By Brendan McLaughlin

Pam Iorio came into office with high hopes and a hybrid powered truckload of good vibes. Her school marm-ish competency and smiley optimism seemed the perfect qualities to those weary of Dick Greco's entrenched insiderism. Then, as happens in any relationship, the inevitable disagreements over priorities and style blunted the infatuation. Pro-Pam and anti-Pam factions (she's a good witch, she's a bad witch) asserted themselves and we all woke up to the realization that, like residents of every other city, we have a Mayor, not a magic princess.

Familiarity didn't breed contempt (with me anyway) but it did make me forget what a skilled, persuasive and attractive  public figure Pam Iorio can be. Watch her recent State of the City address and then name a female politician at any level who can deliver a 20 minute speech, apparently without notes or Teleprompter, that is half as passionate and convincing.

When Pam Iorio says Tampa is the best city in America, I believe she believes it. If everyone were as cynical as I am, nothing would ever get done.  Sure, she glosses over the warty parts, but  by the end of her speech, I felt like picking up debris along the shoulder of Ashley Drive. 

It's hard to see how being Mayor of a mid-sized southern city could launch a major political career, but it's easy to see how Pam Iorio could one day rise far above her current rank.

* The link above will lead you to a low quality internet version of the State of the City Address. Better to catch a re-run on CTTV (Brighthouse Channel 615).