Jan 31st in Fla- No Real Choice

As I get ready to head to work, many of you are hitting your local voting booths.  As I was watching MSNBC this morning a guest on the "Morning Joe" brought up a good point- No One is even close to our old leaders, using Nixon, Kennedy, Ike and FDR as examples.  The guy is right, I think it was Chris Matthews but who cares really, the bottom line is we are more focused on who's sleeping with who, who's rich/who's not, Sound bites not real matters.  The Media plays a part yes but it falls on us! We the People!  We let this happen to us.  We want Free Markets but want the Gov't to help us when we purchase a home we can't afford.  We want to be #1 in the world but don't want a coach to train us to reach the top.

I'm not a Rick Santelli fan but the man is right.  He might very well have started the Tea Party Movement with his rank against the Obama Adm. 3 years ago, he has a point, If our President would have taken the  bold stand we might have had a bit more pain at first but would be better off now for it.  We are only now finding out that JFK was strongly considering a Pull Out of Vietnam in 1963 when his State Dept. & Military leaders gave him completely different views on the war action.  Now that is leadership.  FDR, even if the Republicans disagreed with Social Security, went ahead and did it anyway.    FDR did not "sell out" the plan to special interest or some Senators/House Reps to get it passed.
The Housing Mess is still on going and is showing no REAL slowing (when it comes to home values) and our Gov't keeps piling $$$'s into Freddie & Fannie with no end in sight.  Is it right for you & me to pay for others mistakes?  Should we all pay the cost for a few who bit off more than they could chew?  Is it ok to let Banks we saved take another hit?
I don't know the answer I don't think anyone really does but WE NEED THAT PERSON NOW!!!

No one in the Media is really talking about a Meeting that took place 3 years ago. It included many of the CEO's from America's Tech Giants-Apple, GE, Google, Amazon etc and President Obama.  Each was asked by the President to make a statement about their needs, wants-(in general a discussion about the US economy) Steve Jobs was interupted by the President and asked about bringing Jobs back to the USA.  Mr. Jobs Reply, "NO WAY, Those Jobs are not Coming Back".  That Should tell you something.

RiverWalk and More!

Do you live near 2921 Alline Ave in S. Tampa?  Well if you do, there is a Pumping station next door to you!!! Don't worry the City is making it look like a house and a S. Tampa House to Boot.  It's a good thing you know it is, the flooding in your streets has a been a problem for you.  Its been a problem for Decades.  Hooray for progress and hooray for someone trying to help the flooding problem in S. Tampa.  God Help us if a Hurricane hits our lovely Neighborhood, it will make New Orleans after Katrina seem like a small flood.  You know that I'm right...have you ever driven down Dale Mabry after a "good" rain shower?  If you have then you know.

Kudos to Mayor Buckhorn! He is continuing to focus on the efforts, Former Mayor, Pam Iorio started.  Today Mayor Buckhorn made the announcement of the CapTrust Segment, linking the Brownstone Segment with MacDill Park.  This segment runs over/along the river behind the CapTrust Building  filling a gap that was left after the last round of work.  How knows made we, and our leaders, will be able to pull this off and complete it up Channelside.  A Man Can Dream, Can't He??
All this goes to show is the Mayor is making "Good" so far on his promise/dream to make the Hillsborough River the Center of the City not just a boundary.  Good Work Mr. Mayor.

You know what if Joe Brown ran for City Council?  I'd like it!

Lights on our Bridges and one pissed off Woman

Mayor Buckhorn announced a plan, 90% paid for by TECO, to light up the city's bridges.  It's a Beautiful plan/idea that will draw attention to our city's great resource-the Hillsborough River.  Being a former Upstate New Yorker, Syracuse the snow capitol of the USA, this plan makes me think of Niagara Falls.  Why the Falls?  Because anyone who has been the US side of the Falls knows, well say it nice, the US side of the Falls Stinks!  It's really does.  It's a State/National Park, one that needs a LOT of TLC.  Its old and dumpy. While I must say the Canadian side is a mini version of Universal Studios, it's a Tourist trap but a nice one with a Casino.   But a few years ago the US & Canadian Gov't decided they needed a new hook, Lights!  Lights that change colors!  It is a sight to see at night and finally gives the USA something to cheer about.
Now Mary Mulhern is upset cuz she was not informed or in the process to bring this program to rivers bridges.  Come on Mary!  I know your gonna use that "we didn't follow protocol" BS but we have to move this along.  You see, Mary, its not the Gov't Reg's & Oversight is a bad thing or we have too much of it. Its people like you who make a 5 second decision a 1 year odyssey.  Seriously people like you give City & County Gov't a bad name.  So I guess should let you know I plan on Painting my spare bedroom this sunday...My wife wants eggshell and I want a light blue hue, can you help us?

the Water Bill HB 639- it's OUR Water!

Sen. Bob Graham as stated that the Dana Young's Bill, HB 639, is a slippery slope towards complete "privatization" of the Water Supply.  While the Senator's concerns are well founded and should be addressed the issue still remains, if the City of Tampa pays for treating its waste water...Shouldn't they be able to use it as they please?  Even I can see the problem with the State's over reaching on a city's rights on that...and I'm a Democrat!  I can understand the concern about returning reclaimed water to the states "in need" natural aquifer's like the Everglades but it would seem that using more reclaimed water for irrigating agriculture & lawns would help the aquifer as well.  Rep. Young & Mayor Buckhorn keep the fight going. The People of Tampa Need this Bill.  "It's OUR WATER"

Lighting up the River

With the Platt St Street Bridge Finally open, on time I might add, The Mayor announced "Aqua Luces".  The purpose is to draw attention to our great Asset, the River.  If you have ever been to Niagara Falls, thier lights on the falls is a draw for tourist and artist alike.  I'm not saying we will have "gangs" of tourist checking our small bridges over the river, but I know the Bridges/River will look beautiful because of those lights.  Good Job Mayor!

Tampa Rays????

Nice Job by the Tampa Bay Times stealing a Story from 1010am.  Radio Talkers on the JP Happy Hour Show had a brife convo about a possible Mets/Rays swap and the tie in concerning recent land deals in Downtown Tampa...then boom the Tampa Bay Times Runs a story about....Nice Bush League Job Boys...Keeping the News Biz Classy.   There may no truth to this rumor.  it does seem far out there but crazier things have happened in the sports world.  No matter what you believe, people are buying land around the Channelside.  One group is known to make such purchases to sell such purchaes to major Professional Sports Teams.  Maybe Maybe not.  Who really knows...Time will tell.  As a Rays Season Ticket Holder, I'd like the Rays Closer to my home in S. Tampa

Tampa "The Strip Capital of the World?"

WOW in an effort to get Gambling/Casinos in Every Florida City, Ellyn Bogdanoff (State Sen. Ft. Laudy-R) Gave our fair city an Award!  Look at that.  Once again the Adult Entertainment Industry is attacked in the Bay Area-Namely Tampa and its Dale Mabry Adult Night Clubs.  The Picture in the PolitFact Florida story is of 2001 and Mentions Mons Venus in the story.  Thanks Ellyn.  But I would think you would want to promote our White Sandy Beaches, NFL Teams-We have 3 of them you know, NHL Hockey-we have 2 teams, Great Restaurants-Too many to name here, Natural Parks-PaynesPaynes Prairie comes to mind and I think I'm forgetting something...OH THAT's IT THEME PARKS Namely DISNEY WORLD!

We all want to get more Jobs to the people of Florida, we have too many residents out of work who also want to work but this is not Michigan.  The People of Miami, Tampa, Orlando & Jacksonville do not look to Detriot for leadership.  I mention Detriot because they chose that route and while the Nice, Shinning Casinos look great they only covered the decay that continues to this day.

Look I'm not a fan of Strip Clubs and I have feeling a few others aren't as well but I do admit Joe Redner has done a lot for this City.  Have you done the same?

Ellyn, don't use Tampa Strip Clubs has a Wedge Issue. We here in Tampa have had this fight one too many times over the past 15 years.  Even our current Mayor has been a "Family Man" and took this fight on.  If a Convention Group Really wants to Gamble they will go to Vegas.  The FireDept comes for the Strip Clubs.

Water Bills

Congrat's to Mayor Buckhorn for moving to Monthly Water Meter Checks!!  After Many Residents experienced Sky High Water Bills this past year the Mayor is asking to go to this monthly meter check system.  The City is also dropping the tiered rates for water use.   Thank you Mayor!

Rich vs Poor

Remember the time when football/Basketball/baseball/Hockey players made below $2 Million a year? Remember when Wall St Types made bonus's below $1 Million? Remember when a home didn't cause your family to be homeless?
Yes, it sounds like a backwards looking state of mind but really think about it?  Not too long ago I was sitting in the Endzone of Tampa Stadium for $10 a game, now I pay just under $100.  I live in a Condo, which I love and gladly paid $160,000 for but less than 12 years ago I purchased a house in Orlando for $82,000. (No, it was not in Paramore Area or in Biffalo) I visited my parents in Orlando over Christmas and drove by my old house.  The New Owner was outside loading his car with gifts for his mother and we struck up a convo.  He had purchased home from the couple that purchased it from me for $160,000 in 2009, I sold the home for $90,000 in 1992.  Wow nice ring! Nice Profit for those folks.  To think, My parents purchased a large home in Syracuse, New York for $50,000 in 1974 and sold it for $77,000 in 1989 for a Profit of $27,000.  Which they used to upgrade to a new home that cost $110,000.

The point of all that above is WE are becoming a bit greedy.  Before our businesses & employees alike just wanted to live and let live.  Make enough to live well but still reach for the stars as Casey Kasem so famously said. Now we want to be Ultra Rich, We want to be Gordon Gekko.  What the Hell Happened?  The Spread between Rich & Poor has gotten to a point that some think the world is heading towards a massive upheaval. The Recent Protest in New York City, Moscow and the Middle East all had one thing in common...Money!  Greed is killing the American Dream.

Faster, Leaner and Better Tampa City Gov't

Good News today from Tampa Mayor Buckhorn's Office.  Electronic Permitting!!  A New Computer System should help Tampa Businesses move faster, hopefully ending in more jobs.  Unlike most new "Gov't Systems" this new process is being paid for by using the current Construction Services Enhancement Fund. Nice move Mr. Buckhorn.  Thomas Snelling, Acting Growth Management & Development Services Director can provide you more info, if your interested, via Thomas.Snelling@tampagov.net

So far, its two Big Wins for Mayor Buckhorn...can he keep it up?  These are nice "little victories" but we need to win the Reclaimed Water Fight with Tallahassee.  We paid to treat the water, it should be ours to use as we chose. Yes, some are right to be worried, yes it may lead to a path to highest bidder wars over water.  I do not see that happening anytime soon.  As we see now Gov. Scott is already trying to "steal" our Highway Tolls to cover his budget issues.

Mayor Buckhorn, Good Job So far sir....Please keep it up

Bombing SoHo in Tampa

Whoa!  Look here folks, the SoHo Party District that was created by some nice folks looking to make a buck-Ya Tommy I'm talking about you & your partners, is now a target of half-baked terrorist.  Now why would he want to do that?  What did the guy not have a DL to get pass the bouncers?  Did he feel that his drink wasn't strong enough?  What ever the reason Terrorism has come to Tampa...Why didn't he go after MacDill AFB?  Heck, if you're really in the Terrorist Business why not go to the Place that is in control of the USA's Military Operations in the Middle East?  Like I stated above-Half Baked!  Thank you Local Law enforcement & the FBI for stopping this nut.  Also, a BIG Thank you to local Muslim Community for turning this guy in.
We all can disagree about our religion, its belief's, its benefits and such but I know of no religion that calls on it's believers to kill.

Love Tampa and all its people, cause there is no other place like our home anywhere in the world.

Mayor Bob Buckhorn

It was good to hear our Mayor and former Mayor chat Tampa Politics today on 820am! Even better to hear some the Mayor's plans for the City and the fact he has a 25 year vision to make Downtown Tampa a focal point.  He is correct in Stating the River has been seen as boundary at the West side of the city, Pam Iorio started the city on the path to recognize the River and its beauty, Bob Buckhorn seems like he wants to continue on that path.  The Key is for us, the People of Tampa, to make sure we stay on this path.  I for one do not like seeing the City of Orlando ahead of us in any Category but over the past 20 years they have used Lake Eola to improve the look and feel of their city.  We need to do the same thing.  Let's Not Talk about it.  Let's Do something about it.

To often our City Leaders play to one group, focusing on ONE part of the City ONLY.  Be it Ybor City, Seminole Heights or Channel Side or the Beloved River Walk.  So far Mr. Buckhorn seems like he believes in a Greater Tampa that includes all its Neighborhoods.  Bravo Sir

Water Water Everywhere but not a drop to drink

If there is one natural Resource that is more valuable than water please let me know.  Dana Young's recent Bill would stop the State & Gov' Scott's team in Tallahassee from using OUR Reclaimed water, Water that the residents of Tampa pay to have cleaned and reused for watering lawns.  As with any Bill our leaders propose, its not the best and there are problems with it.  At least this bill tries to stop "Big State Gov" from taking control of our hard labor.  Wasnt Gov Scott a Tea Party Guy?  It wouldnt seem that way- from the current attempt to gain control of the Hillsborough County Expressway Authority Tolls to Spending $500 Million for Light Rail around Orlando.  So much for Smaller Govt.

Bayshore & More

As we get closer to the Event that is know as the Republican Convention our City & County Leaders are concerned about our look.  Like a Parent who is overly focused on his/her child's make-up before the big show, Bayshore Blvd. driving surface is now a major issue.  What the bumps and flooding problems that have always been there are just now an issue?  4 Super Bowls and many Gasparilla Parades now our leaders make it Job #1.  OK, OK as a long term Tampa Resident I may be a bit over the top on this but come on. Tampa isn't Detroit, meaning we shouldn't have to lay a thin layer of pavement over our signature beauty spot.  Let's be honest there are important things that need to be fixed not just for the Convention but for the City as a whole.  Why not use the "Pavement" funds to fix up the City Marina?  Yes, it to is along Bayshore Blvd but with it's location it can be seen by anyone who happend to be at the Convention Center.  Unlike Bayshore Blvd driving surface, which let's face it, not many visiters will be driving on.  We all know that the folks who live on Bayshore want this done, not the majority of City Residents.

Why not focus on the Homeless?

Mayor Bob Buckhorn

Let's give it to the Mayor for startting to get something done with a Jewel of the City.  The Old Federal Court on the Northside of Downtown, MAY, final becoming something other than a hole in the city budget.  Yes, no one wants to give a way tax breaks for the heck of it but at least its a start.  Add this new project to the almost completed hotel project across the street we just made be seeing a rebirth of Downtown.
The recent upgrade of the City's Parks and the Riverwalk section along with Skypoint and other Condo highrises, we just might be getting the city we all want.

Yes, its just a start but if Mayor Buckhorn continues down this path things will get brighter.

The New Military

Even as President Obama rolled out his new plan for the US Military yesterday, the jobs report showed we have turned the corner into the positive.  200K new "Non-Farm" jobs proves that the policy's have grown from the Seeds that were planted during the Great Down Town Turn of 2007/2008.  It stop the bleeding Obama had to reach deep and spend big, VERY Big.  Not the move to take lightly when you're leading a country that was already on a pace to drown in Debt.  The spending the Gov't put forth did stop the rocket from crashing but a high cost...the only other choice was to watch it crash & destroy anything in its way.  Money well spent if you ask me.   But there is always a payback/Bill due at the end.  And after years of Talking about doing something about it, this President and others are finally ready to make the hard choices needed to "Start" paying down our bill.  Just paying the minimum payment will not get the bill down.  We need to cut spending where it hurts, yes that means the Military and yes that means Medicare/Social Security, as well as other social programs.  To quote Bill Clinton- "I feel your Pain".  We all need to feel the pain.
The Defense Cuts & Cuts in Social Programs, along with the closing of Tax Loop Holes should begin our long road back.  Being #1 is a feeling and is not always easy.

The City of Tampa- the Greatness of it all

With the USF Medical complex being built in the city's downtown core, its almost finished, it is time to look at other areas for our leaders to focus on.  With the current Gov. Scott showing no real interest in assiting the USF/Moffit center we should look to go over his head, where possible.  We have more to offer than just a nice picture by the bay.

While we have a Great Business Driver in the way of MacDill AFB, the jobs that could be delivered by this great asset are currently lacking.  Yes, there have been attempts to bring jobs to the Bay area, but the current pace the chances are slim that any will arrive soon.