The Ledger correctly pointed out that Governor Crist owes Polk County and our entire region an explanation of his unfortunate veto of construction funds for the new campus of the USF Polytechnic. While I agree that an explanation is in order, I hate to admit that I already know what it says, and it stinks to high heaven.
Normally I do not get political with my Religion in the City column. The articles are supposed to challenge and be an inspiring muse in people’s spiritual life. It has never been my intention to write to the left or right in either our community’s churches or government. I do not stand on the side of pro-lifers any more than I speak for pro-choicers. My articles are meant to be mindful expressions on the side of love, grace, hope and dignity for all of God’s children.
In my favorite "X-files" episode ever, Scully and Mulder are debating a killing that appears to be the product of a bloodsucker of some sort. Their conversation goes like this: Scully: "Well, we know it can't be a vampire." Mulder: "Why?" Scully: "Because they don't exist." This is what I think about conservatives, right now. They are mythological.
Last week, over at Lakeland Local, I quite publicly labeled a letter-to-the-editor written by a Medicare recipient as the "dumbest letter ever written to The Ledger." The author had railed against the supposed liberal takeover, blah, blah, blah, of US health care (I only wish) while simultaneously praising his own Medicare coverage and insisting that he's worked all his life and nobody better screw with it. I'm paraphrasing, go see it for yourself. One commenter took me to task pretty thoughtfully in a pair of long comments he or she must have spent some time composing. I wanted to answer.
On Dec. 8, 2006, City Manager David Greene wrote a letter to then FDOT secretary Denver Stutler. It is a marvelously straightforward statement of the relationship between the proposed Heartland Parkway and the CSX deal, which I've always seen as the great untold story of both issues. Between them, these two proposals call for roughly $10 billion in public spending to reorganize where and how freight and people move in Central Florida. When you look closely at the effort to build this wall of money, and at who it might benefit other than CSX, more often than not you see state Sen. JD Alexander, members and alumni of Orlando's GrayRobinson law firm, and a consistent cast of supporting characters and property owners, who between them own many properties that surround the hub or line the proposed parkway route.
Update: (4/14) It seems that Meek and Brown may pass on the chance to goose fellow Democrats after all. From the Sentinel: Last week, Senate Democratic leader Al Lawson said that U.S. Reps. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, and Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, would be visiting the caucus to talk up commuter rail along with other backers such as Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. But over the weekend, Meek's office said he wasn't likely to be there and Brown would be out of the country. No word from Dyer despite our inquiries, but the Senate Democratic Office now says only Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs, is confirmed to attend the meeting, where he'll no doubt face a tough crowd of SunRail opponents, including fellow Orange County Sen. Gary Siplin. Hmmmmm. Why are U.S. Reps. Kendrick Meek, Corrine Brown planning to stick their noses into the state legislative battle over the CSX deal? And why are they taking the side of a deal that guts union jobs, hands over up to $600 million in cash and product to a highly profitable private company, and harms several communities for the benefit of another? Haven't Democrats backed quite enough corporate bailouts of the powerful lately?
The best headlines tell the story well enough to lead you to want the details. Let's see how well these work: Homes: Programs to prevent foreclosure don't guarantee success Regulators Expected To Tighten Mortgages Homes can be rated for energy efficiency Food: That shrinking feeling: Instead of raising prices, manufacturers reduce package sizes Tricks tame family's wild food bill Politics: Orange unanimously OKs ethics, finance reforms Public-Private Divide OK, that one gives you no clue the editorial is about the handing of e-mail under Florida's Sunshine Laws. Public officials are using e-mail as a way to bypass the standards of the law. It is easier and cheaper to get e-mails than any form of public record. But too many departments use the public's lack of knowledge of the software to hide e-mails and charge the public too much to get e-mail records. Bonus: How about some free bus tickets? Hey There, Want Some Free Gas? Follow-up: Deseret Ranch withdraws proposal for development near Orlando airport
You're doing your part by washing and recycling all those glass bottles. What part is the county doing? Not all glass makes the cut in Orlando-area recycling I wonder how well it works in the rest of the region? Lakeland commissioners take a different tack in the long battle with CSX and FDOT: Lakeland to Hire Lawyer To Argue Train Issues USF has a program for 1st generation college students: Program A Bridge To College Success Trib editorial writers take on the gambling crisis: Gambling Governor Loses His Deal In High-Stakes Game Over Casinos Bonus articles for today: Freelance workers get together in Orlando's coworking spot aiming to open in September It seems that county mayor isn't popular with everyone: Hillsborough County Mayor Ballot Initiative Challenged
Get ready for a rough-and-tumble few months In Florida, Multiple Political Battlegrounds Take Shape A pair of home programs for the poor are having mixed results: For area homebuyers, 'sweat equity' pays off and Building for Poor Has Stopped with Lack of Mortgages Others might turn in another direction: Buying Renter-Occupied Home: How to Get Good Deal Finally, explaining traffic jams and tips after that next crash: No wrecks, so why am I in this traffic jam? and Clueless after a crash?
Do your best to not think Exxon Valdez as you read Clearing up Florida oil-rig rhetoric: What does drilling mean for you? OK, that was a cheap shot. Instead, try not to think Charlie Crist as Dan Quayle. If people can't afford to own their home then of course: Brokers, lenders like prospects for Orlando apartment market (1) Cameras really aren't smart. (2) People keep communities safe. Not technology. Yet, the Sentinel headline might lead you to think otherwise: 'Smart' cameras will help keep new Parramore community safe Library's big move kicks off at campus This might be a good idea for Lakeland USF Polytechnic. Lakeland doesn't need a branch library in the 1-4/Polk Parkway area yet, but it will sooner than you think. Build a joint use building, with separate check out stations. Make it where you can close off the public area when they close earlier than the campus library. Just off the top of my head. Tampa is looking into a different approach to growth: Tampa Contemplates Transit-Oriented Development Concept Does the two-party stranglehold on power help or hurt local politics? This Tribune editorial has a problem with one aspect of it. Strip Write-In Candidates Of Power To Close Any One-Party Race
It's a slow Friday in the region ppers. Sex, drugs, and titillation all lead. Of course, we link to none of that. Instead we have Florida's Gulf, Florida's Teachers, and Florida's Supreme Court Chief Justice. Report: Florida Treats Gulf As a 'Toilet' Newest Teachers Hit Hard By Layoffs New Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Peggy Quince makes history
Today’s hodgepodge of articles reflect the news on a sleepy, rainy, Saturday morning. There’s jobs, development, jobs, driving, jobs, and crime. Yes, that’s a lot of jobs, and the I4 region could use those. The first article discusses Tampa’s hope to attract employers to the I4 corridor. The next jobs article discusses those who’ve lost [...]
Sure, you can read the Ledger or the Tribune to get your Florida Primary coverage, but did you know the Epoch Times also covered the Florida primary? You've never heard of the Times? The Epoch Times is a privately owned, general-interest newspaper, originally published in Chinese. According to their own statement the founding Epoch Times started publishing to provide what they see as uncensored coverage of events in China and has been in continuous publication since May 2000. Headquartered in New York, the newspaper has local bureau and a wide network of local reporters throughout the world. Currently distributed free-of-charge in roughly 30 countries worldwide, The Epoch Times maintains editions in English and Chinese as well as nine other languages in print, and 17 languages on the web. It is often associated with the Falun Gong spiritual discipline. -- Wikipedia The Epoch Times had a reporter in Winter Haven doing exit poll interviews: An Epoch Times reporter interviewed exiting voters outside a polling site in the small town of Winter Haven, where most voters seemed to support Republicans, and for reasons more varied than in other regions. -- Epoch Times The Epoch Times reporter, James Fish, photographed and quoted Winter Haven residents Ruby Parker, Melvin Parker, Todd Weihmeir, Caroline Hamm, Bruce Hughart, and Kevin Kibbee. Oddly, each person quoted in the story voted Republican. Looking for the results in Precinct 337 (assuming the pictured precinct sign was where Fish was stationed) there were 593 Republican votes compared to 371 for the Democrats. You would think at least one Democrat would have given a good quote.
Sometimes all it takes is a national election to catch the eye of out-of-town media: Terisa Glover runs a grocery and gift shop on Kentucky Street. "I'm worried about the working class, people like us," said Glover, 40, who tends this shop each day "from dark to dark" but is unable to purchase a home and cannot afford health insurance. "I'm looking for someone who will put their money where their mouth is, and not just talk about it," said Glover, leaning toward McCain with her vote. "I'd rather have someone be straight up and say, 'I don't have all the answers.'" -- Chicago Tribune At a McCain rally at the Fantasy of Flight Museum in Polk City, voters who were thrilled to see Giuliani here recently didn't even discuss him as a contender. "I think he's done," said Chris McLaughlin, a Realtor from Lakeland who is now deciding between McCain and Mitt Romney. The Giuliani camp dismisses that prediction, saying their emphasis on early voting could turn the race in their favor. Some 400,000 early votes are already cast, but the results of that balloting won't be known until tomorrow. -- Newsday • Thanks to The Ledger for keeping their archives free.
Bio: I’m a Christian, a husband, a father, a son, a real estate consultant, and now, an amateur writer. As well, I am a Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing District 63, or parts of Polk and Hillsborough Counties. My goal in this space is to provide my insight and comment on events shaping our larger region. I hope to consistently remind my community that we live in a connected world and that our commitment to being a player in the Metro I-4 super-region will make all the difference in the world. Selfishly, I also hope to further develop my skills as an amateur writer - a muse with which I’ve always tinkered but, until now, never published. I hope you find depth in my insights and sincerity in their offering. And I hope you’ll let me know how I’m doing… email: mckeel@metroi4news.com