Sequoia Voting Systems, whose bid to supply new voting machines in Pinellas County has come under question, is offering the more expensive of two proposals to supply the same equipment in Hillsborough County, according to documents made available Monday.

The company has submitted two alternatives to Hillsborough, one that would cost $12.46-million to provide 3,100 voting machines, backup software and training. The second proposal would cost $15.62-million for 4,064 machines.

The other company, Global Elections Systems of McKinney, Texas, would charge $11.32-million for 3,100 machines and $14.26-million for 4,064.

Recent reports in the St. Petersburg Times revealed that a Sequoia executive involved with the Pinellas bid was indicted in January on conspiracy charges as part of a Louisiana election kickbacks scandal.

Judges say plant must be reviewed

RUSKIN -- In a major victory for local environmentalists, a three-judge panel has reversed a Hillsborough County decision allowing Big Bend Transfer Co. to build a $40-million solid sulphur processing plant off Tampa Bay without a special review.

Three Circuit Court judges -- Robert Bonanno, Dick Greco Jr. and Gregory Holder -- said the County Commission ignored clear language in the land development code that required a proposed building or expansion on more than 5 acres to undergo a detailed rezoning review.

The citizens group Save Our Bays, Air & Canals is fighting plans to locate the sulphur plant just north of TECO's Big Bend plant. Although slated for improvements, Big Bend is one of the worst polluters in Florida.

Lakeland motorcyclist killed in traffic accident

TAMPA -- A Lakeland man was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle and was thrown into the road and run over shortly after 1 a.m. Friday at McIntosh Road, south of Interstate 4, deputies said.

Douglas Wayne Everman, 41, of 1137 Markstail Lane, was southbound on McIntosh Road on his 1995 Kawasaki when he was ejected into the northbound lane, deputies said.

The driver of a 1994 Hino truck, 54-year-old John Wayne Homick of Riverview, could not stop and ran over Everman, deputies said. The investigation is continuing.

Students raise $30,879 for kids in Afghanistan

TAMPA -- Hillsborough school students raised $30,879 during the recent $1-per-student fundraiser to help children of Afghanistan.

President Bush urged every child in America to give $1. The money will be sent to the White House.

The total fell short of the $169,579 goal set by superintendent Earl Lennard for the county.

School spokesman Mark Hart said the money raised was in addition to the $130,371 raised by 83 schools in previous fundraisers to benefit relief efforts including the American Red Cross and the New York City firefighters.

Car knocked onto sidewalk kills bicyclist

TAMPA -- A bicyclist was killed when she was pinned against a wall by a car that left the road, police said.

The accident happened about 4 p.m. Monday on Platt Avenue near Melville Avenue. Police said a woman in her 20s, whose identity has not been releasedwas riding a bicycle on Platt when a car tried to drive between two other cars.

The car trying to pass sideswiped the other two cars, police said, forcing the vehicle in the north lane onto the sidewalk.

The bicyclist was hit and forced into a retainer wall, police said. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident is under investigation.

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