The Way I See ItBy cj pollickBudget Cuts - Sure doesn't seem to have affected the planting and constant replanting on Clearwater Beach and along the Memorial Causeway. Landmark Towers Forms Committee - Landmark Towers condominium building on Clearwater Sand Key formed a special Zoning Committee to address possible upcoming zoning changes to an area currently called Shoppes Of Sand Key. The special Sand Key group intends to present a petition at the next Community Development Board meeting on December 18th protesting any highrise hotel that might be planned for such bayside Sand Key location. Their email address? saveourshopsatsandkey@live.com The Sand Key group is looking for people that support keeping the Shoppes Of Sand Key. It should be noted that rumors alleging that the Marriott is trying to also buy the nearby Clearwater Sand Key city sailing center are unfounded. IRB Still A Mess - When a seasoned city manager essentially says, "I can't do what I'd like to do at Indian Rocks Beach, thus, I must move on," it reflects the major issue at IRB City Hall: A house divided. Regardless of who should shoulder most of the blame for a divided IRB City Hall, citizens of IRB deserve better. Taxpayers of IRB deserve to have elected officials that have the interests of the city as their first priority, while issues of local politics become secondary in importance. Too much politics and not enough leadership, say many IRB citizens frustrated with the latest resignation of the new city manager. How will the latest city manager resignation be handled by current city officials? Time will tell, but one thing is for sure, they can't blame his experience, integrity or willingness to work for the citizens of IRB. Why leave? It is likely that not all of the "resignation story" has been told -- or might ever be told. Issues at IRB? What else is new! Largo Central Park - Once Again Largo has done an outstanding job of decorating this park for the Christmas season. Kudos to Largo! How Did He Do That? - Thirteen years after Christopher Columbus discovered the western hemisphere, a German monk named Martin Waldseemuller is reported to have created the first map that used the name "America" to describe a certain map location. The year of this map-making was 1507. On December 13th the Library of Congress will proudly display this 500-year-old map. Historical experts have raised many questions about certain things drawn on the map. For example, experts have wondered how Waldseemuller knew the nearly exact size, within 70 miles, of South America before it was discovered. Further, the experts wonder why he made the Pacific Ocean so large on the old map when it was not founded at the time of the mapmaking. One thing is for sure, the Waldseemuller Map, over 500-years-old, offered mariners of its day more insight into the western continent than was once believed to be known. Where this mapmaking intelligence might have originated is not known, suffice, however, it did exist back in 1507. What was America later called by Waldseemuller on maps made after 1507? Land of Cuba. Don't Call My Teddy Bear Mohammed - Can you imagine the horror of a British teacher jailed for naming a teddy bear Mohammed in a school writing project? Gillian Gibbons was jailed for over a week after diplomatic negotiations allowed Gibbons to apologize saying there was no intent to harm anyone. Where did this occur? Sudan. Allegedly there was an outcry by Muslims against Gibbons for naming the teddy bear. Some actually wanted her executed. Is this amazing or what? How About The New England Patriots? - In a wild game ending touchdown by the New England Patriots over the Baltimore Ravens, Tom Brady again earned the right to be called one of the best-ever NFL quarterbacks following the 27-24 victory. If you happened to watch the game, you know about the game-ending calls, penalties and a wild and crazy final 45 seconds. Of course, for any team to remain undefeated (12-0), they need to win a game that they could have easily lost. This was a game the Patriots could have lost, but didn't!! Tom Brady? Just more NFL touchdown passes on what was called "a bad day."
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