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Politics

Authority member applies to Council

Bob Clark Jr. has been a t the center of recent trouble at the road agency.

By JANET ZINK
Published November 14, 2006

TAMPA - As a board member of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority, Bob Clark Jr. has been a central figure in conflicts at the agency.

But he's not shying away from the spotlight.

Clark on Monday applied to temporarily fill a Tampa City Council seat that will be vacant when Rose Ferlita leaves this month for the Hillsborough County Commission.

The part-time job, which pays about $600 a week, begins in early December and ends after City Council elections in March.

"I want to be a part of the good things that are happening," said Clark, president of Tampa Steel Erecting Co.

In July, Clark directed the Expressway Authority's lobbyist to meet with attorneys at Gray Robinson, which was seeking a lucrative legal contract with the agency. Gray Robinson won the contract with the help of Clark's vote.

Questions over the hiring of Gray Robinson prompted state and federal investigations of the authority. A probe by Gov. Jeb Bush's office found no wrongdoing, but the authority later rescinded its contract with Gray Robinson.

"We're good at the Expressway Authority," Clark said. "There have been a lot of challenges, but we have met them and as a businessman that's what I'm good at doing: talking to people and coming up with the best solutions."

The deadline for applications for the temporary City Council seats is 5 p.m. Wednesday. The City Council will vote on the appointments Nov. 30.

Council Chairwoman Gwen Miller, who serves with Clark on the Expressway Authority, wonders what kind of judgment Clark would have at the council.

But she said she would review his application along with the others. "It's an open seat," she said. "I'm going to vote for the candidate I think is most qualified."

The City Council will have two vacancies as of Nov. 21. Kevin White will also leave to serve on the County Commission.

Other applicants for Ferlita's position include Aria Green, the Tampa fire chief forced to resign in 2004; lawyers W. Reynolds Allen and Joseph Bryant; hairdresser Joseph Citro, a candidate for City Council in March; teacher James Jones; and chaplain James Holmes.

Frank Reddick, president of the Sickle Cell Association, has applied for White's seat.

[Last modified November 14, 2006, 05:55:21]