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Another complaint filed against commissioner

LAND O'LAKES - Environmental activist Clay Colson has filed the latest in a series of elections complaints against County Commissioner Ann Hildebrand, accusing the commissioner of violating the confidentiality of an earlier complaint by sharing a letter with the media.

About two weeks ago, Hildebrand provided local newspapers with a letter in which the Florida Elections Commission determined an earlier Colson complaint was "legally insufficient." In that complaint, Colson had accused Hildebrand of using a secondary address as her legal address.

The letter stated that "the person against whom this complaint is filed may not disclose this letter or the complaint, unless he or she waives confidentiality in writing." Hildebrand did not sign such a waiver: "We didn't read the fine print," she said.

Hildebrand said she couldn't help but notice the "double-whammy irony," however. Whenever Colson files a complaint against her, he immediately provides copies to the media.

Colson said there's a big difference: Under Florida statutes, the person filing the complaint is not subject to the confidentiality requirement.

A candidates forum will be held at 6 p.m. today at the New Port Richey Public Library, 5939 Main St. More than 20 candidates for public office will attend. They will present their platforms and, through a moderator, field questions from the audience. For information, call Ann Scott at (727) 841-4547, ext. 278.