So THAT’S where the esteemed Mayor was! Now it makes sense. It’s almost comical that someone would think passing out juice (campaigning activity) is more important than staying in a command center and dealing 24/7 with this MAN-made crisis (governing responsibility).

Do you realize the situation you described was played out all over Tallahassee, Leon County and surrounding counties? Scores and scores of intersections were without powers. And scores and scores of trees toppled power lines. (By the way, “score” = 20)
It is stunning to me to hear people complaining like they were the only ones impacted, and that they should get priority in assistance. It was 6 days before we had power restored.

I agree that the Tallahassee Democrat sabotaged a good candidate and Gannett should hold those accountable. This standard operating procedure of sabotaging good candidates needs to stop. Class action lawsuits may get their attention?

I agree. However, Steven Hougland was a very good candidate. There were others, as well. Smart, articulate and a fiscal conservative. Sadly, the Democrat ran cover for the incumbent and did not report his dishonesty on major issues. Keep supporting the efforts of Tallahassee Reports in every way possible. Get others to read the paper and site. Good candidates need to get busy right now for the next election cycle. The fact is the best time for new leadership to be elected is off-year elections. But candidates must get to parts of the community which vote in lock-step because they do not know how badly they have been let down. The facts what they are, potential candidates need to start “running” right now. Not in a year.

Preston,
What we crave, what we need, is a legitimate opposition candidate to rally around. The problem is that everyone who I believe would be a good candidate and a great leader, is also running his or her own successful private business. Every election, Scott Maddox puts his name out there. We need a strong candidate to continue trying each election cycle. Decent, hard working people run once, and when they realize how dirty and nasty it is, they won’t run again. We, the people, are begging for strong leaders, not politicians with bathroom agendas. Really, bathroom agendas, like who can poop in which bathroom. You define the character of a person by how they act when the chips are down. I hope that the response to the storm has shown our local government to be lacking in apathy and understanding for the plight of the common citizen, and has shown the local government’s leadership to be arrogant and self absorbed, seeking to turn any crisis into a political P/R opportunity.

Why didn’t Mayor Gillum call George Soros and ask him to scrounge up a little “pocket change” (say, $500K) to pay for the extra help?

I’m sure he’s got ol’ George on his speed dial, since that’s his main job.

Mayor Gillum passing out weenies.

I’d like to thank Gov. Rick Scott for allowing all of our hard working State employees to leave work @ noon on Thursday to prepare for the Hurricane and for noticing the danger and struggle our residents were/are in and taking appropriate action by getting us additional assistance.