Celebrating With Two Of My Most Politically Active Friends

An editorial by Gary Nager

I’ve always said that the people in this community who get involved in causes — whether it’s to help their favorite nonprofit organization, serve as a volunteer Board member of a PTA or Chamber of Commerce or run for political office — are people I appreciate, even when/if I disagree with them. To me, being involved is better than sitting at home complaining about what is or isn’t happening in our community.

Two of the people I have appreciated a lot over the nearly 20 years I have been the owner and editor of this publication have a lot in common, despite their different ages and backgrounds.

Both Joseph Caetano and former State Rep. Shawn Harrison have been extremely politically active people who are former chairs of the Tampa Palms Community Development District Board of Supervisors, as well as former District 7 (which includes all of the incororated areas of New Tampa) representatives on the Tampa City Council. Both men also have lost elections — Harrison for a citywide City Council seat and for the State Legislative district which includes New Tampa (now known as District 63) and Caetano for both the Hillsborough County Commission and the Hillsborough School Board.

Both also are long-time friends of not only mine, but of the entire New Tampa area — and both recently held celebrations that I

attended.

Harrison (R-New Tampa) has announced that he is running again for the District 63 seat in the Florida House, against the man who defeated him — Democrat and current District 63 Rep. (and fellow New Tampa resident) Mark Danish. To that end, Shawn and his wife Susan and their family held a reception for 30-40 supporters and friends at Hunter’s Green Country Club the same day (Sept. 26) as the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s Business Expo (see page 38) to officially kick off his campaign against Danish, an election being held in 2014.

“I still feel I can do a good job serving in the State Legislature and want a rematch (against Rep. Danish),” Harrison told me that night. “The decisions made in Tallahassee still affect us here on a local level and I feel confident I can build coalitions in the legislature to get some of our problems throughout our District corrected.” More than 20 Republican Florida House members already have thrown Harrison their support, as have State Senators John Legg and Bill Galvano, and Hillsborough County Commision members Victor Crist, Ken Hagan, Mark Sharpe and Sandy Murman.

For more information about Shawn Harrison and his campaign, visit ShawnHarrison.com.

 The ‘Mayor Of New Tampa’ Turns 80!

Caetano was among those in attendance at Harrison’s kickoff event and although Caetano’s not currently running for political office himself, the man who once led a campaign to de-annex New Tampa from the City of Tampa and incorporate as Hillsborough County’s fourth municipality (Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace are the others) did celebrate a major milestone last week.

“The ‘Mayor of New Tampa’ turns 80!,” exclaimed District 2 Hillsborough County Commission member Victor Crist during the small celebration that included yours truly, Crist, Caetano and his daughters Caron and Jacquie (as well as a few other family members) at the Bonefish Grill in Carrollwood.

Caetano, who is still fighting the good fight by trying to get another fire station built along County Line Rd. (a station that is in the city’s long-range plans, but not currently funded) and other improvements for our area, also is, of course, the long-time former owner of the Bostonian Hair Studios in New Tampa.

Joseph and I have had some ups and downs over these 20 years, but the bottom line is that he’s been a good friend, so I simply couldn’t ignore him reaching such an important milestone.

Looking good, too, Joseph!

Happy Birthday, J-Man!

I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention another major milestone, this one involving a member of my family.

My older son Jared recently turned 25 and I’m proud that my kid (and fellow University of Florida alum) has continued to grow, both as a man and as a sales and marketing professional. We could sure use his talents here at the New Tampa Neighborhood News. Just saying.

Unfortunately, my younger son Jake wasn’t available to celebrate Jared’s birthday with us because he was at that other state university in Tallahassee (which Jared and I try to not hold against him), where Jake, 21, is completing his senior year.