everyone is a groupuscule

Going in a different direction, Mulhern asked whether the city could spend some of the federal grant on services or a shelter for the homeless. After all, she said, they are affected by the panhandling ban that Tampa passed in the runup to the convention.

Not likely, officials said, though Hamlin said he would ask the U.S. Justice Department, which must approve every expenditure of the grant money.

“It’s not going to happen,” Mayor Bob Buckhorn said later, adding he can’t imagine the feds saying yes. “We can’t be diverted from what the appropriate use of that money is, and that is to provide a safe environment for the convention. It’s not to be used for pet projects or things totally unrelated to security.