Welcome to TBO.com. Skip directly to: our Keyword Search, Section Navigation, Content.
    Search: Yahoo
    WFLA News Channel 8 The Tampa Tribune CentroTampa.com

    TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online

    Cabinet kicks off fair

    THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
    Gov. Rick Scott, left, dances Thursday with Betty Denton in period costume at the Florida State Fair's Cracker Country, a museum focusing on Florida's rural past.
    Gov. Rick Scott, left, dances Thursday with Betty Denton in period costume at the Florida State Fair's Cracker Country, a museum focusing on Florida's rural past.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    The Associated Press

    Published: February 10, 2012

    TAMPA - Starting the day with an impromptu square dance and a crack of a bullwhip, Gov. Rick Scott celebrated the opening day of the Florida State Fair and held a Cabinet meeting at the fairgrounds Thursday morning.

    It's the first time the Florida Cabinet has held its meeting at the state fair. Scott and other officials said they wanted to highlight Florida's farm heritage and success, noting that agriculture is a $100 billion industry for the state and employs tens of thousands of people. The citrus industry alone brings $9 billion to the state.

    "We have got to do everything we can to support agriculture in our state so we can grow jobs," Scott said.

    Little crucial business was conducted during the hourlong meeting — mostly resolutions, a mining lease and recognition of former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Brad Culpepper's wife, Monica, appearing on the next episode of "Survivor."

    Scott and the rest of the Cabinet toured the fairgrounds and met with farmers, exhibitors and children. He danced a jig with a woman in period costume in the Cracker Country exhibit, which is a living museum celebrating Florida's rural past. Scott also tried his hand at whip-cracking.

    Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Attorney General Pam Bondi are the other members of the Florida Cabinet. The trio flipped the switch to turn on the midway lights at 6:30 a.m.

    Afterward, they attended a breakfast with leaders of the agriculture industry.

    Scott, dressed in a blue shirt, gray jeans and cowboy boots, walked through a pavilion where children showed their prize steers, bunnies and chickens. He also tasted some freshly squeezed juice.

    The health-conscious governor also gave in to a less nutritious temptation of the fair: fried dough.

    Scott later announced a $45 million expansion at the Port of Tampa that he said will create jobs and allow Florida to be competitive in a global economy.

     

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Advertisement

    IYP and SEO vendors: SEO by eLocalListing | Advertiser profiles