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Ambush the Governor … Now There’s an Idea!?

Posted by Bob Gernert on October 16, 2008 at 2:27 pm

It appears that plans are afoot to ambush Governor Charlie Crist when he appears at tonight’s “Politics in the Park” event on Lake Mirror in Lakeland. Writing in a blog post in Lakeland, Billy Townsend presented the following: 

Ask The People’s Governor About CSX At Politics In The Park 

In fact, chant it at him while he speaks. C-S-X. C-S-X. No politickin’ without accountability.

The people’s governor says he’s coming to Politics in the Park Thursday evening. It’s his first real public appearance in Lakeland since the CSX deal became controversial.

Many, many people should ask him why he supports spending $650 million or so of Florida taxpayer money to help a private company set up its business plan, trash our city, and set back commuter rail everywhere but Orlando for decades. Particularly at a time when everything else – schools, health care spending, etc. – is cuttable. Others should ask him why it’s so easy for CSX to get a meeting with the People’s Governor when he only realizes Lakeland exists when he needs votes for John McCain.

(Some of you will recall that Townsend was employed by the Tampa Tribune and did a series of articles critical of the CSX/Central Florida Commuter Rail plans at the same time his wife was employed by the Lakeland Downtown Partnership.)

So while Mr. Townsend calls for the Governor’s ambush regarding the CSX project, he would do well to keep the following facts in mind …

• While there has certainly been measurable tension with our neighbors to the west, a spirit of cooperation has emerged. Representatives of both Lakeland and Winter Haven Chambers as well as the Central Florida Development Council, East Polk Committee of 100, Lakeland Economic Development Council and Polk Vision (to name a few) have met with officials from both the Tampa Bay Partnership and Central Florida Partnership in an effort to develop a Super-Regional Strategy Team encompassing the I-4 corridor. This effort, while in its infancy, has found many areas of common interest. 
• In organizing the previously mentioned Super-Regional Strategy Team, it quickly became obvious that no one entity can speak for all of Polk. A county of vast size and diverse interests has many agendas. Even so, there is far more on which we agree than disagree. To this end, Polk Vision has facilitated a new independent initiative tentatively dubbed “One Polk.” It’s purpose is to develop enough consensus on priorities to represent Polk in discussions with our neighbors to the east and west (Tampa Bay Partnership and Central Florida Partnership). Co-chairs Tim Campbell and Wayne Watters are in the earliest organizational stages. More definitive plans will be announced soon.
• The CSX project has the potential for tremendous economic impact in a good economy. How much more valuable will the potential jobs and development be in a troubled economy? How many communities or regions across the country would trade places for this economic engine?
• Polk County’s unemployment rate shot up to 7.8% in August. There are those who predict it will hit double digits. While we do not propose any job at any cost, the Chamber’s evaluation of the potential jobs associated with the CSX project has convinced us these are not the jobs to turn away.
• Lakeland’s agenda includes rerouting freight traffic away from downtown. The Florida Department of Transportation is currently studying the feasibility for just such rerouting. We support Lakeland’s quest for the best solution possible.

The point here is that much good has come from confrontation. Calmer heads have prevailed and reasoned thought has emerged to find solutions and build consensus.

The solutions to the current economic turbulence, a variety of Polk infrastructure and construction agendas as well as striving to protect the quality of life we all have come to love and enjoy will take cooperation, rational thought as well as city, county and state resources.

Of one thing we are sure, ambushing the Governor in downtown Lakeland is no way to address any of the above.

Updated 6:55 p.m, October 16:  Friends in Lakeland intervened to diffuse this matter and Governor Crist spoke without incident. The efforts to extend cooperative hands across Polk County has proven effective and holds even greater potential for the future. 

See other entries filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Crazy Things To Do, Economic Development, Perspective, Transportation