Hell in a straight jacket

I don’t believe in hell — except the ones we humans make on earth — but if I did, I’d say Terry Jones is going straight there … in a straight jacket. Whether he’s canceled his lunatic plan to burn the Koran or not, the guy’s deranged and the only thing that scares me more than him is that I believe there others like him across our country … just quietly, for now, brooding and breeding.

Sarasota’s Economic Development — Playing Poker with Taxpayers Dollars

I just read a fascinating article in the September issue of BIZ941 Magazine. The piece is by Johannes Werner — titled Incentive Poker: Sarasota’s aggressive game of creating jobs is hurting neighboring counties.

Here’s an outtake:

It seems we’ve swung from one extreme to the other — from bullying a small manufacturer to shower it with tax rebates and cash. (more…)

Doug Holders says stay-at-home moms aren’t part of “workforce” … oh, no he dit’nt!

I already didn’t like Doug Holder — current State Representative District 70 — too much for his stance, voting, and wishy-washy statements on oil drilling off the coast of Florida, but now I like the guy even less. Holder is a holdover from the Mad Men era — apparently, the guy doesn’t have a clue the 60s are over.

During yesterday’s Sarasota Tiger Bay meeting, Holder had this to say about his challenger in the race for District 70 — Nancy Feehan:

“My opponent hasn’t been in the work force for 25 years.”

Oh, no, he dit’nt! (more…)

In Sarasota Local Matters Matter

Are you all aware of a local community radio show called Local Matters? It runs on Thursday evenings from 6-7 pm, WSLR 96.5 LPFM, with live broadcasting on the Internet, as well. (more…)

Getting in bed with the wrong guys — Sarasota’s vote on the Economic Development Ad Valorem Exemption makes me wonder

I voted no on Tuesday — against giving our local government leaders the right and power to decide whether some new or growing businesses will be eligible for property tax exemptions for as long as the next decade. Proponents of the Economic Development Ad Valorem Exemptions call these tax breaks “incentives.” I just call them kick-backs. (more…)

My Vote is No on Economic Development Property Tax Exemptions

I’m voting no tomorrow, August 24 — against giving our local government leaders the right and power to decide which businesses will be eligible for property tax exemptions for as long as the next decade. They’re calling the tax exemptions “incentives” to attract businesses, ostensibly to create jobs.

I’ve never believed in paying somebody off, bribing somebody, or giving something to someone to encourage them to do business with me personally, and I don’t believe in doing it as a city or as a county. Really, bottom line, if it wouldn’t be okay behavior for you personally, or for yourself professionally, then why is this kind of behavior okay when a government does it? (more…)

Riding the Radio Waves Again today at 5 pm

New local radio host, Sherman L. Baldwin, has invited me to return to his program today — Talk Sarasota — 1280 AM on the radio dial (WTMY), or streaming to your computer at www.talksarasota.com (though I have noticed the streaming seems spotty).

Callers are welcome — and I hope people call in! The show runs from 3 to 6 pm, but I’ll only be on from 5:05 to roughly 6 pm — that’s today — the studio line is 954.1280. (more…)

MC on the radio today Friday July 30 4:15

New local radio host, Sherman L. Baldwin, has invited me to come on his program today for my fifteen minutes (literally) of fame. He hosts a program called Talk Sarasota — 1280 AM on the radio dial (WTMY), or streaming to your computer at www.talksarasota.com (though I have noticed the streaming seems spotty). Callers are welcome — and I hope people call in! The show runs from 3 to 6 pm, but I’ll only be on from 415 to 430 — that’s today — the studio line is 954.1280. (more…)

Nancy Feehan District 70 State House Rep Candidate Draws Crowd for Campaign Kick-Off

So tonight I moseyed on down to Bentley’s Resort Hotel in Osprey to see what kind of crowd Nancy Feehan — candidate for State House Representative District 70 —

would draw out on a rainy Wednesday in the dead dog days of late July.

It was a stellar turnout. Estimate of over a hundred people — including VIPers Sarasota Mayor Kelly Kirshner, (more…)

Aw, Obama go-on-a

So President Obama is coming to Florida.

I wish he wouldn’t.

Look, I’ve lost jobs over my writings about Obama when he was running for president. I’ve supported the guy from the git-go. But now, I just want him to go. I mean, go — as in not come to Florida on a two-day mini-break in August in the first place.

I don’t want him to come because it’s just insultingly clear that he’s only coming because so many people bitched and moaned about him going up to Maine, etc. (more…)