The third annual Leadership Florida 2008 Sunshine State Survey was released last week and not one level of government is viewed positively by a majority of the people. Not even close. The survey asked participants to rate "the overall performance of government" as either excellent, good, fair or poor.
The federal government — you know, the ones supposedly fixing the economy — got the worst rating. Only 20 percent of those polled gave it positive marks. Following the feds from worst to best — and I use that term loosely — and their positive ratings were school boards (26 percent), state and local governments (both 30 percent) and, receiving the highest positive ratings, city government (32 percent).
The survey, naturally, focused on Florida, and those questioned gave state government its highest marks in (don't laugh) elections and higher education. This, in the state whose election malfunction gave us George W. Bush in 2000 and the state with the lowest higher education funding in the country.
http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/files/FLLeadership1208Part2.pdf
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Hardly a vote of confidence
Pat Howard asked for a three-year contract extension as Marion County administrator. The County Commission gave him one year.
The whole discussion at Tuesday's commission meeting about Howard's future was, well, odd — and, we're afraid, revealing of how the commission handles business too much of the time. In the end, it was anything but a vote of confidence...Brad Rodgers
Barbara Fitos was the lone vote of support for the three year contract. Stan McClain wanted to assemble a Team to look for Pat's successor and Jim Peyton criticized his Water Resource management Plan. Where do the other Commissioners stand on this issue? What will happen from this point? Are the Generals days with the County numbered?
The whole discussion at Tuesday's commission meeting about Howard's future was, well, odd — and, we're afraid, revealing of how the commission handles business too much of the time. In the end, it was anything but a vote of confidence...Brad Rodgers
Barbara Fitos was the lone vote of support for the three year contract. Stan McClain wanted to assemble a Team to look for Pat's successor and Jim Peyton criticized his Water Resource management Plan. Where do the other Commissioners stand on this issue? What will happen from this point? Are the Generals days with the County numbered?
Saturday, December 13, 2008
More Budget cuts on the way
Beginning next week, state lawmakers are going to start hacking away at a $2.1 billion revenue shortfall. Before they're through, the new money offered up by local voters could be all but swallowed up. Protecting schools are important. But so much else is at risk as well. Health care for the needy. Criminal justice funding. Social services for children and families at risk. The list is lengthy. How do you think this will effect Marion County? Can we sustain more cuts? Will this impact our Educational System?
Letter to the Editor - Ocala Star Banner
End-run and a bailout
A $100 million bailout for overbuilding the county. Boy, what a fleece job.
Seeing that the taxpayers did not go for a 1 percent sales tax increase that would have hit the least fortunate, the county lords did a run around left end with a million dollar tax for the roads.
Make no mistake, taxpayers of Marion County, this is a tax. The cost of which will knock your socks off.
For just simple figures, go to www.bankrate.com, and at 5 percent interest for $100 million, the payback for 30 years is $192 million. That is $92 million in interest!
What a deal for the people. But the part that hurts the most is that these lords of the county could not see their way clear to put in a springs protection plan or help the local hospital that serves the community.
So I guess this is the way it is when you owe your soul to campaign funding from big money in Marion County. And in closing, maybe, just maybe, someday the taxpayers of the county or somewhere will have a tea party, a big one.
William Knipe,
Dunnellon
Do you agree or disagree, sound off...
A $100 million bailout for overbuilding the county. Boy, what a fleece job.
Seeing that the taxpayers did not go for a 1 percent sales tax increase that would have hit the least fortunate, the county lords did a run around left end with a million dollar tax for the roads.
Make no mistake, taxpayers of Marion County, this is a tax. The cost of which will knock your socks off.
For just simple figures, go to www.bankrate.com, and at 5 percent interest for $100 million, the payback for 30 years is $192 million. That is $92 million in interest!
What a deal for the people. But the part that hurts the most is that these lords of the county could not see their way clear to put in a springs protection plan or help the local hospital that serves the community.
So I guess this is the way it is when you owe your soul to campaign funding from big money in Marion County. And in closing, maybe, just maybe, someday the taxpayers of the county or somewhere will have a tea party, a big one.
William Knipe,
Dunnellon
Do you agree or disagree, sound off...
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Council considers plans to redevelop Chamber building
Council considers plans to redevelop Chamber building
OCALA - The Ocala City Council is moving ahead on a plan to jumpstart downtown development by swapping a city-owned building for the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce building.
At its workshop Tuesday, the City Council heard the details of a plan to exchange the city building at 310 S.E. Third St. - currently occupied by the Building, Zoning and Licensing Department - for the Chamber building at 110 E. Silver Springs Blvd. The council decided to continue its discussions at a later workshop.
The Chamber owns its building, but the city owns the land on which the Chamber building sits next to the downtown square. The Chamber has a lease with the city that does not expire until 2027. Will this jumpstart downtown development? Will this end up to be another sand box on the square? What do you think?
OCALA - The Ocala City Council is moving ahead on a plan to jumpstart downtown development by swapping a city-owned building for the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce building.
At its workshop Tuesday, the City Council heard the details of a plan to exchange the city building at 310 S.E. Third St. - currently occupied by the Building, Zoning and Licensing Department - for the Chamber building at 110 E. Silver Springs Blvd. The council decided to continue its discussions at a later workshop.
The Chamber owns its building, but the city owns the land on which the Chamber building sits next to the downtown square. The Chamber has a lease with the city that does not expire until 2027. Will this jumpstart downtown development? Will this end up to be another sand box on the square? What do you think?
Blagojevich Could Still Fill Senate Seat
(Dec. 10) — Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich could still appoint someone to fill Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat despite charges that he tried to barter it away for cash or a plum job in what prosecutors call "a political corruption crime spree."
What are your thoughts?
What are your thoughts?
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Jeb To Washington?
Former Governor Jeb Bush seems serious about running for the Senate seat of Mel Martinez in 2010. Martinez has confirmed that he will not be running again. Other Republican names have also been mentioned: Alan Bense, Marco Rubio. Alex Sink, the State’s Chief Financial Officer, is mentioned as possible Democrat opposition. Here is a link to an article further discussing the possibility of Jeb running.
www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1864347,00.html
We would like to hear from you. What do you think about the idea of Jeb Bush going to Washington D.C.?
www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1864347,00.html
We would like to hear from you. What do you think about the idea of Jeb Bush going to Washington D.C.?
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