These are all the Blogs posted in August, 2010.
Tuesday, 31
Would You Be Surprised to Find Out: Right-Wing Billionaires Support Tea Party--not so "grass roots."
Money and Politics: Continued.
In recent presidential elections, little known so-called conservatives have been gradually exposed as pretty voracious right-wingers, John Birch ties, etc. Here is some information on whose backing today's Tea Partiers, something, I expect, not many of the supporters may realize.
"When David Koch ran to the right of Reagan as vice president on the 1980 Libertarian ticket (it polled 1 percent), his campaign called for the abolition not just of Socia
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
The New York Times.
Posted By Ed Martin at 1:55 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Sunday, 29
FOX Gives Alec Sink Top Grades For Campaign!
Republican and Democratic Voters Agree
Watch this U-Tube video of a Fox Broadcast--it says more than I ever could.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Utube, Fox News.
Posted By Ed at 1:30 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Thursday, 26
"A thing of great ugliness..." Times critic on Sarasota's "Unconditional Surrender" now in NYC
It would be hard to say how many of the scores of people milling around, admiring and photographing the painted, cast-bronze sculpture, “Unconditional Surrender” by Seward Johnson, knew what it represented. (There were explanatory signs.) But there’s no doubt it was popular.
It was to my eye a thing of great ugliness, not only because of its flat-footed, crudely simplified realism, grotesque scale and stunningly insensitive title, but because of its appeal to a cheap form of patrio
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
NYTimes.
Posted By Ed at 8:39 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Wednesday, 25
Bad, Baddest--$50 million Buys Scott Advertising Advantage.Money and Politics, continued.
It was hard to see anything good for voters in the McCollum v.Scott contest for the Republican nomination for Governor. The more their records became clear, the less desirable they appeared.
For Democratic nominee Alex Sink, Scott's billion dollar debacle in his health business, certainly provides a target with a population of voters tired of being "conned" by the health industry, However, as Jeremy Wallace of the Trib points out, $50 million goes a long way when purchasing short,
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Posted By Ed at 2:23 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Sunday, 22
Florida Politics: Sink Has Lead over McCollum, Scott in Latest Poll; Meek Extends Lead over Greene
Realclear Politics updates polls as they are reported.
Directions favor, McCollum, Meek in their primaries.
Sink leads in General Election poll over either Republican.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Realclear Politics.Com.
Posted By Ed at 6:12 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Crist Leads in Prediction Guru's Model, Dems To Hold Onto Small Margin in House and Senate.
Nate Silver, who several months before the election predicted within one electoral vote, Obama's margin of victory, now sees Crist as having about a 60% probability of winning. Margins in the House and Senate are within a handful of votes.
Stay Tuned. Its still early and nobody is prefect.
Posted By Ed at 6:03 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Friday, 20
Money and Politics: Big Industry Money, Sugar, Utilities, Healthcare, pours into McCollum campaign.
If one looks will a correlation be found between McCollum's past or future actions and these industries?
Voters don't seem to like these connections, but sometimes party loyalty seems much stronger than concerns about integrity.
Will this be true in Venice?
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
The Florida Independent.
Posted By Ed at 5:04 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Thursday, 19
Sarasota Rejects Walia Project Which Does Not Conform to Rules.
Harry Walia has difficulty believing the rules apply to him whether it is speeding, paying his physician and other tradesman, and he seems incapable of understanding why others object to his ideas.
For more see the Herald Tribune article
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Posted By Ed Martin at 12:13 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Sink Moves Out to Narrow Lead: Crist Leads Rubio with Meek Lagging
The latest Quinniciap Poll shows Alex Sink has moved ahead after earlier trailing. It appears her opponents negatives are very unattractive to independent voters.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Quinniciap Poll.
Posted By Ed Martin at 11:57 AM in Category:
Inside Venice
Tuesday, 17
Everyone Has An Opinion on the NY Mosque---What's the Venice View?
Is the First Amendment separation of Church and State the ruling precedent or is the tragic circumstance of the destruction of the World Trade Center and the loss of more than 3000 lives enough for the City of New York to prohibit the construction of the Mosque two blocks from the site?
Posted By Ed at 2:27 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Monday, 16
Meek Begins to Outpace Green, Poses Concern for Crist.
Green's negatives appear to be catching up with him as Meek support strengthens. Bill Clinton to campaign for him.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Florida Independent.
Posted By Ed at 8:13 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Amendments on November Ballot Can Reform Gerrymandering.
Why does the Legislature membership not reflect the make-up of the voting public?--because districts have been shaped for the purpose of protecting incumbents..
To learn more, here is a meeting you can attend without cost.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Venice
Social Justice Committee
invites YOU to a
FairDistricts Florida House Party
Learn about Fair Districts Amendments 5 & 6
and how we can improve Florida for generations t
Posted By Ed at 8:02 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Ready to Ward Off the Attacks on Social Security?
Watch Out
Economist Paul Krugman looks at the validity of attacks on Social Security. Here is a quote and the full story is linked below.
"But neither of these potential problems is a clear and present danger. Social Security has been running surpluses for the last quarter-century, banking those surpluses in a special account, the so-called trust fund. The program won’t have to turn to Congress for help or cut benefits until or unless the trust fund is exhausted, which the program’s actuar
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
The New York Times.
Posted By Ed Martin at 4:34 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Saturday, 14
Money, Politics, Amendment 4 More....
In coming weeks I am going to be putting together some thoughts on the impact of money, campaign money, on the independence of elected officials, from Washington to Venice.
Meanwhile, here is a clear statement of what Amendment 4 is and isn't.
Is Florida the most corrupt state? What does that have to do with Amendment 4?
click on Herald Tribune for more
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Posted By Ed at 3:54 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Friday, 13
Guess Who Is Spending Millions to Defeat Amendment 4?
If watching the efforts to weaken, criticize and lobby to defeat the new Venice Comp Plan by people who were used to little or no controls on their plans to annex, zone, secure exceptions, etc. wasn't enought to give you an idea why having comp plan changes approved by voters might not be a good idea, read this story.
Thousands of comp plan amendments have been the norm for Florida, almost all generated by developers. Under Amendment 4, the voters would have to approve such chang
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
The Florida Independent.
Posted By Ed at 3:22 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Thursday, 12
Myakka Park, Laurel Road Project, Citizens Happy, City, County, Peace River Auth create happy ending
I smiled the other day when I read a candidate's goals to improve city, county, etc. relationships. Already accomplished! Similarly, another goal of those running is to restore Venice to its status of a top retirement community. Already accomplished! And without even being elected!
County Commissioners have expressed that the City-County ties have never been better. We set out to do that, three years ago and the result has been cooperative planning, new parks, solving VGRC proble
Posted By Ed Martin at 12:33 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Wednesday, 11
Heeeeee's Back--almost.
A reader tells me that Harry Walia, told a group of Republicans in a meeting that he was going to run for Mayor.
No comment...
Posted By Ed at 10:12 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Tuesday, 10
There Has Been So Much Misinformation, Some For Political Purposes, That This Column is Welcome!
What is the true scoop on benefits for Venice Council Members? Sue Lang has written a careful and accurate summary of the Council's considerations.
Click the Herald Tribune below
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Posted By Ed at 8:02 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Taking Advantage of People With High-level Experience To Provide Citizen Input on Committees
During my term as Mayor I have tried to mix the talents of people who have lived in the City for a period of time, with those who have moved here and held very responsible positions.
I am including below the resume of Anthony Zumbrano who I appointed today, with Council approval, to the Economic Development Task Force.
I did not know Mr. Zumbrano before he offered his services to the City and the Task Force, but after reviewing his credentials and speaking with him,
Posted By Ed at 6:32 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Monday, 9
If Kendrick Meek Does Not Win The Democratic Primary It Will Not Be Because Green is Squeaky Clean
The St. Pete Times uncovers more questionable background. This guy is not at bad as Harry Walia, but reminds you a bit.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Florida Independent.
Posted By Ed at 7:09 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Sunday, 8
Disaster Facing Manasota Key Was In Store For Venice Before 2007 Election. Beware 2010 Candidates.
Eric Ernst writes that Charlotte County Planners appear to be ignoring citizen wishes.
That is exactly what was taking place in Venice in 2007. Citizens expressed strongly, virtually unanimously, their preferences for "small town feel," lower heights, less density and traffic, enhancement of parks and beaches, etc.
City Manager Marty Black and the Chair of the Planning Commission John Osmulski, ignored the citizen wishes and drafted a plan calling for more urbaniz
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Posted By Ed Martin at 5:13 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Saturday, 7
VENICE QUALITY LIFESTYLE LAUDED IN NATIONAL PUBLICATION--TOP COMMUNITY FOR RETIREMENT.
As the election season heats up and the "nay sayers" are trotting out empty complaints about the direction of the City and its planning efforts, Venice is once again, honored for its direction. The people wanted this direction in 2007 and almost all on Council have delivered a City recognized by PBS/WUSF and other publications, bringing new visitors, residents and strengthening the economy. Would new tall buildings have attracted this praise?
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Venice Gondolier Sun.
Posted By Ed at 12:50 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Friday, 6
Venice Florida Politics: Meek Wins Herald Tribune Endorsement in Demo. Primary
Representative Kendrick Meek deserves the H-T endorsement. Green, despite spending millions has left unanswered questions about solutions to problems, and has a history of very strange personal associations, e.g., convicted felon Mike Tyson as his "best man" and Heide Fleiss, "Madam" in his guest room.
The main event, Meek, Crist and the Republican nominee will be very interesting. Meek and Crist seem likely to share moderate vote on a by-partisan basis. Stay tuned.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Posted By Ed Martin at 12:53 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Meek Gets Herald Trib. endorsement in Demo. Primary
Kendrick Meek rates the Trib endorsement over Green with a very mixed record and questionable associates, Mike Tyson as his "best man;" Heidi Fleiss, "madam" in his guest room?
The real showdown if Meek is elected will be in the three-way race with the Charlie Crist and the Republican nominee. It appears Crist and Meek will share some supporters.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Posted By Ed Martin at 12:48 PM in Category:
On The Campaign Trail--Blog
Thursday, 5
Sink, McCollum, Scott, essentially tied in Poll
Governor's Race Tight. Chiles votes may tip the contest after Republican primary.
Story from Florida Independent
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Florida Independent.
Posted By Ed at 12:41 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Wednesday, 4
Northport Use of Reserves Causes Bond Raters Concern--Is Venice Listening?
Note: This article from the Herald Tribune has already been circulated to City Council by others.
The Northport experience that has caused Bond Rating concern is the continued drawing down of reserves. To combat this the City must cut spending or increase revenues, in fact, both.
For Venice to avoid using reserves by cutting spending would require massive layoffs involving millions of dollars. Major cuts have already been made and will be made in the proposed bud
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Posted By Ed Martin at 1:12 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Tuesday, 3
News Update--Maxine Barritt Park
Mayor Martin,
Maxine Barritt Park was opened for public use this past Saturday, July 31st. Final punchlist items are being addressed by the contractor during the next 30 days.
A formal dedication of the park has been scheduled for September 17, 2010 at 10 a.m. The date of the dedication was set to accommodate the family and friends of Maxine Barritt.
Thanks!
Kathleen
( ed. note: Kathleen Weeden is Venice City Eng
Posted By Ed Martin at 10:35 AM in Category:
Inside Venice
Monday, 2
Maxine Barritt Park, Just South of Sharky's, To Open September 17th at 10 a.m.
Earlier today, I had a request through Inside Venice as to when the Maxine Barritt Park will open.
Unfortunately, the sender's email information was not saved and so I am using this announcement to reply.
Later stories will tell more about the park, which will be a wonderful new facility on the beach for residents and visitors.
Posted By Ed Martin at 6:10 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
