Posts filed under 'Perspective'
Posted: June 25, 2009: 9:02 am
GOAL:
A Polk County School Board Process for Selecting Contractors
that is “Fair, Equitable and Transparent”
A “white paper summary” of a June 15 Meeting between Polk County Chamber of Commerce representatives and Assistant Superintendent for Facilities/Operations, Fred Murphy.
Over the past 90 days a number of Polk County’s Chamber executives and their
volunteer leaders have been approached by local contractors who felt the process used for selecting contractors to manage major construction projects of the Polk County Public School System was flawed and unfair. There exists a strong feeling that dollars spent for Polk Schools should be spent with those businesses that are legitimately based in Polk County. There also exists a strong desire to ensure the process is free of favoritism.
Following discussions that initially took place between Lakeland, Bartow and Winter Haven Chamber executives, a decision was made to request a meeting with Polk Public Schools Administration. Immediately upon inquiry Superintendent Gail McKinzie offered to arrange such a meeting with Assistant Superintendent for Facilities/Operations, Fred Murphy. (Murphy was tapped to resolve contractor selection and favoritism issues in November 2008 following the initiation of an FBI investigation into alleged wrong doing by district staff.)
On Monday, June 15, Mr. Murphy met with representatives from the Bartow, Davenport, Haines City, Lakeland, Mulberry and Winter Haven Chambers of Commerce. The two-hour meeting was framed by a thorough review of where Polk Public Schools are in their efforts to create a Contractor Selection Process that is “fair, equitable and transparent.”
Mr. Murphy spoke for the majority of the two-hours allocated and displayed a sincere commitment to creating a selection process that may not always make every one happy but a process that will truly be “fair, equitable and transparent.” The phrase is repeated here again to underscore Murphy’s repetitive statement of commitment.
He provided detailed information regarding the policy which is currently in its final draft stages. More importantly Mr. Murphy addressed two important points:
a.) Within the new policy (under development), the mere offer of a gift by a contractor to a School Board representative will cost a contractor any future right to do business with the School Board. There has not been a “gift policy” in place and specifications are being drafted to prohibit gifts of more than $50 in value.
b.) The new selection process will include a “local recognition of proximity” policy that will provide a legally defensible edge for Polk County-based contractors.
Chamber representatives present felt that positive steps were being taken to develop a process for contractor selection that was indeed “fair, equitable and transparent.” Those Chambers present have since conferred and expressed confidence that Fred Murphy’s goals for the Contractor Selection Process will be a significant step forward and hold the potential to restore contractor confidence and respect.
The new policy is expected to be presented to the School Board for consideration by August. When the policy is finalized we will present the document in its entirety.
The commitment of all Chambers involved is to bring positive change to this contractor procurement process. Mr. Murphy displays a sincere grasp of the challenge and the commitment to make such positive change.
We encourage your comments on this important “buy local” issue.
| See other posts filed in: Economic Development, Education, General Announcements, Perspective
Posted: May 14, 2009: 12:36 pm
The recent Sun n’ Fun Air Show generated additional traffic for many neighboring airports. Winter Haven was no exception with a variety of air craft circling the recently competed municipal air terminal. The City worked with the Central Florida Visitor and Conventions Bureau to provide the air visitors information on area attractions, restaurants and hospitality options.
Winter Haven joins Lakeland and Bartow in offering modern new facilities. More recently the impressive Citation X aircraft below paid a visit. The air terminal features Richard’s Fine Coffees and sandwches.
The new facility is conveniently located adjacent to US 92 for maximum exposure. The new footprint for the airport positions the City for development of an air-related business park along the US 92 frontage.
Among the groups recently visiting the air terminal were the Board of Directors of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce and the second class of Leadership Polk, a county-wide leadership and learning program.
The City of Winter Haven is among the many municipalities in Polk County who are moving ahead with improvement projects such as the new air terminal, Fire Station #1 and Lake Maude Park providing jobs and improvements in a tough economy. Haines City is moving to complete the massive Lake Eva Park project, Polk City has new city administrative offices, Polk Community has opened the J.D. Alexander satellite campus in Lake Wales and Auburndale has partnered with the County and Central Florida Development Council in development of the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex just to name a few.
As the economy begins to improve, these infrastructure improvements will serve as further catalysts for growth.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Perspective, Transportation
Posted: May 5, 2009: 2:12 pm
Homeowners want Freedom of Choice for Homeowner’s Insurance
Legislation approved by formidable margins in both the Florida House and Senate is on its way to Governor Crist’s desk for signature. If you support free market choice for homeowner’s insurance, please use the link below to urge the Governor’s support of HB 1171. Share with your family and friends who are also Florida residents at risk …
The message is clear: homeowners want freedom of choice. The people are asking for the freedom to choose, and the Legislature has answered by approving the Consumer Choice bill (HB 1171) with a clear majority. With this action, legislators proved they were listening. They showed they understood the importance of allowing consumers the right to choose their own insurance company for homeowners insurance.
Promise of Protection
Homeowners deserve protection. In addition to offering consumer choice, the bill holds the promise of protection. Homeowners will be protected from insurance companies who are not financially sound enough to pay claims. They can rest secure in the knowledge that if the unexpected happens, they can count on their trusted insurance company to help them recover.
Freedom of choice and the promise of protection all are within reach, but could easily slip from our hands: Governor Crist (pictured at left) has suggested he may not allow this pro-consumer legislation to become law. The time to act is now. If you agree that Floridians deserve greater insurance choices, please click here and contact the Governor immediately and tell him you support the Consumer Choice bill (HB 1171).
More information on this important bill:
Choice
- This bill is all about choice.
o Prior to this legislation, consumers were often forced to find coverage through state-run Citizens or smaller, unknown start-up companies.
o Under the bill, consumers would have the option to choose financially strong insurance companies as they compete for the business.
Protection:
- The bill does NOT force a single consumer to pay more for insurance. Consumers will continue to have access to lower-cost alternatives.
- After a storm, the ability to pay claims is critical. With news of the Cat Fund and Citizens potentially being unable to meet obligations, this bill is welcome news because it potentially allows well-funded insurance companies to expand available coverage to Floridians facing the next storm.
- The policies offered under this legislation are NOT unregulated. Key state requirements for claims paying ability and fair customer treatment continue to apply.
Education:
- Consumers will be educated on their options.
o Lower-cost alternatives policies will be offered through a comparison shopping requirement contained in the bill.
o Consumers will be asked to acknowledge they are purchasing a “Consumer Choice” policy through a signed disclosure.
Bill Summary:
HB 1171 was proposed in response to the thousands of consumers who found themselves without property insurance from a large, well-known company and were forced to obtain coverage through Citizens or an unknown provider. This legislation is designed to give consumers greater insurance choices.
The bill allows qualified insurance companies to offer policies with market-based rates to customers wanting greater insurance options. Companies qualify to participate by meeting financial requirements, ensuring that only strong companies better-able to meet their claims obligations offer these products.
Consumers will continue to have access to Citizens and other lower-cost options through companies offering policies subject to state price controls.
| See other posts filed in: General Announcements, Perspective, Political Scene
Posted: April 21, 2009: 2:12 pm
PERSPECTIVE FROM OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEADERS …
Don’t Slam Shut Our Open Door
As commencement season approaches, a sense of accomplishment and celebration prevails on college campuses across the country. We, as community college educators, experience enormous pride and satisfaction as our students graduate. The degree or certificate awarded represents great achievement for our students, particularly in this current economic climate. Many have overcome numerous obstacles while on the path to higher education. With unemployment hovering at nearly nine percent nationally and more than almost 10 percent locally, the challenges for our students - many of whom work at least part time and balance family responsibilities - are getting even tougher.
The Florida Community College System, now called the Florida College System, was founded and continues to embrace the Open Door policy - providing quality higher education to everyone motivated to working toward that goal. Our system has been hailed, both nationally and internationally, as the model for a successful higher education system that delivers high quality education at an affordable price — with maximum return on investment for both students and taxpayers. Our secret to success is no secret at all: we go the extra mile to support students, all students, and the results have been immeasurably positive for our communities and our residents.
Often called Florida’s “best kept secret,” our community colleges are also touted as the “best budgetary bang for their buck” for students and Florida taxpayers. The citizens of our state have benefited by our cost-effective ability to meet community demand for professionals in virtually every field. Think of the nurses, paramedics, and law enforcement officers in Florida who got their start at a Community College. All of this has been accomplished at a fraction of the cost to educate students at a university.
The Florida College System is unique in its efforts to embrace those who come to us with enormously diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities by providing a unique and supportive learning experience. Recent high school graduates, professionals seeking career-change training, former drop-outs who now recognize that education is the answer — thrive in our dynamic classrooms. Now, adding to the mix are the thousands of recently unemployed, seeking to upgrade job skills and credentials. New students are flooding our Open Doors, leading to unprecedented growth in our districts and unprecedented strain on our resources. The logic of the unemployed investing in education is admirably forward-thinking. These people are not waiting for the phone to ring with job offers that simply might not exist. When the economy rebounds and opportunity knocks, our graduates will be the ones called upon to answer the door. Or will they? With the budget cuts currently proposed for our system, we are now being forced to ask this question of our legislators.
In the past, our passion for the community college mission compensated, in part, for what we lacked in funding. Today, however, we struggle to meet enormous public demand with increasingly strained resources. If education and training are so vital to sustain our economy; if our legislators understand that an educated and skilled workforce is vital for communities to flourish, why then is the state funding for community colleges the most threatened in higher education?
As college presidents, it is imperative that we inform the citizens of our communities about the impact of this budget crisis on our operations. In fact, it is our responsibility to represent our Boards of Trustees, faculty, staff and students as we battle this fiscal threat to our mission. The citizens that we serve depend upon our colleges to provide relevant programs of study, customized training and lifelong learning opportunities. And today, our much-admired Open Door may soon slam shut on the people who need us most, at the worst possible time. (PCC President Eileen Holden, Ed.D. pictured (R)
Governor Charlie Crist recently said “Florida’s community colleges enjoy a unique and much-needed role in our state by providing affordable education to students of all ages, including returning students who want to grow, refine and change their careers, because of their ability to respond to local labor market needs,” he continued, “Our community colleges are uniquely positioned to prepare workers for high-demand occupations that are critical to our economy.”
This statement underscores our rationale for establishing a multitude of new programs at the request of business and industry leaders seeking skilled employees in high demand fields. Yet after two years of successive funding reductions, we have been advised by the Governor’s budget office to anticipate an additional four to ten percent cut from our base funding for the 2009-10 budget year - this at a time where we have watched our enrollments swell by over 14% in the last year, bringing our combined enrollment to over 76,000 students this year.
To offset these unprecedented financial losses we have been forced to make tough choices. We are now faced with making the decision to offer fewer sections of classes, reducing the number of workforce training programs, reducing support services to our students, limiting supply and equipment purchases, and, regrettably, increasing tuition paid by our students at a time when their need for financial aid has never been greater.
So what is the solution? If community colleges are the key to economic recovery, what message are state leaders sending to our citizens? The consistency with which the state legislature continues to cut our funding perpetuates the paradox — without training and education, individuals will be unable to find new jobs or afford to pay the taxes that fuel the economy - directly affecting the economic climate of Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando and Polk counties.
The idea that our colleges and the Florida College System as a whole is a discretionary part of higher education funding must change. With our state budget in crisis, our goal is to convince legislators of the value of funding our state colleges. We must also enlist the support of business and industry and the citizens of our communities to bring a voice of reason to this funding process. We ask that our legislators fund enrollment growth, assess the lowest percentage of budget cuts possible, minimize tuition increases and allow our local boards of trustees the maximum flexibility to administer those cuts.
As we prepare to congratulate our graduates receiving degrees and certificates this spring, we are proud to be an integral component of the local economy and workforce. Faculty, staff, administrators and our trustees attend our commencement ceremonies with great pride. Unfortunately, our sense of accomplishment is tempered by concern for future students. How many will we be forced to turn away? With the help of our legislators and the support from the communities we serve, we hope that the answer will be “none.”
Eileen Holden, Ed.D.
President - Polk Community College
Katherine M. Johnson, Ed.D.
President - Pasco-Hernando Community College
Gwendolyn W. Stephenson, Ph.D.
President - Hillsborough Community College
| See other posts filed in: Education, Perspective
Posted: April 9, 2009: 3:30 pm
The Florida Legislature is making progress in working toward solutions to Florida’s home owners insurance mess. Two promising bills are moving forward that would help return the free market to homeowner insurance. The following information is worthy of your consideration and, if you are so inclined, a note of encouragement to our legislative delegation would be most appropriate. We have included a link at the end of this post that allows easy email options to your legislators. (And thanks to all those who took the time to write last week. Senate Bill 2036 passed out of committee on a 6-2 vote.)
This bill has already passed out of the House Insurance, Business and Financial Affairs Committee with a unanimous vote. The companion bill in the Senate, SB 2036, also passed out of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee last week on a 6-2 vote. Both bills have suddenly gained momentum and it is important that we continue to advocate for their passage.
This bill creates and defines classes of “non-assessable” and “assessable” residential property insurance policies. Non-assessable residential property insurance policies are exempted from state rate regulation except to make sure that insurers are charging enough to avoid insolvency. Non-assessable residential property insurance policies are from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (CPIC) assessments.
Insurers would be allowed to offer assessable or non-assessable policies and consumers could choose which they prefer. Such policies would be required to contain a specific disclaimer describing the assessable and non-assessable characteristics of the policy, as well as the limited rate regulation to which the policy would be subjected. If passed, the legislation would take effect July 1, 2009. House Bill 1171 is a companion bill to Senate Bill 2036 Sponsored by Senator Bennett.
Florida’s current homeowner’s insurance system is broken. One major hurricane could bankrupt several private insurance companies, CPIC and the CAT Fund - devastating Florida’s already weakened economy.
In addition to the real possibility that claims could go unpaid, the resulting threat every Florida family faces today is that we could be assessed as much as $1,400 a year - for several years - in “hidden hurricane taxes” to pay for the state’s hurricane losses that cannot be met through Citizens or the FHCF.
To contact your legislators, use this convenient link.
| See other posts filed in: General Announcements, Perspective, Political Scene
Posted: April 2, 2009: 3:10 pm
Legislation is taking form in Tallahassee that could begin to address Florida’s broken homeowner’s insurance industry. At least nine major A-rated insurers have pulled out of the state citing artificially low rate regulation that forced them to pay out more in claims than they were collecting in premiums. The legislation described below allows the free market to return and can allow you as an insured to choose insurance based on competition in the market place.
It doesn’t address all the Florida’s quirks … but it’s a start. We present this summary for your consideration. If you support this approach, please communicate your support to Senator J. D. Alexander. His email link appears at the end of this post.
BILL SUMMARY - Senate Bill 2036
This bill creates and defines classes of “non-assessable” and “assessable” residential property insurance policies. Non-assessable residential property insurance policies are exempted from state rate regulation except to make sure that insurers are charging enough to avoid insolvency. Non-assessable residential property insurance policies are also exempted from FHCF (Cat Fund - short for funds reserved for catastrophic events such as a hurricane) assessments and CPIC assessments.
Insurers would be allowed to offer assessable or non-assessable policies and consumers could choose which they prefer. Such policies would be required to contain a specific disclaimer describing the assessable and non-assessable characteristics of the policy, as well as the limited rate regulation to which the policy would be subjected. If passed, the legislation would take effect July 1, 2009.
Senate Bill 2036 is a companion bill to House Bill 1171 sponsored by Representative Bill Proctor, St. Augustine.
The Problem:
Florida’s current homeowner’s insurance system is broken. One major hurricane could bankrupt several private insurance companies, CPIC and the CAT Fund - devastating Florida’s already weakened economy.
In addition to the real possibility that claims could go unpaid, the resulting threat every Florida family faces today is that we could be assessed as much as $1,400 a year - for several years - in “hidden hurricane taxes” to pay for the state’s hurricane losses that cannot be met through Citizens or the FHCF.
The Solution:
Statutory and regulatory obstacles that severely restrict rating and underwriting decisions by insurers should be eliminated to allow for pricing and underwriting in line with market demands. A free-market approach to insuring property in Florida would allow the bulk of insured losses to be covered by pre-event surplus, resulting in significantly less reliance on taxpayer subsidies (post-event assessments).
The economic impacts on Floridians living in less-vulnerable areas would be minimized. As fewer private property insurers write homeowner’s insurance in the state, public sentiment is rapidly growing in support of free choice. If an insurance consumer feels their homeowner’s insurance company is charging excessive rates, it should be their choice to voluntarily leave that insurer.
It is not the state’s role to force consumers to choose between Citizens or an untested takeout company.
You can email Senator J. D. Alexandar here. Note your support for Senate Bill 2036.
| See other posts filed in: General Announcements, Perspective, Political Scene
Posted: January 30, 2009: 11:39 am
(This post is longer than we normally write … but the situation is complex and has great potential to impact all Polk County businesses. If you want a healthy local economy in the future - it’s well worth the read and you’ll find email links at the end to do your part. We have never suggested you forward a blog post but we encourage you to do just that — send this link to every Florida taxpayer you know. - BG)
State Farm’s decision to withdraw from Florida’s property insurance market has rocked the state … but perhaps more troubling is Governor Crist’s “good riddance” attitude toward a company that, under currently approved rates, would become insolvent as early as 2011. One doesn’t have to look far to see the results of companies less prudent – the line for bail out money is ever expanding.
No community in Florida – perhaps no county stands to lose more if State Farm is forced to exit all lines of business (as Crist has suggested) than 
Winter Haven and Polk. Those who remember when State Farm first located its regional office to Highway 17 North in 1962 can testify to the incredible economic impact it brought to our area. Within 10 years of the office opening, Winter Haven saw each of it’s three banks expand their locations, Southeast Plaza opened and Winter Haven Hospital had built its multi-storied tower. Southeast Winter Haven exploded with growth as John Wood and other developers built to accommodate the workforce.
But it didn’t stop there. State Farm is more than “a good neighbor.” They are a model corporate citizen. It would be difficult to find a local cause, project or service organization that has not benefited from the involvement of State Farm and its employees.
Contrast the current Tallahassee attitude to the fact that not long ago Governor Jeb Bush visited the Cypress Gardens Boulevard complex and told employees assembled in the massive foyer that State Farm was the premier “student mentoring organization” within the state. The company makes a major commitment to education and encourages their employees to mentor students while they are “on the clock.”
Cooler heads must prevail to address the current situation. Here is what the Florida Chamber had to say about State Farm’s property insurance decision.
“State Farm Florida’s announcement is extremely disappointing but understandable. This should serve as a wake-up call that conditions in Florida’s property insurance market are unsustainable and we are financially unprepared for a major hurricane. It is critical that Florida look at making improvements to restore the health of our property insurance market and reduce our overreliance on state-run insurance companies to provide affordable hurricane insurance by charging less than actuarially sound rates. We need a healthy property insurance market where the risk of hurricanes is not on the taxpayers’ backs but on private insurance companies.
For nearly 80 years, State Farm has been one of the state’s most significant corporate citizens, providing Floridians with strong and secure products to protect their property. State Farm has consistently been a significant contributor to Florida’s economy, providing more than 10,000 jobs throughout the state as well as contributing millions of dollars annually that support our state’s economy through investment in our communities and essential state infrastructure.
This decision by State Farm is a clear indication of the risk inherent with Florida’s unstable property insurance market and our over reliance on post-hurricane assessments. Hopefully we won’t have to see them leave the state, but we recognize the significant risk private insurers must be willing to accept to write hurricane insurance in Florida.”
It is indeed ironic that faced with falling tax revenues the Legislature finds no other alternative to balance the budget than cutting services. Yet State Farm – a private company – is expected to insure tremendous risk (think 2004 hurricane season) with declining reserves. The fact is – if you are paying out more than you are taking in — you just can’t make it up in volume.
Furthermore it is really a personal matter for you and every other citizen of Florida. Here’s what Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Thomas wrote January 29.
“State Farm is bailing out of Florida, and Charlie Crist says good riddance. I’m not sure the thousands of policyholders about to be thrown into the maw of Charlie’s socialized insurance market will agree. And the consequences extend well beyond that.
State Farm is about to dump 1.2 million policies, which means a massive expansion of the state-run Citizens Property Insurance. That will put taxpayers at even greater risk when the next big hurricane hits because Citizens is woefully underfunded.
It also threatens the credit rating of not only the state but also the dozens of small private insurance companies that have set up shop in the past few years. Those insurers, many of them untested in a catastrophic event, depend on the state’s ability to borrow money to help them pay their claims after a major storm. That borrowing capacity is dwindling as the gap between the state’s hurricane obligations and its ability to meet them grows.
A major rating agency for small insurers, Demotech, has notified them that they have until May 15 to demonstrate an ability to pay claims if the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund goes bust, which would be a given after a major storm.
The fund is obligated to pay out $29 billion in claims but only has about $10 billion in the bank — most of that borrowed money, by the way.
You need insurance to buy a house. A wholesale rating downgrade of Florida’s insurance carriers could roil a real-estate market just showing signs of life.
This is serious stuff. And it could not be happening at a worse time … Crist has Florida on a path toward junk-bond status. It would have been better to simply give State Farm its rate increase. As a State Farm customer, I would have liked the option of accepting the increase or going with a different insurer. I don’t need Crist and company making that decision for me. This also would have created a much more orderly retreat of State Farm from the Florida market. Alas, it did not fit in the script Charlie has written for his moral crusade against the insurance industry. (You can read Mr. Thomas’s complete column here.)
And we would add, if Citizens runs out of money to pay claims … who will cover the shortfall?
All Florida residents should now look in the nearest mirror.
This IS serious stuff. It is time we become as neighborly to State Farm as they and their 10,000 Florida employees have been to us. Send a positive note of encouragement to Governor Crist and our Legislative delegation today. This situation demands compromise.
We suggest you write the email, copy the text and send to the following ….
Governor Charlie Crist
Senator J.D. Alexander
Senator Paula Dockery
Representative Mike Horner
Representative Seth McKeel
Representative Baxter Troutman
Representative John Wood, Jr.
| See other posts filed in: Perspective, State Farm Florida
Posted: January 7, 2009: 4:15 pm
Ledger reporter Tom Palmer in a blog post today (January 7) reports that the Polk County Commission heard residents from the Sundance Ranch Estates demand the CSX Transportation buy their property located adjacent to the planned inter modal rail terminal. Speaking for the residents, Sharon Kiser is quoted as having noted, “Our concerns are being ignored.” But looking back nearly two years ago the residents of Sundance did their own ignoring of offers from CSX that would have involved them in the planning process. You can read that post here.
More troubling from this writer’s standpoint is the process that saw both Kiser and Commissioner Jean Reed wonder out loud if a fact-finding visit organized by the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce was a “staged presentation.” Speculation included whether trains and trucks were kept out of the area to provide a calmer, quieter impression.
Both observed that indeed Alliance was quieter than other sites they had visited. Expecting more hustle and bustle (traffic and noise) must have led to the conclusion that BSNF Railway and Hillwood Corporation would purposely alter their operations for an entire day (on at least three different occassions)!
The point of this post is this: Alliance IS a quieter, well run, well organized integrated logistics center because it was carefully planned to be that way (and there was existing residential comparable to Sundance when that ILC began 16 years ago). Winter Haven has that same opportunity.
Furthermore, the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce has taken great care to do the necessary homework to evaluate the value, impacts and economic potential to this community. To allege that any portion of our due diligence would involve “staged” presentations is patently false and a slap in the face to those who hosted our visits.
Commissioners voted 5-0 to send a letter to CSX asking that they buy the Sundance residents’ properties while all lauded the project’s economic potential. In light of the current economic challenges facing the entire nation, the value of a well-planned, well-organized inter modal center and business park will be found in jobs, better wages, an expanded tax base and improved quality of life.
May CSX Transportation and Sundance Ranch Estates come to an equitable resolution of the matters at hand.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Economic Development, Perspective, Transportation
Posted: December 31, 2008: 11:40 am
As 2008 comes to an end we offer our list of ten significant Winter Haven developments from the past twelve months. While the economy has slowed, there is still much positive local activity. A great many developments hold promise for the future. Here’s our selection - each is linked to the original blog post. What would you add?
10. DCA approval of the CSX intermodal rail facility
9. Winter Haven Hospital completes $40 million addition.
8. PCC one of nine community colleges to offer four-year degrees
7. Ledger New York Times buys News Chief
6. Winter Haven opens new airport terminal
5. City plans for Chain of Lakes property
4. Winter Haven Hospital attains Magnet status
3. Six Ten Corporation/T3 Communications “Inland Fiber and Data Technology Park” downtown
2. Winter Haven Parks Grow by 250 acres since 2000
1. Cypress Gardens closes … to reopen in March 2009
What would you add to this list?
The Chamber extends our best wishes for a bright and prosperous 2009. And remember … buy from local merchants, the job you save may be your own!
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Cypress Gardens, Downtown, Economic Development, Health Care, News Media, Parks and Green Space, Perspective, Real Estate, Technology, Tourism, Transportation
Posted: October 29, 2008: 1:47 pm
Meeting in special session, Mayor Nathaniel Birdsong, convened a special meeting of the Winter Haven City Commission for the purpose of holding the final public hearing on the development order for the Evansville Western inter-modal rail terminal to be built on 318 acres of land south of Winter Haven and north of Highway 60. Commissioners held a public hearing taking input from the municipalities of Lakeland and Lake Wales, Polk County Commission, Central Florida Regional Planning Council, Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce and interested citizens.
The meeting began at 9:00 a.m. and just prior to 11 a.m. Commissioners voted unanimous approval for the development order for the project.
The Commission then entertained a motion to approve a development agreement with Evansville Western to begin the project. A public hearing was held with no public comment presented regarding the development agreement. The public hearing was then closed and the Commission unanimously approve the motion.
The approval will now be forwarded to the State Department of Community Affairs for their review.
City of Lakeland Asks for Aggregation
Legal counsel for the City of Lakeland began the original public hearing by presenting their arguments that “due to the potential impact on Lakeland of the second phase of the project” the 318 acre inter-modal rail terminal should undergo a Development of Regional Impact (DRI) that includes both the 318 acres and the 930 adjacent acres that the railroad has an option to purchase by 2010. Lakeland reasoned that rather than approve the 318 acre development order, the City Commission should send the complete 1200+ acre parcel back to the Regional Planning Council for the DRI process … a move certain to delay the rail terminal indefinitely. The city’s argument was framed around their contention that several aspects of the project triggered a requirement that the entire 1200 acres be reviewed simultaneously (aggregation) and certain environmental stipulations did not meet requirements of the city’s comprehensive plan.
Legal counsel for Evansville Western refuted the aggregation claim stating that the while the railroad has an option on the adjoining land, no comprehensive development plan or marketing plan existed. Evansville Western stated that at such time as a master site plan was developed they would pursue a DRI review on the remaining acreage.
City of Winter Haven Community Development Director David Dickey also presented specific ordinances and comprehensive plan subsections that found the development order under consideration to be in compliance.
Perspective: Aggregation or Aggravation?
The City of Lakeland expressed concern for the impact the Winter Haven-based project would have on that community. We would all to do well to keep that concern in perspective. Lakeland currently boasts 28 million square feet of exisiting industrial/warehouse space (source: Lakeland Economic Development Council) and another 5 million square feet under development as a result of a recent DRI approval. The Winter Haven Integrated Logistics Center (Phase II) is projected to be 3 million square feet of warehousing, 1.5 million square feet of industrial and 500,000 square feet of office space. Total - 5 million square feet.
Thirty-three million sq. ft. of industrial/warehouse vs. 5 million. Where do YOU think the most potential for impact exists?
The question at hand is: When is the last time Winter Haven had a seat at the Lakeland DRI table. If this project’s size and scope is of adequate gravity to involve Lakeland … then perhaps it’s time we weigh in on their development projects.
Further more it is a confusing position for the City of Lakeland to take when their Mayor has publicly stated his support for the Winter Haven location. It also runs counter productive to the following very positive steps that have evolved from consideration of the integrated logistics center (reprinted from earlier post):
- 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.
- Polk County’s unemployment rate shot up to 7.8% in August. There are those who predict it will go higher. 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 OR DELAY.
- 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.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Perspective, Transportation
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