No. Actually the all too typical headline, designed to scare readers to the story, does not reflect reality. Actually the reporter in his second paragraph, points that out.
The way millage setting in Florida works, the Council sets a maximum rate, then can reduce it--which is what Council has done virtually every year. If you set the minimum rate and the budget hearings indicate a greater need, you can not increase the millage rate.
Posted By Ed Martin at 5:48 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Tuesday, 27
COUNCIL APPROVES COMPROMISE PROPOSAL ON AIRPORT
July 27, 2010, Venice, Florida
The Venice City Council approved, today, a $10-15 million airport proposal based on negotiations between the City and the FAA. The compromise proposal promised to be the basis for an updated Airport Layout Plan to be approved by the Council and then submitted to the FAA, essentially ending a multi-year process which divided elements of the community and the Council and which can put airport funding back on track for runway rehabilitation and other
Posted By Ed Martin at 9:11 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Sunday, 25
Marshall Happer's Letter to Friends, VGRC Neighbors About His Candidacy.
Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2010 12:21 PM
To: 'happer@marshal4mayor.com'
Subject:
Dear Friends and Neighbors:
I have with great reluctance and humility decided to become a candidate for the Mayor of Venice. I have never been any kind of a politician and I have never previously aspired for any political office. However, after Karen and I chose to move to our wonderful City of Venice as our permanent home, I have come to learn that there are and have been a num
Posted By Ed Martin at 8:48 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Waiting By The Mailbox-- The “Something Blue” Was Me.
It did not come. I chatted for a few moments with “Happy,” our effective Mail Person, who is, happily, recovered and back to work, after Rotator Cuff surgery, (who knew it wasn’t just a baseball injury?) He did not mention the non-appearing mail item.
I did get my new Japanese notebook, (Toshiba Mini), made in China, but purchased from a U.S. retailer in Edison, New Jersey and delivered by Fed Ex, (I had no choice Happy), so it wasn’t a total loss to the U.S economy.
<
Posted By Ed Martin at 12:04 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Friday, 23
Governor Signs Emergency Order Allowing Floridians to Get Unemployment Benefits
Despite the fact that extending federal unemployment benefits would not cost Florida any additional dollars, the Legislature in its political "wisdom" did not choose to act, thereby causing thousands of citizens to lose that opportunity.
Governor Crist has signed an emergency order to try to avoid that outcome.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Florida Independent.
Posted By Ed Martin at 9:15 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Wednesday, 21
No Drilling Amendment Dead--Here's Why
The Miami Herald and St. Petersburg Times reported Tuesday that between Jan. 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010, the oil and gas industry and their affiliated companies donated $278,452 to Florida lawmakers. About $185,800 went to Republicans and $77,000 to Democrats. In the months ahead I am going to explore the impact of money on politics, national, state and local.
Amazingly, some people seem to think that Venice Council Members taking contributions from people who have financial interests depend
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Posted By Ed Martin at 3:28 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Unemployed in Venice/Florida Will Not Receive Extended Unemployment Payments-Legislature No Action
At least one Florida lawmaker, state Rep. Kevin Rader, D-Boynton Beach, called on Gov. Charlie Crist, state House Speaker Larry Cretul and state Senate President Jeff Atwater to fix the issue during this week's special session, but that idea went nowhere. The state legislature called an end to the session after less than three hours. That means that thousands of Floridians who have exhausted their normal state and EUC benefits will be denied the federal government's additional lifeline payments.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Florida Independent.
Posted By Ed Martin at 2:50 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Sunday, 18
Letters to the Mayor, Encouraging Tourism
Dear Mr. Ed Martin Sir,
Extremely sorry for having bothered you by mistake but your reply forces me to plan a visit to your city.
With Regards,
Deoraj Chaturvedi
On Sat, 17 Jul 2010 22:23:45 +0530 wrote
>Dear DeoRaj Chaturvedi, I am sorry to learn of your loss. You have reached the City of Venice in Florida, U.S. rather than Italy. Our small airport does not have commercial service, but you are welcome to visit a delightful community with Veneti
Posted By Ed Martin at 11:45 AM in Category:Inside Venice
Saturday, 17
Thoughtful Letter By Worcester, MA Former Council Member and Some Answers
Subject: Medical benefits, retirement benefits, parks, etc.
17/10 2:04 PM >>>
#1 As a member of the Gloucester, Ma. City Council in the early 2000's, I was able to join the city's group health care insurance plan, for a fee, while I was on the council. Once I left, that benefit disappeared. We were not considered "employees", but "elected officials". I believe this is a sensible plan. Past practice in Venice has been extremely generous, but that doesn't make it right
Posted By Ed Martin at 9:13 PM in Category:Inside Venice
New Federal Grant to Venice for Housing Authority and News About Drywall Assistance
Senator Bill Nelson has written to the Mayor and Council announcing that Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae, two of the nation's largest mortgage holders will direct Fannie Mae mortgage servicers to provide up to six months delay on affected homeowners' loans. Freddie Mac will provide up to 12 months delay.
For additional information readers can go to: http://www.fanniemae.com/loan lookup/
and http;//ww3.freddiemac.com/corporate.
Posted By Ed Martin at 1:24 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Friday, 16
Bob Seymour of WUSF-FM, 89.7--the Dean of Radio Jazz on the West Coast--Re Grace Kelly
Bob Seymour, who has done so much to keep Jazz on the air drops a note about Grace Kelly. See Comments on the Kelly article in Jazz Corner. (Click link on right to Jazz Corner.)
Posted By Ed Martin at 6:02 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Monday, 12
Citizen Benefits or Budway Benefits? Fun and games on the City Email Server
Dear Mr. Budway,
I do not respond to unsigned messages, (it actually is impossible), but since you have forwarded this misinformation, some response appears in order.
1. Council Members have been receiving health insurance since the 1970's (checked by City Clerk and City Attorney). Since that was before the Charter adoption, the original complaint by Mr. Carlesimo, suggesting no citizen approval as called for by the Charter, was unfounded.
Posted By Ed Martin at 12:44 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Long-term South Carolina Republican Expresses Concern About Party's Direction
As a non-candidate I will expand the scope of Inside Venice to other stories of interest, probably affecting Venice and Florida voters. This story sheds some light on the Senate race of Gov. Crist as an independent.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Washington Post, A.P..
Posted By Ed Martin at 12:13 PM in Category:Inside Venice
City Asks For Correction in Error-Filled Story on Benefits, Hopefully Quieting Half-Baked Charges.
Terry O'Connor has done good work, in my opinion, since he has been covering City Council for the Herald Tribune. He reports the news and does not sensationalize it.
In this case he made some errors, all journalists have, and he will probably have some of the "loose cannons" who have latched onto this for political purposes, to blame. But, even if he was fed incorrect information, he erred in not checking it out more carefully.
Posted By Ed Martin at 3:02 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Saturday, 3
FAA-CITY TO CONSIDER AIRPORT PROPOSAL REMOVING GULF SHORES HOMES FROM RFP: REDUCING IMPACT ON GOLF
In a meeting with Orlando this week, City Manager Isaac Turner met with FAA officials to review a number of options designed to meet the City's goal for residents and visitors while satisfying FAA objectives.
Detailed information about the proposals will be discussed in a public meeting when Council considers them for submission to the Agency.
When Council discussed the most recent meeting Mr. Turner and I had with FAA Airport Director Kate Lang, Council decided to go f
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Posted By Ed Martin at 1:49 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Friday, 2
Youth Phenom, Grace Kelly, Live at the Montreal Jazz Festival
Grace Kelly, 18, appeared in one of the wonderful, free jazz concerts scattered across a number of outdoor jazz venues. Kelly, an alto saxophonist, who may grow into a jazz great was worth keeping an eye on.
The full comment is in the Jazz Corner. Click on it or the headline on the right.
Posted By Ed Martin at 1:12 PM in Category:Inside Venice
Grace Kelly--Live at the Montreal Jazz Festival
Grace Kelly at Montreal Jazz Festival,
Montreal, July 2, 2010, No not the “cool Philadelphia blond” of film fame, but a newly 18 year-old small, vivacious, Korean-American, (nee Chung), alto player, vocalist and composer.
The Montreal Jazz Festival causes some grumbles because it includes as lot of “everything,” not only jazz, but it also is a huge success, bringing millions to the City, and hosting hundreds of free concerts at various outdoor venues within a several
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the Montreal Gazette.
