Tampa Is Lucky Again

Hurricane Katrina unleashed her fury on the upper Gulf Coast sparing us from another potential disaster. If you are "ordered" to evacuate - would you ? Do you trust government officials to advise you correctly before a storm hits ? And do you trust them to take care of you after the event ? Are you really covered under your insurance ?
AND if you evacuated in the middle of the night with almost nothing, and almost everything you had was lost, do you know what you would do ?

Lots of questions to think about.

New Orleans had been lucky for a long time - just like us.

You can help now with a few dollars - for the RED CROSS - click here.

HOW Un-AMERICAN CAN WE BE ?

It amazes me when I hear people so intolerant of others in the U.S.

Critics of the President are called names and told they aren't Americans. Critics of the War are called names and told they aren't Americans. Critics of anything are called names and told they aren't Americans.

What an irony. Many of our founding fathers came here to avoid religious and political persecution. Our Bill of Rights seeks to guarantee freedom of speech and thought.

While I may not ever agree with your opinion - I will ALWAYS agree with your right to state it.

The recent emphasis on democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan is the allowance of people to speak about and vote for their ideas.

Seems to me like it is time for Americans to BE Americans and let citizens speak up for their own ideas.

Whether it be Bikini Bars in East Hillsborough County, HARTLINE, The Art Museum, The Iraq War, - sift through the bombardment of messages reaching you every moment and think about and speak up about what is important to you !

WAKE UP AMERICA !!!

Too much can lead to too little.

Stop right where you are right now and take a moment to look around you. How many messages are reaching at you NOW ?

Is there a logo on your drink cup ? Does your computer have a label saying "Intel Inside" ? Are there any business cards in front of you ? Anything like "Microsoft" on your mouse or keyboard ? Does your phone say "Nextel" ?

We are so bombarded with messages that it leads to many of us missing a lot of what is going on.

It is most concerning when it comes to issues that may be really important - maybe even save lives.

Are you aware of the following:
1. 7th Avenue in Ybor is about to return to vehicle traffic from the pedestrian traffic in the past ?
2. considerations are underway to change parts of North Armenia/North Howard just north of the Interstate to TWO Way streets from the current ONE way streets ?
3. people are gathering ballot initiative petition signatures with your name, address, and phone number and not identifying who they are or who they are working for ?
4. a group name BEST (Built Environment for a Sustainable Tampa) is trying to insure that Downtown Tampa does not become just a batch of high rise concrete structures ?
5. a future Tampa Museum of Art will cost city residents about 1 Million per year to operate ?
6. the "New Tampa" area has a strong movement afoot to no longer be a part of the City of Tampa ?

And we have barely begun to scratch the surface of what all is happening in this city.

TAMPAGOLD.com is making significant changes to be able to tell you more about our city and its residents. Your input is critical to making that work. We welcome your comments and input - always !

IN THE EYE OF THE STORMS

Hillsborough County Commissioner Rhonda Storms is a pretty unique politician. She does speak her mind and is consistent with her voting. I like her style - sometimes.

BUT it is her substance that gets all out of whack. She seems totally unconcerned about the possibility that her stand against supporting Gay Pride might be deemed as discriminatory.

Whether or not you agree with her stand, you should be concerned about her attitude. And concerned with her effort to rush through her position without any prior discussion or input. The speed and lack of deliberation on behalf of the commission members sure smells of a planned conspiracy.

Did the other commissioners know this was coming ? If so, when and how ? Was this a violation of the Sunshine Law ? Will we ever know ?

The GLB coalition has now implemented a plan to support merchants that support their cause by posting a sticker on their front door. My history education brings to mind too many times that a marked door was used to discriminate and to persecute.

I hope our County Commission will learn how to unify rather than divide. This would be something we could all be proud of.

WHAT SHOULD THE PRESIDENT DO ?

The continuing saga of Cindy Sheehan hanging out by the President's Crawford Texas home has really gotten sour. Nerves at the site seem frayed.

I am no fan of President Bush and have never been a supporter of the war on Iraq. We did not have UN approval and their were no WMD's as threatened, however, that day of decision has passed. T

he President is THE PRESIDENT.

I do not think he should meet with her - again. And ignoring her presence at the ranch will not do any good either. Especially if some one is hurt or tensions escalate.

What a great time to have a good reason to cancel his vacation for a week and head to: a disaster site, a meeting of some conservative group, an international good will mission or something. Maybe with the completion of an Iraq constitution, Bush could sneak into Iraq for a celebratory signing or something. If the President and the media left Crawford, this wrong approach to this serious issue would go away.

We all share the pain of the Sheehan family.

Openly and candidly discussing Iraq's future and our role in it is a much better way to deal with the Iraq issue for everyone's benefit. It is the failure in doing so that has provided Cindy Sheehan with this platform.

TAMPA - City of the Arts ?

With a lot of dust being stirred up, it look like the Tampa Museum of Art is still looking for a new home. Mayor Iorio is insistent on an open riverfront - although she hints of mid rise residential/commercial space and talks of a museum district in the Franklin Street Area. The Tampa Museum of Art Board maintains that they need more and new space and have pushed for a riverfront site.

Lots of issues have been raised over these plans. Among them are the continuing operating costs of the museum and of course, the cost of construction too. How important is the building itself ? What size and form of exhibit space is required and can be afforded ?

Do we need to spend the money ? What is the "real" value of the museum ? Should it be in downtown at all ? Lots of questions, and so far not many answers

At a potential cost of construction of over $100 million and a per year city contribution of near $1 million, can or should we afford it ?

What do you think ?

Ybor City - What should we do ?

With the recent attention that has been given to Tampa's Ybor City, it is no wonder that everyone has an opinion. This multi block area has a clashing combination of businesses, architecture, history, and people.

It does seem that bad news in or even near Ybor gets larger headlines than most other bad news, but a high dollar Public Relations Guru is not the answer. Fix the Problems, Fix the News.

It is not the City's right to randomly close the bars and we will argue to the end for bars or any business to be able to price their legal products as the business owner wishes.

The effects are starting to become noticeable. While week nights were not usually that busy, they have now become even less busy. Some establishments have their own clientele and following, but even they are starting to feel the sting.

Parking in Ybor already adds to your headache. Parking on 7th Avenue is allowed at certain hours. Parking meters are randomly, but frequently enforced. Parking garages are not all that convenient. Private lot hawkers make you wonder about their legitimacy and rates vary according to location. Plus paying $5 or more to park when you are thinking about just a quick beer or two is not very cost efficient.

BUT add to this the charm of the neighborhood and the convenience of so many clubs/restaurants in such close proximity and it does add up to a big asset. The Ybor Market on Saturday mornings is always enjoyable. West Palm Wines is a first rate boutique shop. The Handmade in Florida Craft Gallery is more of an art facility than crafts. And the list goes on.

We would like your opinion on where Ybor City is , and where it should go. Please visit our Poll and let us know what you think. CLICK HERE.
AND of course, your comments are welcome on this blog too.

SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS - JUST IGNORE THEM

Over the past two years, a very large and representative BAYSHORE TASK FORCE studied virtually every option for making this scenic drive and recreation area safer for all.

I attended a couple of meetings and was impressed with the size and dedication involved. Citizens from recreation, business, neighborhood, safety, and law enforcement groups were attending frequent meetings to address the concerns about Bayshore Boulevard.

When I interviewed the Mayor, prior to the Task Force's report, asking for her suggestions on Bayshore, she deferred to the Task Force and was proud of their work and efforts. "Why appoint a hard working committee and then make suggestions prior to their report ?" was her answer. Mayor Iorio has supported the construction of the sidewalk since the Task Force's recommendations.

The report was issued with many suggestions to improve safety. (KEY WORD HERE IS: SAFETY) With money and budget restraints; implementing the suggestions have gradually been planned and many suggestions implemented.

If you use Bayshore, you know the lack of a complete southbound sidewalk between Howard Avenue and Bay to Bay creates a safety hazard. That is why the Task Force made the suggestion to install that section of sidewalk.

BUT now, the Bayshore Diplomat condo association and a couple of Bayshore property owners don't want the sidewalk to be constructed in front of their property and have been successful in getting the city to rethink this plan.

This is very simple, if you want to walk on the south bound side of Bayshore, you will have to walk on uneven grass or you will have to cross the street. Still resulting in the safety issue that the Task Force addressed.

Take the Task Force's recommendations: construct the southbound sidewalk - ALL OF IT !

Call the City Council 274-8131.

GARDENING IN DOWNTOWN TAMPA

As I looked at some of the newspaper maps at planned construction in Downtown, it was easy to think of gardening. Discussion about heights and types of buildings (hotels, condos, retail) sound like selecting the right plant to be sure you can walk between the rows or be sure that the heights work to make the light access correct for the other plants in the garden.

The seeds for downtown redevelopment are already in place. In case you haven't noticed, after years of reaching for new office buildings, the call for them now has become silent.

Already over 5,000 new housing units are starting to grow or are already approved in downtown. Hotels are also on the way. BUT, it is retail space that seems to be lagging behind.

Two Channelside establishments have closed their doors - permanently or temporarily seems to be the question - Newks and Rivals. Part of that comes from the lack of NHL hockey games and the revenue it brings.

When VERVE had a recent DOWNTOWN AFTER SIX function, several hundred people attended to stroll through part of downtown. It was great to see some local businesses stay open a little later to make the event work, but it was a little sad to see all the businesses closed at 6 PM. Regardless of the downtown event, on Saturdays, most retail spaces and restaurants are closed and silent.

A garden starts with a clearing process. Raking, planning, then planting. Not all plants grow at the same speed. You have to be patient and nurturing before the garden really takes hold.

Downtown Tampa is just like that. Let's just hope that in the rush to construct the garden we don't remove some plants that we really ought to keep, like Kiley Park, or allow some in that shouldn't be there.

TOWING IN SOHO

Recently I received this email at SOHOTAMPA.COM.

Hey, Mr. Bill! I’ve got a question. Some friends and I were sitting on the deck at the Deck on Friday 10 June. While enjoying our pizzas, we noticed the parking lot at the former Porky’s laundry filling up with various cars and suvs. Then the tow trucks started to arrive. This business is closed. There is very limited parking in hyde park, especially on Friday nites when everyone wants to pub crawl or have dinner. The question is, why would the owners of an extinct business care if their parking were used for the benefit of all??? It just seems to me that most of the businesses that are located in hyde park are here for a reason. And the reason is high pedestrian volume($)! It is pointless that someone with all that unused space would limit access to the property. And, if that is the case, why is there not a fence around the property to keep everyone out???Also, this towing company only took the nicest cars. While on the deck, we noticed a mercedes and 2 bmw’s being towed. The chevy and ford suvs were left behind and not touched while we were there. Maybe they took the high end cars knowing that those owners would most likely get their cars out of hock before an older pos jalopy? Just curious as to your take on the matter. Kevin

Dear Kevin, It has amazed me to see the tow trucks zoom around the neighborhood like sharks in a kid's wading pool. With a cost of over $200 to get your car out of their hands and the total inconvenience of trying to figure out who has it and where it has gone; towing has become a big profit maker for some, and a big headache for others. What is the solution ?

Parking garages, mass transit, a little more give and take from neighbors, better city controls in not allowing new businesses and residences without adequate parking, or all of the above ?

We have raised this issue before ... and will again. We welcome your comments on this issue.

IT MUST BE TOUGH BEING A REPUBLICAN

The amount of rhetoric that comes from the Republican Right is amazing. Especially when you have several assaults on basic Republican values.

First, the massive federal budget deficits. When Carter had deficits, the Republicans called him a TAX AND SPEND LIBERAL ! But when Bush gives them to us at ten times the Carter numbers, the Republicans stay silent.

Second, Iraq. Republicans have generated the policy of "if it isn't in America, we shouldn't get involved." So much for that.

Third, states rights. Today the Supreme Court struck down the use of medical marijuana, all after an appeal from the Bush Administration that challenged 10 states policies over that law. So much for States Rights, a basic issue of the Republican Party.

At this rate, the Republican Party should just change its name to the "BUSH PARTY" or maybe the "BLIND SHEEP PARTY". Either name would better describe their evolving "principles".

WHY ARE WE WASTING THESE TREASURES ?

As an outdoors fan and as someone that attends many community events, a trend is becoming evident across the city. Our City Parks are being neglected.

Gadsden Park at the south end of MacDill looks like a sandspur farm with picnic shelters there are virtually unusable.

Bern Laxer Park on south Howard Avenue is now a year behind schedule from the plans the city expressed to me over a year ago. Over $200,000 has been budgeted by the city and could be in jeopardy if not allocated by the start of the next year's budget. Hopefully a planned meeting in early June will get this project back on track.

Kiley Park in downtown is another victim of neglect. Hard to imagine a riverfront property in our highly touted downtown that has been ignored for years.

There are quite a few other problem parks, and we want to hear about them. Please add your comments or email them to me.

Improvements are happening at some, but it is the overall state of maintenance that is the problem.

Let's be honest, with around 150 parks and recreation sites, the city does have their hands full.

With the value of real estate where it is, TAMPAGOLD.COM believes we should protect these valuable resources before it is too late. The city will see dramatic increases in its income due to these rising property values. We must remind the City to put more money in to these treasures to better enhance the life of all Tampa residents.

Watch for us to get more answers to why our City is letting this happen.

Please send your comments and suggestions to: bill@tampagold.com

You can visit the City of Tampa's Parks and Recreation website here.

SAVE KILEY PARK !

The hardly noticed park just north of the Kennedy Boulevard and Ashley Street intersection is not your typical park. Raised on top of an underground parking garage and tucked between the Tampa Museum of Art and an over 30 floor tall round office building, there are not swings or ball fields. Just an imaginatively designed urban space that allows you to escape from the hustle and bustle of the downtown of a rapidly changing city environment. City council membr Linda Saul-Sena and Harry Wolfe, one of the original architects of the bank site should be commended for raising the knowledge level and awareness of this significant downtown issue.

With a dense coverage of trees, easy walkways, and a riverfront location, this park is at risk due to several key issues.

First, the park has been neglected and ignored. While the city is responsible for the park, it has not been on its priority list (amazing for a waterfront site in a city where the mayor keeps talking about a Riverwalk plan to include better use of this area for our residents). It has been ignored due to the continuing upheavel in the banking and real estate industry that has lead to many changes in the ownership of the adjacent beer can shaped office building.

Second, with the recent defeat of the plans for an expanded Art Museum at the current site,: vultures of every stripe are looking at the three adjacent sites with dollar signs in their eyes. That's right ! Kiley Park, the Art Museum and the farther north park could allow for significant development of commercial or residential space. While we are still hearing about the possibility of an arts district a few blocks more into downtown, the silence as to what might happen to the Art Museum has been almost deafening.

Third, and the largest risk to saving the park is our silence. With the explosion in development and real estate prices, getting land for public green space is getting more difficult with every day. Why would Tampa residents possibly want to give up a waterfront, already established, nationally recognized park in a booming downtown without a fight ? Easy anwer, lack of awareness and just plain apathy.

The Tampa Tribune recently issued an editorial calling for efforts to save the Belleview Biltmore in Clearwater, a noble effort. BUT KILEY PARK is being also called upon by the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation as one of Florida's most endangered sites - along with the Biltmore. Get involved. Visit this beautiful urban site, send an email to let your City Council know that you want city park property to stay city park property. Post your comments below AND email them to let them know how you feel. DO THIS BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE !

HOW MUCH MONEY CAN THEY WASTE ?

Yesterday I received a letter from the Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority. Did you get one too ?

The letter went into explaining the delays in construction, the increase in fares, the concern about safety, and of course, the design/engineering mistakes that has helped contribute to these issues.

If I had been the only recipient of this letter, it would not have really bothered me. BUT, living in a condo, it takes little to look in the trash can by the mailboxes and see all these discarded letters from the Expressway authority.

I do not use the toll road very often, but the cost of the letter to me would about equal the proposed raise for a one time use. How about all those letters in the trash bin ?

They just don't seem to get it about using taxpayer money. Why did they send me a letter now about a road not to be completed for at least another year ? The answer is simple : WE ARE NOT HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE ENOUGH !

I must commend the chairman for having the courage to signing his name to a letter about a project that has been an almost total disaster.
Think about it: 1. a project many do not feel is safe; 2. cost overruns around $100 million; 3. Fare increases of 25-50 cents; 4. Additional wasted money on sending out letters about the project.

IF this doesn't bother you then so be it, BUT, if you want to let the Authority know what you think, you contact them here.

Let the SONY Buyer Beware !

Having become a tech use junkie with all that happens on www.tampagold.com and www.sohotampa.com, it is always pisser when the systems go wrong. It is worse yet when it is poor support that helps make it happen.

Two years ago I bought the then state of the art pda from Sony - the Clie with built in camera and all. It has served me ok for the two years, until recently when the screen decided to add lines on each side making it hard to use. After two tries with Sony support, the problem has been solved. That's right ! With their help the lines are still there and now all my data has been deleted. The online help person seemed to continually fail to respond to what I was indicating was showing up on the screens, clearly was not just trying to help me due to the long waits between his responses, and of course, the final result being that the solution is now solved because I am throwing this $599 piece of Sony garbage in the trash. Looks like the old yellow legal pad wins again ! And they don't even have an online support office.

IS IT FISHING , SAFETY, OR JUST PLAIN DISCRIMINATION ?

It recently came to light that it is against City Ordinances to fish along almost all of Bayshore Boulevard. We are talking about resident fishing - not large commercial boats or anything like that. Violating the ordinance could result in a fine.

Reasons for the ordinance have centered on the issue of safety. Making sure that bicyclists, runners, roller bladers, and others are not hit by rods and reels, or fishing poles, or hooks, etc. BUT who are we kidding ?

While most of the types of residents attracted are merely there for the recreation, there are some that fish just because they want to catch dinner. Maybe they are poor or maybe they are just trying to save a few dollars.

With this City Ordinance in effect along this beautiful stretch of million dollar homes and condos you also have to wonder if it isn't just a case of "those that have" trying to make sure that they don't have to be subjected to observe "those that have not."

Tampa is made up of people of many diverse ethnicities and backgrounds. And to the knowledge of TAMPAGOLD.COM, they have just as much right to enjoy Bayshore as anyone else.

Let's get rid of this ordinance. Recent prostesters of the fishing ordinance carried signs that read very simply "WE CAN SHARE". Seems that says it all. What do you think ?

EARTHDAY Makes You Think Some

The Earthday event in Tampa at Lowry Park provided diverse environmentally motivated groups a great opportunity to reach out to the community about how we can each do a little to make our Planet a better place to exist. Unfortunately, it was a case of preaching to the choir. While the groups brought many volunteers, the public was not as particpatory as could have been hoped for. For the next year's event, we would suggest a more central type location where people already are. We love Lowry Park - all of it ! But the important information that Earthday wants to distribute was just not getting to where all it needs to be.

However, there is a continuing effort that really needs to be commented on. Most people think that Government Employees are working Monday-Friday jobs --- WRONG !

We go to more events than we can remember. From Plant Sales to Environmental Events, to Pets events; and almost everyone event we attend - on weekends - have City, County, State, and/or Regional employees participating to give you helpful information. At the Earthday Event Brent White with the City of Tampa's Water Conservation department was sharing information about helping to save water by using rainwater. Did you know that a homeowner can receive TWO free rain barrels ? Storing rainwater can aid in reducing stormwater runoff.

If we all do a little, it can mean a lot. For info about water conservation and the Rain Barrel program in Tampa, call 274-8121, tell them TAMPAGOLD.COM sent you ! What do you think ?

TROLLEY TASTE OF SOHO WAS FUN, BUT ONLY A TASTE

The approximately 500 participants in the fundraising event for the Moffit Center had a great time. The restaurants provided a great sampling of some of SOHO's unique locations, BUT it was the taste of Hartline's Trolley Car system than really was the talk of the neighborhood.

Will it ever come to SOHO ? What will it take to happen ? Will it get used if it does ?

It is sad to see the existing route to Old Hyde Park Village operate with virtually no riders on most trips. If it went further, just a few blocks, to Howard Avenue, would it get used ? Would if be profitable or even come close ? Would you use it ? Thinking about walking a short distance and being taken to Channelside or Ybor is pretty attractive, but would it be used ?

What do you think ? We would welcome your comments - click below to add yours.

THE TAMPA SPORTS AUTHORITY - Let Them Have Some Fun !

All the screaming and yelling about the members of the Tampa Sports Authority receiving Buccaneers tickets, viewing suites, and food and drink is really just a bunch of B.S. This NON-PAID board has a lot of work and responsibility staring at them every day.

Acting as an In the Sunshine organization with almost every type of media attention possible, it seems a little silly that the issue of going to a few football games with a few friends and having some food and drinks is such a big deal. It seems to me that I would rather have them having a good time than have them make some bad decisions costing the county millions of dollars.

It looks like their games and tickets will be limited and forget the liquor and beer, hot dogs are probably in their future. Someone seems to be trying to take the AUTHORITY out of the Sports Authority.

Sports is business, but, it is about the fun and excitement too. Let these members have fun. I am certain when they are at those long, drawn out meetings that they are not being paid for, fun is not what they are having.

Get off their backs, if we are so concerned about them abusing or being so influenced by this perk, then maybe they should not be on the Authority to begin with. This does not seem to be the issue, so let's sit back in our suite, have a drink, and enjoy the game. Gee, seems that is what we want the fans to do ! What do you think ?

OUR COUNTY COMMISSION - IF THEY ONLY HAD A BRAIN

If you drive the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, you have to look at the strange shaped pilings and wonder if they are going to be safe. We have all heard stories or seen pictures of collapsed bridges with cars dangling or going over the edge. Work on the expressway is being done by URS Corp. The pilings sank not a few inches - BUT 11 FEET ! Remember this

If you live in the Apollo Beach area, you have to know that the desalination plant to help provide some relief to our water supply has been a continual nightmare. Covanta built the plant and was to operate it, but it was taken over by the county when it appeared to have serious problems. Pretty uncomfortable when you build a project only to have it taken over at the end due to those problems.

By the way, we failed to tell you about the millions of dollars each of those issues have cost the county - plus the moment of fear that most Expressway drivers have when approaching those pilings/supports.

Our County Commission is thinking of REWARDING the two companies with additional contracts: For Covanta - a possible project to expand a waste to energy plant and for URS Corp. additional work on stormwater projects. The Tampa Tribune has complete details.

Only County Commissioners Blair and Storms vote against these.

At the same meeting , the brainless commission voted against providing healthcare to 3 time felons in order to save $ 4 million annually. THE COVANTA DEAL ALONE COULD INCREASE COUNTY LIABILITY BY AROUND $ 22 MILLION !

TELL THE COUNTY COMMISSION WHAT YOU THINK ! email them here

Your comments to them really does make a difference. By the way, if this gets you worked up, let Commissioners Blair and Storms know you support their votes too.