Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Republicans Tom Lee, Ross Spano and Jake Raburn won their bids for Florida's Senate and House.
It wasn't a sure thing, said Tom Lee, R-Brandon. Despite previously serving his community as a state senator, Lee said he never assumed the community would send him back to Tallahassee. "You never know what to expect," he said from his watch party at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Tampa. "It's difficult to predict who's going to go to the polls." But when the ballots were tallied, Lee had 54.09 percent of the votes to opponent Elizabeth Belcher's 45.75 percent. It was a more decisive victory for first-time candidate Jake Raburn, R-Lithia. In his race for the District 57 Florida House seat, Raburn handily defeated Bruce Barnett, D-Valrico, 58.64 percent to 41.36 percent. Raburn watched the totals come in from his watch party at Park Square …
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Higginbotham attributed his win to grassroots campaigning and hard-working volunteers.
Only an hour and 45 minutes after the polls closed, District 4 Hillsborough County Commission candidate Mark Nash, D-Lithia, knew he'd lost the race. At a gathering with supporters at the Hilton Garden Inn in Riverview, Nash intently watched the computer as the Supervisor of Elections Office released the precinct totals. Carrying just 38 percent of the vote, Nash conceded to incumbent County Commissioner Al Higginbotham, R-Plant City. "I congratulate Al," said Nash. "It's obvious I don't have the votes." However, Nash stopped short of calling his bid for office a failure. "A lot of good things came out of it. I reconnected with a lot of friends and even relatives," said Nash. Among those supporting Nash was a cousin he didn't know he had …
Eighteen-year-old Luke Prenatt, accompanied by his entire family, voted for the first time today.
He was as prepared as he could get. He'd listened to the candidates, studied the amendments and filled out the sample ballot. Now 18-year-old Bloomingdale High School student Luke Prenatt of Bloomingdale, accompanied by his entire family, was prepared to vote for the first time. "It's an exciting time," said his father, Marty. "We took him out of school just for the occasion." The Bloomingdale family was relieved to show up at their precinct, First Presbyterian Church of Bloomingdale on Bloomingdale Avenue, and find no lines. Luke's brother, 17-year-old Grant, came along to observe. He'll be voting for the first time next year. "We've emphasized the importance of voting to them both," said Marty. "It's the biggest thing you can do in …
Residents waited in long lines outside The Palmetto Club.
Every four years, in the pouring rain or the beating hot sun, you'll find FishHawk Ranch resident Roger Rush waving a large American flag and greeting passersby with "Happy New President's Day" outside The Palmetto Club. It's a commitment the 56-year-old made in 1979 when he nearly lost his life in a water skiing accident. "I woke up from surgery a different person," said Rush. Despite the 175 stitches in his head, Rush said he had a renewed purpose in life. "I'd been an atheist ever since I attended the University of Florida, but something happened to me when I had that accident," he said. "I've been a Christian ever since." And, as a Christian, Rush feels it's his avowed duty to campaign for candidates he believes shares his Christian …
There are no lines at the library. Voters say they've been able to walk in and vote immediately.
In stark contrast to Saturday, the last day for early voting, when lines of voters stretched down Bloomingdale Avenue, turnout at the Bloomingdale Regional Library has been light today. George Neimann, campaigning in the parking lot for county commission candidate Mark Nash, said voters have been trickling into the library since 7 a.m. when polls opened. "I'm really surprised," said Neimann. "I thought it would be very heavy here with lines out the door. But one husband and wife came out and told me they were the only two people in there voting." Neimann, an independent, said he voted by mail on Saturday. He also delivered Vote By Mail ballots for two friends who are hospitalized. "They didn't want to miss out on voting and I didn't …
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Area residents can cast their votes for the General Election at the Bloomingdale Regional Library and the Riverview Branch Library.
Fifteen sites throughout Hillsborough County are prepared to accept early votes beginning today, Oct. 27. However, Earl Lennard, Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections, noted there are several changes to the Early Voting process in Hillsborough County. "The Department of Justice's approval of HB 1355 brings some significant changes to voters in Hillsborough County," said Lennard. "For example, although we're still offering 96 hours, Early Voting will take place over eight days instead of 12, and we now have Early Voting on a Sunday - which is a first for Hillsborough County voters." Early Voting is available to all registered voters in Hillsborough County from Saturday, Oct. 27, through Saturday, Nov. 3. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. …
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Residents can cast their vote by ordering a strawberry or blue raspberry ice soft-serve treat.
The Art Monkey is inviting residents to vote for their presidential candidate with their tastebuds. Between now and the General Election on Nov. 6, the ice cream shop/art studio at 16144 Churchview Dr., Suite 103, Lithia, is offering ice cream lovers the choice of a 12-ounce Democratic red strawberry soft-serve treat or a 12-ounce Republican blue raspberry ice treat for $3.75. Undecided voters can opt for a combination of strawberry and raspberry. Following the election, Art Monkey will announce which ice cream flavor won the popular vote.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Take a closer look at the 11 constitutional amendments voters are being asked to consider before heading to the polls.
When voters head to Florida’s polls Nov. 6, they’ll be faced with a ballot that’s much larger than many are accustomed to. With 11 proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution up for consideration, a little advanced studying might help speed up the voting process. To help out, Bloomingdale-Riverview Patch has created a guide of the amendments and what yes votes on each will mean. Explore each amendment by clicking through the links below: Florida Amendment 1: What a Yes Vote Means Florida Amendment 2: What a Yes Vote Means Florida Amendment 3: What a Yes Vote Means Florida Amendment 4: What a Yes Vote Means Florida Amendment 5: What a Yes Vote Means Florida Amendment 6: What a Yes Vote Means Florida Amendment 8: What a Yes Vote Means …
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The FishHawk Homeowners Association will host Meet the Candidates, Know the Issues Oct. 16 from 7 to 9 p.m.
If you're one of those voters who hasn't made up your mind who to vote for on Tuesday, Nov. 6, the FishHawk Ranch Homeowners Association is hoping to help you decide. The association is giving area voters one last chance to hear from local candidates when it hosts Meet the Candidates, Know the Issues Tuesday, Oct. 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Palmetto Club Grand Ballroom, 17004 Dorman Rd., Lithia. The association has invited candidates from all local races from those running for the FishHawk Community Development District board of directors to candidates for U.S. Congress. Candidates planning to attend tonight's forum include: Congress, District 17: Democrat William Bronson Florida Senate, District 24: Democrat Elizabeth Belcher Florida …
Monday, January 24, 2011
Two changes proposed to county charter
The Charter Review Board of Hillsborough County will hold a public hearing to accept public comment on two resolutions to amend the Charter of Hillsborough County, and asks the public to comment on whether voters should consider these changes to the charter at the next general election. One Resolution amends Charter Section 9.11, Discrimination Prohibited (which prohibits county government from depriving any person of certain rights) and proposes to change the term physical handicap to disability. The second resolution proposes to amend Article VIII to provide for a new section, which requires that a separate Financial Impact Statement (which estimates the increase or decrease in revenues or costs to the county) be prepared by the …
Nicolette Fornasari
9:42 pm on Friday, November 16, 2012
Mr Higginbotham and his wife were such nice people. I am a performer with Cirque Italia and we come across a lot of different people from all over the world. And this man was extremely pleasant to speak to and humble. We were honored to be a part of his party the other night and grateful he came to see our show here in Tampa. I wish him all the best of luck in his position and life. -Nicolette … more ›