February 18, 2011 You will find an Amendment on the ballot for the March 8 election. The language of the Amendment (see below) offers no insight into it’s consequences. Our current mayor and six former mayors are recommending a NO vote on this Amendment for the following reasons: A NO vote protects against electing a majority “slate” of three members at one time who would serve four years without challenge. A NO vote protects our current right to change the majority view on the City Commission annually, assuring governance is responsive to the wishes of the citizens. The Charter Review…
When is something true?
February 16, 2011 Winter Park citizens take their elections seriously and several of us send out letters and emails claiming to understand the nature and positions of the candidates, and make recommendations. How do you know any of these communications have any elements of truth? The answer involves doing the work necessary to corroborate evidence and getting input from others who have also done their homework, looking for consistency of fact and viewpoint. Shortly after I published my recommendations for the upcoming March 8 election the Orlando Sentinel also endorsed Sarah Sprinkel and Steve Leary. For those looking to decide…
Election 2011 – Lawyers or Leaders?
February 15, 2011 We have two lawyers and two leaders running for city commission. Bonnie Jackson, a lawyer, is running against Sarah Sprinkel, an educator and administrator. Scott Callahan, a lawyer, is running against Steve Leary, a businessman. While the candidates have credible resumes, two have demonstrated the leadership skills and independent thinking that will move Winter Park in a responsible direction and fairly represent the full breadth of constituencies in our city. I believe Scott Callahan would be a good commissioner but he clings unnecessarily to positions of the “Dillaha” camp, positions that have proven to have negative consequences…
I am voting for Sarah Sprinkel
February 15, 2011 Below is my letter to Bonnie Jackson noting that I am voting for Sarah Sprinkel in the March 8th election. Bonnie, I watched the Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board candidates’ interview and will be supporting Sarah Sprinkel. Your interview and your candidacy concern me on many levels. In your interview you monopolize the time by speaking without ever stating your position on several important issues including commuter rail. You also make a point of questioning our current Mayor’s integrity while acknowledging you have no basis for doing so. Your assertion that you are supported by “a lot of…
I am voting for Steve Leary
February 15, 2011 Below is my letter to Scott Callahan noting I am voting for Steve Leary in the March 8th election. Scott, I viewed the Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board interview and will be supporting Steve Leary. I doubt my decision as a single voter is particularly meaningful to you or to Steve but I wanted to share my thinking with you as you were generous with your time and attention when we met and spoke about your interest in running. You say the Mayor has done a “mediocre” job. You equate leadership with accommodation in your critique. This can…
Whose money is it?
February 2, 2011 On January 24th three of five Winter Park commission members voted down a proposed 50 year commercial lease on the five acre parcel of land owned by the city at the corner of Denning Avenue and Morse Boulevard. The short form of this long story is that two commissioners wanted you to steeply subsidize a 50 year lease of city owned land in order to “refurbish” a dilapidated building that utilizes 60 percent of the land’s capacity, to “retain” a long time employer who offered an unenforceable commitment to stay in Winter Park, and to “save” trees…
Common Sense Wins in Winter Park
December 18, 2010 The Winter Park City Commission approved amendments to the Commuter Rail agreement by a 3 to 2 vote on December 13, 2010. The Orange County Commission then approved these amendments unanimously the next day. What does this mean? It means that SunRail trains will stop at a new commuter rail station located with the existing Amtrak station in Winter Park if and when SunRail becomes a reality. (It currently appears that SunRail is on track to receive authorization and release existing funding to start construction of the system.) The great achievement for Winter Park is that common…
Cleaning up after the dog fee
October 18, 2010 Monday, October 11, 2010 our city commission approved fees to use Fleet Peeples Park with your dogs effective December 1, 2010. Commissioners Dillaha, Cooper, and McMacken voted for the fees. Commissioner Anderson and Mayor Bradley voted no. (I am not a dog owner.) Hundreds of Winter Park residents and non-residents take advantage of Fleet Peeples Park weekly to exercise dogs off leash and socialize with other dog owners. This has been going on for over ten years. Dog owners are a constituency whose needs should be addressed just as the city addresses needs of other constituencies ranging…
Defending our City Commission
September 30, 2010 I have never before had reason to tell you about a unanimous decision of the Winter Park City Commission that I strongly agreed with. I have a reason now. Unfortunately and unwisely, the commission decided in their budget decisions to provide for the possibility of increasing their pay ($200/mth for commissioners and $250/mth for the mayor) which has not been changed since my mother changed my diapers. This is virtually all the Orlando Sentinel had to talk about (here also) and it sends a very incomplete message. We should be focusing on the bigger picture. All Winter…
Who Owns the Risk?
September 27, 2010 To: Mayor and Commissioners, City of Winter Park, FL Subject: Who owns the risk? – or- What does Winter Park have to look forward to if Amendment 4 passes? I write to encourage unanimous support for the 2010-2011 city budget you preliminarily approved at the meeting of September 13, 2010. While there are important concerns about the wisdom of recommending spending increases for projects of personal interest to certain commissioners who also recommend decreasing previously established benefits for city employees, overall, your instincts are to be encouraged and applauded. Each of you deserves praise for the unanimous…