Politics

Homeless, protesters unsettle GOP stalwart

By JANET ZINK, Times Staff Writer
Published December 30, 2007

It seems Florida Republican Don Phillips has a deep fear of homeless people and Democrats. Phillips, a developer, Republican donor and John McCain supporter, sent a letter to Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and police Chief Steve Hogue asking for protection from both.

Phillips owns office space near downtown Tampa and says homeless people sometimes congregate in a nearby park.

"We have seen these same individuals urinate on the sidewalk outside our window," he wrote, and asked to discuss "enforcement possibilities" with Hogue.

"In addition to this, we have another growing concern," he wrote. It seems the Republican Party of Florida has opesned a satellite office in Phillips' building.

"As the 2008 Presidential Election draws near," the letter continues, "we expect there to be numerous political protests at the very least directly outside our office building. I'm sure I don't have to tell you how heated those protests may become. We want assurance from the Police Department that they will respond quickly and take immediate action to diffuse any potentially harmful situation."

Hogue says he's not sure why Phillips is so concerned about potential protests.

"Maybe he has some information he didn't relay in the letter," the police chief said.

"We wouldn't do anything to stop the protest," Hogue said, noting it's a legal right.

But he promised to monitor any activity "to make sure no one gets out of hand."

A blow for free speech

Speaking of free speech, Iorio recently confirmed her distaste for limiting political protests to certain areas.

City attorneys wrote a draft ordinance establishing a "clean zone" around the St. Pete Times Forum during the NCAA Final Four Women's basketball tournament slated for March.

The draft was based on a similar ordinance written for the 2001 Super Bowl played in Tampa, said city attorney David Smith. It included a provision that would limit "activities protected under the First Amendment" to designated locations. But the item was removed from the ordinance because Iorio doesn't believe in free speech zones, Smith said. She campaigned against them when she first ran for mayor in 2003 and opted not to create them during a visit by President George W. Bush later that year.

Dingfelder's not voting

Tampa City Council member John Dingfelder is abstaining from controversial votes on rezoning Hyde Park Village that would allow condo towers because his law offices are located three lots from the residential and shopping center.

Dingfelder said City Council attorney Martin Shelby advised him not to vote on the rezoning.

Dingfelder doesn't own the building where his offices are located. It's owned by his law partner, Tom Scarritt, and another lawyer.

Scarritt and developer Hamilton Jones are also looking to build offices on land owned by the Hillsborough County Expressway Authority next to the Wine Exchange restaurant in Hyde Park Village. Scarritt said Dingfelder has no interest in that venture, either.

"We don't even discuss it," he said.

[Last modified December 29, 2007, 23:48:39]