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‘Hillary’s Been Through It Once Before’

Posted Jan 29, 2008 by Josh Poltilove

Updated Jan 29, 2008 at 04:44 PM

Saks Fifth Avenue staffer Gary Peach voted for Hillary Clinton, although he thinks Barack Obama also would be a good choice for president.

“We have Nancy (Pelosi) in office now, and I think it’s time for women to take a stand and for women to be heard,” he said. “Also, I think Hillary’s been through it once before with her husband in office.”

Peach, a 47-year-old South Tampa resident, also voted in favor of Amendment 1 even though he isn’t a homeowner.

“It’d be better for the homeowners in the long run,” he said of the amendment.

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A Vote For Ron Paul

Posted Jan 29, 2008 by Keith Morelli

Updated Jan 29, 2008 at 04:41 PM

Choosing a presidential candidate was an “internal struggle” for Ben Sutton, a Forest Hills homeowner who works for Sarasota Fire Rescue. It was a really tough decision.

In the end, he cast his ballot for Ron Paul.

He’s the candidate who will best offer some kind of change, Sutton says.

“All the candidates basically say they are for change,” he says. “That’s a bunch of BS. It’s the same thing over and over.”

He’s tired of “government telling me over and over what I can and can’t do,” he says.

Paul could change that, although Sutton admits it’s a long shot.

“No one candidate is perfect,” Sutton says. “It’s always the lesser of two evils.”

As for the Amendment 1 question, being a firefighter made that decision a little easier, he says.

If the amendment passes, critics say there could be a cut in funding for fire and police services as well as education, in exchange for savings on property tax bills.

“I think the language is confusing, and it’s short-sighted,” the two-year homeowner says. “For the savings it offers, the cuts to services are too much.”

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She Has The Right To Remain Silent

Posted Jan 29, 2008 by Keith Morelli

Updated Jan 29, 2008 at 04:38 PM

For Evelyn Roberts, voting is a secret kind of thing. The Forest Hills homeowner of more than 50 years was judicious with her responses to a few questions after she emerged from Hillsborough County Precinct 245 at the Forest Hills Presbyterian Church this afternoon.

“If you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?” the questioner asks.

“Over 80,” Roberts responds.

“Which way did you vote on Amendment 1?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because it wouldn’t help me.”

“Did you vote in the presidential primary?”

“Yes.”

“Who did you vote for, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I’m not going to tell you that.”

She turns and heads to her car.

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Thompson’s Out, So They Voted For Huckabee

Posted Jan 29, 2008 by Josh Poltilove

Updated Jan 29, 2008 at 04:14 PM

David and Debra Johnson, who are longtime South Tampa homeowners, voted for Mike Huckabee.

Debra Johnson, 52, said Huckabee would bring fresh answers to Washington.

“I would’ve voted for Fred Thompson if he’d still been in the race,” said David Johnson, a 69-year-old retired eye doctor. “Huckabee’s probably the closest to what Fred would’ve been.”

Both also voted for Amendment 1.

“It’s better than nothing at all,” David Johnson said.

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A ‘Yes’ Vote For Stimulating The Economy

Posted Jan 29, 2008 by Josh Poltilove

Updated Jan 29, 2008 at 04:05 PM

Pat Deshaies, a 77-year-old retired nurse and counselor, voted yes on Amendment 1 because she thinks it will stimulate the economy.

“I did it for financial reasons in view of the inflationary spiral we’ve been in the past three to five years,” the South Tampa resident said.

Deshaies said she pays more than $2,000 a year in property taxes for her condo.

The independent voter wouldn’t say who she plans to vote for in the presidential election.

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