Comments on: EXCLUSIVE ANALYSIS: The Source of Local Campaign Contributions for 2014

By: Hope

Hope — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 12:06:16 +0000

Thank you for this information and I hope you report on future reports after each campaign reporting period. The publication that should be reporting this, the Tallahassee Democrat, has abandoned much of their responsibility of watchdog journalism. Editor Gabordi is a sycophant to lobbyists and PR firm owners/politicians. Even declaring one city commissioner/PR firm owner his “Walking Buddy”. Gabordi sat on a school board and recommended Gary Yordon receive an 85k per year job with Leon County Schools and another board with the Marpan owner on the Economic Development Board when the Marpan owner was chairman. I believe it’s long overdue for a report on how much taxpayers are paying to Marpan every month and if the citizens are getting a valid return for the so called service Marpan is providing? Perhaps, the Marpan contract citizens are paying for is a little high judging from the new mansion the Marpan owner bought and the amount of campaign contributions he is throwing around?

Perhaps citizens overpaid on the Joint Dispatch Center that Ajax constructed? Has Gabordi reported the conflict of interest between Ajax and city commissioner Scott Maddox?

Perhaps Talcor is overpaid by the contract citizens pay for Talcor to oversee the Innovation Park facility if they are able to contribute so much money to local campaigns?

Citizens are unknowingly contributing to these campaigns through the contracts they are paying for to Marpan, Talcor, Sandco, and Ajax.

On the next article include the total amount in contracts these contributors receive from city/county contracts. That would be quite the reveal!

By: TallyCat

TallyCat — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 14:57:46 +0000

Thank you for this article. It certainly IS noteworthy that outside influence is so prevalent in this election.

I’m also guessing Tupelo gave that money to their business buddy, Gil Ziffer?

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 12:10:16 +0000

In reply to Jim Stephens. Mr. Stephens, I published an article that showed the geographic source of contributions. The fact that one candidate has significantly more contributions from outside the city and the state is noteworthy and raises important questions. I do not necessarily think it is "bad" but it does raise questions. Do you not agree?

By: Jim Stephens

Jim Stephens — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 00:12:29 +0000

I am confused – I listened to you on Preston’s show this morning and heard the message loud and clear – you and Preston don’t beleive that campaign contributions should come from outside of Tallahassee, nor shall they come from anyone who does business with or needs anything from the City of Tallahassee. So based on this, campaign contributions cant be made from anyone. Interesting