By Compiled from Times wires
Published July 9, 2003
MIAMI - Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Foley formally opened his campaign for U.S. Senate Tuesday, filing papers to seek the seat held by Democratic presidential hopeful Bob Graham.
Foley, a five-term congressman from West Palm Beach, filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission and paperwork establishing a fundraising committee.
Graham has said he does not "anticipate" running for re-election to the Senate next year but has not ruled it out.
In the GOP primary, Foley expects to face former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum of the Orlando area, who lost to Democrat Bill Nelson in the 2000 U.S. Senate race. U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon of Palm Bay and state Sen. Daniel Webster of Winter Garden are exploring candidacies. Perennial candidate Andy Martin of West Palm Beach and Gwyndolyn McClellan of Sarasota have also announced campaigns.
Five Democrats have announced plans to run if Graham declines another state campaign: former state Education Commissioner Betty Castor, U.S. Reps. Peter Deutsch of Pembroke Pines, Alcee Hastings of Miramar and Allen Boyd of Monticello, and Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas.
Boy drowns in guarded pool filled with swimmers
FORT MYERS BEACH - Authorities are investigating the drowning of a 6-year-old who was swimming with about 55 of his fellow YMCA campers at a public pool staffed by lifeguards.
Gabriel Howard drowned Monday in about 5 feet of water during an outing with the YMCA's Discovery Camp. There were 11 lifeguards on duty in the two-pool complex, including four at the pool where the boy drowned. The children were also being monitored by YMCA counselors.
The boy was seen at the bottom of the pool by a woman who had taken her son to the pool.
"I just pulled him out," said Jill Fitzgerald. "It was real sad."
Bar reviewing attorney's criticism of judge
PENSACOLA - The Florida Bar is investigating an ethics complaint against attorney Fred Levin for ridiculing a judge's decision to jail suspended Escambia County Commissioner W.D. Childers.
Levin, who defended Childers during his 2002 trial on charges of violating Florida's open-government Sunshine Law, was quoted in the Pensacola News Journal as saying the judge's refusal to free the former Florida Senate president on bail during his appeal was "unconscionable."
"I've never been so embarrassed or ashamed of the legal profession," Levin told the newspaper in a May 13 story. "I believe the inmates have taken over the asylum."
Levin said Monday the Bar asked him to explain his comments. He said he stands by them and was exercising his right of free speech.
Okaloosa County Judge T. Patterson Maney sentenced Childers to 60 days in jail May 12 for discussing public business in private with other commissioners. Childers was the first public official jailed for violating the Sunshine Law's open meetings section, Levin said Monday.
"I thought it was wrong," the Pensacola lawyer said. "I am outraged. ... I am being denied my right to say what I think."
