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Politics
For once, Redner was red-faced
By Michael Van Sickler, Times Staff Writer
Published September 12, 2007
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"Strippers" protest outside the forum Tuesday.
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[Tony Rojek | Bay News 9]
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ADVERTISEMENT
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Joe Redner.
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TAMPA -- Four young women wore short shorts, tight T-shirts and high heels. One even flaunted a garter belt stuffed with dollar bills.
You couldn't miss them Tuesday morning, as they picketed a breakfast forum of blazer-clad chamber of commerce types who gathered to talk about the not-so-sexy topic of land use.
From the signs the women clutched, the pickets seemed to be celebrating one of the forum's panelists - Joe Redner, owner of the Mons Venus strip club, wealthy landowner, constant political aspirant.
Redner was invited to speak in support of Florida Hometown Democracy, a statewide amendment slated for the 2008 ballot that would limit growth.
As Redner mingled with the guests at the Pepin Hospitality Centre, someone told him about the impromptu rally. He rushed outside and couldn't believe his eyes.
"No, no, no, we don't do this," Redner said as he approached the women, thinking they were his Mons Venus strippers.
"We love Joe, we love Joe," they chanted.
"I'm Joe," he told them.
"They didn't even recognize me," Redner said minutes later, shaking his head. "I figure some wise-a-- did this to make me look bad."
[Last modified September 12, 2007, 07:21:20]
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Comments on this article
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by kathyfaye
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09/14/07 08:31 AM
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It is gullible to think that ANTI-hometown democracy didn't instigate this. Hometown Democracy restores the credibility of every county's land plan.Current plans across FL add up to a 100 million population. Isn't that enough? Sign the petition.
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by Todd
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09/14/07 08:27 AM
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C'Mon, when have you known Joe to not own up to one of his stunts!? Smear campaign!!! And nobody makes women work at strip clubs, or makes people go there! You people need to lighten up! Freedom of choice anyone!? Don't like it? Don't go!!
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by Mary
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09/13/07 10:54 PM
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It's too bad Redner took the attention away from an important topic. The good news is he's still not able to legitimize his standing in the community. I hope he never can. Four smart women pose as Redner's girls, clever.
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by Big Bob
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09/13/07 07:18 PM
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Leave Joe alone!
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by Dan
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09/13/07 05:54 PM
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Anyone who thinks the women in a strip club are being exploited is an idiot. Those ladies make major bucks in what is generally a very secure working environment. The ones being exploited are the idiot men who sit around all gaga forking over their $
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by John
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09/13/07 04:05 PM
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Don't be so gullible to think that Redner did NOT cause those strippers to be there. I attended the event, he made a fool of himself in trying to defend this so called Home Town Democracy. This amendment is bad; don't sign any petition for it.
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by Jen
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09/13/07 02:16 PM
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They had to have purposely misspelled the sign as a joke. There are four of them there and more than one sign misspelled. It has to be a joke.
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by Paul
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09/13/07 11:36 AM
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If Joe wants to do something positive for the community he should close hs strip joints and get into a line of work that does not abuse other human beings. And don't give me the "freedom" speech, whats wrong is wrong, period.
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by bam
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09/13/07 09:03 AM
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How many of you realize that was political sabotage? You have to wonder if it's a competing strip club trying to be jerks, or if more sinister, it was someone at the land review meeting or other above ground political adversary. Makes you wonder...
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by Billy
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09/13/07 12:38 AM
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Joe needs a new challenge. Something that he could use his special skills for the public good.
I wonder if he knows Pinellas County has some openings. County administrator or Attorney. Or even (soon) Appraisor?
Hmmmm.....................
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by Bud
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09/12/07 09:01 PM
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Why would he not like the demonstration? Ladies like these helped to get him into the meeting...
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by Ken
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09/12/07 10:44 AM
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It's pathetic how much free publicity this glorified pimp has received from the SP Times. He even got an endorsement from them for the county seat. I thought good liberals were supposed to be against the exploitation of women for profit.
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by rick
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09/12/07 10:41 AM
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Joe needs to go, he's out of touch with the tax payers.
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by Peg
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09/12/07 10:40 AM
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ha hilarious....whomever wanted to show that stippers aren't that bright sure has a good idea. Smeap campaign to say the least
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by Jason L.
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09/12/07 10:37 AM
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Very Funny. Actually I think this gives him credibility due to that way he handled it and it was funny. You gotta have a since of humor.
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by Doug
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09/12/07 10:15 AM
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do something positive? This may be the worse idea ever in the history of Florida! It is going to kill the Florida economy!
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by Hoshi
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09/12/07 10:03 AM
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I know it wasn't nice to use Joe like that - but hey Joe uses women everyday and he expect to lead his ranchy lifestyle without things like this happening - I loved it - he is a slug.
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by Carol
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09/12/07 09:59 AM
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You know the only reason he wants this passed is so the county can't shut him down. But I do wonder if this really was an outside stunt, because whoever spell checked those signs needs to be fired.
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by Larry
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09/12/07 09:51 AM
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I think the general public is just afraid that Mr. Redner will stop the political BS, kick-backs, over development and wasted money on "pet" projects.
Heck, if he did that all the dinner parties would have to stop.
I say VOTE HIM IN !!
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by Darylt
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09/12/07 09:50 AM
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Right-wing political operatives: We put the "dim" in democracy.
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by MB
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09/12/07 08:51 AM
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Spelling isn't a requirement for entertainers. Then again, they may have tried to be clever with the "DIM." It just would have been better had they used an "O" instead of an "A." I'm available to give spelling lessons if need be.
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by Kris
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09/12/07 08:33 AM
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If only all politicians would be as honest about their baggage... Congrats to Joe for continuing to try to do good things despite what others try to pin on him.
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by Jason A.
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09/12/07 08:19 AM
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What a low-down stunt someone pulled to try and make Joe Redner look bad. Like him or hate him, he really was trying to do something positive there.
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by Ray
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09/12/07 08:13 AM
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Republicans don't like Joe - and they know where to get the strippers to do this.
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by Tony
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09/12/07 08:09 AM
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This has never been a trademark of Redner. I may not be a supporter of his, however this smacks of a smear campaign.
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by John
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09/12/07 08:08 AM
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Developers will do anything to keep the good times going and the money rolling! I must admit though that Mr. Redner does carry some inherent bad press baggage.
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by Dale
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09/12/07 07:25 AM
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"Dimacracy" That is awesome. Hahaha!
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