Posts filed under 'Political Scene'
Posted: May 16, 2008: 2:06 pm
Fresh from her role in delivering a setback for Central Florida Commuter Rail, State Senator Paula Dockery has elected to inject herself into the State’s own DRI process via a letter she sent yesterday. In the letter to Thomas Pelham, Secretary of the Florida Department of Community Affairs, Dockery notes, “The recent events of the legislative session provide DCA with plenty of breathing room to conduct an exhaustive evaluation of the potential impacts of the project, without being subjected to pressure from those trying to hurry the process along.”
We can only hope Secretary Pelham will not be subjected to pressure from those trying to delay the project until it dies.
It is disappointing to note that while we invited Senator Dockery to join the Chamber’s fact-finding visit to Alliance, Texas in this March 13 post, she is not registered as a part of the group that will visit Alliance for a site tour on Monday, May 19. It will indeed provide perspectives based on an operating integrated logistics center that has produced more than 27,000 direct jobs and had a $31 billion economic impact since opening in 1994.
The Winter Haven ILC will provide needed jobs and economic stimulus for not just Winter Haven or Polk but Central Florida. It will play an important role in your business growth for years to come. You may want to drop a note of encouragement to:
Thomas G. Pelham, Secretary Florida Department of Community Affairs, 2555 Sumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100
You’ll find the complete text of Dockery’s letter here.
Fortunately, the DRI process she wants to slow is moving at a deliberate, established pace grounded in established policies of the DCA.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Perspective, Political Scene, Transportation
Posted: May 1, 2008: 12:46 pm
The Florida Senate this morning again brought to the floor transportation legislation that includes amendments relevant to Central Florida Commuter Rail. Senators discussed the merits of stripping all amendments from the legislation and sending it back to the House or hearing the full bill — amendments and all. After discussion the legislation was tabled until possibly later today.
For a perspective on the current scenerio read this Orlando Sentinel report.
Plans for developing an intermodal rail terminal in Winter Haven grew out of the negotiations to bring commuter rail to a four county Central Florida area. Long term goals of area leaders would bring the commuter service on from Poinciana through Polk and into the Tampa Bay area. Creation of the first 61-mile section of commuter rail are seen by many as key to future expansion of the service.
Those monitoring the proceedings feel the final decision will come Friday in the closing deliberations of the session.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Economic Development, Perspective, Political Scene, Transportation
Posted: April 30, 2008: 9:38 pm
In a stunning move late Wednesday, Senate Transportation Committee Chair, Carey Baker, R, Eustis, initiated a “strike all amendments” action that effectively shut down consideration of the question of liability protection for CSX Transportation on 61 miles of tracks Florida Department of Transportation intends to purchase for commuter rail in Central Florida. Senate Majority Leader, Daniel Webster, R, Winter Park (a strong advocate of the project) is quoted as saying, “It would have been a tough vote.” You can read the Orlando Sentinel report here.
Winter Haven officials including Mayor Nat Birdsong are in Tallahassee in support of the commuter rail project and future expansion through Polk to the Tampa Bay area. CSX officials have repeatedly stated that work will move forward on the Winter Haven integrated logistics center regardless of the outcome of the liability question.
While two days remain in the current legislative session, prospects have dimmed for resolution of the liability question.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Economic Development, Political Scene, Transportation
Posted: March 13, 2008: 7:12 am
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Central Florida’s Commuter Rail Project and ultimately the CSX Rail Terminal planned for Winter Haven are stalled in Tallahassee, “The biggest reason: opposition from Lakeland.” According to reporter Aaron Deslatte “At the center of the fight is Sen. Paula Dockery, a Lakeland Republican whose husband was the driving force behind the now-repealed constitutional amendment to build high speed rail between Tampa and Orlando.” A plan, we might add, that included a stop in Lakeland but nowhere else between Tampa and Orlando.
The Sentinel report goes on to say “Dockery wants the state to look at other ways to eventually bring commuter rail to her district and to the Tampa Bay area. But she also wants CSX to abandon its plans to move its switchyard — now in Taft, in south Orange County — to land it owns in Winter Haven.” (Surely Senator Dockery knows the proposed facility is no “switchyard.” An intermodal terminal bears no resemblance to the rail yard of yesterday. If she has not visited an operating Integrated Logistics Center (ILC), we invite the Senator to travel to Alliance with us as we take area leaders on a fact-finding mission following the current legislative session.)
This entire ugly and confusing episode is made even quirkier by the fact that last Friday in Orlando, Lakeland Mayor Buddy Fletcher told assembled leaders from myregion.org, the Tampa Bay Partnership, State DOT Officials, CSX and Central Florida Commuter Rail that “Lakeland supported the commuter rail plan and wasn’t opposed to the the Winter Haven rail terminal.” For sure the city wants DOT to study the feasibility of alternative routes or a Lakeland bypass, but if Mayor Fletcher supports the terminal why does Dockery want the plans “abandoned?”
Representatives from Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties as well as the City of Orlando voted unanimously to fund 25 percent of the costs of establishing commuter rail on 61 miles of former CSX track. State DOT officials noted that this phase of bringing commuter rail to Central Florida would be the key to adding later segments such as those sought by Lakeland as well as Winter Haven and other East Polk cities. The cross section of Central Florida leaders were also told repeatedly that if we jeopardize the Federal funding currently in place, Florida would not see federal money for commuter rail again in our lifetime.
Let’s review, while Polk County is faring better than most, nationally the economy is in a downward trend — possibly recession, residential real estate is in a major slump and both the News Chief and Ledger report the state economy may not rebound until 2010. In light of this, Senator Dockery dismisses the potential long term boost of 2,000 new jobs, billions in investment and the potential Fortune 500 companies it could bring to our market.
It’s time for a wake up call!
Lakeland, a town that the railroads helped to build, feels it will be “devastated” by four additional freight trains per day. For the sake of discussion, let’s say the 16 trains a day that currently travel through the city require 10 minutes each to pass through town. That comes to 160 minutes in a 24 hour day or an average of 6.6 minutes per hour. If the terminal adds four more trains per day that would be 200 minutes per day (20 trains x 10 minutes) or 8.3 minutes per hour on average … hardly a major imposition.
There must be some correlation as well between four freight trains as compared to the traffic generated by Lakeland’s current 26 million square feet of warehouse industrial space (soon to be 31 million). When you consider the existing traffic generated by the Lakeland space, the five million square feet of warehouse and industrial business park planned for south Winter Haven seems manageable and will evolve over a five to ten year period — time to plan and implement infrastructure improvements as it grows.
We all need to remember that our economies are inter-dependent. We all have occasion to do business in other cities within Polk. Jobs in one sector of the county can benefit many various cities. It is time we work together for the greater good.
One need only make a visit to Alliance, Texas to see what planning and determination can create … a model economic engine with new housing developments underway within a half mile. More than 60 Fortune 500 corporate citizens and 150-plus new companies in 16 years.
Senator Dockery wants these plans abandoned for Polk County. It’s time we let her and our other delegation members know that there are economic interests on the east side of Polk County as well.
Your business, your employment opportunities, our cities, schools and county stand to benefit immensely from the construction of this project. We believe we have the expertise and vision to make it a model facility and business park.
Don’t let those with personal agendas block this opportunity. Send a note to our elected leaders today … here are their email addresses:
US Representative, Adam Putnam, www.adamputnam.house.gov (then click on the first link in left column “Contact Adam”
Alexander, JD, (R) alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov
Dockery, Paula, (R) dockery.paula.S15@flsenate.gov
Bowen, Marsha “Marty” (R) marty.bowen@myfloridahouse.gov
Ross, Dennis (R) dennis.ross@myfloridahouse.gov
Troutman, Baxter (R) baxter.troutman@myfloridahouse.gov
Attkisson, Frank (R) frank.attkisson@myfloridahouse.gov
You can read the entire Orlando Sentinel story here.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Perspective, Political Scene, Transportation
Posted: January 16, 2008: 9:03 am
Randy Roberts and Sam Killebrew invite you to join the Florida Chamber, members of the Polk Legislative Delegation and fellow business leaders at Publix Supermarket’s corporate headquarters on Wednesday morning, January 30 as the business community unites behind Florida’s 2008 Business Agenda.
A complimentary full breakfast will be served. Seating is limited. RSVP by January 23.
Complete details and register on line here.
| See other posts filed in: Chamber Events, Political Scene
Posted: September 4, 2007: 8:32 am
Winter Haven City Commission seats 1, 2 and 3 will be decided at the polls today, September 4, 2007. We encourage all residents of the city to exercise this most important privilege.
Seat 1:
Robert “Bob” Jardine or James “J.P.” Powell
Seat 2:
Mayor Nathaniel Birdsong or Macy V. Butler
Seat 3:
Commissioner Jeff Potter or Don Drefke
Polls are open until 7 p.m tonight
| See other posts filed in: General Announcements, Political Scene
Posted: August 21, 2007: 2:55 pm
The Chamber hosted an interesting breakfast forum for City Commission candidates this morning … interesting in part because three candidates who have filed to run campaigns failed to show. Bob Jardine, Macy Butler and Don Drefke, candidates for Seats 1, 2 and 3 respectively were not present to answer questions from the business community. Only Drefke sent regrets.
Mayor Nat Birdsong, Commissioner Jeff Potter and Candidate James “J.P.” Powell were on hand and fielded questions on a variety of topics relevant to Winter Haven. Among them:
Insuring the health of the Chain of Lakes for future generations - All three candidates pointed to the area chain as an asset unique to Winter Haven and important to protect. Commissioner Potter mentioned (and all agreed) the stormwater runoff fees already in place help provide necessary resources to further protect water quality. Mayor Birdsong mentioned his interest the city’s program for obtaining environmentally sensitive lakefront property for public enjoyment. Candidate Powell would have the City and the Canal Commission work more closely together to maintain the canals free of debris while sharing advice and information.
Greatest Transportation Need - Birdsong, Potter and Powell all cited Dundee Road as as a priority. Birdsong and Powell both included Thompson Nursery Road as a top need. Candidate Powell mentioned reworking the intersection of Havendale Blvd. and US 17 (in his words an “absolute disaster.” Commissioner Potter also felt strongly the access and egress to and from Cypress Gardens Adventure Park must be corrected.
Downtown Residential - Birdsong, Potter and Powell all point to downtown residential as bringing additional vibrancy to that area. Birdsong also pointed to recent impact fee reductions that he believes will serve as a catalyst for further residential development in the downtown core.
CSX Intermodal Facility - Commissioner Potter feels the CSX facility will be a positive for the Winter Haven community. He supports the project “with the understanding that all issues must be addressed.”
Mayor Birdsong termed the CSX project a “win-win for the City, County and State” adding that roads and traffic will be the challenges. He noted there is no way to have a major project without significant challenges but that tax revenue generated by the project will help address the infrastructure needs.
Candidate J.P. Powell stated, “Bring it on!” Powell felt this area has needed such a development for years. He notes the boost it will provide Winter Haven and the area will create jobs and the tax revenues to provide the enhancements to parks and other amenties that are traditionally hard to fund.
Water - Birdsong, Potter and Powell all point to consumption management, conservation education and maximizing the introduction of re-use water as keys to future needs. Commissioner Potter favors a permanent restriction on lawn watering noting it will take changes in mentality and lifestyle to meet future needs.
Hometown Democracy Amendment - This initiative is actually designed to, if successful, place a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution on the 2008 ballot. Currently organizers continue to collect signatures. To date it has not met the requirements to be on the ballot.
The amendment being proposed would, simply stated, place all local land use changes on local ballots for approval. Some estimate that upwards of 2 - 300 such ballot approvals may be necessary depending on the county. There is a real fear of “ballot-gridlock” and “don’t know-vote no” outcomes. Candidate Powell was not familiar with the concept and will seek background information. Commissioner Potter is not in favor of the concept and feels it will encourage governments to look for ways to circumvent the system. Mayor Birdsong noted that the current comprehensive plan, site plan reviews and regulatory safeguards are onerous enough on the development process and are a far more effective form of home rule.
The election for the Winter Haven City Commission will take place on September 4. Polls will be open throughout Winter Haven that day. You may vote early at the County offices at the Gill Jones Center on Highway 17 North just past Winter Haven Ford on the left.
Candidates are as follows:
Seat # 1 (vacated by Charles Cone)
Candidates Bob Jardine and James “J.P.” Powell
Seat # 2 Mayor Nathaniel Birdsong seeks re-election
Candidate Macy Butler opposes Birdsong
Seat # 3 Commissioner Jeff Potter seeks re-election
Candidate Don Drefke opposes Potter (Note: Our original post listed Bob Jardine as opposing Commissioner Potter. We regret the error.)
| See other posts filed in: Perspective, Political Scene
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