Political junkie

Giddiness comes on heels of courthouse turmoil

Apparently sated after last month's blood feast, Hillsborough commissioners were downright playful Thursday when they met for their annual retreat and goal-setting session.

It was almost as though Tattoo had spotted "de plane, de plane" flying over the Port Authority building conference room where they met and Mr. Roarke had issued his requisite "smiles, everyone" command.

Sure, November had seen the resignations under varying modes of duress from the top two government staffers, County Administrator Dan Kleman and County Attorney Emmy Acton. And yes, their exits had followed several other high-level defections. But it was a new day Thursday.

"You can't find them. Nobody has any left," Norman said. "I don't know what I'm going to do."

"They must have seen you in them," quipped Commissioner Pat Frank, never one to pass on an opportunity to pinch Norman. "Is this something we can put in the goals?" asked Commissioner Kathy Castor. That came after some heavy lifting on new procedures for handling the commission's consent agenda of routine, noncontroversial decisions on meeting days.

New County Administrator Pat Bean sought guidance on whether she can hire a headhunter to search for replacements for her top deputy and another assistant. She also wanted advice on how, or whether, she should move to replace Acton.

Commissioners essentially told her that was her job, and to go forth and do good things.

"I'm prepared at this stage to give you a lot of leeway and a lot of rope," said Commissioner Ronda Storms, adding later, "You're in your honeymoon period. You're walking around with the halo right now."

Now about that rope. In their most pointed direction Thursday, commissioners also told Bean to prepare an analysis for them on the proposed remake of east Tampa that former Commissioner Ed Turanchik is spearheading, a plan that is currently rather vague on details. And quickly, please.

As far as goals, Commissioner Jan Platt asked commissioners to make protecting the environment a priority. Storms said she wants to see the county made prettier and safer. Castor wanted an emphasis on health.

At Norman's suggestion, they were combined as a goal to make Hillsborough County a good place to live and play.

Smiles, everyone.

In the past, the goal session has lasted for two all-day sessions. Commissioners got out in about three hours Thursday, including lunch.

WASN'T THAT IN A SITCOM? There were few smiles for Norman on the homefront recently, after a good deed went awry.

Norman said he spotted a full garbage bag near the door as he readied for work. It was garbage day, so he did his duty and deposited it in the can in time for the truck.

Unfortunately, it was laundry day as well, and the bag actually contained his wife's clothes. And Christmas became a little more expensive in the Norman household.

CANDIDATES LINE UP: Glenn Barrington predicted a stampede for his District 1 Hillsborough School Board seat when he announced his retirement after 16 years, and there are now three candidates looking to replace him.

Janice Torgersen, 65, a newly retired educator, has filed to run for the largely Hispanic West Tampa district, in which she has lived since birth.

Torgersen retired from the Hillsborough school district in August, where she spent the last 34 years as a teacher. Her most recent position was as an administrative resource teacher in the district's technical, career and adult education program.

With a doctorate in education, she created an online learning program for adults and also received the Hillsborough Education Foundation's award for creativity in 1995 for a program that helps at-risk high school students get a diploma.

Two other candidates have filed to run for the seat. One is Joe Kotvas, a hospital radiology supervisor and former Hillsborough County commissioner once imprisoned for accepting a bribe in a zoning case 20 years ago. His civil rights were restored after he served time for his 1983 arrest. He ran unsuccessfully for county commission in 1996 and for state representative in 1997.

The other is Susan Valdes, a Democratic health care clinic manager, who previously ran for the School Board in 1996, and was an unsuccessful Democratic challenger against Republican County Commissioner Norman last year.

WALDRON DRAWN TO RUN: Valrico bank manager Arlene Waldron says she's been carrying around a serious case of "the political bug" ever since she lost her 2002 bid for the District 4 County Commission seat to incumbent Ronda Storms. But she thinks she may have found the cure in Johnnie Byrd - or at least his Florida House seat.

Waldron, 46, announced this week she plans to run for the District 62 seat that includes Hillsborough and parts of Pasco County. Byrd is leaving the House to run for the U.S. Senate seat long held by Florida's Bob Graham, who recently announced he's retiring.

The last time Waldron faced an incumbent, she lost. Storms beat Waldron in the September 2002 primary with 56 percent of the vote, following a tense race in which Waldron won the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce's support.

"I've had a burning desire ever since 2002," Waldron said. "It's all about the right timing in life."

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