Dispute over list left unsettled at meeting

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 28, 2000

Spring Hill Fire and Rescue Commissioner Al Kroner left the meeting Wednesday night without the one thing he went to get: a public apology from fellow board member Bob Kanner.

A confrontation erupted between the two over a list Kanner wrote naming the candidates he supports for election to the board in November. The list did not include Kroner's name, but Kanner wrote across the top, "Don't confuse Kroner with Kanner." Kanner, who is not up for election, gave the list to political activist Rachel Rodriguez, who said he asked her to distribute it among several Hispanic organizations.

"Why did you do this?" Kroner asked Wednesday night at the meeting, before asking for an apology for himself and Rodriguez. "I'm leaving it up to you, sir."

Instead, Kanner defended his actions and refused to apologize.

"As far as I'm concerned, I've done nothing wrong," he said. "I spoke as a citizen. I did not speak on behalf of the board."

Kroner said Thursday he is considering filing a complaint against Kanner with the state Commission on Ethics in Tallahassee.

"I gave him every opportunity," he said. "I just felt that that would've sufficed."

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