The Way I See ItBy cj pollickClearwater City Election - The next Clearwater general election will be held on March 9th, 2010. City council member seats #4 and #5 are up for election and, as voters know, the term of office is for four years (maximum of two terms.) Qualifying period deadline for council member candidates is December 18th. Interested candidates must be 18 years of age and must have been a resident of Clearwater for at least one year. Newly elected council members take office on March 15, 2010. Clearwater voters are encouraged to vote on March 9th for their favorite candidates. Hyatt Regency On Clearwater Beach To Open - There was a time when people wondered if the Hyatt Regency Hotel project on Clearwater Beach would "break ground." Well, ground breaking did occur and the magnificent beachfront hotel on mid-Clearwater Beach will soon open. With over 400 rooms ranging from an exclusive Presidential Suite to 250 standard guest rooms, the new Hyatt Hotel plans to open in early 2010. Several dining rooms featuring a special seafood restaurant will help enhance all of the many modern hotel options, including a spa and beach club. Meeting space? The Hyatt will have plenty of meeting room space for small and large groups. Forget the pink Don Cesear, Clearwater Beach will have its own large "pink" hotel--the Clearwater Beach Hyatt coming early 2010. Florida GOP Senate Primary - Governor Charlie Crist and former state House Speaker Marco Rubio are now tied in the 2010 race for the Republican Senate nomination. A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of 1ikely GOP primary votes shows Crist and Rubio each with 43% of the vote. Five percent (5%) favor another candidate while nine percent (9%) are undecided. Largo Central Park Holiday Display - Once again Largo's gem - Largo Central Park is ablaze with Christmas lights and décor. It has become the very best in the area year in and year out. This is something parents or grandparents could take children to see during the long school break. (There is ample parking and good walkways throughout the park.) Kudos to the people who had a part in supporting this worthy project. Clearwater Little League Registration - On 12.19.09 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Clearwater residents can register their youngsters interested in playing baseball. The location for registration is at the Sid Lickman Fields (714 Saturn Avenue.) Interested parties may call John Murphy at 813-486-4430 or Keith Borden at 727-447-2720 for more information. Boys and girls ages 5-18 may register for the baseball or softball program available. This program is under Clearwater Parks & Recreation. Passing Of Jim Warner - Most of the people who knew Jim Warner of VIP Realty on Clearwater Sand Key knew a man who was outgoing and full of life. He was a loyal friend, co-founder and supporter of the Sand Key Civic Association during its formative days. Jim put everything he had into things he felt important. When he played tennis, he gave his all-- same for when he took-up the game of golf at Belleair CC. We send our condolences to his family; Jim Warner will be missed by many people. The Healthcare Debacle - President Obama is pulling-out all options to win Democrat votes for his healthcare plan. Moderate Democrats are being pressured to support the expensive government health plan regardless of personal and constituent financial issues. Strangely enough, some of the least known elected officials are being showered with pork barrel government funds just to vote for the health bill. Government tax dollars are being wasted that should be used to offset federal debt and more important government projects (that help create jobs.) Why is the president pushing so hard to pass a law that most Americans do not support? He believes it is the last time liberals could pass such a federal takeover of healthcare in America. Yes, and perhaps the president is correct in his assumption, but do Americans support becoming more socialized (like France?) Legislators who are virtually unknown are being "bought-off" with more government funding to their state just to gain their vote on this controversial healthcare issue. Amnesty For All - Liberals in Congress introduced legislation that would provide amnesty to all illegal immigrants in the U.S. as of December 15, 12009. (That means as "citizens" they would be entitled to Obama healthcare.) More Travel By Congress - In spite of the current recession and record deficits, taxpayer funded travel by Congress increased 70% from 2005. Outback Bowl Information - On 12-30-09 the Outback Bowl in Tampa will celebrate "beach day" at the Hilton Hotel on Clearwater Beach. This annual event will run from 11 a.m. until 4 p m. Join the football teams, school bands, cheerleaders and host of supporters for the many fun events at the Hilton on Clearwater Beach. Don't miss Outback Bowl fun at "beach day" on December 30th. One Of The Worst Teams In Professional Football - There was a time when the TB Bucs wore peach colored uniforms and annually were rated one of the worst teams in professional football, then came Tony Dungy and a good NFL team was created, especially the defense. The owners felt a new coach was needed to reach the Super Bowl and ... Coach Jon Gruden was hired (Coach Tony went to Indianapolis, but that is another story.) Gruden did take the Bucs to a Super Bowl win and soon thereafter older "stars" were replaced. New recruits did not play the game as the retired Super Bowl players. Gruden was dismissed by the owners and a new, untried coach was given the helm of the Bucs. Changes were immediately made to the team roster (including coaches) and the results have been catastrophic. The Bucs are now known as one of the worst teams in professional football--worse than Buffalo and/or Detroit. Every Sunday afternoon the Bucs find a way to lose, mostly by rookie quarterback interceptions. The future? Not good. Buc owners fired Gruden, fired a good quarterback in Garcia, and spent millions on untested rookie players only to observe poor results. Why should Tampa Bay fans pay top dollars to the Glazers to watch the home team lose every week? Joy - One can endure sorrow alone, but it takes two to be glad. -- Elbert Hubbart. |