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USF trustees approve president's bonus

By TIMES WIRES
Published December 8, 2006

TAMPA

The University of South Florida board of trustees Thursday approved a $37,000 bonus for president Judy Genshaft.

The decision, which came after Genshaft's annual evaluation at Thursday's board meeting, passed with ease. Even student body president Frank Harrison, who was expected by some to question the bonus, said he was "100 percent in support."

Genshaft's contract is to be renegotiated next year. Her base salary is less than those of the presidents of Florida International University, the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida. Of her $370,641 salary, $225,000 comes from public sources.

"I'm very appreciative (of the bonus)," Genshaft said. "They know this is a very challenging position and one I take very seriously."

Judge must pay bills for his JQC defense

Hillsborough Circuit Judge Gregory Holder beat a plagiarism charge but remains on the hook for his attorney's fees, the Florida Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

Holder's lead attorney questioned the decision.

Six months ago, attorneys for the Judicial Qualifications Commission and Holder argued before the court after the judge made an unprecedented request for the ethics body to foot his $1.8-million legal bill.

HUDSON

9 cardiologists sue over angioplasties

Nine cardiologists have sued the nation's largest hospital chain over their 2-year-old suspensions from performing angioplasties at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point.

The doctors allege that Nashville's HCA Inc., which owns the Hudson hospital, tarnished their reputations by suggesting they had compromised their patients' health.

The doctors are asking a judge to force HCA to restore their privileges to do angioplasties and pay them damages.

Eight of the nine are represented by Tampa powerhouse Barry Cohen's legal firm.

WESLEY CHAPEL

Wal-Mart may start construction in '07

Construction on the new Wal-Mart store in Wesley Chapel may start as early as the second half of 2007.

Wal-Mart officials sealed a deal Thursday with the Pasco County Development Review Committee on a new set of road realignments and improvements leading to its proposed store at County Road 54 and Porter Boulevard, which eventually will be part of the Wiregrass development.

Thursday's agreement paves the way for the County Commission and the state Transportation Department to sign off on the deal.

Elsewhere

NEW PORT RICHEY: The City Council this week approved a public art ordinance, which says the city must contribute 0.5 percent of the construction costs of a city-funded project - up to $100,000 - to a public art fund.

LARGO: City commissioners this week balked at a proposed sewer rate increase that could cost the average residential customer $7.16 more a month. Commissioners thought they would have to increase sewer revenue by 16 percent during 2007. But the new proposal would result in a 22 percent increase in revenue and cost the average single-family residential customer $1.90 more a month than projected.

[Last modified December 8, 2006, 00:13:52]