Posts filed under 'Perspective'
Posted: July 10, 2007: 3:09 pm
In May 2007, Lakeland officials communicated a number of questions and concerns regarding the impact that the Winter Haven intermodal facility might have on that community and specifically their downtown core. In early June, CSX representatives met with City, Chamber and Downtown representatives to further understand the issues at hand.
CSX Assistant Vice President for Business Unit Services, Rick Hood, has communicated the company’s initial response to these concerns. Each question or potential issue is presented in bold type and the CSX response follows. The document is available here.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Perspective
Posted: July 3, 2007: 11:32 am
This August, Polk Vision, Inc. welcomes the inaugural Leadership Polk class. The 30 class participants represent a cross-section of unique, talented and highly qualified professionals from the Polk County business community, government and non-profit organizations.
Pat Steed, Executive Director of the Central Florida Regional Planning Council and Polk Vision Executive Committee member, will serve as chair for the inaugural class.
Leadership Polk Class I
Cindy Alexander, Debbie Burdett, Colleen Burton, Tim Campbell, Stacy Campbell-Domineck, Beth Clark, Brad Dantzler, Marsha Faux, Gow Fields, Rick Garcia, Marshall Goodman, Ray Graber, Mike Herr, Gary Hester, Nelson Kirkland, Greg Littleton, Kim Long, Jerry Miller, Bonnie Parker, Tom Patton, Linda Pilkington, Martha Santiago, Anu Saxena, Daniel Stetson, Joe Tedder, Seretha Tinsley, Horace West, Nat West, Terry Worthington and Myrtice Young
Leadership Polk is a community leadership program designed to engage and connect community leaders from across Polk County.
Leadership Polk will build the awareness of executive, government, and community leaders from across Polk County regarding regional issues and initiatives as well as help to develop visionary approaches and collaborative behavior in graduates who occupy or will assume leadership roles in organizations within Polk County.
This intensive program runs from August through May each year. Each session examines some of the key themes and issues surrounding our County and the municipalities within the County.
In choosing participants, the Leadership Polk Advisory Committee identified candidates who have demonstrated commitment to the community through past activities and who possess a wide variety of skills and interests. The members of the inaugural class come from Polk County companies big and small as well as government and non-profit organizations.
| See other posts filed in: General Announcements, Perspective, Uncategorized
Posted: June 27, 2007: 3:18 pm
I’m not sure if “emerging” is the best word to describe Winter Haven’s technology-based businesses but there is a growing concentration and sophistication in this sector. It’s not new … thinking back 10 to 15 years to Ingram Leedy’s “iThink” dial-up, Josh Hallett’s “webcode” (that designed our first Web site) and Mike Kingham’s “Datalink” off-site data back up service — computer and internet entrepreneurs have been calling Winter Haven home for two decades.
More recently downtown has become the “digital interchange” for a number of major fiber optic network providers including: FPL Fibernet, Level 3 Communications; Time Warner Telecom and Verizon (who are all those people outside my window?!!).
As a result, this resource has attracted companies such as Amstec, CertaData, cnp_studio, ColoFlorida, LLC (Leedy), Cyberlink1, Doculex, Inc., Hyku, Inc. (Hallett), Kingham Software, Inc. (Kingham), Lebhar Friedman, Inc., Nuvox, Prism Technology Solutions, Sprint Nextel and techIT Solutions. (The names in parentheses are those original technology folks mentioned earlier.)
In addition to strong local and statewide client networks, Winter Haven technology companies are bringing their expertise to national brands. We asked our technology members for insight into their client base and you may be surprised by the variety. For example, techIt Solutions/Global Enterprise Solutions has brought their expertise to clients such as The Walt Disney Company, Apple Computers, Nike and the Cork School of Music in Cork, Ireland. Hyku, Inc. has served such enterprises as Yahoo, Sony, Unisys, Sea World, DOW and General Motors. cnp_studio has provided web development for Sea World, Prudential Tropical Realty, Sony and the University of Florida.
And when we asked the sector what they considered their greatest challenges several said, “overcoming the belief that the expertise is not available locally.”
All of this seems likely to be complemented by the potential focus of the new campus planned for Polk County that appears will be named USF-Polytechnic.
That has a nice ring to it.
| See other posts filed in: Perspective, Success Stories, Technology
Posted: May 3, 2007: 2:49 pm
Estimated 2007 population totals for East Polk zip codes total nearly 323,000 people. That compares to West Polk estimates at 243,000 for zip codes in Lakeland, Kathleen and Mulberry.
Since 2000, Winter Haven zip codes have increased by the following estimates:
33880 - (34,762 to 37,488) +7.7%
33881 - (27,149 to 29,997) +6.5%
33884 - (16,173 to 19,641) + 15.8%
As healthy as those figures seem, they pale in comparison to Davenport’s 33897 zip at +118.2% increase and Kissimmee zip 34759 at +117.5%. (The Kissimmee zip crosses over the Polk County line and therefore represents Polk residents.)
Totals for the East Polk area for the 2007 estimate are 323,896 for a +20.6% growth rate (nearly identical to the 1990-2000 rate of 20.8%). West Polk grew from 218,706 residents in 2000 to a 2007 estimated 243,085 or +11.1%.
The information was compiled from Claritas’ Reports by Gordon Kettle, a respected economic consultant that lectures at Polk Community College. He also serves as consultant to the Central Florida Development Council.
For a complete look at all Polk municipalities as well as cumulative growth estimates through 2012 click here …
Polk Population Growth 2007 (MS Excel Spreadsheet)
How has this growth affected your business? What do you see the future holds for you and your company?
| See other posts filed in: Perspective
Posted: April 11, 2007: 2:17 pm
In this morning’s Ledger and article on the proposed CSX Integrated Logistics Center noted that Lakeland officials will be meeting with the company to discuss the number of trains going through downtown Lakeland. Specifically the article noted, “CSX spokesman Gary Sease said the number of trains running through Lakeland could increase from 8 to 12 a day to 15 to 20.”
According to a film detailing the history of Winter Haven produced by Meritor Savings (now Wachovia) (circa 1972), “in the mid-1920s Winter Haven saw 16 passenger trains and 8 freight trains through town each day.” Of course the tracks through downtown Winter Haven were removed years ago and some of the property will soon become the Chain of Lakes Trail.
Still an interesting fact.
The photo at top shows a special chartered train arriving in Winter Haven’s Central Park circa 1925.
Update May 29, 2007:Â In a decision released today, the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) will evaluate both Phase I and Phase II as a single “Development of Regional Impact” (DRI. This process will provide a thorough review of the Intermodal Center with regard to such issues as transportation and environmental impacts of the center.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Perspective
Posted: March 27, 2007: 7:33 am
In today’s Ledger there is an article about the University of South Florida exploring options for naming the new Polk campus to be located at I-4 and the eastern terminus of the Polk Parkway. Up until now it has functioned more or less with the name USF/Lakeland.
Recently USF officials have been toying with potential names of broader meaning. Some under consideration include USF Central, USF Heartland or USF Polytech.
According to Marshall Goodman, vice president and CEO of the new campus, “We want to be recognized for what we do rather than where we do it.” He added “USF isn’t just about Tampa or Lakeland or Winter Haven. It’s much bigger than that.”
USF is conducting an informal, non-binding, online survey to determine interest.
Tell them what you think, here:
https://survey.lakeland.usf.edu/naming_project/naming_project.htm
| See other posts filed in: Perspective
Posted: March 21, 2007: 10:15 am
“For every $1 in taxes Polk residents pay for higher education (Community College and University operations), how much do you suppose is returned to the County for that purpose? … a nickel.”
That tidbit was shared by Dr. Marshall Goodman, VP/CEO of the University of South Florida/Polk along with several other perspectives during the Chamber’s March 20 “Focus on Education” Breakfast. He also shared that Alachua County (UF) got a healthy $1.20/$1 while Leon County (FSU) $1.12/$1 … and Polk gets a nickel.
By comparison Polk County Public Schools receive 97 cents back for every $1 Polk residents pay for schools. Not perfect but much better than the 92 cents/$1 they received before Senator J. D. Alexander served as head of the Appropriations committee. And even with Senator Alexander’s assistance it took six years to acquire the appropriation to build the most recent new building on the USF/PCC campus near Lakeland.
Goodman was joined by Polk County School Superintendent Dr. Gail McKenzie and PCC President Dr. Eileen Holden. All agreed that the leadership positions held by Polk’s legislative delegation are critical to funding for education. And all agreed we need to work closely with and support our legislators when they call for action.
Goodman also spoke of his ire with a recent map that printed with a column by St. Pete Times columnist Howard Troxler. The map, while referred to as a “joke map” depicted us as “Poke” County located just above “Howdy” County.
Funny? Think about that nickel we get back for every $1 we pay … some say perception is reality.
Tell us what you think?
| See other posts filed in: Perspective
Posted: March 8, 2007: 4:07 pm
Who will deliver the roads?
With what region do you identify? Is Polk County more closely aligned with the Tampa Bay area? Orlando/Central Florida area? Or are you a more independent sort confident in your opinion that both Tampa and Orlando should each take note of Polk?
Whatever the case the St. Petersburg Times reported in today’s edition that a Senate transportation committee on Wednesday gave unanimous consent to a proposed regional transportation authority that would finance major projects. The authority would represent six counties and Polk is noticeably absent from the mix.
Predictably we have Polk legislators that think we should participate and some who think we should let Tampa and Orlando go their ways and we’ll go ours.
It seems logical that the dance partner we choose needs to serve the interests of all of Polk County. But others are quick to add that if there’s a dance … the first priority is a partner.
It is logical too, that Lakeland has developed historic ties to the Bay area. Yet there is no arguing that Orlando’s growth to the south is wielding great influence in East Polk.
Polk County is a little like Scarlett O’Hara with Ashley on one side and Rhett on the other. And frankly, we may have to give a damn.
Transportation infrastructure ranks among the highest priorities for both our quality of life and smart growth.
Who do YOU think can best represent our interests.
Full text of St. Pete Times Article
| See other posts filed in: Perspective
Posted: March 1, 2007: 11:55 am
Today’s news reports outline some of the concerns expressed by residents near the planned CSX Integrated Logistics Center. While there was some mention of a proposed “berm” to buffer the site from the residential area, CSX addressed this and other concerns in a letter sent to Sundance Ranch owners on February 15, 2007. Representative samples of the proposed landscaping berm follow the highlights. (You can download the entire text of the letter at the end of this post.)
Additionally, CSX is currently preparing a plan to host neighborhood meetings as forums to discuss the questions and concerns of residents. The Chamber will also implement an “On Track” Q & A forum on our website where questions will be addressed by CSX experts. Watch for announcements of both the meetings and the “On Track” forum.
Highlights of CSX Letter:
CSX is taking the following steps:
- -Working with lighting design professionals to use the latest technology and techniques to minimize illumination beyond the limits of the terminal facility.
- -Retaining an expert engineering firm to conduct a detailed study to confirm that noise levels from terminal operations would comply with applicable noise ordinances;
- -Planning for a landscaped earthen berm between CSX’s existing track and the terminal facility to further reduce the noise and address the community’s aesthetic concerns;
- -Designing and constructing the access road to the terminal facility from SR 60 to direct truck traffic to the south to a major artery to avoid increased traffic volumes on residential streets north, east and west of the terminal;
- -Offering Sundance residents the opportunity to tour an operating CSX intermodal and automotive terminal facility similar to the integrated logistics facility to be constructed adjacent to the neighborhood; and
- -Inviting one or more SRE representatives to join a design/operations committee for the new integrated logistics facility to allow residents to share any on-going concerns during the process
CSX went on to offer to pay to redesign and relocate the planned landscape berm to the residential side of the tracks for enhanced effect. The offer specifically included the following six points (summarized here):
1. CSX is willing to construct an earthen berm parallel to the existing mainline track beginning at the Gomez property and continuing through the Ebel’s property.
2. CSX is willing to compensate each affected homeowner on whose property the berm is constructed. The homeowner would retain title to their property. There would be no conveyance to CSX.
3. With respect to the Chiavuzzi property and the existing lease of a portion of the property to the Childers for their nursery business, CSX will separately compensate both the Chiavuzzis and the Childers for the actual acreage of the owned and leased property used for the berm.
4. CSX’s proposed concept is that the berm be incorporated into the existing backyard landscape of each adjoining landowner’s property. CSX would work to meet the reasonable requests of each homeowner while at the same time achieving certain economies of scale in the construction.
5.The engineering for the landscaped berm along the rear of each homeowner’s property adjacent to the CSX track is feasible but will require certain modifications to address common drainage.
6.CSX is willing to engage in reasonable good faith discussions with the City and County to encourage them to consider expediting the paving of Cunningham Road leading int the subdivision though CSX cannot guarantee when such paving will occur.
Representative examples of proposed earthen berm to buffer the terminal:
Do you think these are reasonable first steps in the design of this project?
Complete text of CSX Letter to Residents of Sundance Ranch Estates
Update May 29, 2007:Â In a decision released today, the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) will evaluate both Phase I and Phase II as a single “Development of Regional Impact” (DRI. This process will provide a thorough review of the Intermodal Center with regard to such issues as transportation and environmental impacts of the center.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Perspective
Posted: February 22, 2007: 10:39 am
The concepts presented in this post are based on a report by Lloyd Dunkelberger with The Ledger’s Tallahassee Bureau.
The Florida House of Representatives unveiled a new tax plan some call bold and some call bad. The proposal is complicated as described in the media but here are the major concepts being considered:
- A nearly $6 billion reduction in property taxes this year. Those savings would be taken from City and County governments. Schools would be initially exempt. That would mean all homesteads from the most modest to those of multi-million dollar opulence would pay no taxes.
- State sales tax would be raised to 8.5% (plus any local option tax in place)
- The plan would force local governments to rollback taxes to the 2000-01 levels while adjusting for population and inflation. Such a move would reduce tax rates by 19% with the average statewide homeowner realizing a $433 cut and the average commercial property owner a $3,353 reduction.
Approval of such a drastic shift in revenue collection would require voter approval. The House plan calls for lost money from exempting homesteads to be replaced by the increased sales tax collections which would be redistributed to local governments by an as yet undetermined formula.
Local governments say the plan could cause significant cuts in local services. Others say that increasing the state’s sales tax places a greater financial burden on the poor.
What happens when sales tax collections fall unexpectedly? Who makes up the shortfall?
What do you think? It the tax swap hocus pocus? Smoke and mirrors? Good? Bad?
Tell us …
| See other posts filed in: Perspective
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