County chairman hedges on lost bet

By BILL VARIAN, Times Staff Writer
Published January 12, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT Ken Hagan says he may wear the Oregon Ducks jersey for part of the meeting.

On Wednesday, we find out if Hillsborough County Commission Chairman Ken Hagan is a man of honor.

Seems that Hagan agreed to - or was volunteered for - a gentleman's bet with the commission chairman of Lane County, home of the Oregon Ducks, over the outcome of the Dec. 31 Sun Bowl. You may recall that Hillsborough's own University of South Florida Bulls, the Ducks' opponent in the bowl game, didn't fare so well.

For losing the bet, Hagan had to send a flat of strawberries and some cigars to Lane County. On that score, Hagan, or someone at least, delivered.

But there was a second part of the bet, obligating the losing chairman to wear the other team's jersey for an entire commission meeting. That bill comes due Wednesday, and word is that Hagan is getting cold feet.

Reached about the matter Friday, Hagan says he may wear the jersey ... um ... for part of the meeting. No way is he humming the Ducks' fight song, as was suggested at one point.

Hagan says he wasn't part of setting the terms of the bet, and shouldn't be forced to honor it. He said the jersey is certainly nice, but there may be a problem:

"I've been working out," Hagan said. "I don't know if it will fit around my shoulders."

Faye Stewart II, the Lane County Commission chairman, said he hopes Hagan will make good on the whole bet. He had looked far and wide for a Bulls jersey and was prepared to wear it to an important meeting.

"We did receive the strawberries - and they were excellent - as well as the cigars," Stewart said. "We would certainly hope that he could find it within himself to wear the jersey."

A Super Bowl job

Greg Cox, former executive director of Hillsborough County's Public Transportation Commission, has a new job: director of operations for the Tampa Bay Super Bowl Host Committee.

Cox resigned his post at the PTC in September after eight years, amid accusations of lax financial oversight and abusive treatment of employees.

Reid Sigmon, executive director of the group planning the 2009 Super Bowl in Tampa, said Cox's experience makes him qualified to handle the job that includes coordinating transportation for the big game.

Looking for a leader

Former Florida legislator Bob Henriquez said he might run for the chairmanship of the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee after Mike Suarez abruptly resigned last month. But Henriquez isn't a member of the committee, and the organization's rules don't allow him to seek the post.

"That's fine," Henriquez said. "I just want what's best for the party. I'll support whoever they choose."

A special election to find a replacement for Suarez and vice chairwoman Deborah Cope is scheduled for Jan. 22.

Attorney Michael Steinberg also has announced he'll look to succeed Suarez. Steinberg is the attorney representing a Democratic political consultant challenging the national party's decision to strip Florida of its delegates to the presidential nominating convention. The party's move came as punishment for moving up the date of the Florida presidential primary to Jan. 29.

Town hall meeting

Rep. Rich Glorioso, R-Plant City, chairman of the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation, will host a town hall meeting on a bill that would change the makeup of some local boards. The meeting is scheduled for Monday at 5 p.m. at County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard.

The proposed legislation would give cities in Hillsborough County seats on the Environmental Protection Commission, now comprised solely of county commissioners. It also would give the county greater representation on the Tampa Sports Authority and Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission.

Forum on referendum

The Lutz Civic Association is holding a public forum on the Jan. 29 property tax referendum. Want to go? It takes place at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Lutz Community Center, 98 1st Ave NW.

Times staff writers Bill Varian and Janet Zink contributed to this report.

[Last modified January 12, 2008, 00:20:44]