The Way I See ItBy cj pollickCabana Club Project – There appears to be false and conflicting information circulating regarding the Legg Mason hotel project. First, this project has nothing to do with the Shoppes of Sand Key appeal or the SOS efforts in that regard. The only action the Sand Key Civic Association has taken is to oppose any variance, but has remained neutral on the Cabana Club project. Annual Philadelphia Trip? - In the City of Clearwater, the city mayor's office is entrusted with the task of being the head of ribbon-cutting events and ceremonial activities. The business head of the city and the CEO is the city manager. All city employees work at the pleasure of the city manager. However, there is an event held each year in Philadelphia where top Clearwater city employees and elected officials attend a baseball game (and other related social activities.) Who pays for this expense? City taxpayers, unless any city official personally opts to pay for his/her own expenses. Big deal? Not really, except that this year's city budget has many cuts due to declining city revenues. Who should attend the affair in Philadelphia? Perhaps the mayor and city manager only. Chamber Of Commerce Welcome Centers Burglarized - Two of our local Welcome Centers were burglarized. The Welcome Center in east Clearwater (near Courtney Campbell Causeway) and Indian Rocks Beach were burglarized by thieves that stole over $9,000 in merchandise and tickets to Busch Gardens, Florida Aquarium, Seaworld and MOSI. If anyone has information regarding the break-ins at these Welcome Center locations please contact the Sheriff's Office (case file number 08-152431.) Spinach, Tomatoes, What Is Next? - Remember when spinach was taken off the shelves due to food poisoning (salmonella?) Now tomatoes have been taken off the shelves of many food establishments due to food poisoning. At least 17 states have been reported as places to be concerned about food poisoning possibly related to tomatoes. Florida is not on that list, but many restaurants have stopped serving tomatoes until the issue has been cleared by the USDA. The bad news for Florida tomato growers is that about $40 million of tomatoes are produced this time of the year (Florida is the top tomato producing state in the U.S. this time of the year.) The message to consumers from the food administration? Avoid contaminated food. What are some of the symptoms of food poisoning? Diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps and dehydration. However, if you eat tomatoes that have been properly cooked, the issue is moot. Hulk Hogan And His Son – Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, is traveling the U.S. speaking-out about news reports regarding the “taped” recordings of the Bollea’s speaking with their son in a Pinellas County jail. Did the Bollea’s know they were being taped? Possibly yes, but the recordings reflect otherwise. The terrible accident will result in personal and financial loss for everyone involved, especially the injured soldier. Does anyone question parents defending their son? No. What is decried by the public is the manner in which the son and the Bollea’s are handling the loss. Legal posturing? Yes. The civil lawsuit will likely result in a substantial financial verdict (in the millions.) How the Bollea’s expect to regain some of the financial loss is apparent in the taped recordings. The son expects to have a show of some sort with help from Dad’s connections. The civil lawsuit? That is where judgment will come. Former President Bill Clinton Hurt Hillary Clinton's Campaign - As political insiders in Washington begin to discuss how the powerful Clinton Political Machine lost to an inexperienced political newcomer in Barack Obama, many of the answers bounced back to former President Bill Clinton. Some referred to him as too "hot-tempered," while other people stated he was a "lightening-rod" for sensational news reports. In most every case, political consultants stated he had lost much of his favor with the minority community and had actually hurt Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign more than helped. As Sen. Barack Obama smiled last Tuesday, raised his hand in victory, and praised the good campaign made by Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Obama questioned whether it would be wise to add Hillary's name as a running mate. After all, Obama and his wife were not exactly close friends of the Clinton's . . . and there was the recent Bill Clinton issue. Nevertheless, press releases immediately crossed the wire stating that Obama would consider her as well as others for the VP position. Newsweek magazine published an article saying Clinton would like an offer of the position while turning it down, referring to the offer as a token of good politics. Where did Hillary go wrong? The strongest candidate by far in the Democratic Party campaign was Sen. Hillary Clinton. She won the Hispanic vote, she won the female vote, she won the senior vote and received more than expected minority votes. She beat Obama in total votes won. The Clintons, interestingly enough, are blaming the liberal media for not supporting her campaign. It must be difficult for the Clinton campaign to accept her recent landslide victories in Texas, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and South Dakota while losing the DNC nomination. What is next for Sen. Clinton? Fight for the Vice President post whether Sen. Obama wants her or not. Sen. Barack Obama In Top One Percent - Ever since Barack Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate he has increased his wealth. Currently, Sen. Obama is in the top 1 percent of all federal income tax earners in America. His income in 2007 was reportedly over $4 million and his invested assets were reported to have tripled during the past two years to $7.4 million. Part of Sen. Obama's invested funds (about $1 million) was invested in a tax-free income fund, thanks to wealth management advisors at the elite Morgan Chase Private Client division. Yet, and with all the fancy personal tax-exempt planning from Morgan Chase to lower taxable income, Sen. Obama wants to increase personal taxes to 52 percent (from 35 percent.) Sen. Clinton referred to Sen. Obama's plan to increase social security taxes as "a trillion dollar tax hike on the middle class." The Way I See It, Sen. Obama is acting more like former candidate Ross Perot (remember Ross The Boss?) and the manner in which he invested in tax-free bonds to avoid high income taxes. Of course, there is nothing wrong with legally avoiding taxes; however, it is a bit interesting to notice how Sen. Obama is avoiding personal taxes while planning to increase taxes to 52 percent if he is elected. Wealthy? Then there is the wife of Sen. John McCain who is reported to be worth about $100 million. Suffice to state that most people who run for the presidency are multi-millionaires, like Obama and McCain. |