Meet Gator
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Luis Blanco Family Solidarity Fund
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“This is our opportunity as a community to stand in solidarity with the Blanco family.... Let us respond to this evil act of ripping apart this family with acts of love and support.” Marc Rodrigues
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Water Street Tampa Underwater
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The Boston Globe said Vinik “reinvented” himself but Tampans have discovered that only applies superficially.
Water Street Tampa, the highly-touted $3 billion “vision” of local businessman and Tampa Bay Times investor Jeff Vinik, is in deep trouble and may be taken over and/or liquidated by Cascade Investment, the Bill Gates-owned equity firm that provided financing.
Several highly-placed sources within the Tampa Bay business community confirmed that information
to Tampa Bay Beat.
to Tampa Bay Beat.
One termed Vinik’s situation as “desperate.”
Another asserted Strategic Property Partners, Vinik’s development company, will take an “all or nothing gamble” to save the project.
A third mused that he would never trade places with the beleaguered former hedge fund manager.
All agreed that Millennials, the heart and soul of innovation and high-tech, lack motivation to relocate here. National headlines emanating from Tampa over the past several years make the city uninviting to innovative, progressive companies as well as established ones with conservative pedigrees.
Promised: a Fortune 500 company, a health-oriented grocery store, a bevy of health and medical research companies and organizations. The only firm commitment so far was built on campaign contributions, aka bribery, and involves a move from the University of South Florida campus to downtown.
A wash for the local economy, a loss for Temple Terrace, and, presumably, a gain for Tampa. Zero sum.
Vinik’s project has long lagged behind his original schedule. The size and nature of the project has been ephemeral as specific benchmarks have
failed to materialize.
failed to materialize.
If Water Street Tampa goes down the tubes, a couple of hundred million dollars in public funding will circle the drain as well. Then there is the collateral Vinik put up for the loan. Let’s take an educated guess:
—-The Tampa Bay Lightning, a franchise valued at $390 million by Forbes magazine. A new owner may lead the Stanley Cup parade. Maybe the festivities will include a grand jury instead of a Grand Marshall.
—-Amalie Arena. Best guestimate: $600 million.
—-Share of Tampa Bay Times property that “collateralized” Vinik’s $1.5 million “investment” into the failing news entity. Peanuts. $4 million tops.
—-Vinik’s Sarasota monstrous estate just off St. Armands Circle in Sarasota. Built for approximately $30 million including land, it more resembles a museum or mental ward and probably cannot be liquidated
for quite that much.
By Jim Bleyer - Tampa Bay Beat
for quite that much.
By Jim Bleyer - Tampa Bay Beat
The End Of Establishment Democrats?
At least 6 progressive insurgents managed to out-raise their establishment Democratic opponents in House races in the final quarter of 2017, a stunning development that threatens to upend the way the party goes about selecting candidates. here
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The fundraising upsets reflect a burst of progressive energy. But, not so fast. The establishment Dems are not giving up their power so easily. Grassroots Progressive candidates who signed Up to battle Trump must get past the Democratic Party first. here
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They will keep nominating unelectable candidates and the cycle of loosing will continue.
GOP Steals $12.5 Million From Miami/Dade Taxpayers
Holding federal immigration detainees in local jails has been ruled unconstitutional.
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Yet according to a report by multiple local civil rights groups Miami-Dade's infamous anti-sanctuary policies have cost taxpayers $12.5 million in 2017 and are on pace to cost the county $13.6 million annually. here
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Pic Miami-Dade County Mayor republican Carlos Gimenez
Monday, February 5, 2018
Visionary Ed Turanchik
Tampa's Grassroots mayoral candidate
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"Ed Turanchik has been so important to Tampa Bay. We need a visionary and one that can get things done. I'm so happy he's jumped in to the Mayor's race. I look forward to serving with him to build the Tampa/Hillsborough County we need for the 21st century!" Pat Kemp
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Turanchik said he isn’t worried about competing for campaign cash. He says his three decades of public service and advocacy have earned him legions of supporters who will knock on doors on sweaty summer nights.
Trump And Scott's Scheme To Destroy Florida's Wetlands
Trump and Rick Scott have been working on a play to make it easier and faster for developers to wipe out our natural wetlands. here
Tell Trump No Drilling Off Florida's Coast
Now's the time to speak up, because the Department of the Interior has recently opened a public comment period. Add your name to submit a public comment to the Department of the Interior. here
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Petition is sponsored by Andrew Gillum, Bill Nelson,
Sen. Maria Cantwell, Sen. Jeff Merkley, Sen. Gov. Jay Inslee, Rep. Nanette Barragán, Rep. Don Beyer, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, Rep. Matt Cartwright, Rep. Gerry Connolly, Rep. Suzan DelBene, Rep. Keith Ellison, Rep. Ruben Gallego, Rep. Jim Himes, Rep. Jared Huffman, Rep. Annie Kuster, Rep. Ted Lieu, Rep. David Loebsack, Rep. Doris Matsui, Rep. Jim McGovern, Rep. Scott Peters, Rep. Chellie Pingree, Rep. Brad Schneider, Perry Gershon, Paul Kerr, David Richardson, Harley Rouda, Chris Giunchigliani, 314 Action Fund, 350.org, Amazon Watch, Arizona Democratic Party, Daily Kos, Democracy For America, Democratic Conservation Alliance, Friends of the Earth Action, League of Conservation Voters, LeftAction, Red to Blue California, SEEC PAC and Stand.earth. Sponsorship of this petition does not constitute an endorsement between participating candidates and organizations. By signing, you may receive emails from these sponsors updating you on the progress of this campaign and other important projects. (You may, of course, unsubscribe at any time.)
Sunday, February 4, 2018
Andrew Gillum Fan: Ray DiPasquale
Drug War Veteran at Activist Marijuana Legalization
here
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“Legalize it. Tax it. Use the revenue to fix Florida's public schools and move us up from 29th in the nation to #1.”
Andrew Gillum
Andrew Gillum
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Join Tampa Bay for Gillum 2018
Saturday, February 3, 2018
The Florida Public Education Trainwreck Bill
Purposely tucked in to a huge education bill with a handful of good proposals, HB 7055 has a number of highly destructive measures. HB 7055 includes a partisan attack on Florida's teachers and their union and an expansion of private school vouchers.
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Call your Florida state legislators today and tell them to oppose HB 7055: a shameless bill designed to weaken our local public schools. here
Friday, February 2, 2018
Ed Turanchik For Mayor Of Tampa
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"Tampa politics have been trending towards pragmatic, passionate, and sincere leaders. Men and women who can respond to our immediate needs while keeping an eye on the future wellbeing of everyone. These visionaries recognize how much our broken transit system has hamstrung our growth, how crucial it is for Tampa's people and economy to preserve our environment, and how essential it is that our government invest its energy correctly, not merely on pet projects and the same old failed ideas. When I say these words, I think of Commissioner Patricia Kemp, Candidate Mariella Smith, and, last but certainly not least, my father, Ed Turanchik."John Winston Turanchik
Florida GOP Matt Gaetz Invites Alt-Right Troll To SOTU
Chuck Johnson is a alt-right troll who’s been banned from Twitter and accused of Holocaust denying and white nationalism.
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“I had no idea who he was,” Gaetz said. Why would you invite someone you don't know to something like this? Even after Gaetz found out who he was he decided not to pull his ticket to Trump’s speech.
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Johnson said he loves what he hears from Gaetz. “I like weird guys with a fuck-you attitude. And Matt Gaetz is one of those dudes,” said Johnson here
Victor Crist New Spokesperson For Trader Joe's?
Wouldn't it be great to have a Trader Joe's in the north end of our county in Carrollwood
Trader Joe's website has a page devoted to soliciting recommendations for new store locations. I believe a new store on the SW corner of West Village Drive and Ehrlich Road would be a fantastic addition to the Carrollwood community. A Trader Joe's store could add a new dimension to the shopping needs of the area and fill a void in an empty shopping center that has been the focal point of contentious redevelopment plans. I have personally reached out to Trader Joe's in the past and now believe that with strong community input and support, we can get serious consideration. If you feel strongly for the addition of a good neighborhood partner and positive economic impact in the Carrollwood area, please consider going to the Trader Joe's website (link provided below) and adding your comments.
This is what I wrote:
There is perfect site in Carrollwood on the SW corner of Ehrlich Road and West Village Drive in Tampa Florida. Plenty of parking, a large available site and easy access. The thousands of nearby neighbors would be strong supporters. Please feel free to contact me as I would like to make a stronger pitch and let you know about our community. Please visit our website at http://www.carrollwoodvillage.com. Thank you for your consideration
Hillsborough County Commissioner Victor Crist
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EMail we received from Mr. Crist. Is he allowed to do this?Thursday, February 1, 2018
Florida Progressive Dems Beware
You have a big gubernatorial election coming up this year. Beware of Corporate Democrats. They are like The Borg, they assimilate you and there is no way back. They always want to work together but always in their collective. It has already started, stand your ground. Remember history is on your side.
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Most Progressives already assimilated are lost, we might or we might not be able to bring them back. Enlarge your Hive, recruit NPA's and Greens to become Democrats to be able to vote in the primaries.
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Join the Resistance
Florida GOP On Trump's Speech
“Tonight, President Trump shared that the State of the Union is strong, thanks to regulatory rollbacks, a forecast of regulatory certainty, and the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As promised, this administration has made it clear America is open for business — and the results are clear." Daniel Webster
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“President Trump has accomplished much in his first year ever as an elected official. Our economy is booming and capital investment is high. The stock market has taken off. We’ve reformed the tax code so Americans can keep more of their own money." Dennis Ross
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“I applaud President Trump’s bold and enthusiastic State of the Union address. He rightly focused on the undeniable economic revitalization that has been cultivated as a result of the pro-growth environment we have created by passing historic tax reform to help middle class Americans and small businesses and the regulatory relief measures that have been signed into law over the last year." Gus Bilirakis
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