The Way I See ItBy cj pollickClearwater City Officials Examine Harborview Center - Once upon a time Maas Brothers was one of the major retail shops in downtown Clearwater, however, times changed and the property was rumored to become a small convention center. Clearwater city officials bought into the idea of a city-owned convention center and a small fortune was spent trying to change the awkward building (with many support pilings) into a place to hold meetings. It was an idea with good intentions, but the financial projections never developed. In other words, the project never could pay for itself, it required an annual city stipend to survive. Nevertheless, there are not many city-owned convention centers that pay for themselves, most city convention centers are what people might call "loss leaders." The purpose of the city-owned convention centers is to try and help promote other local businesses and help to support local tourism. Clearwater officials are now looking at the current Harborview Center property to see whether it is time to consider new development in that section of downtown Clearwater. However, regardless of the good intentions of city officials in examining this piece of city land for development, any new project involving that property would require a city referendum (voter approval.) Previous referendums involving that property did not receive voter approval. Might this be the time for voter approval? Is the economy right for new development in downtown Clearwater? Time will tell, but with waterfront boat slips and a waterfront boardwalk planned in the near future for downtown Clearwater, maybe this could be the time when voters support a development project that would involve the Harborview Center property. It Is A State Or Federal Issue - How far should local government go in trying to write law that would attempt to define sexual orientation? Should Pinellas County try and write local law that would describe sexual orientation to include gender expression or gender identity, such as in the Steve (Sue) Stanton case? Would such a law require employers to change hiring habits? There are some Pinellas County elected officials, such as Susan Latvala, who would like to press forward and write such a new, all-inclusive sexual orientation law. However, other county officials would like to see whether state or federal officials plan to write such law. One county official believes the issue is a personal matter and does not need a new law to describe sexual orientation. In other words, government should not interfere with personal issues that should remain private. If such a new law is passed, as County Commissioner Susan Latvala would like, then sexual orientation regarding homosexuality, bisexuality, etc., would offer legal protection for such employees in business, housing and public accommodations. Further, if Pinellas County passes such a sexual orientation law, it might force local cities in the county to write local laws that could be in opposition to the county law. Perhaps that is why some county officials want to wait to see what state and federal officials intend to do with this controversial issue before attempting to write local laws. If you have opinions about the way Pinellas County officials should handle this sexual orientation matter, call your county commissioner and voice your concerns. Many of them are currently running for re-election. Here Is The End Of The Story - Democrat Sen. Hillary Clinton will not gain enough votes to beat fellow Democrat frontrunner Sen. Barack Obama. Obama will lead Clinton in total votes and perhaps Democrat delegate count. However, and regardless of the trouble Clinton will create for the DNC, she will not step aside and cast her support to Sen. Barack Obama. Not without a fight and perhaps hard-feelings toward some Democrats who had supported Sen. Obama. Many Washington pundits are saying that if Democrat in-fighting continues, they will alienate some voters in November, "Some of them just won't vote," said one leading pollster. If Obama does not win the party nomination due to activities of "super delegates," it is predicted that many of his younger supporters would not vote in November. On the other hand, if Hillary Clinton loses the party nomination, some of her supporters may avoid supporting Obama. Imagine, Clinton and Obama hurting each other instead of trying to do the right thing for national party unity. Meanwhile, Republican Sen. John McCain waits for his opponent and whatever stand the opponent might take on topics such as illegal immigration, the war in Iraq, the economy, social security, healthcare and international affairs. Third political party? No, there is no other major political party in America. It is either Democrat or Republican and that's too bad. America needs a third political party, perhaps the People's Party - - a political party that actually listens to the people and small businesses/farmers of America. A political party that puts America and Americans first and avoids large special interest groups. Rush Limbaugh Still Tough On McCain - Suffice to say that there is no love between Sen. John McCain and talk show host Rush Limbaugh. Limbaugh criticizes Sen. John McCain for appealing to liberal voters more than conservatives. Now that McCain is the GOP candidate, might Limbaugh change his position on McCain? "The worst thing I could do is come out and endorse the guy!" Who has Limbaugh been favoring? Hillary Clinton. Limbaugh had been given some credit for Sen. Clinton winning Texas due to "cross-over" voters (with support from Limbaugh.) Limbaugh refers to all of this as "Project Chaos." Never Ending Saga - Fourteen House Democrats are taking the federal government to court in an effort to stop construction of the border fence between the U.S. and Mexico. Apparently they are more concerned over displacing a few animals than in protecting our borders from potential terrorists and the unending flow of illegal immigrants. Bullying By Young Teenagers - If you have followed news reports about a group of teenage girls from north of Tampa assaulting another young teenage girl, then you, like most people, were shocked to watch the horrible beating. The girls face prison time, some of then (aged 17) could end-up in an adult prison. However, parents of local school-children know, bullying occurs in our schools (and grounds) most every day. When will this bullying stop? Where there is tough enforcement and punishment with a sting.
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