The death of Rep. Bill Young (R-Fla.) left a huge void for St. Petersburg-area groups dependent on federal funding and one former Young staffer is helping to fill that void as a lobbyist.
Harry Glenn, former chief of staff to Young, has officially become a registered lobbyist after filing papers Tuesday with D.C. firm Van Scoyoc Associates on behalf of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership.
Located in Young's former district, the non-profit aims to stimulate business growth in its namesake city. Young colaborated with the organization on a number of projects during his tenure. This represents the first time that the Downtown Partnership has hired a federal lobbyist to advocate on its behalf.
While in Congress, the appropriator became known for his knack for directing earmarked money to his district - a fact not lost on the Downtown Partnership's president, Peter Betzer. In October, Betzer told the St. Petersburg Tribune, "whoever replaces him is going to be really challenged."
And that someone who will be really challenged is David Jolly, another former Young staffer and Van Scoyoc lobbyist, who won a special election to fill Young's vacated seat in Congress.
