A Wal-Mart opponent takes aim at new target
Chris Hrabovsky has set his sights on politics. He says he wants to get more grassroots activists involved.
By NICOLE JOHNSON
Published April 10, 2006
An anti-Wal-Mart activist has thrown his hat in the race for the state House District 45 seat.
Chris Hrabovsky, 35, filed with the Florida Division of Elections this week to run for the state representative post. Hrabovsky faces two-term Republican incumbent Tom Anderson.
"I got involved because I've seen, first hand, how these representatives are not listening to the will of the people," said Hrabovsky, who lives in Tarpon Springs and is engaged.
A member of the Friends of the Anclote River, Hrabovsky has protested plans for a Wal-Mart in Tarpon Springs and on Gandy Boulevard in St. Petersburg. The St. Louis native began protesting Wal-Mart stores across the state six years ago when he moved to Tarpon Springs from Crystal Beach, he said.
"I'm not against land development," Hrabovsky said."I'm against land developers who develop land irresponsibly."
Protesters, including Hrabovsky, successfully defeated Wal-Mart's efforts to put a store on Gandy Boulevard. But more recently, the Friends of the Anclote River decided to stop their fight against the superstore in Tarpon Springs saying that further legal challenges would be too costly.
If elected, Hrabovsky says he will work on getting more grassroots activists involved in politics, lowering insurance rates and developing a unified hurricane preparedness plan for his district.
Hrabovsky, who consults with physicians on integrated health techniques such as tai chi and yoga, must collect approximately 1,000 signatures by June 19 to appear on the ballot or pay a qualifying fee.
It remains to be seen if his only civic activity - battling Wal-Mart stores - can translate to beating a two-term incumbent.
"Tom Anderson is a very moderate republican, and that's one reason why Tom is safe where he's at," said Carrie Wadlinger, Pinellas County Democratic Party chairwoman.
Anderson could not be reached for comment Friday.
District 45 extends south to Dunedin in Pinellas County and north to New Port Richey in Pasco County.
"A Republican or Democrat could win there," said Wadlinger about District 45. "I say that because of the environment, as it changes, we've got a lot of quaint towns now in Tarpon and Dunedin, and they play to more diversity."
Nicole Johnson can be reached at njohnson@sptimes.com or 727 445-4162.