Less than nine hours left to vote… Plenty of time but expect a wait as turnout is high:

Mayor Bob Hackworth:

Ever since I began my campaign, I have been clear that I wanted to be a true citizen-legislator, not a career politician, and that I would not serve more than four terms. This pledge is not a new position, but something I have been saying from the beginning. Our campaign has always been about change and new leadership, but that will not happen if the same people are representing us, decade after decade.

My opponent has been in Washington for thirty-eight years and I believe that is thirty years too long. As mayor of Dunedin, I have been able to cut taxes, expand the number of parks, and bring new economic development to our community and it did not take me decades to do it.

We need change – both here and in Washington – and part of that is saying “no” to becoming a career politician. Too many politicians have lost touch with the communities they represent and, at the same time, they are collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions from insurance companies, big oil and other special interests.

If the voters send me to Washington, they know that I am not going there to collect a government salary for the next four decades. I have heard all the arguments for keeping our representatives in Washington for thirty or forty years, but I do not believe that our community or our nation benefits from politicians treating elected office as a lifetime appointment.

Bob Hackworth is the Mayor of Dunedin. He was elected in 2006 after previously serving as a City Commissioner.

Today is the final day you can request a mail in ballot (also known as an Absentee ballot) in Pinellas County. If you have interest in voting by mail, please fill out the form provided at the Supervisor of Elections web site.

Ballots may be returned via the mail or dropped off at one of several drop off locations throughout Pinellas County.
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For those who have been frustrated at the window of time they have to participate in Early Voting, breaking news from today may be very welcome news.

Early Voting hours have been extended — effective immediately — by way of an executive order signed by Governor Charlie Crist. All three Pinellas early voting locations will be open until 7 PM EDT today, and operating hours will be from 7AM to 7PM on Wednesday (October 29th), Thursday (October 30th) and Saturday (October 31st).

Polls will also be open for “A total of 12 hours” over the course of this weekend (Saturday, November 1st and Sunday, November 2nd).

As we posted last week, the three locations for Early Voting in Pinellas are as follows:
Supervisor of Elections Office
Pinellas County Courthouse
315 Court St Room 117
Clearwater FL 33756

Supervisor of Elections Office
501 1st Ave N
5th Street North Entrance
St. Petersburg FL 33701

Supervisor of Elections Office
Election Service Center
Starkey Lakes Corporate Center
13001 Starkey Road
Largo FL 33773

We applaud Gov. Crist’s action on voting hours, as people have lined up across Florida to express their right to vote.

The following comes from Volunteer Coordinator Nicole Kennedy:

Hello Campaign Supporters!

We need your help this week!

Bob Hackworth proves a record of accomplishment, lets send him to Washington!

Please join the campaign over the next week as we work to Get Out the VOTE!!! We need help knocking on doors, making calls, and putting out yard signs.

Please contact the campaign at 565.0108 or contact us through our online form. Let’s send Bob to Washington!

Nicole

After the St. Petersburg Times endorsed the status quo in Florida’s 10th District, Bob Hackworth crafted the following reply which ran in Friday’s edition of the Times:

I agree these are “uncertain times at home and abroad,” as the Times so crucially noted. That my opponent “lacks a sense of urgency in dealing with the (economic) crisis” is telling. So too is the observation that “time and tenure are having an effect.”

Now is not a time for hesitation or indecision, but a time to lead. That is the compelling argument for my candidacy.

Left unsaid in the Times’ recommendation is that Bill Young votes close to 90 percent of the time with George Bush. If re-elected, he will continue to oppose efforts to help the middle class during this economic crisis, oppose measures to insure the 47-million Americans without health care coverage and oppose an end to the war in Iraq. Voters also deserve to know of Young’s recent votes against legislation banning torture.

If you agree this nation needs a change in direction, please give my opponent your appreciation for his 38 long years of service but give your vote to Bob Hackworth on Nov. 4.

While early voting is ongoing in Florida and we’ve generally hit the apex of the campaign season, many people out there still haven’t gotten a chance to get to know their candidates and see them in person.

Several opportunities still remain:

On Top of the World
Democratic Club Meeting
2 p.m Thursday

Suncoast League of Cities
Candidate Meet and Greet
6 p.m. Thursday at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club

No On Amendment 2 Rally
4-6 p.m.
Sunday, October 26
Lowry Park, Tampa

North Pinellas Hadassah Candidate Forum
12:45 p.m. Monday, October 27
Temple Ahavat Shalom,
Palm Harbor

The Supervisor of Elections is expecting a record turnout in this important election and there are worries that polling places may be very crowded on November 4th.

You can avoid long lines and delays by voting now at three early voting sites in Pinellas County.

The three locations in Pinellas for early voting are:
Supervisor of Elections Office
Pinellas County Courthouse
315 Court St Room 117
Clearwater FL 33756

Supervisor of Elections Office
501 1st Ave N
5th Street North Entrance
St. Petersburg FL 33701

Supervisor of Elections Office
Election Service Center
Starkey Lakes Corporate Center
13001 Starkey Road
Largo FL 33773

Absentee ballots may be mailed (with proper postage) or turned in at designated locations around the county until 7 p.m. on election day. You may request an absentee ballot be mailed to you by calling 727-464-6788 or by visiting the Vote Pinellas web site before 5 p.m. October 29th. After that date you may still pick up an absentee ballot at any Elections Office.

The website also lists Early Voting sites and ballot dropoff locations. Every registered voter also was mailed a sample ballot including these instructions, so check your mailbox and if you’re ready to cast your vote, why not do it early and save yourself some time?

The following message is from our volunteer coordinator, Nicole Kennedy:

There’s no one who knows your community better than you do, and no one who knows how electing the Citizen Legislator, Bob Hackworth, will help Florida’s 10th congressional District more than the residents and supporters within it. We invite you to help build support and exposure for Bob beginning in your own neighborhood.

The Bob Hackworth for Congress campaign will begin making phone calls to voters in Pinellas County and we are looking for volunteers to help phone bank.

Please join us every week till NOVEMBER 4th AT:
Campaign Headquarters 715 BROADWAY DUNEDIN FL (727)565.0108
MONDAY-THURSDAY 10am-2pm and 3-8pm
SATURDAY 10am-2pm

If you are unavailable during these times, we’ll happily help arrange it so you can help make calls from home at any time that is convenient for you.

Bob Hackworth wants to work with Barack Obama and a new Democratic administration dedicated to change and a reversal of the failed policies of the last eight years. He wants to retire Bill Young, the 38-year Republican incumbent, who has voted with the Bush administration 90% of the time.

If you agree it is time for change in Washington, please volunteer for
the Bob Hackworth Campaign for Congress.

Warm Regards,
Nicole Kennedy

If interested in participating, please use our volunteer contact form or call Nicole at 727-565-0108

Alberto Moretta shared with us a few photos he took of Bob Hackworth and the Democratic Presidential Nominee last Wednesday. We’re posting them here. There is also a photo of three young Obama supporters that originally appeared on Bay News 9 that we are also adding to this small collection.

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