The Way I See ItBy cj pollickSand Key Cabana Club Issue Continues - Owners of the Cabana Club property on Clearwater Sand Key believe they should be granted redevelopment rights much like other property developers on Sand Key. Some nearby residents and other island civic associations believe they should not be granted proposed development rights other than what is permitted under current Clearwater development laws. Hence, each group's position regarding this contemplated Sand Key project has become more contested over time. There is no universal opposition to this project as there was with the Shoppes of Sand Key issue. In fact, many people want Legg Mason to develop the hotel (without unprecedented variations). Clearwater city officials will ultimately decide the fate of this Legg Mason "mid-sized" condominium/restaurant project. Time will tell if a sensible compromise could be agreed upon. Largo - City of Largo candidate qualifying ended this week. The following people have qualified for the upcoming city commission election: Seat One - Mary Gray Black versus Joe Falanga. A three-year term of office. Seat Two - Bob Murray (unopposed for office.) Elected to a three-year term. IndyMac Bank Sends Message To Depositors - Several large U.S. banks have been taken-over by the FDIC in the past few months due to large amounts of non-performing loans and declining bank reserves/capital. IndyMac Bank is one of the recent bank failures that had made the news, same for a certain small bank in Bradenton. According to recent bank reports, over 10,000 IndyMac Bank depositors will lose half the money they had in their bank accounts over $100,000 (maximum amount guaranteed/insured by the FDIC.) How can depositors protect their bank deposits in any bank? One financial advisor stated that it might be easiest to keep no more than $100,000 in any one bank account (maximum insured by the FDIC if the bank ever failed.) What about the large banks? IndyMac Bank was a large bank. President Bush Attended Olympics - President Bush attended the Olympics held in China. He was the first U.S. president to attend the Olympics held on foreign soil. Regardless of how some people might perceive President Bush due to politics, it was good to observe a sitting U.S. president cheering and supporting American athletes. And, perhaps more importantly, U.S. athletes participating in the Olympics appreciated the presence of the President. President Bush tried his best to make the trip to China a reflection of his, and the American people's, support of our amazing athletes. Bush tried to keep politics out of media discussions while attending several Olympic events and pre-event activities. Of course, the media continuously tried to confront the president with political questions including his reaction to the fighting in Georgia. Sen. Obama Supports Reparations By Another Name - According to Investor's Business Daily, "Sen. Obama believes the U.S. government should give indirect aid in the form of government programs that will, as he said, 'close the gap' between what he sees as white Americans and black Americans." Sen. Obama further believes, according to Investor's Business Daily, "that the U.S. government should financially help to bail-out the inner cities." How would some of these government entitlement programs work? "The Small Business Administration (SBA) could offer loans to minority business owners that could train people for jobs. The government could help to subsidize supermarket chains that relocate to the inner city and develop goals and timetables for minority hiring at large corporations." What is perhaps interesting about Sen. Obama's comments regarding "reparations" is that he plans to expand U.S. government programs to specifically help minorities instead of any and all people in need . . . regardless of color. Most Americans support SBA loans to qualified small business owners who need funding support regardless of color. Most people support educating disadvantaged adults who wish to better themselves with government programs. Bail-out inner cities? Why not help to bail-out any needy American city? After all, what American city is not struggling to make ends meet considering our nation’s declining economy and declining local tax base? |