Ex-commissioner seeks elections post

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 8, 2008

TAMPA

Former County Commissioner Phyllis Busansky said Thursday she will run against Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections Buddy Johnson, who is overseeing the transition to new voting machines.

"I am committed to restoring confidence in the Hillsborough election process so all voters will know that their votes are accurately counted in a timely manner," said Busansky, 70, a Democrat.

Busansky, who months ago had surgery for lung cancer that she pronounced a success, lost a bid in 2006 for the 9th Congressional District, an election won by Gus Bilirakis. She served as a commissioner from 1988 to 1996 and is credited as the architect of the county's indigent health care program.

She joins Democrat Lee P. Nelson, a project manager for a software development team at the Verizon Tech Center in Temple Terrace, in challenging Johnson.

Johnson, a former Republican legislator who was appointed elections supervisor in 2003 and won re-election the following year, said he looks forward to the campaign.

TAMPA

Sheriff to close street for sake of security

Tampa City Council members Thursday agreed to let Hillsborough Sheriff David Gee gate off 20th Street from Palm to Eighth avenues to increase security around the Sheriff's Office operations center in Ybor City.

Gee said that after the Sept. 11 attacks, his office recognized a threat to "critical infrastructure."

The council also:

-Gave a final unanimous approval for developers to turn the Fort Homer Hesterly Armory it into a hotel and spa.

-Voted to encourage the New York Yankees to name Legends Field for team owner George Steinbrenner.

CHASSAHOWITZKA

Whooping crane flock to split next year

The Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge no longer will be the sole winter destination for the ultralight-led migratory whooping crane flock.

When the whooping crane chicks that will be raised this year in Wisconsin are ready to head south for the winter, the flock will be split into two groups. Half of the giant birds will be led to Chassahowitzka, while the rest will head to the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in the Panhandle.

The decision was in response to last year's devastating loss of 17 of 18 cranes in a winter storm at Chassahowitzka.

TAMPA

New lawyer to defend man in explosives case

A suspended University of South Florida student facing federal explosives charges has hired the attorney who defended Sami Al-Arian and Wesley Snipes.

Ahmed Mohamed told a federal judge last month that he wanted to hire Linda Moreno when he publicly aired his displeasure with John Fitzgibbons, his attorney at the time.

In court records filed Thursday, Moreno announced her appearance as Mohamed's new lawyer.

Tampa attorney Lyann Goudie will work with Moreno as co-counsel.

[Last modified February 7, 2008, 23:16:27]