Did an influential developer pay for Brian Blair’s campaign billboards?
September 30, 2008 at 2:39 pm by Wayne GarciaIt sure looks like that could have happened. In a story to be published in our print edition tomorrow, I write about how at least one invoice for a Blair campaign billboard was sent directly to a company owned by developer Stephen Dibbs:
The billboard on Ehrlich Road in north Tampa touting the re-election of Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair reads, in fine print at the bottom, “Political advertisement paid for and approved by Brian Blair, Republican for Hillsborough County Commission, District 6.”
It appears, however, that his campaign did not pay for the billboard advertisement. Blair’s campaign finance reports show no such expenditure. And according to an invoice obtained by Creative Loafing, the bill for the $2,500-a-month roadway sign was sent to North Dale Development, which is owned by Stephen Dibbs, a controversial and prominent developer who has supported Blair in the past.
If Dibbs did pay for the billboard, it would appear to exceed the limits in the state campaign finance law, which caps direct or in-kind contributions to candidate campaigns at $500 and requires disclosure of any contributions.
Among Dibbs’ various holdings is the Bourbon Street Plaza shopping strip center where the billboard is located. It is not clear from the invoice whether Dibbs paid for the board. The invoice was provided to CL by a source who requested anonymity because the source was not authorized to release the document.
The invoice, from CBS Outdoor, which sells the billboard’s advertising space, was dated Aug. 20, 2008, for use of the billboard in the month of August. The 10-foot-by-36-foot sign is highly visible to anyone driving west on Ehrlich from North Dale Mabry Highway. It was still in place last week when CL visited the site.
Neither Dibbs nor Blair responded to numerous telephone and e-mailed requests for comment for this story.
Who paid for this campaign billboard on Ehrlich Road in Tampa?
Read the entire story, which is already on our website.
UPDATE: Neither Blair nor Beckner has spoken to Creative Loafing about this story, but a Tampa Tribune reporter told me Tuesday that Blair has now produced a campaign check cut to CBS Outdoor on Sept. 19 and insists he paid for all his campaign advertising himself. Blair spoke to reporters with the Trib and Times after he was criticized during Tuesday’s county commission meeting about the subject of the story.
September 30th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
OMG does this surprise anyone?
BumbleBeeBlair is as crooked as they come! Remember when he was slashing funds for programs for the citizens he’s supposed to represent, but NOT take a pay cut!
Something about “feeding my children”. Give me a freakin’ break BumbleBeeBlair!
September 30th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Brian Blair is a lying cheat!
I was appalled watching him on Brenden’s show a couple of weeks ago when he proclaimed proudly that he and Michael Jackson were the onlly two white people from Gary, Indiana.
I hate Brian Blair and his bigotry.
Games over BumbleBee … You’re FIRED!
October 1st, 2008 at 1:33 pm
What has Blair done to help the citizens of our county?
What is Blair’s vision for our community?
Why does Blair use religion, race, and gays as wedge issues?
Why does 80% plus of his campaign contributions come from developers?
WAKE UP HILLSBOROUGH! VOTE BECKNER!!!!
October 1st, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I knew he was bought and paid for but had no idea how cheap. Thanks for digging up the price tag Wayne!
October 1st, 2008 at 3:06 pm
I witnessed the public outing of Blair today, and his accusation against an activist for stealing his signs — “well probably” — was the end of his accusal. I can’t emphasize enough the need to get Blair out of his seat. His inane ramblings during Commission meetings even has other Commissioners rolling their eyes. I don’t know if I want the duct tape for his mouth or my head.
October 1st, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I’m not a Blair fan, but this is specious.
“It is not clear from the invoice whether Dibbs paid for the board”
Perhaps the sign company needed the bill paid, researched the name of the property owner at the sign location, and sent it to him. Did your source have additional invoices for the use of this sign?
I used to own commercial property on Kennedy Blvd. I owned the sign infrastructure, but an ad company managed the content. Perhaps CBS mistakenly billed Dibbs instaed of Blair. One might imagine books that show Blair the customer and Dibbs the sign owner in close proximity.
It also may be no more than sloppy/lazy bookkeeping by Blair’s campaign accountant.
The invoice should be addressed to the Brian Blair Campaign.
Now if the campaign knowingly directed CBS Signs to bill Mr. Dibbs, then you have a story….
just trying to look at the legal juxtapositions.