Politics Affecting Venice--Florida League of City Expresses Concerns Re McCollum Tax Plan
McCollum should help, not hinder, local self-government
By Mike Sittig
489 words
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum said that if elected, he will seek to impose a two-year freeze on property taxes for local governments across Florida. He said Floridians need a “time out.”
A “time out” so that state government can once again meddle in local affairs instead of tending to pressing statewide issues? Those of us who believe that people in
Posted By Ed Martin at 4:36 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Florida Independent, A New Independent Online Newsdaily, Takes a Look at Opponents of Amendment 4,
Guess Who Opposes Amendment 4, which would require the voters to approve changes to each jurisdiction's
Comprehensive Plan for Growth?
This is an issue reader's should research to find their own view before the referendum.
Comments welcome.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Florida Independent.
Posted By Ed Martin at 3:40 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Trib Editorial on Mayor's Retirement Overlooks One Important Change.
The Trib seems to me to have done a fair job in commenting on my retirement. As with other press accounts it does not mention what I feel is a major contribution Sue Lang, Ernie Zavodnyik and I made, not accepting campaign contributions from individuals or businesses whose financial gains depended on Council actions, e.g., developers, land-use attorneys, consultants, City contractors, etc.
This broke a pattern where all sitting Council members had accepted funds from these sources
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Posted By Ed Martin at 1:14 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
September Song
Statement of Mayor Ed Martin
June 22, 2010
Today, I am announcing that I will not run for re-election as Mayor of Venice in November 2010.
It has been my privilege to be the Mayor of the city and I thank all those who voted for me and have worked with us to improve and protect Venice. It has been my privilege to serve with City Council colleagues who are committed to a shared version of the City: Jim Bennett, Sue Lang, John Moore, Kit McKeon and Ernie Zavodnyi
Posted By Ed Martin at 5:24 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
State of the City A Hit. No speeches, Photo Highlights of City Accomplishments, Citizen Awards.
The first "State of The City" evening was short, entertaining, included door prizes and "Mayor's Pillars of the Community" awards to very deserving people and groups: Monty Andrews for his contributions of years to City Parks; Carol Pritchard and the Venice Interfaith Community Association for providing over 3000 meals at St. Mark's and other area churches and the Venice Jewish Center utilizing the volunteer help of more than 300 citizens.
To read a detailed account click on the link and when
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Venice Gondolier Sun.
Posted By Ed Martin at 6:15 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Pine View makes Newsweek's Best High Schools, in "Elite" category--Not serving "average" students.
NEWSWEEK’s Challenge Index is designed to recognize schools that challenge average students. These top-performing schools, listed below in alphabetical order, were excluded from the list of top high schools because, despite their exceptional quality, their sky-high SAT and ACT scores indicate they have few or no average students.
Pine View School for the Gifted, Osprey, Fla.: This public school opened in 1969. Only those with 130 IQs or above may apply. It has grades 2 thr
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Newsweek.
Posted By Ed Martin at 2:02 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Voices Publishes Interview With Sue Lang, Covering
Preserving Venice, New Job Possibilities
Click the link and scroll down to Page 4.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Voices.
Posted By Ed Martin at 9:30 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Comp Plan Approved to Send to State--Unanimously?
Small Increase in Utilities Fees--@$1.60/Month.
In a somewhat puzzling action, Council Member Emilio Carlesimo read a prepared statement criticizing the Plan, predicting legal challenges, and then voted for it! So the plan will be transmitted to the State, after unanimous approval--sort of.
Planning and Zoning Chief Tom Slaughter thinks the plan may win special recognition for innovative features and former Secretary of DCA (the agency which will evaluate the plan), Linda Shelley predicts the plan will be approved without subst
Posted By Ed Martin at 9:47 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Utility Rates Are Topic Number One in Emails--Discussion Tomorrow at Council Meeting
I wanted to share a message concerning possible utility rate increases and provide at least some context for the decision Council faces. Here is a copy of an email, (I withheld the names of the senders to preserve their privacy. The original is on the City email server as a public record.)
Mayor Martin and members of the City Council,
My wife and I recently purchased a home in Bay Indies and look forward to spending many years as active members of the Venice community, it tro
Posted By Ed Martin at 10:09 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Downtown Venice News--Pineapple’s
Isaac Turner, City Manager and Tom Carney, who is opening Pineapple’s at Business 41 between Venice and Miami Avenues, have been meeting to see how to resolve citizen’s and the City’s concerns about the colors used on the building-- on an amicable basis. Those meetings will continue, hopefully to a productive conclusion, so this new business can move ahead and open and be welcomed by the community.
In addition to discussions on the colors to be used, City staff is reviewing the exp
Posted By Ed Martin at 5:22 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
