Funding parties revive dispute

A developer who led a drive to ease wetlands rules is helping raise money for candidates.

By MICHAEL VAN SICKLER, Times Staff Writer
Published September 26, 2007

TAMPA - A developer who led a drive to abolish Hillsborough County's wetlands program is now involved in another drive: to raise money for two commissioners who voted last month to ease wetlands rules.

Stephen Dibbs is on the host committee for two commissioners, Brian Blair and Ken Hagan, who had key votes that decided the fate of the county's $2-million wetlands program.

Dibbs pushed to abolish the program, but commissioners approved a compromise last month that preserved the program. The decision eased wetlands rules, cut the staff and made it faster for developers to get permits. Commissioners said the compromise made the county program more efficient without sacrificing the quality of the wetlands protections.

But some environmentalists and residents said the compromise hurts wetlands overall.

After learning Tuesday that Dibbs is helping raise money for Hagan's and Blair's 2008 re-election bids, the former director of the Environmental Protection Commission's wetlands division said the timing of the receptions "didn't pass the smell test."

"When commissioners start hanging out with those who led the attack on the wetlands, I think it looks politically bad," said Jadell Kerr, who resigned this summer after posting critical comments online about commissioners. "Why would commissioners go after the wetlands rule if not at the behest of these people? It just gives the environmental community more ammunition."

Blair's reception is scheduled for Thursday and Hagan's for Oct. 11. Both will be at Emerald Greens Golf & Country Club.

Dibbs is only one name on a list for the "event host committee" that includes 29 for Hagan and 30 for Blair.

But five others on that list have business or family ties to Dibbs. The contact person for the two events is Hung Mai, an engineer hired by Dibbs. Mai sent an e-mail Tuesday morning alerting more than 25 people, many of whom represent developers, to attend the receptions.

Mai was appointed by commissioners last week to the Planning Commission, which oversees the county's long-range growth plan. Mai said Dibbs and the wetlands issue had nothing to do with organizing the fundraiser.

Some residents said Mai's role in raising money for commissioners raised questions.

"Within a week of winning votes from Blair and Hagan, Mai turns around and starts raising money for them?" said Mariella Smith of Hillsborough County's Sierra Club.

Mai and Todd Pressman, another consultant who has worked for Dibbs, said their involvement had no relationship to Dibbs' effort or is in anyway improper.

"Personally, I don't see a conflict," Pressman said.

Mai said the fundraisers had been planned "three or four months ago" and didn't have anything to do with his appointment.

Hagan couldn't be reached, but his aide, Rich Reidy, said the timing of the events could give a bad impression.

"I don't see anything wrong with it," Reidy said. "But I can see their point."

Blair couldn't be reached.

Neither could Dibbs.

Michael Van Sickler can be reached at 813 226-3402 or mvansickler@sptimes.com.

[Last modified September 26, 2007, 00:09:16]