The Political Whore

The National Civic League’s 2009 All-America City Awards conference convenes in Tampa next week, and I’m continuing to post information about the various city projects that are nominated for recognition.

AAC nominee Carbondale, Ill., nominated its neighborhood stabilization program and a job-opportunities Teen Futures program, as well as this arts-related effort:

Carbondale, Illinois
Varsity Center for the Arts

Following the closure of the historic Varsity Theater, an open forum was held to bring community members together to discuss its future. Overwhelmingly, community members suggested that the building become a “center for the arts,” and although they worked hard to gain support, the building owner remained skeptical.  In 2005, Carbondale’s largest community theater troop, the Jackson Stage Company, lost its home. This, coupled with closure of the Varsity Theater, presented a unique opportunity. The City approached the owners of the Varsity and asked them to donate the building to create the much needed cultural center and a home for The Stage Company. The building owner agreed, and The Stage Company, in partnership with Carbondale Community Arts, began a new campaign to raise funds for the Varsity Center for the Arts. The Stage Company was able to generate the enthusiasm of the local citizens and Carbondale Community Arts helped to anchor the facility as a regional attraction.  In October of 2008, the Stage Company held their first performance at the Center and received an amazing response. Through all of the hard work of the community, area organizations and businesses, the Varsity Center for the Arts has put “art in the heart of Carbondale.”

Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.

Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-18 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.

“Answer me this question, because I am very much interested in trying to replace Obama. Okay?”

That is how U.S. Sen. Roland Burris opens the door to the idea of being appointed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich to the Senate seat left open by the election of Barack Obama. This comes during a taped conversation with Robert Blagojevich, the former gov’s brother and fundraising muscle. Robert Blagojevich, as you may recall from our coverage, is a University of Tampa graduate, and gave the commencement address there a few years back.

But then Burris goes on to say that since it is known that he wanted the appointment, that he couldn’t be raising money for Blago without it being seen as an attempt to buy the seat. Burris said, “Rob, I’m in a dilemma right now trying to help the governor. I’m now trying to figure out what the hell the best thing to do. I know I could give him a check, myself.”

Which he never did.

So, should Roland Burris be removed from the Senate on the basis of this conversation?

Listen to the audio in full after the jump:

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