Affordable Housing Forum
Robert W. Saunders Library
Ybor City
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
HART Riders Demand
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Before we build green-ways and freeways we want 25 shining new electric buses. Hire some nicer drivers and bring back #4.
Words of Rev. Russell L. Meyer
"Tampa has a strong mayor form of government. That means TPD works for the mayor. Look at the budget. TPD is unquestioned. It is the mayor's enforcement corps. It has been used for political repression. The mayor can direct sting investigations and felonize political opposition. A Chief of Police has far too many " HERE
Remembering Andrew Joseph, III
Just so that we are clear and the airways are open for further discussion. When you hear them talk of Safety First for Children at The Florida State Fairgrounds/ Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office and/or matters of Student Day. It's because of 14 year old Andrew Joseph, III killed February 7, 2014. The ultimate sacrifice was paid and he will not be denied. HERE
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Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Topher Morrison's Transportation Plan
Topher Morrison’s Clear Choice Plan will make Tampa’s streets and transportation system the best in Florida,
the Southeast, and beyond. HERE
Hillsborough County Crossing Guard Fundraiser
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Hillsborough County Commissioners will discuss what it would cost to provide crossing guard services at all middle schools
in the county.
Jane Castor's Republican Donors
Lema Construction Owner Johnathan Stanton $27,000 Tampa Developer Vincent Cassidy & Mary Cassidy $13,000 Amalie Oil Owners/Family: Anthony & Lorraine Barkett $2,000 Kenneth & Janice Barkett $2,000 Richard & Marie Barkett $3,000 Harry & Carmen Barkett $22,000 Charles & Rebecca Sykes $2,000 John Sykes $15,000 Richard Gonzmart $10,000 plus in-kind donations Carole Wallace Dep. Chief Opps Officer USF Health $10,000 Evan Brownstein $6,000 Reeves Automotive CEO Vivian C. Reeves $6,000 Attorney James Palermo $2,000 Real Estate Developer Chadwick Harrod $2,000 Lema Construction Owner Johnathan Stanton $27,000 CEO Kevin Robles Domain Homes $11,000 Private Equity Third Lake Capital CEO Kenneth Jones $2,000, Sandra McKinnon Construction Equipt. Dealerships $5,000 Wells Fargo VP Maureen Ayral $1,500 Chase Stockton $1,000 Real Estate Magnate Stephen Swindal $1,000 Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal $1,000 Steinbrenner Real Estate Companies $3,000 Brian & Kelly Castor $2,000 Commercial Real Estate Developer Brian Devlin $1,000 Attorney Keith Goan $1,000 Attorney Kevin Napper $1,000 Construction Owner Don Burkett $2,000 Veterans Nat'l Property Services owner Ruben Calles $2,000 Real Estate Developer Nicole DeBartolo $1,000 VP Dunkin Donuts Rick Colon $1,000 Lawyer & Radio Host Dominic Fariello $1,000 Attorney J. Rex Farrior $1,000 Equipt. Supplier Johnathan Gibson $1,000 Real Estate Appraiser Joni Herndon $1,000 Ballard Partners Lobbyist Todd Josko $500 Pepin Distributing Tom Pepin $2,000 RSA Consulting Group $1,000 Custom Homebuilder Martin Ryan $1,000 BLueSky Mast owner Scott Vanover $1,000 JVS Contracting CEO John Simon Jr. $1,000 Christopher Ligori Law Firm $1,000 Joseph & Laura Williams of Kimmons Contracting $2,000 Automotive Dealer Jason Kuhn $1,000 Tampa Tank Manufacturing VP Calvin Reed $1,000 Construction Services Owner Fred Lay $2,500. SOURCE
Tell Hillsborough County how to spend $5 million on affordable housing!
TODAY 6 PM
Robert W. Saunders Library
Ybor City
Monday, February 4, 2019
Asher’s Choice for Tampa Mayor!
As y’all may know, I have been contemplating my choice for Mayor of Tampa for some time now, and I’m prepared to make an official endorsement. Before I dive into that, I will share reasons why my “top 4” are worth consideration should any of them make it into the municipal runoff.
Activist Ed Turanchik has been a part of my political life longer than most others — he’s bold on transit issues, an advocate for ferries, and has solid endorsements from two of my favorite elected officials, Commissioners Pat Kemp and Mariella Smith. He did a great thing in supporting their respective bids for local office. While Ed did not endorse my 2014 campaign for School Board, I still have maintained a great deal of respect for him! A leader for Tampa, elected or not.
Businessman Topher Morrison made a positive impression on me from when I first met him (I was organizing a group at a Tampa Charter Review Meeting). He has always been attentive, genuine, and earnest. This is needed in politics. He has great platform positions including cannabis legalization and introducing gondolas as a means of transit. He has support from people like millennial rockstar and author Juhi Kore. I have a great deal of respect for Topher, and I hope to see him run for other offices should his current bid not proceed beyond the runoff. He’d likely have my support in a future election.
City Councilor Mike Suarez has always been kind to me. His sincerity and support for the Tampa community is strong; and I like that he has support from friends of mine such as DEC Membership Chair Alex Alaya and former Phil Hornback staffer Jason Marlow. I know Mike has Tampa’s best interests at heart.
City Councilor Harry Cohen has done so much for Tampa, having spearheaded ordinances to better maintain and fix our flood water systems. He has a strong, ambitious platform, with support for cannabis legalization, transit, innovation in housing, and opposition to “Stand Your Ground.” He is a genuine person, who listens and learns, despite already having a wealth of experience. Harry was the driving force behind the cannabis decriminalization ordinance that went into effect in 2016. Let’s take a look at that action.
I am an adult who uses cannabis responsibly, and primarily to treat my Tourette Syndrome. I have not previously “come out” as a cannabis user, and figure that doing so now is better late than never. It is an important thing to consider as I share this story.
I did applaud the cannabis ordinance when it passed, but admittedly scoffed as it seemed to be but a small step in reforming our government. That being said, I worked as a pet sitter in 2016, going from house to house in South Tampa to walk dogs, and look after beloved pets. One day, I was at a home (wearing my red “Unleashed” pet sitter shirt) where I had to check in on cats and clean out their litter box.
As I took the bag of cat excrement out to the garbage bin in the yard, I noticed a neighbor looking at me from their yard; as I often do, I waved and smiled as I put the bag into the bin. No response or noticeable emotion from the neighbor. Ok, that’s fine, I thought to myself. I went back into the house to finish up and make sure that the cats had their water, etc.
Upon exiting the home and walking to my car, a Tampa Police officer approached me and told me to spread my legs, and lean on the hood of my car. I immediately cooperated, and as a group of about five other officers encircled my vehicle, I explained that I was at the house to pet sit on behalf of the company I worked for.
Once they realized what I was doing at the home, one of the officers commented that he smelled something on my car and suggested a search; to which, another officer replied with something along the lines of “Oh, that’s a code blah blah blah, we don’t do those anymore” and no search was initiated. It seemed as if the officer was referring to a recent change in police code. Had the police searched my car and discovered the cannabis, I could have faced incarceration, and been put on a trajectory that would have landed me somewhere quite different than I am today.
A couple of weeks ago something clicked in my head as I recalled the experience. The reason I wasn’t persecuted was because of one practical progressive who’s action ensured that I would not be arrested and institutionalized for possessing marijuana.
When you make the connection that an action carried out by a candidate impacted YOU, well, that is a powerful sentiment. I am honored and ecstatic to endorse Harry Cohen for Mayor! Vote for Harry, as he is the best choice for moving Tampa into the future, and I hope that you will join me in supporting a genuine, practical progressive for Mayor!
The Right Wing In Tampa
The city of Tampa wants to stop the use of gay conversion therapy for minors. But the Liberty Counsel is suing to
keep it legal. HERE
keep it legal. HERE
Local Photographer: RJ Schafer in Ybor
Photo went up February 2nd 2019.
The prints will be up for 6 weeks.
On The Job: Sunken Gardens | St. Pete
Sunken Gardens is home to several animals including its famous flock of flamingos. Follow Jane as she shows everything that's done to take care of the animals at Sunken Gardens.
Sunday, February 3, 2019
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Ybor Lights High
KCI 3D laser scanned Ybor City. This video shows a virtual reality pointcloud flythrough, during which one can see existing utility poles being removed and replaced. The result is a 3D virtual reality view of the street with the proposed new utility poles.
Coral Disease Has Reached Reefs Off Key West
After stony coral tissue loss disease reached the Lower Keys last spring, the disease seemed to stall. Reef scientists were hoping that meant it might peter out. But it didn't. HERE
Friday, February 1, 2019
Hillsborough County Affordable Housing Questionnaire
Please come to the affordable housing forum at Robert Saunders Library, 1505 N. Nebraska, on Tuesday, February 5th at 6:00 PM to give your feedback to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commission in-person. HERE
Florida Demon Buster Kimberly Daniels
Earlier this month, controversial Florida legislator and pastor Kimberly Daniels filed HB 195, legislation that would amend a current state law that permits school districts to offer elective Bible classes. Daniels’ bill would require every school district in the state to offer a set of courses about religion, the Hebrew scriptures, and the Christian Bible.
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Daniels, a self-described “demon buster” and “apostle,” has sponsored other Project Blitz legislation, including a bill to require public schools to post “In God We Trust” in “a conspicuous place.” (That legislation became law last year.) God TV celebrated the introduction of Daniels’ new bill, saying it brought Florida “[o]ne step close to seeing prayer in public schools again.” HERE
Florida GOP LGBT Controversy
Legislation that would create employment protections for LGBTQ individuals is causing controversy between some Florida Republicans.
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Florida GOP Chair and State Senator Joe Gruters is coming under fire from some Republicans for sponsoring legislation with an openly gay Democrat, Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith, that would add employment protections for gender identity and sexual orientation. here
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This guy, John Stemberger, President of the Florida Family Policy Council, has called on Gruters to resign as GOP Chair, saying the bill would punish Christians.
Any ideas on how to spend $5 million on affordable housing?
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Come to this public forum and participate in a roundtable charette to guide our county's affordable housing efforts.
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Come to this public forum and participate in a roundtable charette to guide our county's affordable housing efforts.
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Robert W. Saunders Library - Ybor City
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