If you haven’t seen Dick Greco in a while, here’s what you’re missing. A graphic reminder that 80 could be the new 65. The newly-minted octogenarian is not as fast on his feet as he used to be, but he is no less nimble of wit and more than animated on certain high-octane topics–from modern media, politicians and pollsters to why he loves Tampa, why he loved being mayor and why he doesn’t regret that Last Hurrah City Hall run two years ago.
These days Greco pivots out of an office at The Urban Centre in Westshore where he is vice president/development for Gries Investment Funds. He does “The News Hour with Dick Greco” each Monday at noon on WWBA 820 AM, is still active with some court mediation, gives a couple of speeches each month and is out and about several times a week with Ageless wife Linda at various meet and greets for good causes.
And if he had it his way, he would be well into the third year of his fifth term as mayor. He still says if he had gotten an endorsement from one of the two major dailies, it would have happened for him in 2011. “I heard the arguments, especially age,” recalls Greco. “I knew 77 was old. It was. And some wondered if I would make it to 81. I get that. But I really don’t think that way. I feel fine. I’m blessed. It would have been great to wind up doing what you love.”
But, no, he doesn’t harbor regrets after coming within a couple hundred votes of making the runoff and likely continuing his life-long unbeaten record in the political arena. He doesn’t second guess himself for not following the advice of some close friends who pointed out the obvious: Those with their own statue and iconic place in history need not risk it with a Frank Skeffington reprise.
But, yes, he is proud that he stayed true to what he believed and didn’t alter his campaign approach–even if it vexed some consultants. Strategies involving negative ads and political action committees remain anathema to him.
“Politics is important,” he acknowledges. “But I’m not going to be a different person because this is a different time. That would have bothered me forever.”
He now leans back in his crisp, white dress shirt and sporty tie, cups his hands behind his head and smiles that vintage Greco smile. He’s pausing for the precise words required for the ultimate explanation of why he doesn’t rue that decision to enter the fray one more time. In anticipation, you can’t help but notice he’s back-dropped by familiar mementos–from a signed Super Bowl football to framed photos that include he and Linda with the eclectic likes of George W. Bush and Fidel Castro. He could bring a lot to any candidate table. And then the mental rummaging is over.
He underscores his no-regrets rationale with a timeless Grantland Rice quote. “For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, he writes–not that you won or lost–but how you played the Game,” he recites.
“It’s true,” Greco says simply, “and I’ve tried to adhere to that. And in the end, I wanted Tampa to shine–no matter who’s mayor.”
Speaking of, he crosses paths with Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn frequently, follows the impact of City Hall priorities and likes what he’s been seeing.
“I’m proud of this city and how it’s evolving,” he notes. “And the mayor is more than the CEO. He has to be out there. A lot of people these days really don’t know their political officials. That’s not good. They need to know who they are. And Bob Buckhorn gets that. I see him all the time, and I thank him for what he’s doing.”
For his part, Mayor Buckhorn is no less grateful for Greco’s help, much of it behind the scenes.
“He’s been nothing but magnanimous to me since I took office,” says Buckhorn. “He’s been supportive and helpful. I think it’s very much to Dick’s credit that he wants me to be successful, and if so, then it means this community is doing well. That’s how he is.
“I appreciate his support in public,” Buckhorn adds, “but also behind closed doors. He’s still wired in with the business community, and his support with his peers and large group of friends is a form of validation for me. I treasure that.”
Greco Reflections
*The Tampa Bay region: “I think we’re headed in the right direction. We all have something to offer. We can’t afford a ‘this is mine, this is yours’ mindset. I don’t just believe in Tampa. I believe in this area. We will continue to grow. And some day with mass transit, we will be better connected.”
*Today’s political scene: “I don’t like discord. It’s never been more important for people to come together. Too often I hear politicians say how important it is to ‘Help your party.’ Hell, help your country for God’s sake.”
*Media: “The media is probably more important than the reporters realize. They have no sense of history. They get congratulations for ruining somebody. My advice: Just be honest and report it–without too many damn adjectives. There’s never been a time when nasty people have had such a forum.”
*Voters: “More than 60,000 cast ballots when I first ran for mayor (in 1967). Two years ago it was closer to 40,000. People are not as involved, and they use every excuse in the book. I can still remember my 97-year-old mom filling out her absentee ballot because she had never missed an election–and reminding me that she had never voted for a Republican. To her, it was an important part of being an American.”
*Sage political advice: “Dr. Ed Flynn (DDS), Doug Belden’s grandfather, once told me: ‘If you lose, who can you help?’ Never forgot it, but never used it as an excuse to do anything just to get elected.”
*Best part of being mayor: “Being in a position to accomplish something for your city. Also being able to understand the city as a whole–not just where you grew up or where you work. To see all the differences as well as what we all have in common.”
*What about Tampa that he’s most proud of: “I’m proud of how this city has evolved. It’s a friendly place. I hear that all the time.”
*Legacy marker: “The Community Investment Tax (CIT). “If all our schools were on double sessions, do you think any company worth recruiting would have come here?”
*That non-mayor (DeBartolo) interregnum: “You know I missed it (being mayor) all the time. I was seeing Tampa through different eyes. I was seeing a swimming pool we built or trees along Bayshore I had actually picked out or buildings at UT we traded city properties for. I remembered meeting all those people–and I speak three languages plus ‘hello,’ ‘goodbye’ and ‘how are you?’ in a couple more. I remembered that it wasn’t a chore. It was fun. Nothing I liked more than that job as mayor.”
*A disappointment: “The Seminole casino deal behind the train station that never happened. Chief Billie had agreed to it. Think of the Channelside impact.”
*Famous person that he hit it off especially well with: “George W. Bush. One of the nicest guys you could ever meet one on one.”
*Wish list item: “A consolidated city-county government–like Jacksonville.”
*High-speed rail: “I would have accepted the money. It would have created jobs.”
*MacDill AFB: “I cherish that place. My grandson (Navy/Marine Corps) served in Afghanistan.”
*Mayor-City Council dynamic: “When I was mayor, I always met with members individually. Nobody likes surprises. They’re elected too. Never used a veto. You’re going to get a difference of opinion with a diverse group. And differences of opinion are good. In fact, they’re necessary. There’s nothing that everybody’s 100 per cent for.”
*2014 Florida gubernatorial race: “I’m only making one prediction. It will be the nastiest campaign you’ve ever seen. It will be ugly.”