Sharon Calvert for Hillsborough County Commission, District 2 Blog

Calvert Candidacy Already has a Positive Impact on the County

16 Jun 2012 7:41:00 EST

If my ideas as a candidate have already benefitted the citizens of Hillsborough County, can you imagine the benefits to my constituents I can achieve as a Commissioner?

I am thrilled that my idea advocating "putting the County checkbook online" will come to fruition sooner rather than later, as the County Commission unanimously voted at the last BOCC meeting for more transparency in County Expenditures. It's time for the county to increase transparency regarding taxpayer dollars. My candidacy has already scored a VICTORY and had a POSITIVE Impact on the taxpayers of Hillsborough County. See my Press Release below on this issue.

Calvert's Candidacy Forces Crist to the Right

Sharon Calvert announced her candidacy for Hillsborough County Commission, District 2, in March. She immediately stated a key platform issue is to put the County checkbook online to ensure transparency and fiscal accountability. Calvert believes that taxpayers deserve to know where the money is spent and to whom the checks are written. Imitation is the highest form of flattery. Calvert's candidacy has now positively impacted the County. However, it's taken her opponent, Victor Crist, 20 years in political office to arrive at Calvert's position at yesterday's BOCC meeting. Calvert also believes taxpayer-funded lobbying contracts should be online! Perhaps Crist will pirate this idea next! Go to http://votesharoncalvert.com/ to read more about Calvert's campaign.

Conversations in our Communities

16 Jun 2012 7:18:00 EST

I was on the Adventures of a Mom Patriot blog talk radio program this week having a "Conversation in our Community". We were discussing the role of county government and informing listeners that local government is what impacts individuals and families the most each and every day. Hillsborough County will continue to have budget challenges that must be addressed. With $16 Trillion of federal debt (which does not include the unfunded liabilities of entitlements), we cannot continue to expect that federal dollars will continue flowing to states and local municipalities as they have in the past. To listen to the interview, please go to:

www.blogtalkradio.com/adventures-of-a-mom-patriot/2012/06/14/conversations-in-our-communities

Straw Poll Win 55-45%

20 May 2012 22:02:00 EST

I am excited to report that I won a Straw Poll yesterday at a picnic sponsored by several local Republican clubs, 55-45%, over the incumbent, Victor Crist, a 20 year politician. I appreciated the vote of confidence from those who voted and I look forward to continued success throughout my campaign.

Don't forget to "Like" my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/VoteSharonCalvert

Key Dates to Remember:

Last Day to Register to Vote or Change your Party Affiliation: 7/16/2012 Don't forget Florida has closed Primaries so you must be registered appropriately to vote in the Primary in August

Early Voting: 7/30/2012 thru 8/11/2012

Last Day to Request Absentee Ballot: 8/8/2012

Primary Election Day: 8/14/2012

Qualified by Petition to be on the Ballot

20 May 2012 21:42:00 EST

I received notification last week from the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections that I qualified BY PETITION to be on the ballot in the Republican Primary in August. I credit a groundswell of public support and a team effort of volunteers who helped me gather over 2000 certified Petitions in less than 2 months.

I want to thank my volunteers for their support in this effort. We've accomplished something we can be proud of! By getting out there with the voters, I heard first-hand how they want their County run and their tax dollars to work for them, not more government projects.

The hard work must continue so please help elect a "Citizen" not a Politician to the Hillsborough County Commission. Click the Donate Button. Your financial support is greatly appreciated Click the Volunteer Button and find out how you can start helping my campaign.

Great day at the Northdale Family Festival

22 Apr 2012 22:32:00 EST

The Calvert Campaign had a great day at the Northdale Family Festival on Saturday. I enjoyed participating in the parade and meeting so many wonderful people that attended. It was also nice to meet up with some past work colleagues and catch up. There was food, fun and entertainment for all. It was just a great way to spend the day. Calvert's Cavalry was out talking to so many folks in the crowd and helping my campaign gather candidate petitions. I enjoyed talking to some of the other candidates and current elected officials that also participated. You can see my pictures from this event by clicking on Calvert on the Campaign Trail.

The May 7th deadline for petitions is fast approaching so if you have not signed my petition, please click on the Petition tab, download and print the petition and mail it back to me asap. Of course, a click on the Donate button is always appreciated too.

Keep a Watch on where our tax dollars go

9 Apr 2012 20:53:00 EST

Taxpayers in Hillsborough County need to keep a watchful eye on where our tax dollars are going. Recent articles in the Tampa Tribune are reasons to worry that the rail issue is here again (or never went away), to worry that Power Brokers are trying to push a new baseball stadium with tax money and the overall push for regional solutions that take away local control and accountability.

City tax could pay for transit

MPO members voted last week to ask state lawmakers to give Florida's large cities the power to hold citywide votes on sales tax increases. The request could go to the Legislature next session.

Could the city finance a light-rail system alone?

"To look realistically at the sales tax we would be able to generate just from within the city, it wouldn't be enough to fund light rail," she said.

www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2012/apr/08/city-tax-could-pay-for-transit-ar-389716/

Immigration program might help fund Rays stadium

Chamber of commerce leaders from Tampa and St. Petersburg who have been studying how to pay for a new Rays stadium landed on an obscure federal immigration program called EB-5 that might help with the half-billion-dollar tab.Chuck Sykes, co-chairman of the Tampa chamber group, has his eye on the program. He was traveling last week and responded to a reporter's questions by e-mail.

"Yes, we have explored EB-5 visa financing," Sykes wrote. "There may be a role for it in financing a stadium."

Sound farfetched? Maybe not, suggested Bill Flynn, a Tampa immigration lawyer who has worked on EB-5 deals.

"Yes, of course it could be used in a sports funding method, as long as you play by the rules of the game," Flynn said.

Sykes and 13 other business leaders from the cities' chambers of commerce have met for nearly a year to study how to pay for a new Rays stadium. They're convinced the team needs a replacement for Tropicana Field, but they aren't tackling the toughest question: where to put it.

Moreyra and Lippincott have been advising Sykes' chamber stadium caucus on how the EB-5 program might fund a ballpark. To be sure, a stadium would be a real test for the program. It's not clear whether a Tampa Bay area stadium could attract enough foreign investors to raise, say, $100 million or more.

Local lawyers and investment firms say they have seen EB-5 money put toward Florida hotels and shopping centers, but nothing as big as a ballpark. Still, stadium developers nationwide are eyeing the immigration program.

Meantime, the mayor of Oakland, Calif., has considered using EB-5 money to pay for a new Oakland Athletics baseball stadium. Like the Rays, the A's want a new ballpark. That city suffered a big blow to its stadium plans when some funding unrelated to EB-5 collapsed. So it's unclear if foreigners will play a role in financing an A's ballpark, Oakland city official Gregory Hunter said.

In recent months, critics have attacked the EB-5 program's results. According to the Bloomberg article, foreign investors sometimes pump money into American development projects and hope they will get a green card a couple of years later.

In reality, some projects collapse, never creating the promised jobs, and the foreigners don't get their green cards.

www2.tbo.com/news/news/2012/apr/08/9/help-for-a-rays-stadium-from-china-ar-389724/

Sharon at Meet and Greet held Saturday, March 31st

1 Apr 2012 22:22:00 EST

Sharon was guest of honor at a meet and greet held at the home of David and Jackie Durfee on Saturday evening. Sharon is flanked by Bob White and David Durfee in this photo. Please contact the campaign at campaign@votesharoncalvert.com if you too would like to host a meet and greet for Sharon!

Sharon at Liberty and Justice Rally Jan 21, 2012

1 Apr 2012 22:12:00 EST