(Continued from page 1) ginbotham must get past the emo-
 qualifications for judge. Would the tion of the moment and vote on the .
 Tribune write about a male judge facts and merits. We hope his votes
 this way "Former Prom King to in the future will more closely re-
 Take a Seat on the Circuit Bench" flect his campaign promises.
 or "Frat President" or "Former *****
 High School Quarterback"? Ifyou didn't see the news, Con- Copyrghted Materia
 Shame on the Tribune for using gresswoman-elect Kathy Castor
 a sexiststyle. You'd think with a has started her congressional
 woman runnig the Tribune this career with a bang. She was ap-
 kind of writing would be a thing pointed to the powerful Rules Aailablefrm Cmmercial News Prvders"
 of the past. Committee, which is an unusual
 Oh, and by the way, Judge accomplishment for a freshman.
 Moody is not an "ex" queen, she's a Another important appoint-
 past queen. Once a queen, always ment is Congresswoman-elect
 a queen. Castor being named as the fresh-
 man member of the Democratic
 Last week we reported that an Steering and Policy Committee.
 official congressional delegation This committee will make recom-
 was visiting Cuba. The group mendations to Nancy Pelosi on
 asked to meet with Raul Castro. which representatives to appoint
 They were denied. We hear it's to House committees. This will
 because some members of e give Castor the opportunity to test that the mportantqualific- chairwoman ofrestoration grants
 group refused to meet with Fidel strengthen relationships with the tions such as ability, knowledge for the Chiselers Inc., which helps
 Castro on previous trips. This is other freshmen representatives and leaderships skills were over preserve the old Tampa Bay Hotel
 the first demonstration that the and act as a conduit for their ad- looked. Crist seems willing to (University of Tampa).
 post-Castro Cuban government vancementinCongress. IfCastor reach out to all quarters to find u n w
 will remember who worked to bet- plays her cards right,she willbe the right people and that's admi- Chloe Coey, former candidate
 ter relations and who didn't over destined for great things. rable. His choice of Butterworth f Coun Co mmissioner aginst
 the past few years. c $ on b is especially geus. Butterworth Kevin White, was hire by Con-
 that waeamake fores repaiKevin White, was hired by Con-
 he e b ae The Thirteenth Jdicial Ciruit gives the DCF w needs a gresswoman-eect athy Castor
 While the Republcans are ic ui powerul advocate. Butterworth he o n at
 hlebr the at R ep ans arlie will have five new judges take of- e aeocat, haig no real as her local congressional office
 tcelebrating at Governor Charie e Te wia D a director.
 Crist's inauguration ball Tuesday, ce on Januay 2. The group will need for the job and his status as dict
 January 2 in Tallahassee, the real g through orentation andjudge' a celebrity politician allows him to ****
 people's party will celebrate the school for the first three weeks tandtsAs part an initiative to in-
 return of a Democrat to the state and won't be in charge of their n spire the millions of Americans
 etr as t heiemo n to the sot c oni aneven the governor to demand the spire the millions of Americans
 cabinet. Alex Sink, chieffinancial own courtroom until January 22. resources to fix the DCF. No mere who are reaching their "retire-
 Each onehas set a date for their mentiy years to use their eaeri-
 officer for the State of Florida, will Each one as set a date for thei Republican appointee would in nt ast the
 have her inagurisatioenparat the Hceremonial investiture (robing). Repubeian appointee to in and yeastse their
 have her inauguration party at the mersuc an independent position. ence for the "greater good," Civic
 University Center at Doak Camp- All will be held in Courtroom One Ventures will award five $100,000
 bell Stadium at Florida State of the Edgecomb Courthouse. investment prizes and ten $10,000
 University. The party, which runs Judge Tracy Sheehan's inves- Many people have approached investment prizes to entrepeneurs
 University. the party, which runs titure will be on January 19 at 1 West Tampa activist Jason Busto lnvestment prizes to entrepeneurs
 from 8 p.m. to midnight, will fea- titure will be on January 19 at 1 West Tampa activst Jason Busto over the age of 60 who are usng
 ture a band, coffee, desserts and a p.m. The reception will be at Big t run for City Council. He care- the second half of their life to
 cash bar. Admission is free. City Tavern at Centro Ybor from fully considered it but has decided ombine their passion, creativity
 -x#% 4:30 6:30 p.m. not to launch a political career at and experience to address issues
 When we interviewed Al Hig- Judge Ashley Moody's investi- this time. He is very busy starting of social signficance. Nominations
 ginbotham in October, he told us ture will be on January 30 at 4:30 a new exporting business. for the awards are now be taken.
 that as county commissioner he p.m. The reception will immedi- *** Nominations close on February
 wanted to improve the relation- ately follow at the University Club We hear State Senator Vic- To learn more or for a nomination
 ship between county government on the 38th floor of One Tampa tor Crist is being considered for form, visit www.PurposePrize.org.
 and other governments, such as City Center. secretary of the Department of
 the City of Tampa. Judge Emily Peacock will cel- Corrections. We asked Crist about Te richest one percent of
 Because of tis e were very ebrate her robing on February 9 at the rumor and he confirmed it but adults in the world own 40 percent
 surprised three weeks ago when 1 p.m. The reception will immedi- said he is not likely to accept the of the world's assets, according to
 Commissioner Higginbotham voted ately follow at the courthouse. position. Senator Crist would have the World Institute for Develop-
 against giving the city $7 million Judge Bernie Silver will be been good in the position. ment Economic Research.
 that was earmarked for repairs to robed on February 23 at 1 p.m.
 the Convention Center roof. with the reception following later City Council Chairperson Gwen The Dave Letterman Show had
 The money was to be made in the day at the Tampa Club on Miller sent out a memo to the the Top Ten Lst of Least Popular
 available in August and not ear- top of the Bank of America Build- council encouraging the mem-ist of Least Popular
 ing. New Toys on its website. The one
 lier unless the city agreed to give ing. bers to address issues with the tat ticked us the most was the
 the Tampa Bay Lightning finan- Judge Kim Fernandez will wait city's department heads and staff that ticked us the most was the
 cial concessions. The Convention until March 1 for her investiture, by contacting them individually Geubmittge Bush See & Say Dictionay Gary G., Oxford, MS.y
 Center needed the money immedi- which will take place at 1:30 p.m. instead of during the council'sby Gary G., Oxford, MS.
 ately and the delay was in essence The locationof the reception is yet meetings. Miller is trying to *** 
 punitive against the city nd a to be determined. make the council meetings not so The Democratic Party's calen-
 strong arm tactic to make the city long and laborious. We agree if a dar for the presidential primary in
 bend to the commission's will. The ***** councilmember has an individual 2008 has changed to involve more
 vote was to give the money to the Former Congressman Sam issue to address they should do geographic and racial diversity in
 city now. It passed in a 4-3 vote Gibbons will receive the Life- so on their own time, unless the deciding who will. represent the
 with Higginbotham voting no. time Achievement Award from staff is unresponsive. Only then party for president. There has
 We asked why he voted this way the League of Women Voters of should the staffer deserve to be long been complaints that lowa
 considering his sentiments two Hillsborough County. Gibbons called before the board to answer and New Hampshire with their
 months ago. will be the second recipient. The for lack of progress. white moriolithic populations had
 The main reason, he said, was first was former State Senator uses too much influence in choosing a
 frustration. He had asked the city Helen Gordon Davis. The award One of the state's highest candidate for America, which is
 for an infrared study of the Con- will be presented at a luncheon awards in the field of historic pres- fast becoming more brown and
 vention Center roof so he could de- on Friday, March 9 at the Center ervation will go to Tampa's owni black. Iowa will hold the first-in-
 termine if the roof needed repair. Club. Call Linda D'Aquila at 253- Sylvia "Nootchie" Vega Smith. the-nation caucus on January 14,
 He made the request days before 2640 for tickets or sponsorship She will receive the 2007 Mary followed by a caucus in Nevada on
 the vote was to take place. He was information. Call Darby Collins Award. The Saturday, January 19. The New
 given the information 20 minutes **** award is presented to a volunteer Hampshire Primary is on January
 before that day's meeting. This We are impressed by Governor- whose passion for historic pres- 22 followed by a primary in South
 made him feel like the city didn't elect Charlie Crist. His appoint- ervation has forever changed the Carolina on January 29. Nevada's
 take his request seriously, but ments of Kurt Browning as secre- face of Florida. Ms. Vega Smith is Las Vegas population should add
 Commissioner Higginbotham did tary of state and Bob Butterworth certainly deserving of the honor. a Hispanic influence while South
 not disagree that the roof needed as secretary of the Department She is the former president of Carolinawillmake candidates deal
 the repair. of Children and Families (DCF) both the Florida Trust for Historic with issues important to blacks.
 We can understand frustration, are superb. So far, his choices Preservation and Tampa Preser- *****
 butifthe relationship between the are superior to Governor Bush's. vation, Inc. She has helped direct Why is Ebenezer Scrooge suing
 city and the county is going to be Many of Bush's appointments had millions of dollars to Tampa's the Republican Party? Eind out in
repaired, commissioners like Hig- to pass a religious right litmus historic buildings and she is the this week's Silhouettes.
Page.14/LA GACETA/Friday, December 22, 2006