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?
In case you missed it, the Orlando Sentinel has a new series on the commuter rail project. Read the full article for the pertinent links...
Four major freight rail companies control 95 percent of traffic in the US. They are CSX, Union Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, and Norfolk Southern. It should surprise no one that these Four Horsemen of the Rail Apocalypse love Rep. John Mica, R-Corporate Welfare, the Orlando-area congressman behind the CSX freight dump deal.
As you may have noticed, two of the possible freight realignment routes – seemingly the only available routes – for downtown Lakeland involved reactivating the track that became the Van Fleet Trail between Wildwood and Auburndale. At least one of them would then reactivate closed tracks that run through the very heart of downtown Winter [...]
The Ocala Star-Banner took a hatchet recently to the state's $1.2 billion CSX/Orlando freight expansion and dump deal, both in a straight news story and in an editorial. Veteran reporter Billy Townsend takes a look at the Ocala editorial and compares it to the work by The Orlando Sentinel editorial staff
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
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
Rising fuel prices and declining tourism prove to be a problem for the Orlando airport: OIA flights clipped The Tribune has a special report about one of the effects of the current economy: Staring Into The Face of Foreclosure The Sentinel Editorial page Editor decides to retire, but there's no mention if Sam Zell has anything to do with the decision: A great 35 years -- and more to come In an editorial that is certainly to generate a few reader arguments, the Tampa Tribune believes Big Investment In Rail Will Help State's Economy Keep Rolling
Did the talk about the CSX project help spur rail growth elsewhere? Back On Track The speed limits are going to be flexible on parts of I-4. I-4 signs to show changing speed limits Maybe that's a good idea for the rest of the region? Can you cut back on your gas consumption? Truths and myths about how to save on gas and Hypermilers' save big on gas mpg, but there are dangers Amendment 1 To Save Homeowners $200 to $300, but city managers are finding ways to get back that money you're saving in property fees....and a little extra. Winter Haven Proposes Slate of New Fees And in today's "feel good" story: American Ingenuity Alive And Well
The economy is again a main topic in the regional newspapers. Today's articles discuss saving money by using the bus and over-the-air TV. The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority received some funding, and companies are moving retail locations to save money also top the news. Finally, an Orlando columnist was happy to see the Central Florida Partnership's "Regional Rally for Rail". Travelers cut costs by boarding the bus Free TV: How to live without cable, Direct dishes and the bills that go with them Transit Authority Receives Funding Rising Gas Prices Resulting In Changes in Retail Locations Partnership may be a main engine for commuter rail
Bio: Billy Townsend was a longtime government, political and general assignment reporter in Polk County and the wider I-4 corridor. He wrote extensively about Polk's unique regional identity and the issues shaping it, including USF Polytechnic, the Heartland Parkway and the CSX rail deal. Billy recently left professional reporting to take a corporate writing job, but he keeps close tabs on news of all stripes (especially political news) and the changes in modern journalism. Billy's wife is Julie Townsend, executive director of the Downtown Lakeland Partnership.They live with their three children in the Lake Morton area. His work at Lakeland Local is his first as an amateur hyperlocal writer.