob Buckhorn. The chair will also serve as acting mayor when Iorio leaves town.

Here's our assessment:

On the positive side, Miller would be the first black City Council chairwoman. On Miller's negative side is that she is not known for probing analysis of issues.

She also faces an ethics complaint for using city staff and equipment to campaign.

"I think I am qualified," said Miller, who is currently vice chairman.

Ferlita also wants to serve, but won't campaign behind the scenes for the post. She's well-known, independent and knowledgeable. On the down side, Ferlita can talk a lot during meetings, without always saying much. Her colleagues like to move business along.

Then there's Saul-Sena.

She has the most experience of any City Council member, having won election four times and served 12 years.

"I am a conciliatory person. I think I am very good at bringing people with divergent views together," she said. "I think I would work well with the new mayor."

Saul-Sena's sunny demeanor can also grate on colleagues. She often suggests extra workshops or lunch breaks, which keep the council at work longer.

"I am not Pollyanna," Saul-Sena said Thursday. "Just because I am a nice person does not mean I am weak person."

She recently sent her colleagues a memo suggesting the council hire its own attorney and budget analyst, look at moving chambers to the old Federal Courthouse and use a computer program to better track constituent issues.

The memo began: "Congratulations! Welcome! Let's go!"

One other possibility: Shawn Harrison.

Harrison, who represents North Tampa, doesn't want the job, but he said he would serve for one year only as a compromise candidate.

CONSULTANT MONEY WELL SPENT? Defeated City Council candidate Curtis Stokes paid consultant April Schiff more than $15,000 for political advice.

But Schiff couldn't convince her husband to support Stokes.

Schiff's spouse, development lawyer Gordon Schiff, gave $250 to Stokes' opponent, Gwen Miller, who won.

Schiff said she and her husband sometimes have different interests: "He does what he needs to do, and I do what I need to do."

Even though Stokes lost, Schiff said her consulting work was worth every cent.

"We give really good advice," she said. "We spent more hands-on time on our campaign than other consultants do."

FLASHY FINALE: Miranda ended his final City Council meeting with characteristic flair.

Miranda, known for wearing black to protest the deal to build Raymond James Stadium for the Bucs, wore a white suit Thursday.

He looked like John Travolta on Saturday Night Fever, only bald.

Even Miranda's shoes were white with black tips.

He joked about his outfit with City Council member Shawn Harrison.

"I wore this outfit for you and Dan Ruth," Miranda said, referring to the Tampa Tribune columnist. "Starting at 11 a.m., I am the Good Humor man."

-- Got a tip? Call David Karp at 226-3376 or karp@sptimes.com.

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