BBV - Hillsborough County Criticized

Elections Supervisor Criticized For Errors

TAMPA - Two Hillsborough County commissioners criticized Elections Supervisor Buddy Johnson on Wednesday about recent voting problems.
Their remarks set off an hourlong partisan squabble that even veered into issues of race.
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``He did an admirable job,'' said Norman, who was on hand as the votes were counted.
``He stayed the course and he didn't panic'' (dontcha just love the way that tough-guy terror talk has crept in again?)
(snip)
Commissioner Jan Platt, a Democrat, noted that her fellow board members have no authority over Johnson or his office.
``He is an independent constitutional officer,'' she said. ``He is responsible to the public, not to us.''

http://news.tbo.com/news/MGBRKE8C00E.html

Geepers, if he's responsible to the public, maybe the public will let him know what they think of the job he's done.

HG

Two Republican commissioners, Ronda Storms and Jim Norman, came to Johnson's defense.

Storms noted that the new voting machines are a holdover from predecessor Pam Iorio, now Tampa mayor and a Democrat.

``This is not your system,'' Storms said.

She also said Castor and Frank were putting partisanship above the best interest of voters. If they keep criticizing the voting system, people will lose faith in its accuracy and stay home, Storms said, citing low turnout in the black community on Aug. 31 as a possible example."

Yeh, Ronda, blame it on the Democrats. What a silly statement.