Martin Dyckman
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
In the 1970s, justices on the Florida Supreme Court were popularly elected. But a number of scandals threatened to topple the court until public outrage led to profound reforms and fundamental changes in the way justices were seated. As the journalist who wrote most of the stories that exposed these dark events, Martin Dyckman played a key role in revealing the corruption, favoritism, and cronyism then rampant in the court and providing the impetus for major judicial reform in Florida. Mr. Dyckman, a retired Associate Editor of the St. Petersburg Times and Tiger Bay’s next featured speaker, recounts (no pun intended) this dark period in Florida politics in his recently released (March 2008) book entitled “A Most Disorderly Court: Scandal and Reform in the Florida Judiciary.” While he has his share of critics, especially from those who have not benefited from his early investigative reporting career, he is universally viewed as one of Florida’s most respected journalists and one who has left an undeniable impact on Florida government. In fact, at least one colleague asserts that Mr. Dyckman “did as much good for Florida politics as any legislator or public official.” He is also the author of a biography of one of Florida’s greatest governors Leroy Collins-“Floridian of His Century: The Courage of Governor LeRoy Collins.” A limited amount of books will be available on-site for purchase and Mr. Dyckman will be available for signing of the books. Please join us for this special program on Wednesday, April 23 at the Silver Slipper.