Pancakes and Politics With Adam Putnam

Bartow's Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100 hosted a Pancakes and Politics Breakfast this morning at the Bartow Civic Center. The event was sponsored by the Polk Democrat.

Adam Putnam was the guest speaker and there were very few open seats. He spoke on a variety of topics affecting the nation from oversees trade and growing nations to health care and the working poor in America.

All in all a good meeting. Pam and I did have a chance to speak to him about the CSX ILC briefly and he knew of the local concerns and had a few concerns himself.

(The picture is a bit dark, but you get the idea.)

Trick or Treating in Ft. Meade

The tradition of trick or treating is still alive and well in the city of Ft. Meade. Annually the city has trick or treating the Sat. night before Halloween. I've heard a couple reasons why, but mostly so kids won't be out late and hopped up on sugar on a school night.

Sat. the 27th was the annual event and hundreds of children turned out. It's the way you remember it from being a kid. No going to the mall or to a school fest, but honest to goodness walking door to door and yelling "Trick or Treat" at the top of your lungs for two hours.

Some folks even set up their own haunted houses year after year, just for the fun of it. One family who usually does, but due to illness scaled it back this year is Don and Willenne Pawley. They live on 6th Street, the mecca of candy seekers in town. But they still put on a great house, strobe lights, decorations and lots of candy. I know they spend at least $50 a year in candy, and usually give it all out and need more.

A ritual my best friends and family have had for the last 10 years is to gather at a friend's house, have a potluck dinner, let the kids scramble to get dressed, then load everyone up on a flat bed trailer hooked to a pick up truck with bales of hay to sit on, and take off.

Last night was no different. A neat thing about small towns is that you can still do this and have a great time. The Ft. Meade police were out in force, watching over everything and handing out candy to the kids from their cars! Way to go!

Tampa Port Authority at EPC 100 Luncheon

Pam and I were at the luncheon on Friday. It was hosted at Lake Ashton's Club. Two thumbs up on service and location.
The ledger article below doesn't do justice to the meeting. Tampa Port Authority's CEO spoke in length on the growth in Florida, how Tampa would like to quadruple it's capacity within the next couple years. He wasn't sure exactly how the CSX ILC would impact his business, but he was sure it was a positive change and would be examining how to maximize this opportunity. He also said that he knew there were people who opposed the ILC because they may not realize that CSX is committed to doing all necessary studies and requirements.
That made me smile.

http://www.theledger.com/article/20071027/NEWS/710270347

DRI Meeting #2

Wednesday, 10/24/07 at 9am was the second meeting for the CSX DRI application process. It was at the SE Complex in Winter Haven.
If you went to the first meeting in hopes of speaking and couldn't, you would find the same at this one. Public not allowed to speak.
This was a more indepth meeting about transportation and methodoligy. Basically, the transportation numbers for trains, trucks and cars and how everyone comes up with them. These numbers, once agreed upon will be the standard numbers used throughout the process to determine things like how crowded a road is and will be in the future.
At the table were people representing CSX, Evansville(who presently owns the rail site), FDOT, Central Fl. Regional Planning, and Polk County. If I left someone out, let me know.
I have to give Pat Steed of CFRPC credit. A couple times it was almost like the rail consultants weren't giving her the answers she had asked for and were side stepping the question. She kept them on the straight and narrow and in the end got what she asked for. You go Pat!
A few facts I found interesting. When CSX or the City of Winter Haven quote numbers, it's always like it's benefiting them. The number of employees started out all those months ago to be 8500 jobs to the area and went to 200. At the meeting they couldn't justify more than 150 on site tops! Then truck numbers which were at 300, then 700 a day were up to almost 900 a day at the meeting.
Maybe DRI process will flesh out the truth.
The consultants did say on a couple occassions that they would ask that questions come back to them within two weeks because this DRI was on a fast track. What exactly do you have to do to have your DRI put on the fast track? I don't know, but will try to find out!

Parkways, DRIs and Realtors, Oh My!

Wednesday was a busy day in the Winter Haven area. If you were lacking for a meeting to attend, you weren't trying very hard.

The commercial realtors of Winter Haven had their monthly breakfast with guest speaker Rick Dantzler. Rick started by saying that recently he and the group of investors with the project had stopped speaking about the Heartland Parkway, but this breakfast was scheduled months out and he didn't want to disappoint the commercial group.
It was a very informative speech about the parkway project. Rick stressed the conflict of the parkway, even for himself. He said he knew that region would eventually open up and with proper planning it could be done the right way. He had hunted on that very property in the area and it bothered even him to develop it.
The plan calls to develop condensed "pods" with fewer exits off the parkway, leaving untouched areas along the way like a string of pearls. Even Rick admitted that as much thought and planning were being put into this project, not everyone was happy, but the developers were trying to do their best to look into the next 25-50 years.
I hope they can accomplish their goal and keep Florida's natural areas as pristine as possible.

At 9am was the CSX DRI meeting at the SE Complex. I'll go over that meeting in my next blog.

11:30am on to the East Polk County Association of Realtors luncheon. The guest speaker was Lori Edwards, Supervisor of Elections. I had never heard Lori speak before, boy is she a dynamo for a very petite woman! I was impressed with the issues she covered and her enthusiasum. A realtor asked about volunteering at the polls for elections and she said it was paid part time work on election day as a poll worker! A fact I didn't know. Or your organization could have a group work and donate the procedes to a non-profit organization! I thought it was an excellent idea!

Now, on to the next blog!

America's Got Talent Star in Lakeland

Terry Fator was at the Lakeland Center for one appearence Sunday night. He's the winner of the America's Got Talent Show, and my kids were addicted to it.

I have to say it was the funniest two hours I've ever had. Terry can impersonate almost anyone and to perfection and all the while never moving his lips. He is truly the best ventriliquist in the world.

Some of his voices are Ella Fitzgerald, Maroon 5, Garth Brooks, Elvis, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Kermit the Frog, Louie Armstrong, Nat King Cole, & Natalie Cole. He did the funniest and best impersonation of Micheal Jackson I've ever seen! And puppets, who I didn't get their names.

He came out after the show, signed autographs and took pictures with everyone who asked. Very nice down to earth guy. I'd encourage everyone to go see him if he's ever in the area again. It is well worth your time and money!

He's heading back to Las Vegas next, so if you're lucky enough to be taking a trip there, stop and see him, you won't regret it.

Parade of Homes Is Here

Today officially kicked off Polk's parade of homes with judgeing beginning at 9:30am. Tonight was the builder's event and award ceremony in Lakeland. I have to admit that I was there to cheer on my personal favorite, Bill Cook. Bill didn't take home any awards this time, but his homes are always a treat!
The tours begin tomorrow at 11am. Sat. and Sun hours are until 6pm. The Ledger should have an insert with homes and locations. I'd encourage everyone to go out and take a look. There are some beautiful homes this go around! The most expensive on the list is in Renisannce and priced beginning at $1.6 million.
Hope to see you there!

Bipartisans of Lakeland- Candidate Forum

I wanted to get out this announcement to all those who live in or around Lakeland. The Forum is scheduled to be televised live on PGTV.

The Florida Bipartisan Civic Affairs Group-- Lakeland , is pleased to announce a Candidate Forum to be held on October 18, 2007 at 6 p.m. in the Lakeland City Commission Chambers located at 228 South Massachusetts Avenue . FBCAG is partnering with the City of Lakeland to sponsor this event. All Candidates for the Lakeland City Commission in the November General Election are expected to participate. The candidates will be questioned on important local issues facing the City including the impacts of increased CSX rail traffic, water permitting impacts on future growth and issues facing Lakeland Electric.

There will be time scheduled in the Candidate Forum for audience participation. This promises to be a lively and informative discussion between the very different candidates and their approaches to governing our City. If you want to be an educated voter based on their position on issues instead of how many signs they have posted, come out, take part, and help have a voice in Lakeland 's future. Everyone interested in the future of our city is encouraged to attend the City Commission Candidate Forum on Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 6:00 PM in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall on Massachusetts Avenue in Downtown Lakeland. For additional information call Ron Tomlin at 863-660-5428

DRI Preapplication Meeting

Yesterday was the Preapplication Meeting for the DRI for the CSX ILC. In English that is, there was a meeting to determine what needs to be done to start the review process for the new rail hub.

I won't go into long detail, it was actually quite boring. The interesting thing is I don't think I've ever seen so many lawyers, CSX people and state and local officials in one room and all jittery.

I do have one issue, and that is the gopher tortoises are to be "mitagated", not moved. When Pam asked the environmental guy what that meant, he hemmed and hawed and then evaded the answer and in the end had to say that they would probably be killed. We did ask Rick Hood and he said he would look into it. So now I will be on the mission to save the gophers!

A Polk County Star

Last night on Deal or No Deal a Polk native from Ft. Meade was the contestant. Carmen Gant was the star of the evening with support from her exhusband/husband to be Mike, cousin Pam Halvistan, and sister Maria (hope everyone's name is spelled correctly).

Now if you are a fan of the show, it's that much more of a nail biter when the people involved you know. I'm originally from Ft. Meade and know Carmen's sister a bit from school. Heck, it's Ft. Meade everybody knows everybody to a point.

Nancy did make it down to four cases and an offer of $133,000. She lost the $1 million case at that point and walked away with $100. It was crushing for me, I can imagine the family.

My friend, Beverly Pawley, who still lives in Ft. Meade kept having to put up with me calling every commercial break to hear me screaming "Why don't they stop now?"

Win or lose, Carmen did a great job and it was cool to see Polk people in the spotlight!

Lake Alfred Mayor at Democratic Lunch

Nancy Daley, who is running for Jack Myers county commission seat, was the featured guest speaker at the Democrats Who Lunch in Mulberry today at the Grits & Stuff Cafe. Now I'm not a democrate, but I was invited by one.

Nancy was very relaxed and sat and answered questions. Her main purpose from what I understand was to hear concerns from Mulberry residents about the impact of CSX. I don't think too many were from Mulberry.

Those who were there asked questions and Nancy answered. If she couldn't Pam and I filled in. Nancy stressed that she wasn't against CSX, but that it could be a good thing if planned and executed properly.

She also told us how she became involved in politics in Lake Alfred. Pretty cool stuff. Mostly by being like Pam and me, a homeowner faced with an issue of developement and overbuilding.
We also found out about the grant she worked on and received to buy a portion of the acreage that was to be developed. It is now MacKay (pronounced MacKi) Gardens and Lake Alfred has set that aside as a preserve. The next item was to get a grant to repair the turn of the century homestead of almost 7000 sq. ft. which sits on the property. The city has plans to make this available for private event rentals, as well as a museum. It should be open to the public early next year.

I was impressed. Not only did she care enough about her town and the nature aspect, but also the history involve.

Two thumbs up!
I hope I've spelled the name of the preserve correctly.

Citizen's Academy #5

Haines City Adult Day Care is where we spent the evening for class #5.
For those of you saying, oh, can't go there, old people, I have to tell you, not what you'd expect. Very clean, nice, new, not what you'd think of as something you'd seen on an episode of Dateling 20/20.
Larry Skidmore, Director of Human Services, for the county was there, along with his great staff. We heard from
John Hopkinss with VA Benefits (something I never knew the county provided)
Ed Smith, director of Polk Health Care
Donna Kay, program manager for Adult Day Care
Hope Jones, director of Elderly Services
All were fantastic. I do have to say I forgot to write down the name of the young lady in charge of the Haines City facility. I'll have to come back and give her credit tomorrow.
But I did find out a very interesting fact, that seniors love to disco in Haines City. Now it seems in the Bartow facility they love to play a game called Truth or Crap. Gotta say, they have spunk!

But in all seriousness, when asked if the three operating day cares were enough, there's one in Lakeland too, the answer is no. We need two more just like the ones we have and that's today. With the increasing number of baby boomers and people living longer due to medical technology, we are lacking and will be deperately lacking in the future.
A new facility in Lake Wales, a critical area would cost $2.2 million to build. That's not to run with staff. With budget cuts, who knows where these programs will be funded from.

And my soapbox moment of the evening.
I have a suggestion, tell the state not to give CSX (a very profitable company) $491 million in grants for rail right of way and gifts to build a rail yard. Use that money to fix what you have. I hate to say this, but common sense would tell most government leaders, that CSX can only hold out for so long. Their stock holders expect them to grow, grants or no grants. Eventually, they will expand, with private funds and the world will still keep spinning.

All in all an informative evening. Once again my plug- everyone should sign up for a Citizen's Academy. You'll benefit.

CSX Holds Meeting in Wahneta

I was in Citizen's Academy last night and had to miss it, but CSX held a town hall type meeting in Wahneta. I couldn't tell you if it was published in the paper, but a neighbor called and said their son went after he saw signs along the road in Wahneta.

He reported there wasn't any new news from CSX, just info we are almost all used to.

If anyone was there and wants to report on it, let me know.

Citizen's Academy #4

OK, so everyone's probably trying to figure out from the past blogs, where are class #2 & #3.

I was lazy, I admit it. Now I'm back on track.

But in case it's bothering you:

#2 was Transit Services, which was cool because we rode on a transit bus throughout Bartow and learned where each of the county buildings were and what services they provide. We also got to produce our own small talk show on PGTV. No one saw it but the class, and maybe this was a good thing.

#3 was public safety which includes emergency coordination to disasters such as hurricanes, and is over EMS and fire. I learned alot about the county fire department. For instance how long it's taken to build a new JPV firestation, something like 1993. And there will possibly be a new station along Rifle Range Road near HWY 60 within the next few years.

#4(See pictures above) Bob Crawford Building in Bartow is where we met. Last night's feature was Human Services Dept. Some of their programs are Healthy Families, County Probation, Cooperative Extension ( not sure why it's called that it seems mostly about plants and insects). Larry Skidmore is the director of Human Services and was great. He really seems to love his job and take pleasure in helping people.

So far the class has been well worth my time and I would encourage everyone to sign up for the next class. And by the way, we were served a pretty good meal too. Gotta love Tuesdays!