Open Thread
{This thread is closed. Use the new "Open Thread" posted on September 26 for your discussion topics.}
If you would like a change of pace from some of the other discussion topics, use this thread to start discussion on a new subject(s). We have closed the previous Open Thread, which was getting pretty full.
Our new thread is not meant to close off discussion on other topics (e.g., EMSA, James’ appointment, etc.). However, we want to give you an opportunity to speak your mind on other hot items.
There was a suggestion to start covering the City Elections to be held in October. We will do that. However, it’s a bit early since we don’t yet know all the key players who will be running for office. A few may even be unopposed. We’ll wait a few more weeks to see how things shake out.
posted by Blog Master @ 5:37 PM
168 Comments:
Clayton Ellsworth,
A question for you--what ever happened with your effort to get the Ocala city gov't. to adopt zero base budgets?
City guy :
Absolutely nothing as far as ZBB is concerned.
However, city manager Nugent did request substantial budget decreases. I have not seen the adopted budget.
While on the subject.The county turned the idea down. Instead, they also called for a 7% cut in budgets. From what I have seen they won't be cutting that much.
AS I predicted budget cutting would be done in a very arbitrary way. Plenty of politics in the process.
The county attitute toward it's citizens is lump it or leave it. "We know what's best for you "
Clayton Ellsworth
Clayton,
I heard from a city finance employee that they are trying out zero budgeting in a couple of departments at the insistence of Charlie Ruse. Maybe you should follow up.
I am pleased to hear that ZBB is being tryed in a couple of departments. Councilman Ruse showed the most interest and informaly it was agreed that they would try ZBB in a couple departments. I knew there was a lot of opposition by the finance director. Councilman Ruse did prevail.
Have you heard what the results were ?
Notice comments about our Governor at some spots on the blog. I had lunch with a lady I would consider a reasonable and politically astute member of the local REC. She told me the Republican Party is starting to force a new direction engineered by Jim Greer-the State Party head and Crist’s answer to George Bush’s Karl Rove.
It seems that Republican candidates who are not supportive of EVERYTHING Crist wants to do are not going to receive Party support. Sounds like the way the Republican right wing tried to operate, but with a tilt to the left via Crist’s current platform. Is politics in the Republican Party the same old, same old--my way or the highway? It will be interesting to see if “Karl” Greer and the Governor can pull it off. I doubt it. Not a good sign when even the moderates in the Party are complaining.
PWF’s little darlin is gonna move up in the political world. Sue Mosley is about to put her name on the list to replace Kesselring. That’s word on the street. Look out Amsden and Walton---women power may toast you two good ‘ol boys!
I doubt that.
It might be helpful if someone can give a brief "State of the Party Address" for the local Marion parties. It seems that the Marion REC is run by Randy Harris and there doesn't seem to be much activity. The Democrats don't seem to have any organization or leader.
Even though I often disagree with their positions and I get quite sarcastic, I would think that Clayton, PWF, or Creekbaum might have some valuable insight and would respect their opinions.
VoR
I don't blame Mosley for wanting to get away from the School Board. Being lumped-in with the current bunch of seat warmers is only one degree less sickening than eating a public school lunch.
The problem with C. Crist is he's not a real Republican. RINO doesn't fit him either. He's Democrat to the core.
There's about to be a lot of activity come Monday night at the local REC meeting, Randy is finally going to step aside and let in some new(old) blood try to shake things up! Word is Roy Abshier will be stepping in and taking over! Seems Dennis Baxley is the one who stirred up this pot!
The REC should have no problems getting on track. As Politico told us, all they need to do is what Crist and Greer tell them to. That will then create a second DEC in Marion County. The County really needs two Democrat groups!
VOR :
I arrived in Marion County spring of 2002.
My scope of knowledge about Marion County politics is limited to non participating observations.
I will leave critiqueing of the local Republican party to others.
As far as the local Democratic party is concerned, it can easily be dismissed as hopeless. A tired,lethargig group of has beens looking for a Messiah, who will nit pick any newcomers who they feel are threatening their territory [ for what it is worth ]
I realize this is a very critical position to take but it comes from somebody who has vast experience in building local partys as well as building the fundamentals for state wide races.
I learned a lot from America's first political cosultant, Matt Reese, who died about a year ago.
You can not elect candidates without money, platforms, viable candidates and organization.
As soon as I put some thoughts together I will post what issues the local Democratic party could rally behind going into the 2008 election if lightening strikes them.
As far as the Republican Party is concerned, they can learn from this as I will be be revealing some real meat and potatoe issues that will benefit every body.
So stay tuned and thank you for asking my opinions.
Clayton Ellsworth
anonymous at 7:59:
Wrong.
Harris decided to quit and approached Baxley to get Dennis to take the job, who quickly turned it down and suggested Roy Abshire.
He's got a lot of work to do and not many members to do it wuth. Hopefully, some of the sealots will drop out with Harris and the rebuilding that Klein and others did some time ago will again prevail.
also don't count on "pwf's little darlin". She's got so much personal baggage, and had a business to salvage and while she had the concrete and underground utility boys to suopport, she will also have to explain away the developers, realtors and all those people who are out of vogue now. She better stay where she is and clezan up her personal problems and reputation if she wants to go further.
The number one issue in 2008 is going to be nothing the candidates have talked about yet. The issue is going to be the the economy and jobs.
My father, a prominent American History Professor, always said that people vote their wallets.
Nationally, we finally heard from Treasury Secretary Paulson and Fed Chairman Bernacke that all isn't well in River City. The Fed's intervention prior to the opening of the stock market, lowering the Fed Discount rate, salvaged the markets from falling out of bed as they did in 1987. The action also saved the dollar from falling drastically, both in an attempt to save the economy.
These actions were like sticking your little finger in a hole in a dike. All the problems still exist, they have just been postponed.
Locally the unemployment figurs for Marion County came out last week. They were spun by suggesting we were only .6 % lower than the state average and all this could be expected because of our exposure to building.Ho Hum, I could have told them that.
What I also would tell them is this statistic is bogus. Not included are 1099 form independant contractors including small construction trade contractors, realtors, independant appraisers who can not get unemployment benefits.
Also not included were people who are unemployed and can no longer get benefits.
Also not included were illegal immigrants who were the major part of the unskilled construction labor force.
All the unemployed will be spending only for neccesitys, will lose homes, on and on. It will be tragic for many.
Marion County, like many others are sevice sector rich which plays a big role in the local economy. The service sector will suffer greatly.
A major portion of the local manufacturing sector revolves around manufactured housing which is headed for the dumper.
Agriculture will be OK although the Equine industry is in a bubble and due for a correction. I say that, as a former horseman who visited Ocala in 1987, 1988, 1999 witnessing all sorts of distresed farms.
I remember Marvin Warners Warner Town farm looked great even in bankruptcy. I can't help mentioning that I advanced a John Glenn fund raiser at Marvins home in Cincinnati before his fall.
Anyway, the equine industry could take a hit, bubbles do burst. This will add insult to injury.
In summary I see bad times ahead, something I have been saying for over a year.
Pocket book issues are owned by Democrats.
Or to put it another way. If the local Democratic party doesn't grasp this and ride it to victory, then shame on them, they probaly won't get another chance.
What to do ? Right now the party should be finding soldiers that will fight. Every precint should have a committe person willing to help. The key here is you put them to work now.
Doing what ? Voter registration. We all know how important this. Each new voter should be asked if they want to voice their opinions and if so get them. Then build a permanent bridge between committee person and voter to maintain a communication flow.
The independant voter is going to be king so you smother them with information, love and kisses .
Enough for now. The juices are flowing, this is old hat for me, just the basics, they work.
Clayton Ellsworth
Don't pick on Jim Greer too much.
Karen Thurmadrunk, who runs the State Democrats, works in much the same way.
Correction on my last post:
The last sentence of the fourth paragraph should read -- All the problems looming in the economy remain, the effects have just been postponed.
Clayton Ellsworth
Voice of Reason says......
I can't get this google/blogger thing right - it doesn't recognize my username/password combo.
- - - - - - - -
That's a pretty dismal outlook Clayton - let's all hope its not that bad but maybe it will be.
As far as the Republican Executive Committee in Marion, isn't Abshier from Belleview? It seems like all this talk of Baxley and Abshier shows that Belleview is more of a power base than Ocala.
How about Parnell? Is he a factor in the party any more?
As far as the Democrats - you would think that they could get some strong candidates but nobody seems to emerge. I guess the Dems big star right now is Bobby James (sorry, I couldn't resist.) But really, the Dems have no farm team. I can't think of anyone who is willing to run for any local office.
Generally, each town has some Democrat personal injury attorney who runs. Each town usually has some Democrat soccer mom who has name recognition too.
VoR
Bobby James is a Republican!
GET A LIFE!
V OF R WAS BEING TONGUE IN CHEEK WITH CALLING JAMES A DEMOCRAT. FRANKLY, HE'S RIGHT---JAMES MAY BE A BETTER HOPE FOR THEM THEN FOR THE REPUBLICANS.
Yesterday Politico commented about the Governor and the State Republican Party Chair (Jim Greer) trying to “force a new direction” on the county RECs. I seriously doubt that is going to happen.
First, you have to have a direction to force one. From what I’ve seen to date, no sense of direction at the State level yet exists. It’s flittering from one idea to another; a flavor of the month, faddish approach to leadership of our State, with few examples of meaningful accomplishments or successes. This isn’t flying very well with a lot of Republicans and others, including many who voted for Charlie Crist. Unfortunately, the current directionless trend is leaving many people clamoring for gubernatorial leadership.
Where will they get it? The answer would seem: (1) from a grassroots “revolt” at the local level (including the county RECs) and/or (2) from a State legislature that says “enough is enough” and assumes a more active role in leading our State. Therefore, I don’t think the State Republican Party or Charlie Crist is going to influence (force) the direction of the local RECs. If anything, the influence is going to come from the other direction.
I’m reminded of what a business CEO friend told me. If you drive down the center of a two-lane highway, be prepared to have a head on collision or be hit from the rear. Our Governor is currently even driving more dangerously to the left of center and that fatal or near fatal accident may not be too far down the road. Maybe the Governor should stay in his lane.
Just my opinion.
Voice of Reason says . . .
Yes . . . it was tongue-in-cheek. Actually though, how long has James been a "Republican." I have never heard of anyone actually seeing him at any Republican function. There are people who were Democrats and then turned Republican in an attempt to get elected in Marion. In fact, Bob McCall is a WASP of WASPs and was a Democrat who switched parties to get elected. He didn't get elected after several tries. (More evidence of no racism in Marion but I'll leave that alone).
Curious about Damon. Any predictions? Do you think that Damon will have to run for a lesser office before making a run at that State House again?
VoR
Voice of Reason says . . . .
I agree with Stan about those Crist comments. He really isn't making much sense in my opinion. I hear everyone asking for leadership in government at every level and there remains deep frustration. Crist was the default candidate because he has been around so long. He has probably held every office possible in Florida government. I think that he might be vulnerable to a strong Democrat. If Senator Nelson wanted it he could have it. Problem is for the Dems, there is only one Sen. Nelson in Florida and Buddy McKay is retired. Can't think of any others in Florida that strong.
VoR
Voice of Reason says . . . .
One more thing, I did answer Clayton's questions but my answers are at the end of the "Bobby James" string.
VoR
You want results of Crists work. My property insurance is up 8% and i don't have any inflation clause. It sucks!
I'd like to see Damon Baxley on the School Bd. We need a younger person's point of view. Don't know which district he is in but wouldn't it be a match if he went up against Bobby James. At least Nancy would not be able to pull any stunts.
To Anon. 8:55 - You are so correct. "Little Darlin" better clean up her personal act before she tries to run for a higher office. People didn't care about her canoodling when she ran for school board, (although they should of) but it won't be pretty if she runs against the big boys. The dirt will really be flying.
To VoR,
If Damon Baxley runs for ANY political office other than school board, he will be in violation of the federal Hatch Act. He was already given a pass for his last violation by the Office of Special Counsel from the last special election. Next violation gets him fired. No appeal - just fired. I'm sure his position as a Deputy Sheriff is more important to him and his family than pursuing the unpredictability of election to public service. I wonder how much wisdom and incitefullness a 20 something year old would bring to a school board desperately in need of an experienced hand. As far as I'm concerned the Baxley name is history.
Damon would probably bring as much experience (having not too long ago going through the system) and incitefulness as a 60+ year old education bureaucrat with less than adequate financial administration skills.
The old folks on the board aren't cutting it. Give youth a chance. I'll vote for him.
GO DAMON!
Voice of Reason says. . . .
Yeah - I'm with BravoLima, the Baxleys are kaput as candidates. Really, Damon was never a real candidate for that last office. I was just curious if people thought that he will try to rebuild his political career. My real curiosity was whether anyone thought that he was humble enough to seek lower offices like Belleview city commission. Enough about the Baxleys though, as in Texas Hold 'Em, they went "All In" on the last election and probably have no political chips remaining.
Moving on, I'm curious if the Dems have ANY potential candidates for any offices in the future? Are there any names buzzing around?
VoR
anon at 6:59,
You tried the same word ("canoodling") at the end of your campaign last year and you are right. The people didnt care and you got your ass handed to you.
Grow up Dave, you lost.
Hope Big Dave runs again. Boy is there dirt to throw at him!!!
Thoughts about the local DEC and REC:
Many years ago, the local DEC was the only show in town -- there was no Republican Party other than 497 people so registered to vote. If you registered as a Republica, you did not have any vote on any local or state candidates except Governor, Senator and President. You could not vote for any county or state office -- because there were NO Republican candidatees to vote for, therefore you could not vote. It was not until the Goldwater election that even 1,000 people registered as Rebublicans.
The chairman of the DEC once issued a press release saying the DEC was going to reorganize. I wrote a column in my newspaper and asked how something unorganzied as the Marion County Democratic Executive Committee could reorganize.
The same might be said for each county committee today.
It has been 15 or so years since the DEC had a real organization and that was when Steve Gilman and another man put some money into it, and created a real organization. The DEC endurced the administration of Tommy Smith, who, as Chairman, openly supported a Republican for county office, and was tossed out by the members, but the damage to the party was done.
The national platform and candidates also did the local DEC in.
What some on this blog will not understand is that the Republican Party in the South today was the Democratic Party of yesterday. The conservative south as all Democratic, and many of the real conservatives of today who have lived in Florida for more than a dozen years were registered as Democrats. Today, if you are not 100% down the party line as seen by some locals, you are not good enough; not Republican enough. It is sort of like the Dems asking if Obama is black enough.
Someone used Bob McCall's name earlier. His father was a state representative as a Democrat. He and Bob's mother were the state committee persons from the local party. I would be surprised if they were alive today if they were not registered Republicans.
Someone also asked how long Bobby James had been a Republican. About as long as the very bright Black former congressman from Oklahoma whose name escapes me at the moment, who held office in Oklahoma as a Democrat. As I recall Bobby changed his registration about six or eight years prior to running for Superintendent.
Bill Chappell was a Democrat in Congress. He was as conservative as most in Congress today, but there weren't many but nuts who registered as Republicans back in those says.
At one time a dozen years ago, the local REC was a political force. They then began to "eat their own" and fight, and today, the state REC has little use for Marion County. Jeb Bush ignored the REC and built his own force in Marion County, and Crist has done about the same.
Roy Abshire has his work cut out for him, but he had dozens of people who were cut out of the party in the past who will likely step forward to help him rebuild the party. Good luck to him! --pwf
PWF:
Is the black congressman from Oklahoma (also a former football star) named J.C. Watts?
Stan :
Yes, appears on CNN occassionaly opposite Carville. A very sharp guy.
Clayton Ellsworth
Stan, yes it is J.C. Watts.
Just couldn't rtemember him at all. All I could think of was Joe Scarborough, who was in the same class, and also spends a lot of time on TV. Watts was a University iof Oklahoma football star and served as Secretary of State in Oklahoma as a Democrat if I recall correctluy, then became a Republican and is one of the best spokesmen the part now has. --pwf
OK bloggers, this is a little long but let’s see if Clayton Ellsworth has a political sense of humor!
“Democratic National Convention: Schedule of Events”
7:00 pm ~ Opening flag burning.
7:15 pm ~ Pledge of Allegiance to the U. N.
7:20 pm ~ Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
7:25 pm ~ Nonreligious prayer and worship with Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.
7:45 pm ~ Ceremonial tree hugging.
7:55 pm ~ Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
8:00 pm ~ How I Invented the Internet - Al Gore.
8:15 pm ~ Gay Wedding Planning - Barney Frank presiding.
8:35 pm ~ Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
8:40 pm ~ Our Troops are War Criminals - John Kerry.
9.00 pm ~ Memorial service for Saddam and his sons - Cindy Sheehan
and Susan Sarandon.
10:00 pm ~ "Answering Machine Etiquette" - Alec Baldwin.
11:00 pm ~ Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
11:05 pm ~ Collection for the Osama Bin Laden kidney transplant
fund - Barbra Streisand.
11:15 pm ~ Free the Freedom Fighters from Guantanamo Bay - Sean Penn.
11:30 pm ~ Oval Office Affairs - William Jefferson Clinton.
11:45 pm ~ Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
11:50 pm ~ How George Bush Brought Down the World Trade Towers - Howard Dean.
12:15 am ~ "Truth in Broadcasting Award" - Presented to Dan Rather by Michael Moore.
12:25 am ~ Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
12:30 am ~ Satellite address by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
12:45 am ~ Nomination of Hillary Rodham Clinton by Nancy Pelosi.
1:00 am ~ Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
1:05 am ~ Coronation of Hillary Rodham Clinton.
1:30 am ~ Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
1:35 am ~ Bill Clinton asks Ted Kennedy to drive Hillary home.
to Anon. 10:31 - Sorry, but I'm not Dave. Just someone who has seen Lil Darlin in action. Just one female commenting on another.
PS to Anony. 10:31- Sorry you don't like my choice of words; would you prefer affair? Just because a comment is made re: Lil Dalin does not mean it is from her losing opponent. Try to pin it on Dave if it makes you feel better, but last time I checked, I am totally female.
Voice of Reason says. . . .
PWF did a good job of setting the context of the local parties.
I wonder if Bob McCall would have stayed a Democrat - would he be a force for their party right now? It seems he was more of an opportunist than a real party leader.
How about the woman who is on the County Commission? Is she an organizing force for the Dems?
VoR
Our city council sure knows how to pick a downtown developer. What a bunch of financial incompetents!! Recall the whole lot.
Mrs. Fitos is a very bright individual and commissioner, who, from what I see watching on TV, studies the commission agenda and is very prepared to engage her colleagues in addressing the various items.
Because she is a Democrat, you will get some comments about her being an idiot, because of some of her suggestions for solutions, she will be called a commiee lib and because she will want to put tax funds where she things might be better spent, she will be called a tax and spend Democrat.
The interesting this about local politics at this stage of our lives is that the old Democrats who were in power prior to 1990 were the real conservatives on social items and on spending. My friends (and all of them have been my friends even if we disagreed on items or policies) who have been in control since 1990, all but three of them Republicans, have presided over a truly phenomenal increase in spending, have approved policies (like the SHIP program) that hardly could be called conservative by their standards, and have pushed government more into our lives than ever foreseen in say 1980. Call it spin if you like, but there are reasons this has happened, and WE are the real reason.
We own property and we want to sell it to provide for our retirement, so we subdivide it and peddle it to our friends who bring cash from the north. That creates a demand for roads, fire protection, the sheriffs deputies, hospitals, libraries, parks, water and sewer systems, and on and on, including the SHIP program and other "liberal" programs, yes, even free lunches and now free breakfasts in our schools -- this in a county that was one of the last to offer food stamps in Florida, and then only because the state took over the program and installed it in spite of the local politicos.
Can Barbara Fitos be the organizing force for the Dems? To some extent, but they are so disorganized, it will be very hard for any single individual.. My gut reaction is probably not. It will take someone with the fire in the belly and the monetary resources they are willing to spend for several years to really put it together, and I am talking about thousands of dollars a year. --pwf
11:20 PM you want to solve the city council problem. take the advice of the newspaper and consolidate them into one big county council. with all the city and county politicians then available for election, maybe we can find 4-7 really good ones to run things.
The city sure has given plenty of time for that developer to shield his assets from that "personal” guarantee. I wonder why this developer was awarded the contract when it is obvious that he has marginal background as a developer or general contractor for a project of this size. Why would they take such a risk with our tax dollars and be so patient with this guy? Why did they sell the property to him for $1,000? Who else owns property downtown that will benefit from this ridiculous gamble with our tax dollars? Does anyone else smell a rat?
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Voice of Reason says .. . .
Blogmaster, I would request that you remove my 10:52 comment - I don't want to get into any free speech/slander issues.
Thank you, VoR
I have two theories about who is doing all this Anonymous Sue Mosley bashing: (1) Big Dave has had a sex change and is now claiming to be female or (2) Nancy Stacy is back on the blog. It is amazing to me how envy and jealousy of Sue has transformed into personal attacks of her on the blog. I guess it just doesn’t pay to be a young, attractive, now single, successful, female politician in Marion County.
Yes pwf. Whatever you say.
Voice of Reason says . . . .
Thank you Blogmaster.
What is happening with that residential development downtown? It seems to be at a standstill.
VoR
anon 11:40. Good stuff on the "theories". Add one more to it.
Bashing of an individual who is or is considering running for office usually can be traced to their opponent or future opponent. The talk of Mrs. Mosley running for Commission has some people troubled apparently. Look what district she would be running in and look who has already committed to running in the same district.
The "anon" who likes to refer to people as little darlin needs to remember we are in Ocala. Everybody knows something about averybody. Should make for a great campaign.
Anonymous at 12:16,
Wrong again. I have been busy since 6 am working on something other than politics. Find someone else to blame. --pwf
The Dem's are still unorganized - but there are some of them talking about running for county offices - Mike Sizemore, Ken Nadeu, James Walker, and one or two more. At least these look like decent people.
-The Dem Insider
Will James Walker be back from Iraq
in time to be in the 2008 elections?
To Anon. 11:40 & 1:34 - Wrong again about my posts. Never would even consider runnning for politics in this town. Much too honest of a person. Jealous? of what? Now single and why? You know the answer. Not something I would be the least jealous or envious of. Success? Where/when? By the way, I am an attractive, young, married, succesful woman so I have nothing to be jealous or envious of...just don't like women who have to get ahead by lying to the public. The end.
To Anon 7:34,
What are Sizemore, Nadeu and Walker running for?
Democratic Insider :
Soon after I arrived in Marion County, Ken Nadeu had a slate of candidates. It sounded like he was doing some of the right things.
What happened ?
The average reduction in property taxes in Alachua County is $167, with a majority of property owners paying more in taxes this year. 53,242 pieces of property did not save any money while 42,849 had some savings.
I like what one of our Commissioners said: "If people were thinking everything would drop like a rock, I guess the rock wasn't very far off the ground when it dropped,"
So what’s the situation with you folks in Marion? I’m very disappointed, my tax bill was up.
Voice of Reason says . . . .
Anyone receive your Marion County trim notice for taxes? Not much relief at all. In fact, the big INCREASE in the school taxes way offsets any measly reduction in the county taxes. The school board folks have completely let down Marion County property owners. Crist has exacerbated the problem by appointing a big spending, big government, big race, affirmative action fake Republican Bobby James. There will be no belt-tightening but rather more spending. The School Board will keep cool for a few months until the trim notice/tax issue simmers down and then start to quietly look for ways to take more from the taxpayers.
VoR
V of R,
Our tax situation differs from yours. Our bill will be 7.2% less than last year. That is taxes and all assesments. Not bad but still wish it was less. We have been in our home for 12 years and that has helped keep our tax bills fairly reasonable.
A friend of ours who just bought a new house late last year was clobbered with his bill.
Voice of Reason says . . . .
Anon 8:17, how did you do with the school portion of your tax bill? Did your school portion go up?
VoR
V Of R,
Based on proposed budget being adopted, here is what happens to "school taxes" on my bill:
By State Law -$28
By Local Board -$10
Capital Imp. +$18
Net Change -$20
Must be something different about your property tax situation.
Voice of Reason says. . .
It might have more to do with commercial properties. I have spoken with other residential and those properties haven't seemed to go up as much either.
Maybe its not an issue for the residential properties as much as the commercial ones.
The taxes still should be about 25% of what they are.
Bobby D needs to head a movement to break the public school monopoly. What kind of morally bankrupt individual can justify the current practice of taking a huge portion of taxpayer money for a broken, crappy public school system?
I challenge every blogger to find a way to visit any public school in Marion County for a whole a school day. We're not in Kansas any more. The places are zoos. They are a terrible place for kids to grow up. Our public schools are something to be ashamed of.
VoR
What has anyone heard about the REC election? Is Harris still the chairman?
Parent involvement = good school
No parent involvement = most times bad school.
Voice of Reason says . . .
The parents, and even non-parents, are very involved - they give millions and millions of dollars every year to public education. How come other businesses and institutions work well without parental involvement? McDonalds and WalMart have been very successful at training without parental involvement. If parental involvement is the answer (and I agree it plays a large and important part), then the school board should say, we don't think that throwing more money at this problem will do any good - in fact, we'll give the taxpayers most of their money back. That way, parents can spend less time at work earning money to pay these outrageous taxes so that the parents can spend the time helping to educate their children. The school board can't have it both ways - either stop taking taxpayer's money so that parents have more time to participate or stop whining about no parental involvement. "Administrators," teachers, staff, etc. are all supposedly professionals who know how to educate - why are they so terrible at educating then?
VoR
McDonalds and Walmart had the ability to interview and hire those that they wanted to train. If they were not trainable then they were fired.
Are you suggesting that the Marion County School Board "hire" and then "fire" the students?
Voice of Reason says . . . .
Yes - students should have the prospect of getting "fired" hanging over their heads. The Florida Constitution provides that children have a right to education but there is no specification as to what that education is. If the kids don't want to bother with math, science and English the schools should be able to fire them down into a program like garbage collection, hole digging, or peanut picking. We certainly need folks to do those jobs too and, if the kids end up working for the government, the kids will actually end-up with a really good career with benefits and financial security. We need those kids in those jobs to prevent illegal aliens from filling them. As it stands right now, we've got a generation hanging around during work hours while either sponging off of their parents or getting a government dole of some sort. Scamming a grandparent or walking out to the mailbox in sweatpants to get a government check is seen as a highly sought-after career in Marion County.
So yes, the kids should be subject to a "firing." As I mentioned before, we cannot afford to keep going on with business as usual. EVERYBODY (except people like the Marion County School Board) understands that we are on track to be passed-up by other nations. We are less and less competitive.
We are already seeing how we are being squeezed into a corner with illegal aliens.
VoR
Gun Nutt says...
Voice of Reason has hit an interesting point. #1 if kids knew they would be "demoted" to peanut picking if they fail to perform in math then they may put more into their math studies. They may decide to skip that backwards hat wearing scream fest they call a rap concert and instead stay home and study. This covers the one who can do it but need extra motivation.
#2 Some kids can not learn these "higher" concepts no matter how hard they try. Those need to be "differently educated" for those kids, it really makes sense to have them learning jobs they can actually handle as early as possible. We should teach these kids how to do real jobs as early as possible and get them started on those jobs and on contributing to society in a meaningful way. I don't want to live in a world where everyone has the same level of eductaion. (keep in mind this means the garbage man has the same degree as the doctor). You have to match the eductaion to the job much like you have to have the right ammunition for the gun. Anything else will not work.
Anyway what I'm saying is we should have kids shooting for goals they can acually hit. Any other attitude will cause the under performers to jam up the system for the rest.
Who determines that "goal"?
When is the goal determined?
Voice of Reason says . . .
Gunn Nutt adds ammunition to my argument. He's right on target.
Who determines the goal? The individual student does. The student can figure out whether he/she wants to learn to work with his/her hands, head, or an infinite combination of both.
When is the goal determined? Whenever the student becomes bored or restless in a class. If a student gets bored with a subject - the student has a choice - do I want to put effort into this classroom endeavor because I enjoy this stuff or do I hate this stuff so much that I'm only good as a pest here? It is crucial that students start thinking about what they enjoy doing/are talent towards at the earliest stages of education. We should force students to have maximum self-awareness as to his/her talents and desires.
VoR
Voice Of Reason
&
Gun Nut
Do you have children in the Marion School System?
Voice of Reason says .. .
Don't know about Gunn Nutt but I don't. I do get opportunity to visit the public schools as a result of my work.
VoR
VOR - You have some valid points. When it became more important that our children "feel good" about themselves instead of learning to read and write, that is when the downfall of public education began. That is why there has been such an increase in home schooling and private schools. I totally empathize with what our teachers have to deal with. My father was a teacher in the public school system. He was always given the more challenged children bcause he was a male. He ate lunch with his class, stayed after school to help his students, and raided my closet on many occasions to help the less fortunate in his classroom. He had many a parent teacher conference and introduced himself to his students with a paddle in his hand. Many of his students graduated with me. I can't tell you how many times they told me what a difference my father made in their lives. My sister teaches in a private school. I have voluntered many times in her classroom, and I would adopt everyone of her students; they are well behaved, polite and love to learn; all have graduated, gone on to college and have become fine productive human beings. The only difference between the two stories is: teachers in public school were allowed more control without interference and private schools have the control that our public schools used to have.
Voice of Reason says. . .
Yes, teachers have major influence on the final product of student's education. But, as you brought up, control of the classroom environment is really important too. It is very difficult for adults to concentrate and even more so for school aged students. There are so many distractions these days and it seems the public schools do not recognize the importance of distraction minimization. Not having control of the classroom is a major distraction. Worrying about some disgruntled student entering the classroom with an AK-47 is also a major distraction as is students being allowed to wear whatever they want.
When the "professionals" in the current public school industry are focussed on buildings, salaries, and awards, there is very little effort left for eliminating student distractions.
VoR
PS - I'm glad there were folks like your dad teaching - I had some teachers like that too. They do make a big difference.
Private school = Behave or your out
Public School = Has to be a major offense before your out
Why are you blaming the school board?
Voice of Reason says . . .
What I can't understand is the (seemingly) prevailing view that our elected and appointed officials are not there to solve problems. The school board members are taking in over $35,000 per year of taxpayer's money for a meeting every other week. These people run on platforms that they have expertise in education. The electorate should expect that the Board has the solutions and ability to implement those solutions. The buck stops at the Board and the general electorate tolerates the Board not solving the problems.
Successful organizations have boards that understand issues, propose solutions, implement the solutions successfully and make people accountable.
I blame the Board because the buck stops with them - if the job is not getting done, they are the ones in the position take actions to get it done. The decide who gets hired and fired - they decide where money gets spent. The buck stops with them so that is why I blame them. They are the proper place to lay the blame.
VoR
To those who ask about the status of the REC chairman. Roy Abshier has not yet been voted in as the new chair. Randy Harris has not resigned his position, as some on the blog had speculated he would.
That's a bummer.
Interesting article about our failing education system:
http://www.ocala.com/article/20070824/OPINION/208240368/1030/OPINION
Voice says "I blame the Board because the buck stops with them - if the job is not getting done, they are the ones in the position take actions to get it done. They decide who gets hired and fired - they decide where money gets spent. The buck stops with them so that is why I blame them. They are the proper place to lay the blame."
Only partially true. The board does not really have the strength or responsibility you attribute to them.
They are not the ones who actually decide who gets hired and fired. That is done by the superintendent entirely with a small excepion -- the board "approves" or "rejects" the superintendent's decision to hire and/or fire.
In fact, in personnel matters, the board MUST approve the Superintendent's recommenations unless they have "just cause" to reject. That almost never happens, only once to my recollection and that had to do with a former school board member's father being rejected as a principal of an elementary school in the 1970's. The Board refused to approve him, and he sued, and won because the court ruled they did not have "just cause"; he was reinstated, and then resigned and retired.
As for money, the School Board again has only very limited authority. State law sets down requirements that we MUST levy a certain about of taxes in order to get state education funds, and the state sets up the requirements on how and where most of those funds are spent. The state sets up standards of when, how and where new schools are constructed, and the plans must be approved by the state.
If we had NO school board, you would notice only minor differences -- really only cosmetic differences. School Board members may have a bully pulpit, but they have no actual authority as, for instance, the county commission does over most of its budget and personnel policies. Even there, it is the county administration that determines who will be hired, and where they will work.
That is why I spent five or six years working to eliminate the outrageous salaries and retirement benefits school board members have arranged for themselves -- by lobbying the legislature to include them in the elected officials compensation and retirement plan -- even though most people consider school board members to be part time positions.
I readily concede that some of them spend many more than 20 hours a week working for us as School Board members, but all of them have or have available to them full time positions of employment other than their school board position. They are, in my opinion, part time positions.
Whenever any elected official gets TWICE the retirement pay than the people we hire to do our work, when they get as much as or more than a starting teacher who MUST have eductational and training requirements not required of school boartd members, something is out of kilter.
Yes, many of them are my friends and I have done work for some of them but that does not change my opinion of their pay and/or retirement.
But Voice, you give them far too much credit for authority and credit for too much responsibility -- again, in my opinion. -- pwf
PWF--Thanks for the education about the School Board. If not there to get improvements, then getting the right Superintendent may be the only solution.
I noticed that Lake County is replacing their current elected Superintendent of Schools, a has been State Senator, with an appointed one. Voters decided on the change this year. They already have over 40 applicants for the position.
I see where one of the columns on the Star Banner forums has John Lund and his radio show mentioned as the "savior" of all our local problems. God, are we ever in trouble if someone believes that!!!
To Anony. 10:25 AM - Can you post the link to the Star Banner forum re: John Lund? Thanks!
To PFW: "I readily concede that some of them spend many more than 20 hours a week working for us as School Board members, but all of them have or have available to them full time positions of employment other than their school board position. They are, in my opinion, part time positions." Question: so receiving a salary that is above what most people would earn working a 40 hr. week job is considered a "part time position"? Wow, maybe I should run for a School Board position. I would happily give up my 40 hour work week to work part time and make more working 20 hours than I do now working 40 hrs. (not to mention the medical benefits, sick time, vacation, etc. that I would receive). Just think of the money the taxpayers would save by having a volunteer board. I spend more than 20 hours a week volunteering for local organizations now, without pay, and can work my full time paid job. Maybe Ocala needs to re-think our School Board positions.
I don't know how to put links on here. But you can find that discussion about John Lund by going to the Star Banner Forums and select the area called "Vent Here" and it is in the discussion topic titled "Throw The Bums Out".
Sorry, I'm not very technical on the computer.
Anonymous at 10:17:
Yes, I too believe Marion County should rethink school board positions AND pay and SURELY benefits.
Problem is the school board members thoughout the state recognized about 20-25 (maybe more) years ago that they had an opportunity to get in on some good pay and benefits and working with their legislative buddies, got the current system established.
The legislature is not going to change it on their own, else they would have to look at the legislature pay and benefits, which gets automatically raised every year without "anyone" knowing it because their pay and benefits are "set" by an almost anonymous committee that meets, maybe twice now, a year and sets all pay and the guidelines for benefits for all elected officials.
When I last made the effort to bring sanity to this situation, there were only two members of the public, one from Key West and I think the other from Ft. Myers (I am sure they are different now) and they didn't bother to show up, so only the executive directors of all of the elected officials organizations and a member of the house and one from the senate set the salaries.
They sure were not interested in my thoughts of how unfair it is to have the elected officials retirement twice the retirement of the people we hire to do teh work, and how Florida then paid more than twice the salary of more than 50% of the states and had schools ranking in the bottom quartile.
Changing any government policy is a tough job, and changing education policy is that mush touigher bexcause "we are doing it for the kids." Yeah!
Under the current system, education could function quite nicely without any school board. The current system just provides another buffer to make sure little gets done and nobody has any responsibility. --pwf
Last month, a post to the blog by “Larry Cretul” described State Rep. Cretul’s support for Fred Thompson. Here’s what panelists on Brit Hume’s show on Fox News were saying last week about Thompson and his still unofficial bid for the presidency:
“He isn’t much of a player in a lot of the serious, substantive debates that are going on.”
Jeff Birnbaum, Washington Post
“Look, he’s a good guy. He’s a nice guy, but, I mean, he was in the senate for awhile, and I don’t think he’s left many traces. He’s an actor who’s popular, accomplished in other ways, and had a boomlet. I think the boomlet has… It may have been spent.”
Charles Krauthammer, Syndicated Columnist
Sounds like Fred’s honeymoon is over.
Fred Thompson will be a player. He may not win, but he will help focus on good debate about the issues. I doubt that Fred Thompson gives a damn about what Brian Creekbaum thinks about him!
Agree with Stan, when Thompson enters he will help bring some issues to the table that others are not discussing. Will he take some heat? You can bet the liberals will be all over him.
You can bet that the Republican presidential nominee will be much interested in the votes of independents like me who have cast more presidential votes for Republicans than Democrats.
Thompson has a much more immediate problem, though, as indicated by the quotes above from commentators on Fox News, including conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer. Can Thompson win the nomination? I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve heard the word “lazy” used on Fox News to describe him as a senator and campaigner.
Unlike other candidates, Thompson did his Iowa State Fair appearance in a golf cart for goodness sake and took frequent trips to the VIP tent. I’m wondering about his health. I assume once he officially declares there will be more serious inquiry into this. He comes across as physically weak in some of the television news reports I’ve seen lately.
What are some of the issues he’s going to talk about that others aren’t talking about?
Fred Thompson is an OK guy. Unfortunately, he does suffer from Demorrhea, a medical condition that many Republican politicians develop around age 60. It results in frequent trips to the bathroom or VIP tents, and is caused by years of listening to the same old bull s... from Democrats.
During the discussion from which I drew the quotes above, Krauthammer noted that people have been forecasting a decline in Giuliani’s standing with voters for quite some time now as voters learn more about his history on social issues but the predicted decline has not materialized. Perhaps Giuliani’s vow to appoint “strict constructionists” to the federal bench has been sufficient to allay the concerns of social conservatives about him.
Krauthammer said he believes Republicans are grown-ups who understand the president is not going to have a revolution in social affairs (he observed that Reagan didn’t) and that terrorism, an issue which plays to Guiliani’s strength, is the most important issue with voters.
I thought it was most telling that Fred Barnes, an editor at the Weekly Standard and a staunch defender of the Bush administration who was participating in this discussion, did not then go to bat for Thompson. Instead, he was singing the praises of Giuliani as a mayor with proven results.
Those who thought Thompson was the answer to what they saw as lacking in other major Republican candidates may be in for a disappointment with the Thompson candidacy.
My choice: Any Republican over any Democrat.
When Giuliani supporters start going after Fred Thompson that's a good sign.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Thompson drop out of the race and swing his support over to Rudy Giuliani and become his Vice President selection. Might just assure Guliani a big margin victory.
That could work AND also the other way around.
A few weeks back, the in-house political analyst for ABC News said it was extremely difficult to see Republicans winning the 2008 presidential election without winning Florida. Republicans are worried that the immigration bill going down will hurt them with Hispanics in Florida and elsewhere.
I won’t be surprised if the Republican presidential nominee makes a veep call to Mel Martinez, especially if the Democratic presidential nominee makes a veep call to Bill Richardson.
GO MITT!!!
THE ONLY REAL REPUBLICAN.
MARTINEZ FOR VEEP. WHAT ARE YOU SMOKING???
Mitt the only real Repubican? Is this a joke? Dennis Baxley may think so but who else would?
I'd rather see Colin Powell over Martinez.
If I were Fred, I'd go to Romney and offer to be the VP, get 'er done and send that liberal Rudy packing!
lets nominate our own nutcase for vp. Creekbaum for VP that's the ticket. now where is that bottle again????
David Clark will be opposing incumbent Randy Ewers in the race for Mayor of Ocala. Here is the link to a website (possibly illegal) supporting him:
http://www.myspace.com/ELECTDAVIDCLARK
Interesting that someone thinks Massachusetts, a state that has had Ted Kennedy and John Kerry as its senators for quite some time, elected a “real Republican” as its governor. Romney is a real salesman. I don’t know what he believes. I don’t know if he knows what he believes.
Obviously, I'm not an Ocala city resident and can't vote for Mayor. However, isn't David Clark a developer? Do the people of the city of Ocala really need a developer as mayor?
5:05 PM Yesterday----If Creekbaum is the VP pick and it's on the Republican ticket, better be sure he stays out of bathrooms. LOL!
I hadn’t checked the Politically Homeless blog in awhile. Notice a few comments about Fred Thompson and other candidates campaigning for President. Here is a comment about Fred I saw on one of the other blogs I surf that sums up my view on his campaign:
“I like Fred. I lived in TN while he was Senator and I thought he did a great job. Unfortunately, I think he waited way too long to announce and the constant announcements about future announcements has grown tiresome. If he were elected, would it take him 6 months to make major decisions? I think the buzz that was created by his possible run created shoes that are way to big to fill now. If Ronald Reagan rose from the grave and ran I don't think he could fill those shoes. Fred you should have run in 2000. Sorry, but I think he missed the boat. At a time when our country is so divided I just don't believe he can win in a general. Rudy/Huckabee is my prediction. I think that is a winning ticket that can win in the North, South, West and East.”
To Anon 8:27,
Why not a developer as mayor? We have Mcclain (a builder) on the county commission!
The My Space site about David Clark is a neat idea! I like it.
What is illegal about it?
11:43
You got it! We don’t need more developers. Are the City Of Ocala voters smart than those in Marion County?
I heard at a meeting this evening that Kurt Kelly is working on legislation that will make it tougher for other areas to get at our water without meeting some toughened local sources first requirements.
Love him or hate him, if Kurt can get some tougher legislation passed to protect our water supply, he will be unbeatable in 2008!!!
What I find striking is that the Ocala city council members have much more formal authority over city matters than the mayor, yet the two city council members up for re-election (Rich and Guinn) drew no opponents while the mayor (Ewers) did draw opposition. These facts don’t provide evidence of much dissatisfaction with City Hall in general.
More likely that people are sick to death of politics and no one wants to subject themselves to running for office. Also, this is an odd year election cycle.
I would not take the lack of opposition as any glowing endorsement of the performance of city hall. Far from that.
My question to Clark will be would he have supported the bail out of E-1? If the answer is no, then he's got my vote. If yes, I'll stick with Ewers.
There are exceptions from time to time, but it’s been common for many years for members of the Ocala City Council to run for re-election unopposed even though the main barrier to entry – the cost to run – is relatively low since only around 4,000 people vote in these elections when they’re contested. When these exceptions do occur, the incumbent often prevails by a wide margin. If there were widespread dissatisfaction in Ocala with our city council, we would see more significant opposition at election time and less excuse making from their critics.
Same thing happened in Belleview. No opponents for the incumbents.
Politicians only want those high paying jobs,,,like County Commissioner. Can't live off a Councilman's salary.
I noticed B. Rogers’ column today slicing and dicing three of the County Commissioners.
The solutions for many of the problems related to growth is not a factor of who we have leading the County government. It probably won’t be much different if it were Democrats, Independents, Communists, Libertarians, etc. I sure don’t see any of the current candidates for County Commission in 2008 as being any more effective than what we have. One or two might even take our economy back into the Dark Ages.
The opportunity we now have as voters is to give some of the local growth planning review and approval directly to the voters. That’s why I am supporting the Florida Hometown Democracy movement. I don’t think the Star Banner is in favor of it; most likely because it might take some of the Banner’s circulation-improving attention off the backs of the Republican Commissioners. Do you think the Star Banner is going to criticize the decisions of voters and risk people cancelling their subscriptions? That may not be nice, but probably true.
Go to the website, sign the petition and join the movement today:
http://floridahometowndemocracy.com/
I just signed it.
Lost Our Way
Your call, but consider also posting your comments on the thread discussion on impact fees. Might also be of interest there.
POLITI FACT
The St. Petersburg Times has an interesting section on its website called “PolitiFact” to help voters keep up with the truthfulness of candidates’ statements and claims during the Presidential campaign.
PolitiFact is a project of the St. Petersburg Times and Congressional Quarterly to help find the truth in the presidential campaign. Each day, reporters and researchers from the Times and CQ will analyze the candidates' speeches, TV ads and interviews and determine whether the claims are accurate.
I'm not sure about the objectiveness of the data reported since the Times, your paper the Star Banner, and many other newspapers seem to have a Democrat slant to much of what they report. The reaction by Times readers so far is generally “not trusting”. However, it might be worth your while to look at it and decide whether or not you think it is useful.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/about/
The “L-Word” has again come up in connection with Fred Thompson. Here’s Stephen Hayes writing in the September 10, 2007 issue of the conservative publication “The Weekly Standard” as reported on the September 2, 2007 broadcast of “Meet the Press:”
“Several [Fred] Thompson supporters believe he made a mistake by waiting to join the race. They worry that his wink-and-a-nod candidacy has undermined his main strength: his ability to present himself as a plain spoken, no-nonsense conservative. What’s more, they say Thompson’s refusal to actively campaign reinforces what rival campaigns have suggested is Thompson’s chief weakness: laziness.”
Republican Consultant Mike Murphy, who is not working for any of the presidential candidates, said on that same “Meet the Press” broadcast: “His [Thompson’s] expectations are so high now that if he doesn’t perform in the next twenty days I think the big mentioning machine is going to crunch him down and then money will be very, very hard.”
They showed a nice photo of the Gucci loafers former lobbyist Thompson wore to the Iowa State Fair as reported on Fox News.
Sounds like it’s do or die now for “Gucci” Fred.
Re : Fred Thompson
He also must come out with an honest report on his health, something that is being questioned by many. He does not look well.
The blogs will have a field day with this issue if Thompson is not
forthcoming on this issue.
Clayton Ellsworth
Agree, it looks like Fred is dead.
Come over to Mitt---he's going to take all the Fred supporters under his wing, when Fred backs out.
I was on the fence between Thompson and Romney until a discussion with Dennis Baxley. Dennis is a major supporter of Mitt Romney and shared with me some of the same concerns about Thompson put on the blog by Brian Creekbaum and others. I’m now on the Romney train. I foresee many other conservative Republican’s doing the same. Could mean potential bad news for Rudy Giuliani.
Mike Huckabee and Fred Thompson. A winning combo.
If you believe and accept the sentiment of current expert polls (no, Brian Creekbaum, not one of my Paddock Mall surveys), then Rudy Giuliani is the odds-on favorite in the Republican primary. A recent communication I received from his campaign further supports that. By the way, one of the most arrogant political mailers/letters I have ever received.
The communication pretty much said the primary game is over for all the other Republicans and Rudy is “it”. However, with all the overflowing confidence espoused, it concluded by asking me for a contribution as one of the conservative Republicans who should support Rudy. My reaction was two fold: (1) if he’s got it locked up, he doesn’t need my money and (2) I tossed the letter in the trash can. Wonder how many others did the same?
Sort of reminds me of when Perry McGriff was so openly confident (Oh those accurate polls!) of beating Larry Cretul for State Representative in 2002 that he stopped campaigning right before the Election and went off bicycling in the Western U.S. Some of you may remember what happened in that Election—close as it was. Maybe Rudy is also already on a bicycle trip.
The PolitiFact truth meter is a great idea, but executed by the wrong institutions/organizations to obtain public confidence.
Here are a couple of comments about the truth meter I picked up from other folks that best capture and summarize my point of view :
(1) “What seems to have happened here is the St. Petersburg Times, and maybe other media outlets, finally understand that they are NOT the only media. The pajama-clad media sitting at home doing the real research, the real story, is where a lot of folks are getting their news. Heck, the pajama-clad media is what brought about the DOD investigations - it sure wasn't some reporter doing their job. Reporters have become copy and paste officials."
(2) “The Times (and other news outlets) too often allows its ideology and bias to drive news stories, rather than allow the facts to guide a story. It often is, though not always, the case that a reporter and/or editor will have decided the outcome of a story and then will find "facts" or quotes from people to comment that support the desired outcome; omitting comments and facts that contradict the writer's predetermined direction of the story.
I suggest the Times allow an independent Ombudsman of Truth to submit the newspaper's stories to a review of its accuracy, truthfulness, possible bias, and omissions of contradictory facts. The selection of stories to be reviewed would be random, and without input from anyone associated with the newspaper. The outcome of these reviews would be published on Page One, on a regular basis. There are organizations such as media watch that attempt this; however they do not have access to the journalists or their notes.
Absent the above effort, perhaps we should return to the time not so long ago when newspapers had stated biases, and stop pretending to be presenting the facts in an impartial manner.
We are in an era of declining readership for newspapers and increased competition for news outlets. In a time when we have seen such pillars of Journalism as The New York Times and Washington Post (we can even add the Star-Banner) have their own scandals involving the lack of integrity by its journalists, this would seem like a valuable service to the newspaper's readership, and would increase its credibility amongst an increasingly cynical and skeptical constituency.
The press indeed plays an important role in our republic; however, with that power comes a responsibility to be accurate, unbiased, truthful, and to serve the public with absolute integrity.”
FYI: I suggested a few years ago that the Star-Banner institute a “Public Editor”; somewhat like in point #2. I believe the Banner’s mother ship, The NYT, already has someone doing this. I received a kind and respectful “nice idea” from those at the Banner and the suggestion was trash canned.
IMO: the news reporting's truthfulness gauge is running dangerously close to empty.
Clayton Ellsworth is exactly right about the need for candid medical disclosure. This applies to all the presidential candidates, including the several who have had cancer.
I’ve lost two close relatives to cancer, which is a common background, and have seen various ways patients react to negative medical information. I also have a friend who was given six months to live with ovarian cancer. That was about twelve years ago. Her son once told me he believed his mother had survived, through the massive amounts of surgery and chemotherapy, in large part because of her tremendously strong will to live and positive attitude.
It can’t be comfortable for reporters to delve into cancer “success stories” and potentially write a story that essentially says, “Hey, the experts think it may still get you.” Yet, the presidency is too important to pussy foot around the issue. Anyone who thinks otherwise should recall Paul Tsongas, who died from a cancer recurrence not too long after running for the presidency. After he died, there were questions about whether what Tsongas “heard” his doctor telling him and what Tsongas related to the press was actually what his doctor was trying to tell him. There were also questions about whether the press should have pushed harder for information during the race.
We need a return to many more journalists like Lucy Morgan (SPT) and fewer like Rashida Rawls (S-B).
PWF, what say you?
I’ll bet they’re rooting for Fred and Mitt in the Hillary camp. Larry Cretul and Dennis Baxley and their ilk may deliver the presidency to Hillary Clinton.
GO HILLARY!!!
YOU ARE THE BEST THING THAT COULD EVER HAPPEN FOR A REPUBLICAN VICTORY,,,NO MATTER WHO RUNS ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE!!
HOPE SHE HAS CREEKBAUM AND HIS ILK SUPPORTING HER!
Not so sure Brian Creekbaum would support Hillary. About the only way that might happen is if she were to come out in favor of allowing children access to pornographic material in public libraries. That would probably win him over.
Speaking of Larry Cretul. Wasn’t that a good article in the Banner on Sunday about Larry and his staff concerning how helpful they were to a citizen in handling his problem? However, it wasn’t so flattering to the Florida DOT and Governor Crist. It’s nice to see a Democrat who can say positive things about his Republican legislator. A good example of citizen-responsive government in action. Way to go representative Cretul and your staff!
Below is the Cretul article. I’ve never tried including a connection to an article, so here’s hoping it works.
http://www.ocala.com/article/20070902/OPINION/209020329/1183/OPINION
Has anyone ever seen Brian Creekbaum say anything positive on the blog about any issue or any person?
The fellow probably has an extremely unpleasant life at work and at home. His co-workers and his wife must be real troopers to put up with someone who is so envious of others and so sarcastic.
he dont work, came home to take car of family and family finance.and be nasty to evryone he contacts cept for porn authorettes
I am very disappointed in efforts to diversify and grow the local economy.
Since this is a subject I have background in. having been the agent for a successfull industrial park in Ohio that took off in the 1970's, in spite of the fact that natural gas was brought to the park and then denied because of the shortage of natural gas at the time [ we brought in a propane gas farm from New Jersey with enough supply for several years] and the fact that only one other industrial park in Ohio was growing [Iknew the principals]. Things were tough with high interest rates, stagflation etc.
Also having been friends with Fred Neunschwander, the Economic Director for Ohio Governor Jim Rhodes, who brought Honda to the USA and jobs to every nook and cranny of Ohio, was very beneficial.
Here are some of the things I learned.
1. Not everybody in a community wants industrial growth. Some people see smoke stacks, some people have their own agendas [usually quasi protectionalism to avoid higher wages, benefits unions and more ] We encountered all of these problems and ignored them. Just blew right over the opposition.
2.Groups like the Chamber of Commerce and more recently Economic Developement Corporations don't connect with the larger prospects. Too much politics, too much posturing, too much paper shuffling. Ocala is a perfect example of this.
3. Don't waste valuable industrial space to warehousing which employs fewer people per square foot.
4. Failure of communities to recognize the appropriate industry for the trained workforce it has. To illustrate I offer this question.Ocala is training people with technology skills, why no new technology company's ?
What works ?
You have to have spokes people that talk the language. I have found them in a city manager,a wealthy industrialist, a retired GE executive, a dedicated entrepeneur, all of them closers [myself included ]Groups can't close a deal because they muddy the water, individuals who know how to close, can.
2.You have to have a lead generation system that you control. I found out that the leads for the park I was agent for were going to the Chamber director who was editing them then throwing them out. The first big lead that we got came directly to us from the CEO of Rubbermaid who knew we meant busines and that the lead would in no way hurt Rubbermaid.The lead was closed in less than 1/2 hour by one individual on a handshake and they weren't pushovers.
4. As is the case with any business success, there has to be fire in the belly. Going through the motions does not work, to wit, Ocala.
5.Don't make your site inventory work for you but for the prospect.
6. Find out exactly what the prospect wants then fill the need. Don't jerk the prospect around, either you can do it or you can't.
7. Don't promise anything you can't deliver.
These are just a few thoughts on economic developement.
I have no idea who reads this blog, so I have no measure if this will be helpful. I hope so.
Clayton Ellsworth
I've scan it now and will read it in more detail when I get home from work. Looks like some good ideas. Beats the hell out of talking about Creekbaum or reading his negative blurbs!
More on economic developement.
Before somebody corrects me about creating technology jobs locally there is huge news.It's called Sunair Technologies which is relocating at least 18 employees to the area, hoping to hire 30 here. Their website advertising the local jobs states that all three categories require experience from one year to three years, experience that is doubtful they will find here, in my opinion.
Also there is more exiting news from Ocala EDC.A total of 181 new jobs have been created so far in the fiscal year 2006-2007. Wow ! Also they are suggesting that they saved over 1200 jobs at E-1. Really, didn't E-1 decide it was a bad time to expand and then announce lay-offs ?
The EDC web site is mostly puffery, great pictures of it's board.In my opinion, it's just another EDC type web site, ho-hum.
And ho -hum gets ho-hum results-181 jobs so far this fiscal year which has one quarter left.
Need I say more ???
Clayton Ellsworth
Clayton,
Add this to the accomplishments of the EDC----just wiped out most of the year to date job gains!
Associated Grocers of Florida Inc., which employs about 150 people at its Marion County distribution facility, is moving its operation to Pompano Beach, according to company officials.
Associated is consolidating shipping into Pompano to save the company bottom-line money and return a better investment return to shareholders.
Imagine that. Leaving Ocala to save money! More to come? I'd count on it.
Obviously, bad news for us.
Mr. Ellsworth, let me test if I’m a very good student on economic development. My take on your posted comments:
1. If a community wants to make big-time strides in developing a strong economic base, leave catching the big fish to people other than the EDC, Chamber, and politicians. Get a few very influential community leaders to do the scouting and closing of deals. Leave the small fish to the EDC, Chamber and local politicos.
2. Protect our workforce from the throes of our local bureaucrats as much as possible, for the good of the local workforce, by minimizing bureaucratic involvement in the process of actually closing deals.
3. Involve as few people as possible in negotiating and closing deals.
4. Work economic development government contacts outside the local community; at the higher levels of Florida state government.
5. Any industrial park development in our community should be dedicated to employing workers, not warehousing products.
6. Be open and honest with prospects and don’t oversell. If our community won’t fit the needs of a prospect, don’t waste too much time attracting a potential failing proposition.
Summary, a grass-roots business effort and not some diverse group of formal local organizations may be the best way to go after expanding our economic/business base.
The only point I might need some more convincing about is that we really have as technologically trained workforce as you think. Maybe I’m way behind the times on that one. What’s your definition of technologically trained?
Did I pass or fail the test?
A fair and balanced story in Newsweek about Fred Thompson. I can better see why the liberals and some right wingers are a bit tweaked about him running. As the story states, if suspicion of his energy level on the campaign trail and his health are all people have to bash, then he is off to a good start.
I haven’t yet made up my mind, but Thompson is on my current top-three Republicans list.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20546334/site/newsweek/
Fred's got a real job to do in convincing voters at this late date and assuring them about his health. He might do it despite all the flack he s going to get. I like the fact he doesn't seem to get easily upset and is a down to earth southerner.
Lost our way.
Right on the money.
Regarding technology training. You suggest we don't offer enough training and I agree. MTI considers culinary training to be technical. ??? Offers very basic IT stuff.
The community college,and Webster college offer IT courses.
I have suggested that it will be difficult to fill the technical jobs needed to staff Sunair LTD.
To put it another way, you can't train enough people in technology in today's market place.
Clayton Ellsworth
Local IT training curriculum :
CFCC
Computer specialists 27 Hour's -certificate
Computer IT- Hardware 67 hours, Softwear 67 hours -Associates Degree
Health IT
Webster College
Associate degree in Information Systems Management which includes courses in Web Programing, Computer IT, and Network Administration.
Clayton Ellsworth
We again have complaints about bloggers “borrowing” the screen names of other bloggers and then posting comments that should not have been attributed to the “owner” of the screen name. This came up several months ago and we thought it was under control.
Our recommendation is for you to register your screen name if you want to minimize the possibility of this happening. It makes it easy for us to verify the names in the event someone tries to borrow a screen name, because the comments of registered screen names always appear in blue. You can use any screen name you want.
One unacceptable situation some months ago was someone using the name of a blogger’s recently deceased son to post negative comments about that blogger as if his son had posted them. With knowledge of the circumstances, we determined it was not a coincidental mistake but was intentionally done. Not what we expect from those who use our Politically Homeless blog!
Please be respectful of other bloggers and their screen names, whether they are registered or not. An occasional mistake of not knowing you have used someone’s screen name may occur from time to time---especially with new bloggers leaving comments for the first time.
On the presidential campaign. What's happening with Ron Paul? Other than Chris Thurow, Bill Thompson at the Star Blunder and I think John Lund, haven't heard much about Paul.
Blogmaster
Is what I heard at lunch today true?
Are you going to turn the Politically Homeless Blog over to the Star Banner?
You're joking. Right???
Scenario; if I move to Ocala, decide to open a business, don't you think I would do my homework first to decide whether Ocala could or would, support my business?. If I buy land, zoned for a business, then why should I care what the EDC thinks? Remember when Golden Flake originally wanted to build a plant here? All was fine until Golden Flake actually wanted to pay their employees a decent wage. The City said no way can you pay YOUR employess above what the "norm" is in Marion County. As a business owner, I should be able to pay my employees whatever I think they should be paid (as long, of coarse, it follows the minimum wage guidelines). Our employees start at $11.00 an hour. Why? Because we choose to pay for their expertise and can pick and choose our employees without the EDC or anyone else telling us what we can and can not do.
Okay, so Blogmaster...people are posting under incorrect names..if you know who they are then why can't you just either banish them or expose them? Seems like exposing them would certainly solve the problem. Why not write to them personally (since you know who they are) and give them a warning and if they continue, then don't post their comments. Seems like a simple solution to me. I belong to several blogs and guess what? When someone behaves badly, they do not allow them to post anymore.
My winner in the R debate tonight is Ron Paul. A no bull candidate who I knew little about until tonight. Mr. Thompson at the Banner may have the right line on Paul.
I read the Newsweek piece to which Stan referred us. Looks like of the top three – Giuliani, Romney, and Thompson, you’ve got two with chief executive experience like Reagan had when he ran (one of a major city and one of a state) and a guy who has shown he can’t run a senate committee or a national campaign but still thinks he should be leader of the free world because of his voice and physical stature and because his wife and Howard Baker told him to run. Do we really want to put up against al-Qaeda a guy who got his clock cleaned by Senate democrats?
Anonymous says
"Remember when Golden Flake originally wanted to build a plant here? All was fine until Golden Flake actually wanted to pay their employees a decent wage. The City said no way can you pay YOUR employess above what the "norm" is in Marion County."
Granted the ole momory may not be what it once was, but no, I do not remember that or other legends about Ocala and industry -- like Busch Gardens was coming to Ocala but was rejected, like Six Flags was coming to Ocala but rejected, and a couple more -- all of them simply false.
Please enlighten us -- when did Golden Flake get this edict from the City, who gave the edict et cetera.
The Blog is making more inroads to being a :"news" blog iof your statement can be shown to be true. Unless it can be shown to be true, then the Blog remians an opinion place where people can and do post what they think and/or want to be. --pwf
Not sure chief executive experience will mean that much to many voters for President. Don't believe Hillary or Obama have anything in that area either. It's all about who gets behind the candidates. Oprah is sure going to help Obama.
I'd give Hillary Chief Exec points for managing Bill!
Oak Runner,
I disagree, John McCain was the real winner in last nights debate.
We got a postcard today from the Ron Paul campaign . This is what was handwritten on the card from a campaign worker, Suzy Heinbockel:
“Congressman Paul is refreshingly honest among the current field of candidates. During his 10 terms in Congress he has voted consistently with his beliefs, has never participated in the lucrative congressional pension, and has never voted for a congressional pay raise.
I invite you to visit his website or call his office to learn more.”
www.ronpaul2008.com
I like that about the pension plan.
I too like that about Ron Paul.
ButButButBut . . .
I am willing to bet you lunch that Ron Paul draws the same salary and has the same (proportionately) pension benefits as Cliff Stearms (who also votes against the pay raises) and Barney Frank.
I have a problem with what I heard him say about Sept. 11. He lost me on that one, altho I do like much of what he says. --pwf
Every president elected since 1976 has had significant chief executive experience. Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush had all been governors when they were first elected president. George H.W. Bush had run CIA, a major government agency, and had arguably played some executive role while vice-president for eight years before he was first elected president.
Yeah, Hillary, Obama, and Edwards don’t have chief executive experience that I know of but to me that just proves that ideology trumps chief executive experience in the current Democratic primary (Gov. Richardson is trailing and former Gov. Vilsak and former Gov. Warner are out). The Republican primary, the primary of the party that portrays itself as the party of business and the party of national security, may be a different matter.
There are exceptions, of course, but the U.S. Senate is pretty well known for producing failed presidential candidates. Look at people like Bob Dole and John McCain and many others.
Both Giuliani and Romney can argue they’ve got experience getting it done and Thompson is a guy with training wheels who wants voters to gamble on him in the big race. Perhaps Republicans will decide the lack of chief executive experience among the top Democratic contenders is a reason to go with Giuliani or Romney over Thompson.
Watch Fred Thompson’s 15 minute announcement of his candidacy for President:
http://www.fred08.com/index.aspx
Start to study Fred and what he stands for and then you decide.
Don’t be swayed one way or the other by the biased blog postings of Brian, Stan, and others.
Voice of Reason;
We know how much you love student athletes! Watched Nebraska vs. Wake Forest today. One of the Nebraska half backs was arrested three times last year, convicted twice, and was suspended for 7 games.
His college major: Criminal Justice. Imagine that!!! LOL!!!
Guliani and Thompson are RINOs just like Charlie Crist. Guliani was a supporter of not going after Bill Clinton for his sexcapades and Thompson stabbed Richard Nixon in the back. Don’t trust either one them. Want a true conservative Republican the only choice is Mitt Romney.
Fred Thompson will turn out to be another Wes Clark. No substance, no money and a quick burn out. Give him 3 months.
Fred is "Lazy Like a Fox."
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