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Talk of the Bay

An invitation he almost regretted

By KRIS HUNDLEY
Published August 28, 2006

Ed Peachey, executive director of WorkNet Pinellas, admits he should have read the flier a little more closely before forwarding it to his board members, along with an invitation to attend the $30 event at WorkNet's expense.

But two board members who read the invite immediately raised a red flag. The Aug. 30 "Business of Politics" event at Safety Harbor Resort & Spa, sponsored by the Florida Chamber of Commerce and West Central Florida Chamber Alliance, promised an opportunity to hear from "top pro-business candidates and legislators."

But the five candidates scheduled to appear were all Republican. And it sounded way too much like a partisan fundraising affair for Russell Leggett and Mike Comber, WorkNet board members who represent the local plumbers and pipe-fitters union. Federal funds cannot be used for political fundraising.

"It wouldn't matter if there were Democratic or Republicans speaking," said Leggett, who, along with Comber, complained to Peachey. "It's not the intent to use taxpayers' dollars to pay for us attending."

Peachey, who has run the public-private workforce group for three years, immediately responded by offering to pay board members' attendance fee out of his own pocket.

None of his 40 board members has responded to the offer, which could have cost more than Peachey bargained for.

"I rarely get board members to attend events," he said.

[Last modified August 28, 2006, 07:24:47]