The Tallahassee Democrat has suddenly made the agonizing decision to put their investigative resources into explaining the business relationships between City Commissioner Scott Maddox and Downtown Improvement Authority Executive Director Paige Carter-Smith. It is amazing how bold and righteous the executives at the local paper can get when a few FBI subpoenas are dropped at […]
At the City Commission meeting this Wednesday, Mayor Andrew Gillum’s office is recommending the highest bidder receive the general state lobbying contract and the city electric utility lobbying contract. Last year the Mayor’s office recommended, and the City Commission approved, a one year extension for the lobbyist contracts that were awarded in 2012. During the […]
Jeff Burlew, who the Tallahassee Democrat labels as their community watchdog reporter, recently wrote a story about political advertising in the upcoming elections and predicted that City Commissioner Scott Maddox will easily win his race. Burlew, referring to Maddox, wrote “He’s facing three challengers with little name recognition or chance of winning.” Ironically, in writing that […]
On Monday the local Democratic Party held a forum at City Hall for local candidates. At the forum current Superintendent Jackie Pons and candidate and current City Comissioner Scott Maddox stole the show with pointed jabs at each other. Candidate Rocky Hanna was not allowed to participate because he is running as an independent. Pons […]
Over the last year, multiple sources have contacted Tallahassee Reports about the potential bias of Tallahassee Democrat reporter Jeff Burlew’s reporting on the Leon County School Board and Superintendent Jackie Pons. Previoulsy, the complaints have been about the number of stories, 40-50, dedicated to the coverage of the investigations into the awarding of construction contracts […]
It appears Mayor Andrew Gillum is uncomfortable supporting recommendations from independent voices when it comes to more stringent ethics rules for elected officials. At the last City Commission meeting, Commissioner Scott Maddox asked the City Commissioners to vote for a resolution that supported Florida Senate Bill 582, entitled Misuse of Public Office Act which has been […]
Tallahassee Reports has learned the the Community Redevelopment Agency voted to sell a piece of property on Gaines Street to North American Properties (NAP), a past developer of projects on Gaines Street, without seeking competitive bids. North American Properties has previously been given Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) tax breaks to build student housing in the Gaines Street […]
It is more than a year until the final votes will be cast in the race for Leon County School Superintendent and the three candidates have already raised over $300,000. Candidate Scott Maddox reported $22,590 in donations for August to go with the $93,000 he has previously raised. Maddox said “I’m proud of the support […]
Leon County School Superintendent Jackie Pons, who has weathered a turbulent year or so at the school district, proved that he still has support in the community. Pons reported today that he raised $108,000 during August. This was Pons first report since deciding to seek re-election. Pons told Tallahassee Reports that ” I am proud […]
Since the City Manager informed the City Commission on June 16, 2105, that a 27% increase in property taxes would be needed to balance the General Fund budget and to meet community needs, a spirited debate over the budget has ensued between elected officials, city staff, and number of business groups and interested individuals. The […]