Give It Away And They Will Come - Clearwater leaders, who now wish to remain anonymous, helped to support a well-paid outside consultant to develop ideas that would transcend the alleged "sleepy" Clearwater into a vibrant modern city - capable of competing with Naples and Sarasota for growth and money.
The consultant got paid and has left the room. (Smiling, of course.)
The private developers who bought into the dream? Some made money and some are dying on the vine.
The Clearwater projects paid-for by taxpayers funds?
Yes, those city projects are being completed as we speak. Cities can do things private developers can't do simply due to having a source of cheap money. Taxpayer funds, of course, may be called "easy money" on one side and expensive money for those who work to pay more taxes. It is a matter of perspective, some might say.
Give it away and they will come? Taxpayer funds and entitlements.
Gosh, let's hope the well-paid consultant and private advisors were right. Several elected officials and city planners put their full faith and vote on those expert consultant's opinions for a better city.
Are we better? Perhaps local small business owners affected by Clearwater development plans over the past several years should answer that question.
Clearwater City Councilmember Paul Gibson - When Clearwater's Paul Gibson ran for city council he was not given much of a chance. The so-called "establishment" was against Gibson and for his opponent.
Undaunted, Paul Gibson ran a good campaign, told voters wherever he went that he would be an independent voice on the city council, and would look to cut city expenses (much like people do at home and at their small businesses.)
Paul Gibson has been true to his word.
In fact, many Clearwater voters are looking to Gibson as one (of a couple) city officials who will ask tough questions regarding the city budget.
Does this make Gibson popular with the "go with the flow" crowd?
No. Paul Gibson will likely not receive much good news print from other sources, unless he falters. Of course, independent voters in Clearwater are fed-up with the "go with the flow crowd." Voters want tax cuts and expect their elected officials to support that sentiment on the dias. Paul Gibson has been true to his word. In fact, more than one current city official had been waiting to see the actual ideas of Gibson at meetings. Well, they now see some of Gibson's ideas and realize that Gibson was not just a bag of wind.
Kudos to Paul Gibson?
Why not, he has caused more discussion about city budget cuts.
Speaking Of tax Cuts - Pinellas County Teachers will try for a tax increase to increase teacher's compensation.
Good idea?
No. This is not the time.
Belleair Beach - This might be hard to believe, but there are some folks at Belleair Beach city hall that think because the Intracoastal waterway connects BelleaIr Beach to . . . Belleair, that police services could be rendered as a contiguous neighbor. In other words, the mere act of touching the water that people in Belleair Beach touch makes them a next-door neighbor and eligible to offer a police services proposal.
Of course, if that thinking is true, then why not a police service proposal from any city that touches the inland waterway!
As amazing as this novel idea might seem, there are some folks who actually supported this thinking.
Front Page Picture Of A Model Or City Manager? - Much like many of you, the picture of Steve, now Sue, Stanton on the front page posing (like a female model) definitely had shock value.
Negative value, but definitely a value.
The way I see it, most folks have had enough of this sordid matter with Stanton and wonder why he/she still gets news in a geographic area that clearly does not support this type of unusual, "San Francisco" lifestyle.
Voters in Largo have not had the last say on this matter. Mayor Pat Gerard and Commissioner Rodney Woods have not yet felt the sting of Largo voters who did not support their far-left liberal views on the Steve Stanton matter. Both Gerard and Woods made comments to the media about Largo people that might be concerning at re-election time. Gerard used her gender to try and sway support for Stanton's actions while Woods used race to support his position. Both tactics were wrong to use by elected officials.
Stanton?
Nice pose. But, how is all of this news affecting his son and wife? That's the untold story.
Sarasota bound?
Amazing.
Largo Decorum --If you wish to visit a city hall meeting in Largo, a word of caution: Be prepared for a rude awakening.
Decorum at city hall meetings in Largo no longer exists. Mayor Pat Gerard refuses to allow peaceful and meaningful debate by anyone while she holds the title as "presiding officer."
Clearwater once held title to perhaps some of the longest city meetings; if fact, they were routinely criticized for their meetings in the local media.
Largo has clearly replaced Clearwater for having some of the longest and most divisive city meetings.
Who should get the credit for this honor?
Mayor Pat Gerard.
Is there hope for Pat Gerard?
Remember Clearwater's mayor Rita Garvey? Even when she was out-voted Garvey did not act like Gerard.
The future for Largo?
New leadership. Surely there are some good folks in Largo who would like to serve the city without any private agendas -- people in office who only care about a better city, period.
Recent Polls Say That People Are Fed-Up With Democrat Leaders In Congress - Republicans were their worst enemy. In the last election voters said they had enough of GOP rhetoric and voted to see what Democrats would do in Congress. In came San Francisco's Nancy Pelosi as House Speaker.
Well, recent polls show that citizens are just as fed-up with Democrats in charge of Congress as Republicans. People seem to come and go in Washington but little actually changes to help ordinary American people. Voters are simply frustrated with both political parties.
You vote for change and there is no change.
Yes, Americans would like to see our troops out of Iraq. No problem with that sentiment. However, Americans are also aware that we must win the war on terrorism and that Iraq must not harbor terrorists training to bomb Americans.
Yes, most people know there are religious factions in Iraq that are killing each other in order to gain the upper hand and, in doing this, they indirectly help terrorists in Iran and elsewhere. Many Americans are getting tired of trying to help a nation gain freedom while killing each other in religious wars. Some politicians have used the war to gain political advantage in a time when sensible solutions should be made.
Price Of War - Some of our readers remember when President F.D. Roosevelt increased taxes to help repay war debts of WWII. Roosevelt increased the number of U.S. taxpayers, per a recent Washington Post article, from four million people to forty-two million.
After the Korean War, President Harry Truman increased taxes to an all-time high of 91 percent for individuals and 70 percent for corporations.
Interestingly, the war in Iraq is being handled by President Bush without tax increases or cuts in government programs, stated the Washington Post.
How can this happen?
Strong American economy. According to the Washington Post, less than 1 percent of the American economy was spent on the war in Iraq last year. Surprisingly, the Post article stated that this amount was one-half what Americans spend a year at Wal-Mart. Amazing.
Bottom line?
If America continues to have a strong economy the debt expenses for the war in Iraq might not be noticed by future generations. That is what the experts report.
Me?
War debt is an expense of freedom. There is a price to pay for living in a safe place like America-- isn't it interesting to notice what financial experts report on war expenses as a part of our nation's debt! Only some of our readers can remember a time when huge financial sacrifices were made to protect our freedom. Imagine if taxes were increased by 40 percent to help offset war expenses. (There would be a new President and Congress.)
Peace activists are always demonstrating here in the U.S. where it is safe. Why don't they demonstrate in Iraq, North Korea, Iran, Syria or the Sudan where peace activism is needed the most?
