It was one of the longest hours of Frank Margarella’s life.
He accepted an invitation to take part in one of the city’s first-ever online political debates, hosted by TampaGold.com. But as the 10 a.m. starting point approached, his runoff opponent, Joseph Caetano, still hadn’t arrived at Tampa Digital Studios on South Howard Avenue, where the debate was to be held.
The two face each other in a March 27 runoff for the District 7 council seat, which covers north Tampa, including the University of South Florida and New Tampa.
The forum moderator, Bill Sharpe, called Caetano to see if he was running late. Only then was he informed that the leading vote-getter wouldn’t be participating.
“He said he won’t be here because he’s not feeling well,” Sharpe said. “Frankly, I’m insulted.”
So Sharpe made an executive call: He gave the panel a full hour to grill Margarella on topics ranging from voter participation to McMansions. At one point, panelist Jim Johnson ran out of questions, so he asked Margarella, “What do you do for fun?”
Caetano said he has been troubled by a cold for more than a week. “I just couldn’t make it,” he said.
About 35 people tuned in to the live webcast, which will be available on the TampaGold.com Web site until the election. The site also is holding an online forum for District 1 candidates Gwen Miller and Joe Redner this afternoon that started at 3 p.m.

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