The Way I See ItBy cj pollickCity Of Clearwater Beach? - Imagine if the expanding group of beach citizens who seek to split from the City of Clearwater prevail? Imagine if the contemplated City of Clearwater Beach has the crown jewel of Clearwater... the City Marina property. Of course, with Clearwater planning to re-develop the beach marina property without a citywide referendum, it makes you wonder if citizens who are seeking to split from Clearwater have reviewed how any new city might re-develop the city marina. Attorneys who represent the Clearwater Beach "new city" group probably have discussed this issue with the beach leaders seeking separation. How could city leaders plan to develop a major beach city-owned property with a de-annexation move planned by beach citizens? Although it appears a "new city" de-annexation move by beach citizens would be most difficult in obtaining, it is a possibility and, therefore, creates an interesting dilemma. Perhaps a citywide referendum would be wise when considering re-development of the current city marina property. In that manner, all of Clearwater voters could have a say in what should happen to the taxpayer's property. This is not about whether the older city marina building and property needs re-development, it is about allowing all citizens to have a vote on how the city plans to re-develop that waterfront property. Election In Largo - There is an election in Largo that pits incumbent city commissioner Rodney Woods against challenger Curtis Holmes. Not surprisingly, Woods has refused to debate Holmes regarding important city issues and city expenditures. It appears that the campaign strategy presented by Woods is to avoid discussing his voting record in hopes that Largo voters would think he and Holmes have the same opinions about how city funds are spent. Of course, Holmes has expressed views in direct opposition to Woods. Can Woods win re-election by avoiding to talk about his voting record? Time will tell, but voter turnout in Largo is expected to be low since there is no mayor's race due to a registration error. Time for new leadership in Largo? Voters will decide. Global Warming, Real Or Just Another Cycle? - Regardless of which side of the global warming debate you stand, our Congress will soon pass a Climate Bill (over 800 pages long) that is expected to increase household energy costs by $100 per year. Democrat leaders who support opinions of former VP Al Gore are expected to pass new law that will regulate emissions from the coal industry and reward industries, such as electric companies, that support forms of "clean" energy. The same politicians believe the electric companies will later pass some of the federal "allowances" to consumers. New Climate Bill by 2010? Probably, yes... and we taxpayers should prepare to pay more for our energy. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) - Senator Bill Nelson responded to a universal healthcare question on national television by saying "in all my town meetings." Sen. Nelson must have forgotten that he did not hold any public town meetings to hear more from voters about the national healthcare option. Or, was Sen. Nelson merely playing with words meaning that a Chamber of Commerce meeting (not a public meeting) was his "all my town meetings" in the State of Florida? In either case, Nelson factually avoided Florida voters during his "recess time" in Florida. No public town meetings, none, nada. The same was true of most elected folks during their time at home with their "constituencies." Why have so many elected officials in Washington avoided public input regarding President Obama's national healthcare option? One might think elected representative officials would want to hear comments from their constituents before they voted "for the people." "In all my town meetings?" The Gazette also tried to obtain a list of public town meetings to be held by Rep. Bill Young--and, that list was also carefully avoided. Health Insurance Company Profits - Recent years have reflected about 2% net profits for major health insurers, so stated an Associated Press article about health insurance companies. In the same article, a question was asked what Yahoo, Yum food brands, Hershey sweets, railroad companies, and farm and equipment companies had in common. The answer? All made higher profits than US health insurance companies. With average health insurance company profits at about 6% over time, the AP writer wondered why anyone would say US health insurers made excessive profits! Of course, and perhaps related to this low profit-making enterprise, is why a government agency believes they could do a better job in managing healthcare financial issues than private insurance companies? Where does the government plan to cut benefits or services in order to generate profits to offset higher government expenses? FEMA Says It Can't Show Return on $29 Billion in Spending - Federal Emergency Management Agency deputy administrator Timothy Manning told a congressional panel that his organization had spent $5 million during the last 18 months reviewing how it spent $29 billion since 2002, but still doesn't know what it got for the money. Testifying before the House Homeland Security Emergency Communications subcommittee, Manning said he is confident the $29 billion was well spent but "existing data tells us very little about the return on investment." New Quinnipiac University Poll Numbers - If you follow polling numbers for political candidates, you might be interested in some of the recent Quinnipiac University polling numbers for certain Florida candidates. For example, and according to Quinnipiac University polls, Gov. Charlie Crist holds a 50-35% lead over challenger Marco Rubio. However, Rubio has increased his popularity number by 5% since the August poll. Crist has lost 5% of GOP support since August and is likely to lose even more support in the next months. Attorney General Bill McCollum has a lead over Treasurer Alex Cink 36% to 32%, and according to the latest poll, President Obama has a 48% approval rating in Florida. USF, Florida, Florida State And Miami - USF played against a tough PITT football team last Saturday and was soundly beaten. USF plays West Virginia this Friday evening and should be underdogs by at least two touchdowns to the Mountaineers. People can say whatever they want about the GATORS, but they keep winning. Close games just about every week, but they win. Can the GATORS keep winning by a close call or another run by Tebow? Their next close win will be against Georgia in Jacksonville. Florida State, on the other hand, is better than its record and has perhaps the nations smartest and best quarterback. However, when it comes to the NOLES defense-- suffice to say that they are not that good. Coach Bowden needs a few tough defenders to compliment an improving offense. FSU should, however, beat NC State. Miami was moving to become one of the top ranked college football teams in America, then they lost to Clemson last Saturday. Close game, but Clemson had the upper hand throughout the game. Miami has greatly improved when compared to the Miami teams of the last couple of years, but Hurricane fans expect better. Again, where is the defense? There was a time when both Miami and FSU had the best defenses in college football. USF vs West Virginia Friday night at Raymond James Stadium. According to Federal Tax Records - the AARP stands to reap millions in royalties should Obamacare become law. GMAC - is seeking $2.8 billion to $5/6 billion more in taxpayer money. It would be the third bailout for the company! "Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened." - Winston Churchill |