Clearwater Rotary Debate - Clearwater Rotary hosted a debate between Anne Garris and Mayor Frank Hibbard regarding the downtown Clearwater boat slip project.
This debate was held at the Belleair Country Club in Belleair yesterday.
Belleair? Yes, it seems that the price-tag for use of Clearwater's Harborview Center was too pricy; hence Belleair
Actually, this should have been an interesting debate. Garris is an informed opponent of the proposed downtown boat slip project and the mayor of Clearwater Frank Hibbard is an informed supporter of the project. The winner? Depends upon which side of the issue one sits. Both are articulate people - it should be interesting to hear more of their comments.
Belleair Beach Bridge Project - The final price-tag for the Belleair Beach Causeway Bridge replacement project is to be about $75 million. Eight years ago the price estimate was $30 million. ($15 million from federal funds and $15 million from Penny For Pinellas.)
Today the bridge project is over $75 million. $34 million from federal funds, $44 million from Penny for Pinellas and $2 million from impact fees.
Talk about inflation . . . .
Belleair Beach Police Referendum - The Belleair Beach Police Department members unanimously support the upcoming referendum to contract police services to an outside agency. A contract with the Sheriff would provide the citizens with many additional resources in addition to substantial savings as to cost of service.
A Bit Cooler, But It's All Relative - Some good reader wrote to say that the weather in "sunny" Florida has not been so . . . "sunny."
Of course, he is correct, 59 degrees is not warm enough for us Floridians or visitors from snowbird country.
However, and yes, the weather has changed from last Thursday, but imagine the weather in Cleveland last week (minus 4 degrees) or a host of other northeast places such as Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Albany, Columbus, Boston, New York, etc., etc. Cold places, all of them.
And, did I mention snow?
Over 100 inches of snow in some places. Enough snow to enable homeowners to literally walk in packed snow from the front of their houses to the rooftops. In fact, some people have been reported shoveling snow from their rooftops to help move the weight of snow for fear of house damage. Now, that is serious snowfall!
What about global warming and all the "Oscars" due former-vice president Al Gore? Amazing that the climate could change so quickly that people are now thinking there is global cooling. Perhaps some of this global weather stuff depends upon which scientists are being paid by foundations to speak about important things like our weather. After all, you tend to get what you pay for.
Florida?
Welcome to all of the snowbirds just arriving from the northeast and upper mid-west. You must think 70 degrees is not all that bad. Swimming? Yes, there will be visitors in bathing suits and flip-flops. Hey, it's spring break vacation in Florida-- and you need to take home a tan. Go for it!
Democrats And Republicans Trying To Find Leaders - Democrats admit that Hillary Clinton probably could not win a national presidential election-- too much "baggage" they say. It seems as though Hillary Clinton can't break through the 40 percent of voter support necessary to win a national election.
Then there is former Sen. John Edwards, his presidential campaign has already fallen off track and he is doomed, the Democrat faithful say. Obama's presidential aspirations are likely to be spoiled by Democrats who believe he is simply too new to the political process. In other words, big-wig Democrats think he should wait a few years and spend more time in the U.S. Senate. Delaware's favorite son, Sen. Joe Biden can't get past his past plagiarism problem and far-left liberal beliefs.
Republicans are having the same problem in finding a leader. Former Governor of New York Rudy Guiliani is too socially liberal for conservatives while Gov. Mitt Romney must somehow move past his Mormon religious roots.
Sen. John McCain is too liberal for many Republicans and Newt Gingrich has not yet announced his candidacy. A frontrunner? Not one.
Pollsters are saying Sen. John McCain or former Gov. Rudy Guiliani would beat Sen. Hillary Clinton if they were the candidates. One of those people must win the party primary. What if vice-president Dick Cheney ran for office? He would be the frontrunner and would have a huge campaign treasury, but he is not running.
Money?
Imagine the huge amount of money that will be spent in the 2008 presidential election?
To The Nancy Pelosi (D-Cal.) Fans - The tid-bit about Speaker Pelosi's airplane is news that was presented by various media sources as initially broken by the Washington Times, etc. Yes, it is something Nancy Pelosi created.
The airplane mess for San Francisco's Rep. Nancy Pelosi began when she requested a C-32 plane for her travels to the west coast and back to Washington. A C-32 plane holds 45 business passengers and up to 16 crew members, depending upon the length of the proposed trip.
Yes, it costs taxpayers about $22,000 an hour just to operate this type of plane.
Why would Pelosi have access to a special military plane for her personal travels back home?
She is the new Speaker and this is a benefit due to her position in the federal government after 9/11.
Waste of taxpayer funds?
You tell me. But, the facts about Pelosi's airplane request at taxpayers' expense was fully reported in the Washington Times.
Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.