This is a neat flattery of sorts. I was checking out the various campaign websites of the standing politicians when I noticed that Joe Redner's campaign site is actually featuring a complete Tampa Rail posting. How is that for cool?

It's a good thing that in the fight for Hillsborough County District Seat 5 Tampa Rail endorses Joe. The reason is rather obvious if you look at the website. Joe strongly endorses an era of mass transit advancement in Hillsborough County. As his site reads:

Make Mass Transportation a Top Priority

Traffic problems exist because most people who live in suburban areas drive downtown or across the county to get to work. We need a mass transportation system to move people in a better way. I will see to it that mass transportation is a number one priority and I will be a liaison between the City and the County to make it happen. Transportation is a regional problem and there must be cooperation between the City and the County.

His opponent, existing Commish Jim Norman, has expressed almost zero interest in doing so and evidently not joined the nearly universal rage against lack of transportation choice. I get the feeling Jim Norman sits around thinking, "Gee, seems like a lot of people are talking about mass transit these days. I wonder if that's something I should be thinking about? Oh well, let's see how my sports complex is doing."



Tampa Rail's first endorsement: Joe Redner

Aspects of Joe Redner's business may not be palatable to everyone, but his politics more than make up for it. They are right on for today's needs and demands. Joe has taken a direct interest in mass transit development and in particular the prospects of light rail. Throw into the mix the purifying anger and contempt he has for the status quo and he's also the best choice for a spectacular and long over-due shakeup.

Jim Norman may have on-BOCC experience and may feel more "familiar", but he's nowhere near contemplating the theme of this year's election which is mass transit. He never talks about it, he offers no solutions, and in the past, he has avoided dealing with it and discouraging light rail development. He is, in essence, part of what's wrong with Hillsbrough County today.

Meanwhile independent contender Christina Arronte's campaign site fails to address the issue of mass transit expansion at all. Aside from being new, Christina seems sincere but expresses no real vision in this one area that Joe has come out blazing for.

Vote Joe Redner Website