This morning was an excellent example of the emerging power of social media in politics. Working with Jordan Raynor - one of the young, brilliant minds in this important arena - and Kelso Tanner, an associate of the honorable Mark Proctor, I am striving to build a new way to communicate and govern. My team, held together by an emerging political dynamo - Jen Lux, remember the name because she will one day be managing national campaigns, is absolutely committed to transforming the way campaigns are run and decisions made. Forget the insider games - or hidden deals made by the “good old boys” for the benefit of the few, the names I have mentioned are committed to a new, more open - transparent style of governing. No - we are not reinventing politics, but we are committed to transitional politics - whereby “the people” actually have a voice in local government and the opportunity to engage beyond the token attempts often employed gratuitously by the status quo.

Insider deals and back door politics have contaminated our system of government. We strive to open up the process and govern through data & a free flow of information girded by principles enshrined by the founders of this great nation. So be you left, right or center - I encourage you to engage - and embrace the new technologies that are transforming how we learn, inform and ultimately make decisions.

Next - read more on how Tampa Bay “resets” itself - and the young brilliant minds like my guest today on coffee with @marksharpefl - Jess Johnson - who strive to build a better community.