Yet more shoddy journalism

Perhaps you read last week’s front page story concerning how Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is personally withholding state restitution for lost trees for some southwest Florida citrus growers. What in fact is the case is a Circuit Court Judge trying to write law rather than uphold it. There is a plan in place to pay these folks but continuing litigation has held it up. Similar cases where there was not on - going litigation have been resolved. And it is the state that is responsible for payment – not Putnam. A couple other side issues – Putnam wasn’t even the Agriculture Commissioner when this action was taken – under a Democratic administration. And by the way, Putnam is the leading candidate for Florida’s governorship, but alas, he is a Republican. Other than all the facts above, the story in “Florida’s Best Newspaper” was correct i.e. they spelled Putnam’s name correctly.

Tampa Bay, politics and stuff:

1. Tax Day Wisdom from President Ronald Reagan: “Republicans believe every day is the 4th of July; Democrats believe every day is April 15th.”

2. Mid-April – the time of year you pay your taxes and finally get someone over who knows what they’re doing to set up the electronic device you got for Christmas.

3. One would hope that fired FBI Director James Comey will net enough from his tell all book to sustain him for the rest of his life as he has lost credibility with both Democrats and Republicans and the American public in general.

4. Interesting statistic from last month’s Clearwater city election. Well over 4 out of 5 voters cast their ballots prior to Election Day which will, no doubt, result in further combining of polling places in future elections.

5. (With thanks to a dear friend) You’ve lived in Clearwater a long time if you remember the Carillon Concerts on the Brown Estate in Harbor Oaks.

Sports, media and other stuff:

6. It didn’t get a lot of play in the local media but the U.S. sled hockey team won the gold medal at the winter Paralympics in South Korea – thanks to some last minute heroics by 20-year-old Declan Farmer whose roots are here in Pinellas County.

7. Apple’s CEO Tim Cook has taken Facebook to task over privacy issues. While the allegations against Facebook may be justified, Cook needs to do more than a little cleaning up in his own kitchen before he targets other companies.

8. The Tampa Bay Rays’ worst season was 2002 when they lost 106 games. The 2018 edition is on track to clear that with room to spare. First step in reversing things – get rid of the ridiculous bullpen days and bring in a couple journeymen innings eaters to spare what talented arms the Rays possess.

9. While the Miami Marlins are just as awful as predicted, their telecasts took a large leap forward with the addition of MLB’s Paul Severino as their play by play man.

10. Each week during the baseball season, we are selecting the best player and pitcher from each franchise over the last seven decades (back story TBRR 3/25).This week’s spotlight falls on the Philadelphia/Kansas City/Oakland A’s. Ironically both of their best players/pitchers also made a mark later in their careers with the Yankees. They are Reggie Jackson and, in a close vote over Rollie Fingers – Jim “Catfish” Hunter.

Century old candy bar in danger

News broke this past week that New England Confectionary might shut down. They are famously known for the NECCO wafer. But for residents of western Pennsylvania, their more significant product is the Clark Bar – introduced 100 years ago in Pittsburgh by David L. Clark. The Clark family sold out in the 50s and the brand has passed through several hands (including Hershey) sometimes causing the bars to temporarily vanish from store shelves. There was a particular time in the mid 90s when we needed the bar in large quantities when the only place we could get them was a Food Lion store in Tarpon Springs - thanks to a kindly manager. For the uninitiated, the Clark Bar is packaged in an orange wrapper with dark blue lettering and tastes something like a Butterfinger – only better. If the New England Confectionary Company does indeed close its doors, the bar might again find a new home – or like lost choclate treats like the Cabana, Secret, Texan, Toffo and others will become just an historical note.

NEXT UP: Telephone home invaders; car thieves; guys headed for the Hall of Fame