How do we keep it all straight ?

TAMPAGOLD.COM is now providing an automated Calender of Events with a committment to be the Best Calendar in the Tampa Area. Eric Sturm, former calender manager from Verve Tampa Bay, will be managing our site. We are seeking your input ! Check out our calendar and have a look. Regardless of the type of event, we are committed to keeping you informed !

Visit Our Calendar here.

There's Nothing Like Professionals

The recent city of Tampa sponsored event at the Tampa Convention Center to bring out comments on Mayor Iorio's Riverwalk idea was truly an event to be savoured.

The hired guns from EDAW clearly showed their expertise and professionalism in lots of different ways. First, their previous projects were diverse, creative, and substantial. Second, their presentation was clear and precise without being arrogant or dictatotial. Third, when they indicated they wanted public input it seemed sincere. BUT most of all, they were informed about and prepared to dance through the maze of local issues that could send the Riverwalk up the river.

When one of the Tampa Museum of Art's riverfront site proponents took a swat at the plan, these EDAW professionals recognized the incoming attack for what it was and responded with a clear indication that the Museum was not their issue, but that their expertise would make the Museum, at whatever location, a part of the Riverwalk connectivity plan. (see more pictures from the meeting here)

With her popularity chart starting to rival President Bush's poll results, Mayor Iorio has committed herself to "creating Tampa's premier attraction."

All she needs is to: 1. keep the Art Museum backers happy; 2. keep the Kiley Park supporters happy; 3. overcome problems created by being on a navigable river with security issues and bridges of various heights, 4. have a design/concept that is liked by everyone;

AND, of course, 5. Find the $20 plus million required to make this happen.

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

The problems of the levees in New Orleans had been known for years. The biggest problem was the failure of the people and the politicians to be willing to bite the financial bullet and make the levees safe.

Now California is examining the same type of issue. With their levees in an earthquake prone area, the proposed cost to bring the levees up to a sufficient safe zone is over $ 1 Billion dollars. That is a lot ! But nothing like the potential disaster if it is not done.

The bill for the repair of the Gulf Coast will be over $200 Billion.

Unfortunately, money does not grow on trees 0r in vineyards. President Bush has been one of the most fiscally irresponsible leaders in our country's history. Hard to believe from a purported conservative, Republican administration.

Republican rhetoric has called the Democrats "taxers and spenders" while under this administration the Republicans have just plain been "spenders" saddling us with a huge debt at the wrong time.

While launching two war fronts, the mislead war in Iraq and the almost forgotten war in Afghanistan, he has engineered tax cuts for the rich resulting in large budget deficits. Now when we need dollars to respond to the largest disaster affecting the American people, the money is not there, except by borrowing even more. When we needed the National Guard to save the Homeland, many were overseas.

The pictures from hurricane affected American streets and neighborhoods make the scenes from Lebanon, Iraq, Somalia, and other combat zones look pretty tame. Hard to look at bodies lying on the side of the road - for days - and not thinking that this can't be happening in America.

We wish a new electionwas close at hand. We need fresh, new, bold leadership with creativity and vision to get America back on track.

The believers still say, "Bush did a better job than Kerry would have done." Maybe, maybe not; but with a forgotten war on the real bad guys that killed thousands of innocent Americans on 9/11, with a falsely justified war on Iraq, with a fiscally irresponsible budgetary policy, and now with the failure of the federal government to quickly and effectively respond to a natural disaster that we could see coming, giving Kerry or anyone else a chance to do better seems like a reasonable idea. We aren't going to talk about the budget surpluses during the Clinton administration or the fact that more Americans are falling into poverty since George W. took office. We aren't even going to be partisan, give us a different Republican - just give us someone different.

A COMPARISON TO THINK ABOUT

The damage assessment for the area affected by Hurricane Katrina is 90,000 square miles. Sometime this week it is projected that 54,000 federal troops will be on the ground to help this devastated part of our country. OR .60 federal troop member per square mile.

Iraq is almost 169,000 square miles in area. According to CNN, we have 138,000 troops in Iraq. OR .81 federal troop member per square mile.

That does not include Afghanistan or any other assigned locations. Think about it.

LET'S DO THIS !

There will be plenty of blame going around concerning the handling/mishandling of the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. BUT the people without food/water or without a place to go, really do not care about blame for now. They just want the basics that a country like ours should provide.

It is clear that the dangers of the levees were made public years ago. Whether possible or not, when you want help, you want it NOW !

Florida should be re examining all of our disaster scenarios and plans. That is the job our professionals are paid to do.

For the immediate need of desperate families, why shouldn't Tampa make available the empty Fort Homerly Hesterly Armory for temporary housing ? This building could be a great temporary shelter. While it might not be a first class hotel, it is dry and conveniently located for people in need.

Why should we do this ? Because we can.

This property on North Howard Avenue is empty and convenient. The property is still in transition from the National Guard to the City of Tampa. Elvis, Gordon Solie and every wrestler that ever visited this building would surely approve of this use.

Tampa's day for a similar disaster may come some day, wouldn't you want it done for you ?

Call upon Mayor Iorio to respond by clicking here.

AND WHETHER YOU AGREE WITH US OR NOT -
Give to the RED CROSS NOW by clicking here. OR Give to the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund by clicking here.
OR drop off your donations at the St. Pete Times Forum
OR TO SEND A PACKAGE DIRECTLY, Send to REFUGEES - Astrodome -8400 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77054. Mark on the front of the package what is enclosed to assist in distribution.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN US !

Just as during the 9/11 disaster, we are all afforded the amazing ability to get a news (including pictures) immediately of the New Orleans - Gulf Coast disaster caused by Hurricane Katrina.

The TOTAL devastation is incredible. It could have been us.

Hurricane Charley threatened to come right up Tampa Bay, the worst scenario for us according to local planners.

You have to feel the pain of the many displaced people you see on news broadcasts.

The power of the internet is evident again when I realize that if this had happened to me I could be located, in time, by my internet address. I could communicate with worried friends and family from some stray location - assuming I had survived.

Help these people get out of the disaster zone to where they can be safe and can communicate again.

NOW is the time to help these survivors. Tampa groups have already started planning fundraisers and contribution drops. This is great - BUT do something NOW !

Give to the RED CROSS NOW ! As I listen to the news I hear a reporter saying "people are dying now. A man is laying dead on the sidewalk and no one is doing anything."

PEOPLE LAYING DEAD ON THE STREET IN THE U.S.

Local groups doing things to help are great ! But a week will be too late for many people.

GIVE TO THE RED CROSS NOW ! They are waiting for your call. 800-HELPNOW or
Click here.