The Way I See ItBy cj pollickDowntown Clearwater's Streetscape - Have you driven through the downtown Clearwater roadway remodeling project called streetscape? If yes, then you know how difficult it is to drive on the narrow winding roadway. Some folks refer to it as another Clearwater disaster (a.k.a. the roundabout.) The cost of the project? $10,205,236. The initial planned cost? $11,275,561. Yes, there are some people that have referred to the final project savings as "a good thing." Really. Clearwater Beach Parking Lot Re-opens - As you approach Clearwater Beach there is a city-owned parking lot near East Shore Drive, just before the roundabout on the north-side of the roadway. This small beach parking lot has re-opened with new parking meters provided by Cale Parking Systems USA, a Clearwater-based company. The new parking meters will reportedly accept coins, bills and credit cards for payment. The parking rate is $1/hour or $10/day maximum fee. There is no charge for parking in this lot after 6 p.m. They Refuse To Give Up - Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue District has tried to have fire fees increased since 2003. Voters have denied any fee increases at the polls (on three occasions.) You might think the fire district officials would understand the message from voters: No fee increases! What is next? The fire district officials plan to include another ballot question for voters in March to consider a fee increase. Looking For that Holiday Job - According to recent press releases, the following national firms are hiring people to work over holidays and perhaps longer: Ann Taylor, Best Buy, Nordstrom, Radio Shack, Target, Tiffany & Co., Bed Bath & Beyond and Hickory Farms. Of course, each office location for these retail merchants may have different hiring needs. Bottom line? If you are looking for a job, try the above merchants. Social Security Benefits - Sen. Barack Obama does not avoid tough questions. When asked about how he would handle Social Security benefits, Sen. Obama replied that he would increase Social Security taxes by increasing the cap form which Social Security taxes apply. Thus, in 2008 when the cap on Social Security tax would be based on income up to $102,000, Sen. Obama would increase the top limit of tax by increasing the cap to an amount over $102,000. Thus, larger income earners would be taxed more under the Obama tax plan. Former Sen. Fred Thompson is also not afraid to discuss the Social Security tax issue. Sen. Thompson stated he would not increase taxes, but Thompson supports voluntary personal retirement accounts where Social Security assets would be invested in the equity market (instead of not invested under the current Social Security program.) Both presidential candidates presented views that tried to assure future retirees that the Social Security fund would be there when they retired. Interestingly, Social Security economic experts have predicted that under the present Social Security system the cost for retirees beginning 2017 would exceed revenues from Social Security taxes. Further, in 2041 it is prognosticated that the current Social Security program wiIl be fully depleted. College Football Bowl Projections After Week 10 - Ohio State lost to Illinois last Saturday causing more changes to the BCS college football rankings. LSU is back as number one followed by Oregon and Kansas. The only Florida college team currently ranked in the BCS top 25 is the Florida Gators (number 12.) Even with a win at Syracuse last Saturday, the USF Bulls could not crack the top 25 ranked BCS teams. West Virginia, a team that was beaten by the Bulls, moved up to number 7. Bowl projections. Latest BCS rankings could have the following post-season bowl match-ups:
With two more weeks of football games to be played, the BCS bowl projection after week 10 could be changed. However, even if the bowl match-ups stayed as presented above, all of the bowl games appear interesting. Michigan vs. the Gators? (The Big 10 would see what it is like to play someone from the SEC.) Boston College vs. USF? Could be a great game showcasing two good college quarterbacks.
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