November 14, 2014 Mayor and Commissioners, I commented on the proposed “visioning” process at the November 10, 2014 commission meeting, liking the proposal to a political massage parlor. I know your intentions are good and I apologize for the intensity of my concerns, but I have seen this “visioning” picture before and it is not pretty. A few years ago we spent, as I recall, over $400,000 (including costs of contract termination with the consultant) on something called “Planning the Possibilities.” This prior “visioning” process too was intended to seek community consensus on development. I participated in this process with…
Year: 2014
Density Nonsense. Separating politics and reality.
Winter Park Commissioner Carolyn Cooper recently distributed a video listing recent Winter Park developments completed or underway on Denning Drive and 17/92. ….and then concludes “and it just doesn’t feel right.” Guess what? Carolyn Cooper VOTED TO APPROVE every one of these projects AND every one of them was approved within the bounds of legal entitlements from earlier approvals or otherwise built within all material limitations of our building codes and zoning rules. So Carolyn, please tell the people of Winter Park what “just doesn’t feel right” and what you propose to do about it? Regards, Pete Weldon
Carolyn Cooper Supports MORE Density!
For those aroused by the constant political harping of Commissioner Carolyn Cooper on the subject of Winter Park development and density, please know the following. Carolyn Cooper VOTED TO APPROVE the three story 86,600 square foot CNL office development at Denning and Morse Blvd. on June 11, 2012. (see page 15) Carolyn Cooper VOTED TO APPROVE the four story 105 unit senior apartment development at Denning and Canton on December 10, 2012. (see pages 13-14) Carolyn Cooper VOTED TO APPROVE the 35,500 retail/restaurant (Trader Joes/Shake Shack) development on 17/92 at Morse Blvd. on February 25, 2013. (see pages 8-9) Carolyn…
Electric Undergrounding is Key to Winter Park’s Future
My letter below was published in the Winter Park/Maitland Observer on April 30, 2014. ______________________________________ A former Winter Park resident who now lives in Missouri for unknown reasons offered a recent letter in the Winter Park/Maitland Observer proposing that we back off the current plan to underground all overhead electric lines in Winter Park. I offer an opposing view, and some more focused facts. It is important to first understand the strategic context. Winter Park is a self-governing residential oasis at the very center of the population growth in Central Florida. The Orlando area MSA population (Orange, Seminole, Lake and…
Support Planned Development
Ms. Cooper is at it again, sending out incomplete and misleading emails, trying to motivate opposition and stoke fear about anything that might result in change of any kind in Winter Park. You know, those evil, profit seeking developers want to ruin Winter Park!!! Let’s get serious. Planned Development adds value for all Winter Park residents. The commission will reconsider on Monday, June 9 changes to the comprehensive plan that modify exiting “Planned Development” (PD) rules. Come to the meeting and speak your mind. A PD in our context offers owners of commercially zoned property* an opportunity (not a right)…
Let’s Cut-Thru the Nonsense
Something called “Winter Park Voice” has been sending emails around town under the pretense of providing useful information to the public. “Winter Park Voice” is controlled by a man named Tom Childers who spent his career in public relations (not journalism). Tom Childers accepts anonymous monetary contributions to “Winter Park Voice.” “Winter Park Voice” recently sent out two emails focused on the city’s consideration of a Resolution to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) supporting a particular configuration of a proposed extension of Lee Road that FDOT may or may not construct. The “information” included in these emails deserves closer…
Sprinkel Wins
Sarah Sprinkel will continue to serve as a Winter Park City Commissioner for another three years. See the March 11, 2014 voting results here. Common sense has prevailed 62 to 38 percent. Regards, Pete Weldon
Commissioner Leary Confirms Womble’s Misleading Campaign
I exposed Sandy Womble’s mistatements weeks ago. Ms. Womble recently sent out a campaign mailer that continues to double down on these falsehoods about Sarah Sprinkel’s votes and intentions regarding our street trees. Now, City Commissioner Steven Leary has sent a message to clarify the facts. While Mr. Leary is appropriately impartial with regard to the individuals involved I have no such responsibility. As such, I urge you to vote on March 11 for Sarah Sprinkel. Here is Mr. Leary’s message: Friends, Sandy Womble, a candidate for City Commission, recently sent out a mail piece in which I was sited. …
Sarah Sprinkel is the Positive Choice on March 11th.
Of course you should vote for Sarah Sprinkel in March 11, 2014 city commission election because she is a proven leader with years of relevant experience and we already know from her last three years as commissioner that she will study and vote with reason and responsibility. I wanted to stick with the positive but the more I see of Sandy Womble’s campaign in opposition to Sarah Sprinkel the more reason there is to be certain Ms. Womble does not become an elected official of our city. The reason for this conclusion? Because Sandy Womble is intentionally misleading voters and…
Vote for Sarah Sprinkel on March 11
Sarah Sprinkel, our city commissioner for the past three years, has consistently voted based on the facts and with common sense. Sarah’s judgment as our commissioner evidences her vast experience in organizational and civic life. Check out her credentials! Sarah’s opponent, to the contrary has not documented any applicable experience and is running what is essentially a one issue platform related to historic preservation. The positions Sandy Womble has taken are a remnant of the circa 2005 “One Winter Park” cabal that so damaged our city. While I appreciate Sandy’s passion for her views, they are out of touch with…