Daily Loaf

I couldn’t believe reading about the stunt Blair pulled Thursday afternoon as he held a press conference to attack Kevin Beckner accusing him of campaign violations and threatening legal actions. Honestly, I would have been disappointed if he started showing any dignity or grace now but this was a new low, even for Blair. His words were absolutely despicable regarding his opponent Beckner. Also disturbing is that standing behind him during this meltdown was Hillsborough County Fire Chief Bill Nesmith and from the Sheriff’s office Col. Greg Brown. Ummm, aren’t these county employees? So what are they doing standing next to a political buffoon in uniform on the taxpayer’s time and the taxpayer’s dime? Didn’t look like the Fire Chief did a thing to put out the flames Blair was going down in.

I was almost sad that I missed the spectacle, but not to worry because Blair wasn’t done. I did attend the County Commission public hearing later that night on some of the proposed land development codes and spoke out in favor of better protection for residents regarding borrow pits. The good people of Balm showed up in force pleading for the County Commission to approve an amendment that offered them little (but still better than the current protection).

Among those people was Virginia Rutledge, 96, who’s charm and character I cannot accurately describe. She was speaking in support of the amendment that will not help her but will help the future neighbors of borrow pits. You know, I just couldn’t resist giving a little reminder to the board of the recent consequences of ignoring citizens in favor of special interests as I encouraged them to Step Awaaaay from the dark side. George Neimann of U-CAN was not as kind as he instructed the viewing audience to watch the board closely and take names. He then showed them the universal sign for We Are Watching You pointing two fingers towards his eyes and then back at the board as he sported a badge saying Gang of Five Four under it asking Who wants to be next?

This must have sent Blair into a tailspin because shortly thereafter Blair went on record berating citizens, calling them extremists and chanting his usual mantra of “if you live in a house, thank a developer.”

His ramblings continued but were disjointed and hard to follow, but I will post here are the transcripts here when they are available if you want to try back in a few days. Actually, Blair went on two anti-citizen, pro-developer tirades, talking about being a Republican and having a carpenter father and, I think, even throwing in the church, but I had checked out at this point. His rant went on for what seemed forever (since commissioners are not limited to 3 minutes as residents are) holding almost a full audience hostage.

Those regulars in the room knew exactly who his comments were directed at, but the rest of the unsuspecting residents there speaking on several issues thought they were directed at them. So as the regulars sat quietly, the new faces were literally yelling for Blair to shut up or leave. Chairman Ken Hagan should have stopped him (if he was a true friend) but instead he allowed the meltdown to continue and let us see the full Blair. Mumbling, bumbling, angry, and incomprehensible………………how fun.

My Mom always says what comes around goes around and I like to add yes, but it is one of life’s true gifts when you are there to actually see it land………..and this was a CRASH LANDING! It gets better, because the outcome of that borrow pit vote was 7-0 in favor of the residents, and Kevin White, a known Gang of 5 member, sounded like an advocate for the people commercial again and again throughout the entire meeting. Was Kevin Beckner’s win already having an effect?

The icing on the cake was after Blair’s second tantrum, Marcella O’Steen of the Balm Civic Association was speaking on another issue but had finally seen enough of soon to be Ex-Commissioner Blair. She exploding into public comment declaring she, too, was a Republican, a Baptist (I believe she said piano-playing Baptist) and she had a carpenter father ,and if she was an extremist than “you made me one!” as she pointed directly at Blair. The crowd roared. A fitting ending to his career. He started the day out attempting political suicide with that news conference, and as he struggled to maintain consciousness late into the evening, an activist finally put him out of his our misery. Thank You Marcella, YOU ROCK!

While I missed the hockey game that night to attend the meeting, I sure didn’t miss any fights. Hey, Mr. Blair, please watch your step and don’t trip over any of those moving boxes that the voters brought you as you leave, because the taxpayer’s can’t afford that lawsuit.

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