Republican Commissioners Ronda Storms and Jim Norman, along with Democrat Frank, have characterized the museum as being less important than other needs, such as transportation, water and parks. Newcomer Stacey Easterling echoes those concerns. In November, the Republican defeated incumbent Ben Wacksman, a Democrat and strong museum supporter. Quite frankly, I like the idea of a history museum. I've got people calling me telling me it takes them an hour and a half to get to work.
Storms minces no words.
She said under no circumstances would she agree to spend tax dollars on a museum in downtown Tampa. She said children in her district need new recreation centers, and their parents need better roads. My people aren't raising Cain about this. Norman tried once before to cut the funding, which he calls excessive. Former History Center President J. Thomas Touchton quickly recognized the threat after the November election.