http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf Your daily source for the best in blog. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:39:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/11/20/a-case-study-in-east-hillsborough-%e2%80%93-can-a-community%e2%80%99s-self-determination-trump-a-developer%e2%80%99s-connections/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/11/20/a-case-study-in-east-hillsborough-%e2%80%93-can-a-community%e2%80%99s-self-determination-trump-a-developer%e2%80%99s-connections/#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:49:59 +0000 George Niemann http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=47429
By George Niemann PoHo contributor, R-LAND, UCAN & Amendment 4 activist Views expressed are my own & might not be shared by the organizations of which I am a member A rezoning request from a developer in Valrico that is moving quickly through the process begs the question above. If you want to understand why Hillsborough currently suffers [...]]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=47429 0
By George Niemann PoHo contributor, R-LAND, UCAN & Amendment 4 activist Views expressed are my own & might not be shared by the organizations of which I am a member A rezoning request from a developer in Valrico that is moving quickly through the process begs the question above. If you want to understand why Hillsborough currently suffers [...] http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/11/12/washingtons-best-pimp/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/11/12/washingtons-best-pimp/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:56:13 +0000 Chris Ingram http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=45823
Frequent readers of my column will recall that earlier this year I chastised Georgia U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss for endorsing Charlie Crist. I have known Saxby for a long time and have always admired him. But like most people who come to Washington with good intentions, he has turned into a typical politician who speaks out of both sides of his mouth and is only concerned with getting re-elected — as opposed to doing right.]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=45823 0
Frequent readers of my column will recall that earlier this year I chastised Georgia U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss for endorsing Charlie Crist. I have known Saxby for a long time and have always admired him. But like most people who come to Washington with good intentions, he has turned into a typical politician who speaks out of both sides of his mouth and is only concerned with getting re-elected — as opposed to doing right. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/11/10/thoughts-on-the-20th-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-berlin-wall/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/11/10/thoughts-on-the-20th-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-the-berlin-wall/#comments Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:57:50 +0000 Ben Luongo http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=45295
On Monday, the world celebrated the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Perhaps one day we will watch all of our walls come down.]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=45295 0
On Monday, the world celebrated the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Perhaps one day we will watch all of our walls come down. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/11/06/an-open-letter-to-hillsborough-county-commission-%e2%80%93-will-we-get-all-of-the-facts-about-the-2010-light-railpenny-tax-referendum/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/11/06/an-open-letter-to-hillsborough-county-commission-%e2%80%93-will-we-get-all-of-the-facts-about-the-2010-light-railpenny-tax-referendum/#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:48:54 +0000 George Niemann http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=44696
The big question is this - are you going to give voters all of the hard facts surrounding this proposed referendum? And will you incorporate this into your referendum campaign? I know that it will be tempting to take the soundbite approach without providing detail because, as you know, the devil is in the details. Considering that a good portion of this tax would be used to fix infrastructure problems that were created by approving sprawl, how do we know that you’ve learned your lesson? Or that you won’t come back to us 10 years from now and say we need an additional 1% on top of the first 1% because we couldn’t help ourselves from approving more sprawl without getting the money for the infrastructure?]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=44696 0
The big question is this - are you going to give voters all of the hard facts surrounding this proposed referendum? And will you incorporate this into your referendum campaign? I know that it will be tempting to take the soundbite approach without providing detail because, as you know, the devil is in the details. Considering that a good portion of this tax would be used to fix infrastructure problems that were created by approving sprawl, how do we know that you’ve learned your lesson? Or that you won’t come back to us 10 years from now and say we need an additional 1% on top of the first 1% because we couldn’t help ourselves from approving more sprawl without getting the money for the infrastructure? http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/11/04/obama-visits-the-solar-harvesting-farms-in-desoto-county/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/11/04/obama-visits-the-solar-harvesting-farms-in-desoto-county/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:43:23 +0000 Lisa Montelione http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=43723
The President visited Arcadia, FL, last week to see fields of solar panels by FPL and to receive props for his leadership on sustainable energy production.]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=43723 0
The President visited Arcadia, FL, last week to see fields of solar panels by FPL and to receive props for his leadership on sustainable energy production. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/11/04/for-gay-voters-a-national-disappointment-maine-local-triumphs-steve-kornell/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/11/04/for-gay-voters-a-national-disappointment-maine-local-triumphs-steve-kornell/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:10:39 +0000 David Warner http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=44262
LGBT voters saw setbacks and advances last night, including a major victory in St. Petersburg.]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=44262 0
LGBT voters saw setbacks and advances last night, including a major victory in St. Petersburg. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/11/03/election-night-usa-the-maine-gay-marriage-vote/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/11/03/election-night-usa-the-maine-gay-marriage-vote/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:28:34 +0000 David Warner http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=44209
The race is tight in the battle over Maine's marriage equality law.]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=44209 0
The race is tight in the battle over Maine's marriage equality law. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/11/03/st-petersburg-election-results-foster-leading-ford/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/11/03/st-petersburg-election-results-foster-leading-ford/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:49:35 +0000 David Warner http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=44200
The results came in quickly and decisively, resulting in the election of Bill Foster as the next mayor of St. Pete, the reelection of several City Council incumbents and the election of the first openly gay city councilmember, Steve Kornell.]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=44200 0
The results came in quickly and decisively, resulting in the election of Bill Foster as the next mayor of St. Pete, the reelection of several City Council incumbents and the election of the first openly gay city councilmember, Steve Kornell. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/11/03/developer-welfare-in-hillsborough-impact-fees-or-lack-of-them/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/11/03/developer-welfare-in-hillsborough-impact-fees-or-lack-of-them/#comments Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:28:27 +0000 Kelly Cornelius http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=43807
An audit shows Hillsborough County impact fees may not cover a reasonable percentage of growth. Think anybody down at the County Commission will connect the dots to our road funding shortfalls? Or will they just happily ask you to tax yourself for these shortfalls and continue the developer welfare practices?]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=43807 0
An audit shows Hillsborough County impact fees may not cover a reasonable percentage of growth. Think anybody down at the County Commission will connect the dots to our road funding shortfalls? Or will they just happily ask you to tax yourself for these shortfalls and continue the developer welfare practices? http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/31/hate-to-say-i-told-you-so-scozzafava-drops-out-of-ny-23-special-election/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/31/hate-to-say-i-told-you-so-scozzafava-drops-out-of-ny-23-special-election/#comments Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:27:14 +0000 Tom Bortnyk http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=43602
Pressure from the conservative base forced Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava to drop out of the race; third-party candidate Doug Hoffman now the frontrunner.]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=43602 0
Pressure from the conservative base forced Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava to drop out of the race; third-party candidate Doug Hoffman now the frontrunner. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/31/county-furlough-days-they-have-to-pay-for-kevin-white-and-pat-bean-somehow/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/31/county-furlough-days-they-have-to-pay-for-kevin-white-and-pat-bean-somehow/#comments Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:21:57 +0000 Kelly Cornelius http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=43569
County furlough days due to budget cuts could be hard to explain in light of the high cost associated with Commissioner White's sex trial and County Administrator Bean's clandestine raises.]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=43569 0
County furlough days due to budget cuts could be hard to explain in light of the high cost associated with Commissioner White's sex trial and County Administrator Bean's clandestine raises. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/29/draper-laboratory-opens-shop-at-usf-tampa/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/29/draper-laboratory-opens-shop-at-usf-tampa/#comments Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:16 +0000 concettadeluco http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=43157
On Monday, Draper Laboratory was welcomed to the USF Tampa Campus in a red-ribbon cutting ceremony. Draper Laboratories is a military weapon manufacturer and the question of the day was whether USF will be producing weapons as well. It got answered. Sort of. ]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=43157 0
On Monday, Draper Laboratory was welcomed to the USF Tampa Campus in a red-ribbon cutting ceremony. Draper Laboratories is a military weapon manufacturer and the question of the day was whether USF will be producing weapons as well. It got answered. Sort of. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/27/charlies-mea-culpa/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/27/charlies-mea-culpa/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:54:16 +0000 Chris Ingram http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=42666
As the people’s governor, I’ve been very busy. Not busy being governor, but busy running around the state of Florida — a beautiful state full of nice people who own homes that aren’t worth half of what they paid for them — running for the U.S. Senate.]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=42666 0
As the people’s governor, I’ve been very busy. Not busy being governor, but busy running around the state of Florida — a beautiful state full of nice people who own homes that aren’t worth half of what they paid for them — running for the U.S. Senate. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/27/the-new-threat-to-party-politics/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/27/the-new-threat-to-party-politics/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:49:13 +0000 Tom Bortnyk http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=42605
As Americans express discontent with the two-party system, will third-party candidates be viable options? They may already be.]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=42605 0
As Americans express discontent with the two-party system, will third-party candidates be viable options? They may already be. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/26/is-hillsborough-county-already-sabotaging-the-rail-referendum/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/26/is-hillsborough-county-already-sabotaging-the-rail-referendum/#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:15:33 +0000 Kelly Cornelius http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=41968
Is Hillsborough County already sabotaging the rail referendum by adding controversial road to their gravy train list of non-rail projects?]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=41968 0
Is Hillsborough County already sabotaging the rail referendum by adding controversial road to their gravy train list of non-rail projects? http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/26/tampa-takes-part-in-international-day-of-climate-action/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/26/tampa-takes-part-in-international-day-of-climate-action/#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:30:12 +0000 Carson Frame http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=42441
Activists hope a opportunity for improvement is on the horizon. In early December, President Obama and other foreign leaders will decide on a new climate treaty at the UN Climate Change Conference taking place in Copenhagen. One of the primary topics of discussion: carbon emissions. The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere recently topped 390 parts per million (ppm), but most scientists believe that safe levels should not exceed 350 ppm. If levels are maintained or continue to rise, climate change will become a more severe problem. 89 countries have already proclaimed their support for the 350 target.]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=42441 0
Activists hope a opportunity for improvement is on the horizon. In early December, President Obama and other foreign leaders will decide on a new climate treaty at the UN Climate Change Conference taking place in Copenhagen. One of the primary topics of discussion: carbon emissions. The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere recently topped 390 parts per million (ppm), but most scientists believe that safe levels should not exceed 350 ppm. If levels are maintained or continue to rise, climate change will become a more severe problem. 89 countries have already proclaimed their support for the 350 target. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/25/as-the-county-churns-the-truth-behind-the-beanlee-ethics-investigation/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/25/as-the-county-churns-the-truth-behind-the-beanlee-ethics-investigation/#comments Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:49:20 +0000 George Niemann http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=42222
Ever wonder why you don’t often hear of ethics investigations? You’d think there would be a whole slew of them, considering how many state, county and local government workers and elected officials we have in Florida, right? The reason you don’t see the volume that you’d expect is that the complaint process is complicated and lengthy, as well as, very tricky for the filer. Many people give up on the process when they find out how tough it is to actually get a case investigated. In addition, the cases are confidential and the press is not given access to any information until the whole process has been completed. Typically, if a citizen tells the press that they filed ethics charges against an official, the press will not report it because they have no way of corroborating the facts.]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=42222 0
Ever wonder why you don’t often hear of ethics investigations? You’d think there would be a whole slew of them, considering how many state, county and local government workers and elected officials we have in Florida, right? The reason you don’t see the volume that you’d expect is that the complaint process is complicated and lengthy, as well as, very tricky for the filer. Many people give up on the process when they find out how tough it is to actually get a case investigated. In addition, the cases are confidential and the press is not given access to any information until the whole process has been completed. Typically, if a citizen tells the press that they filed ethics charges against an official, the press will not report it because they have no way of corroborating the facts. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/23/something-is-wrong-in-america/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/23/something-is-wrong-in-america/#comments Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:30:19 +0000 Eric Stewart http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=41112
Will you stand? Comment what you’re standing for here locally in Tampa bay. ]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=41112 0
Will you stand? Comment what you’re standing for here locally in Tampa bay. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/23/connecting-south-central-asian-resources-with-american-sustainability/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/23/connecting-south-central-asian-resources-with-american-sustainability/#comments Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:52:32 +0000 Eric Stewart http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=40970
As larger oil fields around the world begin to decline in production, this virgin untapped area will succumb to our oil addiction.]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=40970 0
As larger oil fields around the world begin to decline in production, this virgin untapped area will succumb to our oil addiction. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/23/dic-greco-george-lemieux-and-karl-rove-says-the-white-house-is-playing-politics-with-afghanistan-mitch-perry-report-10-23-09/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/23/dic-greco-george-lemieux-and-karl-rove-says-the-white-house-is-playing-politics-with-afghanistan-mitch-perry-report-10-23-09/#comments Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:37:45 +0000 Mitch Perry http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=42041
There's another local story today about former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco flirting with another run to lead the city. My take.]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=42041 0
There's another local story today about former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco flirting with another run to lead the city. My take. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/23/old-tampa-cant-get-enough-of-dick-greco/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/23/old-tampa-cant-get-enough-of-dick-greco/#comments Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:16:19 +0000 Mitch Perry http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=42038
I guess my biggest issue is that there's something about Mr. Greco I've never really got. That is, his alleged 'charisma' factor. I would argue that Charlie Crist has charisma. Marco Rubio has more charisma. Barack Obama has probably the most charisma I've ever witnessed in a politician. ]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=42038 0
I guess my biggest issue is that there's something about Mr. Greco I've never really got. That is, his alleged 'charisma' factor. I would argue that Charlie Crist has charisma. Marco Rubio has more charisma. Barack Obama has probably the most charisma I've ever witnessed in a politician. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/23/karl-rove-says-obama-delaying-afghanistan-action-until-after-november-election/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/23/karl-rove-says-obama-delaying-afghanistan-action-until-after-november-election/#comments Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:39:19 +0000 Mitch Perry http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=42033
Say what you will about Rove (and there is plenty to say). He's been famously off the mark on some of his predictions (who could forget his argument with NPR's Robert Siegel heading into the 2006 Congressional elections when he argued with the public news reporter about the math going into that election, with Rove declaring, "I'm looking at the math"- no you weren't, Karl), but these elections are only 11 days away. Obama is going to make his announcement soon - maybe it won't be until after November 3rd. ]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=42033 0
Say what you will about Rove (and there is plenty to say). He's been famously off the mark on some of his predictions (who could forget his argument with NPR's Robert Siegel heading into the 2006 Congressional elections when he argued with the public news reporter about the math going into that election, with Rove declaring, "I'm looking at the math"- no you weren't, Karl), but these elections are only 11 days away. Obama is going to make his announcement soon - maybe it won't be until after November 3rd. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/23/so-what-does-george-lemieux-believe-in/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/23/so-what-does-george-lemieux-believe-in/#comments Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:04:19 +0000 Mitch Perry http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=42031
All of this is relevant because offshore drilling is also something that LeMieux may have to vote on in pending federal legislation. For the record, LeMieux says he supports drilling "if done safely."]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=42031 0
All of this is relevant because offshore drilling is also something that LeMieux may have to vote on in pending federal legislation. For the record, LeMieux says he supports drilling "if done safely." http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/22/too-tall-an-order-tampa-city-council-to-ask-local-businesses-to-refrain-from-selling-booze-on-gasparilla/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/22/too-tall-an-order-tampa-city-council-to-ask-local-businesses-to-refrain-from-selling-booze-on-gasparilla/#comments Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:30:02 +0000 Mitch Perry http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=41885
And Mark Hamlin from the Tampa Police Department said succinctly of some of the embarrassing behavior that's happened at what some consider an annual drunk-fest: "These things won't be tolerated anymore." Some attribute the speed to which these changes were made due to videos that went up on YouTube in the immediate hours and days after this past year's event.]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=41885 0
And Mark Hamlin from the Tampa Police Department said succinctly of some of the embarrassing behavior that's happened at what some consider an annual drunk-fest: "These things won't be tolerated anymore." Some attribute the speed to which these changes were made due to videos that went up on YouTube in the immediate hours and days after this past year's event. http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/22/bill-young-not-leaving-yetbeckner-calls-in-the-fdle-and-grayson-infuriates-the-gopagain-mitch-perry-report-10-22-09/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/10/22/bill-young-not-leaving-yetbeckner-calls-in-the-fdle-and-grayson-infuriates-the-gopagain-mitch-perry-report-10-22-09/#comments Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:20:15 +0000 Mitch Perry http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/?p=41855
It happens every two years, but rumors again are circulating that Bill Young won’t run for re-election in 2010. His spokesman strongly denies that rumor. Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner isn’t playing around on the whole Pat Bean giving herself a raise controversy.  He said yesterday that  he’s called the FDLE to check it out. And Orlando [...]]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/p=41855 0
It happens every two years, but rumors again are circulating that Bill Young won’t run for re-election in 2010. His spokesman strongly denies that rumor. Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner isn’t playing around on the whole Pat Bean giving herself a raise controversy.  He said yesterday that  he’s called the FDLE to check it out. And Orlando [...]