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Freedman may try to regain her former title

By ERNEST HOOPER
Published January 10, 2006

Some people still call her mayor, and that may be her official title again some day.

The latest rumor from the grapevine is that a contingent is pushing Sandy Freedman to run for mayor ... again.

Freedman was mayor from 1987 to 1995, and has been relatively quiet, politically speaking, since losing a runoff for Congress to Jim Davis in 1996.

In July, however, Freedman spoke at a public meeting for the first time in 10 years. Freedman voiced serious concerns about Mayor Pam Iorio's proposal to put the new Tampa Museum of Art in the old federal courthouse, an idea that eventually died.

Now, Freedman told me recently, she's been approached about running against Iorio in 2007. Freedman has yet to rule out a possible bid and genuinely seems intrigued with the possibilities.

More importantly, Freedman becomes the third potential candidate to emerge. TAMA Broadcasting (WTMP-AM 1140) chief executive officer Glenn Cherry is said to be considering a run, and former business executive John Sykes allegedly has been wooed to jump into the race.

I remained convinced Iorio will win re-election.

Still, the slate of possible challengers indicates she is not without detractors.

Whether that discontent mushrooms into a serious bid remains to be seen, but I don't think Iorio is in a position to exactly rest on her laurels for the rest of her first term.

And I'm sure she won't.

Bucs fans have no choice but to rest on their laurels after watching the Washington Redskins end their season on Saturday.

Passions are still running high, however. Just ask Terrell Italiano. Italiano owns Teamwork Imprinted Sportswear on S Dale Mabry Highway and heard from plenty of Tampa Bay faithful after putting "How 'Bout Those Redskins?" on the marquee in front of her store.

Italiano insists, however, that she's not trying to offend Bucs' supporters. She's just a lifelong Redskins' fan.

Growing up in South Tampa, Italiano, 44, rooted for the Redskins before the Bucs even existed because her neighbor, former Robinson High and University of Florida great Larry Smith, played for Washington.

Old habits die hard. Although she roots for the Bucs whenever they aren't playing Washington, Italiano remains loyal to the Redskins.

"We love the Bucs," she said. "I even gave my employees the day off to go to Bucs Super Bowl parade (in 2003)."

The latest Redskins' message went up a week ago when Washington beat Philadelphia to clinch a playoff berth. It wasn't about the Redskins victory over the Bucs.

Nevertheless, the sign drew the ire of some fans and became a topic on the Ron Diaz/Ian Beckles Show on WDAE-AM 620 Monday morning. Italiano wasn't surprised.

"Our mailman won't deliver our mail," Italiano laughed. "It's pretty much a joke. Everybody who knows me knows I'm a Redskins fan."

Amazingly, Italiano has never been to a game in Washington.

You might think that Bank of St. Petersburg chief executive officer Joe Caballero decided to put a branch on Himes Avenue across from Raymond James Stadium because he was tired of paying for parking.

Caballero, however, said the location made a lot of business sense. The bank decided to expand its footprint from St. Petersburg shortly after Caballero took over in the summer of 2003. It tries to cater to physicians, lawyers and other professionals, so a location near St. Joseph's Hospital was ideal.

The visibility of being near a venue that draws people from around the bay area is an added bonus for the bank, whose assets have gone from $65-million to $340-million in the last 21/2 years, Caballero said.

Of course, Caballero admits the location is a nice benefit on game day. The bank has entertained clients for Bucs games, the Outback Bowl and some University of South Florida games.

And for Caballero, the $20 parking tab is a thing of the past.

That's all I'm saying.

--Ernest Hooper can be reached at 813 226-3406 or Hooper@sptimes.com

[Last modified January 10, 2006, 01:51:15]