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Letter to the editor

District 55 foes dredge up dirt

Earnest Williams and Darryl Rouson fire off verbal shots at lunch.

By Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer
Published March 13, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - The gloves came off shortly after the salad course.

Less than 10 minutes into the State House District 55 candidates' forum at a Suncoast Tiger Bay luncheon Wednesday, Council member Earnest Williams launched into a long list of personal failures of one of his opponents, Darryl Rouson, including the lawyer's former crack cocaine addiction.

"I simply want to talk about his record," Williams told the crowd of more than 100 people.

Later, Rouson returned the favor with a jab at Williams' decision to resign from the City Council at a time when a $1-billion stadium and redevelopment has been proposed in his district.

"I don't think I would be running for another office right now," Rouson said.

The personal attacks continued throughout much of the forum, which marked the first time the Democratic candidates in the District 55 race faced off.

The hasty race comes on the heels of Rep. Frank Peterman's appointment as secretary of Florida's Department of Juvenile Justice. The primary election is March 25.

Williams recalled Rouson's decision to file for bankruptcy in 2002 to cover more than $400,000 in debts, his recent flirtation with the GOP and his unsuccessful Midtown secession campaign, which would have made the low-income area the highest taxed municipality in the county.

When his turn came, Rouson didn't hold back.

He said Williams didn't understand that his call for Midtown to secede was merely a publicity ploy aimed at highlighting some of St. Petersburg's most neglected neighborhoods. Celebrating 10 years of sobriety March 17, he did not deny Williams' attacks. Instead, he asked voters to focus on his successes and the future.

"I don't have time to concentrate on my opponents," he said, adding that he was the "embodiment" of both William's business know-how and the social activism of educator Charles McKenzie, who is also running for the District 55 seat.

Later, as the moderator introduced McKenzie, Rouson and Williams sat side by side and furiously whispered to one another before Rouson, interrupting the speaker, shouted out, "Why don't you listen to the man instead of talking to me."

Throughout the angry exchanges, McKenzie, a Meadowlawn Middle School teacher and state coordinator for the National Rainbow Coalition, urged his rivals and voters to focus on the issues instead.

"This is not about who can be the most venomous, this is not about who can be the most victimized," he said. "It is about the ability to work in a collective way to bring home what is needed."

Cristina Silva can be reached at 727 893-8846 or csilva@sptimes.com.

[Last modified March 13, 2008, 01:06:30]