BlogWood: MT Archives

Send in the clown

Self-styled moralist and former city council member Bob Buckhorn is running for county commission. If this Zell Miller “Democrat” gains a seat on the same board as the certifiable Ronda Storms, we’re all in trouble.

For those whose recollection of Bob is a little fuzzy, stand six feet back and let me tell you just a little about him. Bob’s the guy who pushed the 6 foot rule, which makes it a crime to come within 6 feet of another person in Tampa, if that other person happens to be nekkid.

Bob was a backer of the failed facial recognition Ybor camera experiment that made every visitor to Ybor City a guinea pig for a private company that was attempting to make an intrusive facial recognition system that actually worked.

Bob likes curfews and knocking down “crack houses” for the evening news.

Bob knows better than you what’s best for you, and all of his intrusive moralizing is for your own good and has absolutely nothing to do with the furthering of his own career. Really.

Bob Buckhorn, a veteran of Tampa city politics, will try and expand his reach into suburbs from Carrollwood to Sun City Center. Ending weeks of speculation, Buckhorn said Thursday he will seek election to the Hillsborough County Commission.

Buckhorn, a Democrat, plans to pursue the countywide District 6 seat Jan Platt is leaving due to term limits. The field is already crowded with three Democrats - Ed Austin, Denise Layne and Willis ``K.C.`` Bowick, though Buckhorn's name recognition may present a challenge, Layne said.

The winner of the Aug. 31 primary is likely to face Republican Brian Blair, the only GOP candidate to declare for the seat.

Buckhorn worked as an aide to former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman and then served eight years on the Tampa City Council. Last year, he placed third in a race for Tampa Mayor.

``For most of the last 16 years, I have gotten up every day and tried to make this community a better place,'' Buckhorn said in a statement Thursday. ``The opportunity to bring those experiences and wealth of knowledge to bear on critical issues we face as a county would be rewarding.''