What might be the got a little clearer Thursday when Mayor Bill Foster informed City Council of the city's need to spend $270,000 for security cameras for an event to be held at on Aug. 26, which is the day before the RNC kicks off in Tampa.
The news that the RNC would be hosting an opening party at the Trop .
The yet-to-be-officially-announced event at Tropicana Field requires the city to use $270,000 for security cameras, which Foster said could be refunded by the Department of Justice.
According to Foster, he said the refund is likely but there is no guarantee.
Foster said he met with Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn who Foster said would be the one that submits the funding request to the Department of Justice. "He’s the one that kinds of checks things before submitting it to the DOJ, if the event occurs," Foster said.
According to the Tampa Bay Times:
"More than 15,000 journalists and 5,600 delegates plan to attend the event, which is essentially a cocktail party with live music. It's expected to draw a fair amount of protesters, said Mark Winn, St. Petersburg's chief assistant city attorney.
"There will be thousands coming to protest, and some will be disruptive," Winn said. "The ordinance will be somewhat modeled after Tampa's. One of the reasons we waited this long was to see what Tampa would adopt."
Foster said the city needs to start taking more official steps while it waits for the official word.
"We are 80 days out we cannot wait for the announcement," Foster said of the need to spend the money before any official announcement from the Republican National Committee.
Council member Jim Kennedy expressed concern that the delayed announcement for the RNC could put St. Pete's safety at risk if the city is not prepared.
"I know that (police) are in close communication with the secret service," Foster said.
The city and its police force, Foster said, will be prepared.
"There is still a lot of moving parts," Foster said. "Every body is very, very busy. We will absolutely be prepared. They are training and we are training. We are going to have a very (well) trained workforce that will be prepared."
On April 11, the Pinellas Tourist Development Council voted unanimously to give $600,000 to the RNC for the kick-off party at Tropicana Field, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
"The money will come from bed tax reserves and must be approved by the Pinellas County Commission."
After the event at the Trop, Foster said the security cameras could be used in other parts of the city.
"These cameras can be deployed following the RNC," Foster said. "The cameras will be deployed pursuant to council and a recommendation from the police department."
Add this ridiculous expenditure to the tax credit for Sam's Club (like Walmart needs a tax break) and another half-mil for the Pier architectural Phase 1, and you have a cool Million spent on Pork. Maybe the Mayor and all of City Concil need to be replaced in the next election for citizens with some fiscal responsibility. And what about giving the Police a decent HQ? Where are the priorities?
I am not suggesting that there is any backing out, and I did not so state (you can remove your quote marks). I do think that these contracts should be more aggressively negociated, especially when city money is so very tight. Then comes the publicity on the Tropicana Field. Will the World even know it is in St Petersburg? Or will it be billed as Tampa or Tampa Bay, like the Rays? In any case, it is not good value for the taxpayers. Fait accompli that it may be.
(ok...I admit...''now'' I am getting annoying...lol!) I was essentially agreeing with you ''anyhow''. Sorry to annoy you with my ''marks''. Geeze...you now sound like you are just here to be a turd. Before you start running your mouth again..I did not just call you one...I said you are acting like one. What the heck is ''Fait accompli''...uh...''that time''...I ''am'' quoting you.
"There will be thousands coming to protest, and some will be disruptive," Winn said. "The ordinance will be somewhat modeled after Tampa's. One of the reasons we waited this long was to see what Tampa would adopt." They KNOW that "some will be disruptive." They read these comments and KNOW that the liberals in FL will do anything possible to disrupt a Republican gathering.
If I threw a party at the Trop and needed security cameras or what not, the City would surely tell me to get out my checkbook..... Further Tax woes: Sams Club is over 50% built. I doubt they would have backed out if no tax credit was awarded..... City Hall could be a little sharper...