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…
Category: Policy
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…
Serve on a Winter Park City Board
Since getting involved in city matters several years ago I have had the pleasure of serving on Winter Park’s Code Enforcement Board, Tree Preservation Board, and now on the Planning and Zoning Board. Serving on city boards is a great way to better understand the realities we face as a city and community. I encourage every experienced and reasoned citizen to volunteer in this manner. Our Mayor recently sent the email below. I write to encourage all those who support thoughtful and reasoned governance to participate in city affairs. Please consider volunteering to serve on a city board. You will…
Negative Nonsense from the Dais
It has been a while since I published articles on winterparkperspective.org because our city and our commission has been moving forward in a constructive manner. City finances are now solid although our pension liabilities continue to be a significant risk and the state legislature refuses so far to make changes necessary for the city to effect material changes. The Winter Park housing market continues to rebound in transactions if not increasing values. Numerous significant commercial redevelopments have been approved and several are coming out of the ground, all of which are reasonably within the density and uses defined in our…
Tree Trimming Realities
May 1, 2012 Given City Commissioner Carolyn Cooper’s recent politicization of tree trimming I find the following email I received from City Commissioner Steve Leary reassuring. The majority of our city commission seems appropriately committed to making thoughtful judgments for the long term benefit of Winter Park. City staff reviewed the city’s tree trimming policies and reasoning during the April 23, 2012 city commission meeting, including this slide presentation. Regards, Pete Weldon From: Winter Park City Commissioner Steve Leary Date: April 30, 2012 Friends, We have an issue with our tree canopy, though it may surprise you it is not…
Cooper’s Folly
May 1, 2012 City Commissioner Carolyn Cooper spends her time distracting citizens, city staff, and the city commission with her continual politicization of any issue that smells of potential controversy. The problem is that our self identifying white knight gets it wrong almost every time. I offer as evidence Exhibit A, Exhibit B, and Exhibit C. There are other episodes I could point to but I think these three are sufficient to make my point. I harbor no ill will toward Ms. Cooper. I just believe our city should have sensible people in positions of responsibility. Ms. Cooper’s behavior does…
Carolyn Cooper Emails – Exhibit C
May 1, 2012 City Commissioner Carolyn Cooper sent this email concerning tree trimming to at least 1,200 Winter Park residents on April 22, 2012. City staff reviewed the city’s tree trimming policies and reasoning during the April 23, 2012 city commission meeting, including this slide presentation. Comparing Ms. Cooper’s email with the city staff presentation, it appears Ms. Cooper is more interested in carpet bombing our citizens with pictures of dead babies than being part of a well considered effort to assure our tree canopy is managed intelligently and with an appropriate balance between aesthetics, public safely, electric reliability, and…
Carolyn Cooper Emails – Exhibit B
May 1, 2012 The following is a message I sent to City Commissioner Carolyn Cooper on October24, 2011 concerning her reaction to draft minutes of the October 11, 2011 city commission meeting and the substance of her city wide email sent on October 9, 2011. There are over 3,500 email addresses on Ms. Cooper’s distribution list as provided to me under a public records request. Carolyn, Here is what was offered in the draft minutes of the October 11, 2011 commission meeting that you conclude “accuses” you of a Sunshine law violation (prior to being modified in today’s meeting): Mayor…
Carolyn Cooper Emails – Exhibit A
May 1, 2012 The following is a message I sent to City Commissioner Carolyn Cooper on August 6, 2011 concerning inaccuracies, incomplete information, and questionable assertions contained in an email message she sent to Winter Park residents in early August 2011. There are over 3,500 email addresses on Ms. Cooper’s distribution list as provided to me under a public records request. Carolyn, Everyone appreciates selfless contributions on matters that impact our city. You may wish to consider, however, that the presumption of contribution may not actually constitute contribution. Your latest “newsletter” (see here) presents a false juxtaposition, “Efficiency versus Your…