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Joe, the voters love you in the city of Tampa

By TIMES WIRES
Published November 21, 2006

Strip club owner Joe Redner lost his bid for the Hillsborough County Commission this month but he was a winner in Tampa. Redner received 36,353 votes in city precincts Nov. 7. That's 3,784 more than his Republican opponent, Jim Norman. It's also more than Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio received when she was elected three years ago. His showing has Redner considering a run for the Tampa City Council in March. "I'm finally getting my message out, and the people I did get it out to were in the city," said Redner, who has been a losing candidate in local elections several times. "Every time I run, I convince a few more people that I do know what's going on and I do have answers to their questions."

Happy holidays, take an FCAT test

Just in time for Thanksgiving: eight Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests for a students' studying enjoyment. The reading and mathematics tests for grades 3, 7, 9 and 10 were taken by students this year and are no longer being used, except for practice. The tests can be downloaded or taken online. The new tests, along with tests released last year for grades 4, 8 and 10, are available at www.firn.edu/doe/sas/fcatrelease.html

Pinellas produces a band of winners

Three of the five best high school marching bands in Florida are in Pinellas County. Bands from Northside Christian, East Lake High and Seminole High won their division titles during the finals of the Florida Marching Band Tournament Saturday at Tropicana Field. Winners of the other two divisions were from South Florida.

Push is on to finish boot camp probe

The parents of Martin Lee Anderson, the teenager who died in January after rough handling by guards at a Panama City boot camp, stood outside Gov. Jeb Bush's office in Tallahassee Monday to demand action in the case, which is being investigated by Hillsborough County State Attorney Mark Ober. The governor is impatient, too. "I share their unbelievable frustration," Bush said. "This has taken way too long. Mr. Ober, if you're watching, please, let's get this resolved." The NAACP said it will protest Gov.-elect Charlie Crist's Jan. 2 inauguration if the investigation is not completed. An Ober spokeswoman had no comment.

[Last modified November 20, 2006, 23:39:05]