A Look at Political Contributions Reveals the Agendas in Largo Electionby Leo Coughlin LARGO - "The Hive" is out there, actively working, throwing money in the pot, pushing its candidate to the forefront with the idea of "what one weak candidate cannot do by himself, we can do together." Look at the monetary contributions and it is clear that there is a group that very much wants Louis Brown on the Largo City Commission. This desire is reflected in terms of how much money has been thrown his way. He comes to candidacy with no apparent knowledge of city affairs, if one uses his (non)attendance at commission meetings as a measuring device. How much money? Double what anyone else has attracted and almost triple what his opponent, Curtis Holmes with $1,898, lists in the latest reports. Brown has accumulated $5,646. Harriet Crozier, trying to keep her seat, has raised $2,800. Her opponent, John Mandujano, has collected $1,907. So it is clear that a particular group has its candidate. The group, best described as "The Hive," has an agenda that is in great part inimical to the lifestyle of Largo citizens. "Diversity" is high on that agenda and for the best description of diversity, which can be overbroad, think of the former city manager who was a strong advocate of diversity. That is the city manager who brought chagrin to Largo citizens and embarrassment to the city with his predilection for dressing in women's clothing. Amazingly, he thought he could continue in his job at City Hall showing up every day in high heels, skirts and women's underwear. Think also of the "human rights spin." When that subject came up it didn't have a group of disenfranchised folks from Darfur showing up at City Hall to plead their case. It featured some burly androgynes with hairy arms attired in blouses and skirts braying about how it is so important to make Largo a mecca and destination for those in that weird lifestyle. The Hive is all part of that. In addition, it is made up of that congerie of individuals who take and justify taking $10,000 a week out of the pockets of Largo taxpayers to keep alive the tottering Cultural Center, a totally failed enterprise of the city. In other words, Mr. and Mrs. Largo, just ordinary and regular folks, are paying for the entertainment and soignees of this artsy craftsy crowd. Currently, the biggest empire in the city is the Recreation, Parks and Arts Department, a rival with Einstein's "ever-expanding universe" for overwhelming everything in sight. If there is an area of city government that can possibly come under the jurisdiction of this department it is corralled into what has become the biggest spender in the Largo budget. It is interesting that its advisory board, made up of seven citizens, including Brown, is a strong backer of Brown. Five of them in addition to Brown himself - Penny Janowski, Kathryn Feaster, Sue Porter, Lloyd Lehan and Laurie Koehler - have anted up and are listed in the Brown contribution list. Also there - in numbers - are chiropractic groups. Now, many wonder, why would these guys want to back this Brown fellow? Well, for one thing, he is one of them, and for another, who knows? maybe the time will come when he can give a helping hand if he is on the commission. That certainly is the idea of the Chamber of Commerce, which many wonder is part of the city government (or vice versa), which is a strong backer of political neophyte Brown. On the other hand, Holmes, well versed in the workings of the city government and its budget through his constant attendance at government meetings over the years, will not take any money whatsoever from special interest groups. As one observer notes, "When any group gives money to a candidate it wants something. That is a given. And when members of a board allied to a city department with a voracious appetite both in money and philosophy 'get on the team' you can pretty much tell what is up." What it comes down to, as one shrewd political veteran says, is "who represents special interests and special agendas, and who represents the people?"
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