I was sent this message today and wanted to share it with everyone! Hope you get to attend!
State Representative Dennis Ross and State Senator Paula Dockery have secured a visit and meeting with FDOT Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos on Friday December 7, 2007 from 2pm – 4:30pm. It will take place in the city commission chamber much like meeting with Tom Pelham. Please attend.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Commission On Open Government
Tuesday afternoon from 2-8pm in Kissimmee, FL was a meeting with the Commission on Open Government.
The commission hears concerns of citizens from all over the state about problems and issues with openness and Florida Sunshine Law. (In FL public business is supposed to be done in the sunshine with the public invited to all appropriate meetings and any paperwork, email, and the like deemed public record to be accessable to citizens.)
There were a variety of issues brought before the commission, but the CSX rail realignment and ILC was the most prevelent.
Some of the concerns that were brought forward to the board was the FDOT's lack of communication about the proposed rail deal, FDOT reluctance in turning over emails and information about the rail deal without a fuss, how could $500 million of state money be spent by the governor without going before legislature, notices not being given to county officials as well as surrounding cities, and Gov. Crist's unwillingness to meet with resident and city/county officials impacted by project.
We spoke in length to some of the council members during the break and even they being from surrounding counties were not aware of the deal and we had just brought it to light for them.
Our message is simply, if a project can stand up to public scrutiny than so be it, if not and it has to be done secretly, then does anyone need it in the first place and do we trust our government leaders who tried to do this to us? I think not!
The commission hears concerns of citizens from all over the state about problems and issues with openness and Florida Sunshine Law. (In FL public business is supposed to be done in the sunshine with the public invited to all appropriate meetings and any paperwork, email, and the like deemed public record to be accessable to citizens.)
There were a variety of issues brought before the commission, but the CSX rail realignment and ILC was the most prevelent.
Some of the concerns that were brought forward to the board was the FDOT's lack of communication about the proposed rail deal, FDOT reluctance in turning over emails and information about the rail deal without a fuss, how could $500 million of state money be spent by the governor without going before legislature, notices not being given to county officials as well as surrounding cities, and Gov. Crist's unwillingness to meet with resident and city/county officials impacted by project.
We spoke in length to some of the council members during the break and even they being from surrounding counties were not aware of the deal and we had just brought it to light for them.
Our message is simply, if a project can stand up to public scrutiny than so be it, if not and it has to be done secretly, then does anyone need it in the first place and do we trust our government leaders who tried to do this to us? I think not!
CSX DRI Meeting
Monday, November 26th, the Central Fl Regional Planning Council, held a CSX/DRI meeting at the SE Complex in Winter Haven. It was a traffic methodology meeting. What that means in plain English is they had another meeting to go over the last meeting and answer questions the overseeing group had.
The questions were things like: (and answers)
What the expected growth would be (CSX and consultants couldn't really answer, although they
did say that the past performance had shown a flat line growth rate and didn't expect a change. A company that has no expectations to grow, wow, maybe we should ask their CEO and stockholders how this is happening.)
How many daily employees and employee trips in and out? (From the 8500 we first heard about to 200, now we are down to 75-110. The additional which add up to 200 are not employees but normal traffic in and out to run a complex, such as UPS drivers and mechanics to work on equipment.)
Those are just a few. Mostly a technical meeting which I am told most people wouldn't understand, but I still encourage everyone to come to the next meeting!
Here is a link to connect you with the Central Florida Regional Planning Counsil's website for more information.
http://www.cfrpc.org/
The questions were things like: (and answers)
What the expected growth would be (CSX and consultants couldn't really answer, although they
did say that the past performance had shown a flat line growth rate and didn't expect a change. A company that has no expectations to grow, wow, maybe we should ask their CEO and stockholders how this is happening.)
How many daily employees and employee trips in and out? (From the 8500 we first heard about to 200, now we are down to 75-110. The additional which add up to 200 are not employees but normal traffic in and out to run a complex, such as UPS drivers and mechanics to work on equipment.)
Those are just a few. Mostly a technical meeting which I am told most people wouldn't understand, but I still encourage everyone to come to the next meeting!
Here is a link to connect you with the Central Florida Regional Planning Counsil's website for more information.
http://www.cfrpc.org/
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Commission On Open Government
I wanted to pass this on to the community. I think it will be worthwhile to attend! Pam and I will be there.
To all parties interested in the CSX issue:
Next Tuesday, November 27, the Commission on Open Government will be meeting in Kissimmee . The nine member Commission was created within the Governor’s Office of Open Government to review, evaluate, and issue recommendations regarding Florida ’s public records and public meetings laws. This is an opportunity to raise your concerns about the nature in which the CSX deal came to fruition. The issues raised during these meetings are reported back to the Governor and his staff. In previous Commission meetings, we have taken particular notice when there are numerous citizens raising concerns on a particular issue.
As a member of the Commission, I will be in attendance. If you plan to attend, please contact the Commission directly to be placed on the agenda.
Meeting details and contact information for the Commission are below. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Warm regards,
Paula Dockery
Commission on Open Government
Tuesday, November 27
Meeting Location:
Clarion Resort & Conference Center
2261 East Irlo Bronson Highway
Meeting Room 3
Kissimmee, Florida 34744
Meeting Schedule:
2:00 – 4:00pm Public Hearing
4:00 – 6:00pm Break
6:00 – 8:00pm Public Hearing
Commission on Open Government website: http://www.flgov.com/og commission home
Open Government Contact Person: JoAnn Carrin
Phone: (850) 921-6099
Email: cristopengov@eog.myflorida.com
Address: Office of Open GovernmentThe Executive Office of the GovernorLL08 The CapitolTallahassee , Fl 32399
To all parties interested in the CSX issue:
Next Tuesday, November 27, the Commission on Open Government will be meeting in Kissimmee . The nine member Commission was created within the Governor’s Office of Open Government to review, evaluate, and issue recommendations regarding Florida ’s public records and public meetings laws. This is an opportunity to raise your concerns about the nature in which the CSX deal came to fruition. The issues raised during these meetings are reported back to the Governor and his staff. In previous Commission meetings, we have taken particular notice when there are numerous citizens raising concerns on a particular issue.
As a member of the Commission, I will be in attendance. If you plan to attend, please contact the Commission directly to be placed on the agenda.
Meeting details and contact information for the Commission are below. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Warm regards,
Paula Dockery
Commission on Open Government
Tuesday, November 27
Meeting Location:
Clarion Resort & Conference Center
2261 East Irlo Bronson Highway
Meeting Room 3
Kissimmee, Florida 34744
Meeting Schedule:
2:00 – 4:00pm Public Hearing
4:00 – 6:00pm Break
6:00 – 8:00pm Public Hearing
Commission on Open Government website: http://www.flgov.com/og commission home
Open Government Contact Person: JoAnn Carrin
Phone: (850) 921-6099
Email: cristopengov@eog.myflorida.com
Address: Office of Open GovernmentThe Executive Office of the GovernorLL08 The CapitolTallahassee , Fl 32399
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
CSX Meetings in Lakeland
I couldn't have done a better job of this, so I'm putting in Chuck Welch's story for everyone. He always does an awesome job.
CSX Weekly Roundup
Now that the Tampa Tribune has concentrated their CSX reporting to a reporter based outside Polk County, we're dependent on the Ledger. I'd still like to see the area newspaper use a single reporter as the point person on the story, but I understand the dynamics of that choice. I may believe one reporter could follow the story and still be used to cover other news, but it is an editor's call.
The two Ledger reporters who covered this week's CSX related stories did a very good job:
Longtime CSX opposition leader the Downtown Lakeland Partnership on Thursday outlined its plan to call for legislative review and accountability for the rail plan that would shift freight traffic to tracks that bisect the heart of the city. -- Eva Kis, Downtown Lakeland Maps Fight Against CSX
The Development of Regional Impact review for the proposed CSX rail freight terminal, if it holds to past DRIs, could take anywhere from eight months to 3 1/2 years, members of the CSX Task Force and Community Stakeholders learned Friday afternoon. -- Bill Rufty, CSX Plan Review May Take Some Time
Outside Polk County. CSX was defending itself against criticism leveled by a major investor in the company,
Over in Tampa, the Tribune editorial board met with some CSX officials. In Relegating Public To Caboose Derails Confidence In CSX, the board used strong language to characterize how many feel about the railroad company, "Plainly put, people in this community find CSX to be an arrogant, dictatorial and enormously frustrating company to deal with. It exudes a culture of secrecy and issues half-truths that hurt its credibility."
•
I was recently forwarded a couple of telling emails that spoke to such secrecy. In one, Florida Department of Transportation District Rail Administrator Arlene Barnes asks, "In the past several months (and as recently as this past week) rumors and newspaper articles have mentioned the CSX ILC in our District and that contacts have been made with FDOT, etc. No one in our District has been contacted about this and I am being constantly asked 'what is going on'."
That was early August 2006. Why did it take six months for the District Rail Administrator to contact the main office? Why didn't the main FDOT contact the district office?
If you can find anyone who suggests this was a well-planned project, ask them who did the planning and when.
•
The newspaper in Orlando is a cheerleader for this project. The NIMBY slant is evident in their reporting and editorials.
Back in July, Orlando and Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties all voted to kick in their share for the $615 million system, but negotiations between the state and CSX slowed with a legal debate over liability issues. -- Orlando Sentinel
What county is not mentioned? Oh yes, Polk County. The one that gets the ILC. Why couldn't Orlando, or Orange, Osceola, Seminole or Volusia get the "mother of all rail yards" in their own backyard? After all, they're getting all the benefits of the project.
•
Someone at a meeting asked what CSX stood for. Ignoring the obvious jokes, I'll give you this paragraph from Wikipedia:
The name came about during merger talks between Chessie System, Inc. and Seaboard System Railroad, Inc., commonly called Chessie and Seaboard. The company chairmen said it was important for the new name to include neither of those names due to it being a partnership. Employees were asked for suggestions, most of which consisted of combinations of the initials. At the same time a temporary shorthand name was needed for discussions with the Interstate Commerce Commission. CSC was chosen but belonged to a trucking company in Virginia. CSM (for Chessie-Seaboard Merger) was also taken. The lawyers decided to use CSX, and the name stuck. In the public announcement, it was said that "CSX is singularly appropriate. C can stand for Chessie, S for Seaboard, and X, the multiplication symbol, means that together we are so much more, and T for Transportation." The T had to be added to use CSXT as a reporting mark, since company initials that end in X could only be used by non-railroad railcar owners.
Posted by Chuck Welch on November 18, 2007 1:11 PM Permalink Comments (0) Tags: 33801 33803 33810 csx dlp fl fla florida lakeland ledger
CSX Weekly Roundup
Now that the Tampa Tribune has concentrated their CSX reporting to a reporter based outside Polk County, we're dependent on the Ledger. I'd still like to see the area newspaper use a single reporter as the point person on the story, but I understand the dynamics of that choice. I may believe one reporter could follow the story and still be used to cover other news, but it is an editor's call.
The two Ledger reporters who covered this week's CSX related stories did a very good job:
Longtime CSX opposition leader the Downtown Lakeland Partnership on Thursday outlined its plan to call for legislative review and accountability for the rail plan that would shift freight traffic to tracks that bisect the heart of the city. -- Eva Kis, Downtown Lakeland Maps Fight Against CSX
The Development of Regional Impact review for the proposed CSX rail freight terminal, if it holds to past DRIs, could take anywhere from eight months to 3 1/2 years, members of the CSX Task Force and Community Stakeholders learned Friday afternoon. -- Bill Rufty, CSX Plan Review May Take Some Time
Outside Polk County. CSX was defending itself against criticism leveled by a major investor in the company,
Over in Tampa, the Tribune editorial board met with some CSX officials. In Relegating Public To Caboose Derails Confidence In CSX, the board used strong language to characterize how many feel about the railroad company, "Plainly put, people in this community find CSX to be an arrogant, dictatorial and enormously frustrating company to deal with. It exudes a culture of secrecy and issues half-truths that hurt its credibility."
•
I was recently forwarded a couple of telling emails that spoke to such secrecy. In one, Florida Department of Transportation District Rail Administrator Arlene Barnes asks, "In the past several months (and as recently as this past week) rumors and newspaper articles have mentioned the CSX ILC in our District and that contacts have been made with FDOT, etc. No one in our District has been contacted about this and I am being constantly asked 'what is going on'."
That was early August 2006. Why did it take six months for the District Rail Administrator to contact the main office? Why didn't the main FDOT contact the district office?
If you can find anyone who suggests this was a well-planned project, ask them who did the planning and when.
•
The newspaper in Orlando is a cheerleader for this project. The NIMBY slant is evident in their reporting and editorials.
Back in July, Orlando and Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties all voted to kick in their share for the $615 million system, but negotiations between the state and CSX slowed with a legal debate over liability issues. -- Orlando Sentinel
What county is not mentioned? Oh yes, Polk County. The one that gets the ILC. Why couldn't Orlando, or Orange, Osceola, Seminole or Volusia get the "mother of all rail yards" in their own backyard? After all, they're getting all the benefits of the project.
•
Someone at a meeting asked what CSX stood for. Ignoring the obvious jokes, I'll give you this paragraph from Wikipedia:
The name came about during merger talks between Chessie System, Inc. and Seaboard System Railroad, Inc., commonly called Chessie and Seaboard. The company chairmen said it was important for the new name to include neither of those names due to it being a partnership. Employees were asked for suggestions, most of which consisted of combinations of the initials. At the same time a temporary shorthand name was needed for discussions with the Interstate Commerce Commission. CSC was chosen but belonged to a trucking company in Virginia. CSM (for Chessie-Seaboard Merger) was also taken. The lawyers decided to use CSX, and the name stuck. In the public announcement, it was said that "CSX is singularly appropriate. C can stand for Chessie, S for Seaboard, and X, the multiplication symbol, means that together we are so much more, and T for Transportation." The T had to be added to use CSXT as a reporting mark, since company initials that end in X could only be used by non-railroad railcar owners.
Posted by Chuck Welch on November 18, 2007 1:11 PM Permalink Comments (0) Tags: 33801 33803 33810 csx dlp fl fla florida lakeland ledger
Citizen's Academy
Citizen's academy was on the November 13, 2007. Being a bit overwhelmed, I'm behind, but it was a great class anyway.
It was held at the Traffic Engineering & Operations Division off of Spirit Lake Rd. The class was split into two groups and shown everything from sign installation to filling a pot hole. (Our two helpers for sign installation and roadway stripping, Ken and Mike, were as friendly and knowledgeable as could be!)
We saw where all the signs for the county roads are made, as well as traffic signal headquarters.
One of the most interesting things is a fairly new camera system monitoring some of the county's busier red lights. There is no video taping taking place, but it does allow the traffic folks to keep an eye on conditions at these stops and help traffic flow smoother in the future. I truly never realized so much thought went into what makes a traffic light work!
Citizens academy is on break the week of Thanksgiving, so more on this subject in two weeks!
It was held at the Traffic Engineering & Operations Division off of Spirit Lake Rd. The class was split into two groups and shown everything from sign installation to filling a pot hole. (Our two helpers for sign installation and roadway stripping, Ken and Mike, were as friendly and knowledgeable as could be!)
We saw where all the signs for the county roads are made, as well as traffic signal headquarters.
One of the most interesting things is a fairly new camera system monitoring some of the county's busier red lights. There is no video taping taking place, but it does allow the traffic folks to keep an eye on conditions at these stops and help traffic flow smoother in the future. I truly never realized so much thought went into what makes a traffic light work!
Citizens academy is on break the week of Thanksgiving, so more on this subject in two weeks!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Paula Dockery's Fun Feast Wild Game Dinner
I have been slow at getting the new posts up. Too busy! But I'll try to catch up today.
Nov. 9th at Tigertown in Lakeland, Paula Dockery held her fundraiser/wild game night.
It's called wild game because of the menu and they ain't kidding. Venison, bar-b-q pork, gator tail, quail, fried catfish, frog legs and more. For those asking, yes I tried frog legs. And no they do not taste like chicken, more like catfish.
Paula has been very vocal about the CSX Intemodal site and the affects on Lakeland. She's currently working on getting a meeting with Gov. Crist to discuss the impacts. Way to go Paula!
If you weren't there you missed it. Great gathering, lots of food, music and festivities. Can't wait to do it again.
Pam did let everyone know of her intention to run for county commissioner when Randy Wilkenson vacates, with positive responses. Randy is term limited. We'll be looking for everyone's vote in a few years.
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