I don’t make it to downtown St Pete often for a night out unless I coordinate with a friend close by for a place to crash because driving is out of the question and a cab to pricey. However when I do make one of the stops is typically the Independent. So I was excited …
Category: Government
Treat contaminated toys like EPA Superfund sites
A St Pete Times article last week illustrated the unforeseen consequences of a federal law going into effect next month. The law, which would affect manufacturers, retailers, consignment stores and thrift shops around the country, was supposed to thwart the influx of lead-laced children’s toys from China. In 2007, more than 6-million toys were recalled …
What did you buy your Bank CEO for Christmas?
According to this AP article in the NY Times I have contributed $8 personally this year to the salary of a bank CEO through bailout funds. Tis the season!
Growing government, shrinking non profits
City of Tampa firefighters might take a lesson from the recent changes made by the non-profit that provides relief many who lose their home to fire. According to the Tampa Tribune: With donors tightening their purse strings and investments hurting, the local chapter of the American Red Cross has laid off 22 employees, almost half its …
Government waste
According to the Tampa Tribune eight local police and rescue agencies spent at least $175,000 since April during campaign visits by Barack Obama, Joe Biden, John McCain, Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton. Tampa police spent $100,826 on nine visits. The total is only slightly more than Sarah Palin’s wardrobe blunder which was paid for by …
Moore’s newest blockbuster? Fahrenheit 6%
Jessi Miller pointed out Michael Moore’s latest public statement; where he revels in the glow of change, thanks activists for their efforts and emphasizes that more work is still to be done. I want to thank everyone who gave of their time and resources to make this victory happen. It’s been a long road, and huge …
Obama, Congress and the ad industry
With the election of Obama this week Advertising Age has reported that our industry could feel some “pain” under the new administration. “Fasten your seat belts. It’s going to be a bumpy ride,” said Dick O’Brien, exec VP of the American Association of Advertising Agencies. Much of the needed health care reform our country needs could …
Tampa port director target of Obama’s tax increase
If Barack Obama is elected president next week his tax plan for the wealthy will target our own Tampa Port Authority director who with this year’s bonus will earn over $250,000 in 2008. That’s more than the yearly salary of the US Vice President ($208 thousand) and more than half the amount paid to the …
Mary Lee Consolidates Assistance
Back in July 2007, Peg Reese, executive director of Mary Lee’s house spoke to the Tampa Exchange Club about the program that would bring a number of child services to one location in an effort to assist children in one location to make the process smoother and less traumatic. Today the St Pete Times reported on …
BYOB or $48k?
Today’s St Pete Times reported that St. Petersburg officials quietly stopped providing dog waste bags at all locations except for dog parks this month. Parks director Cliff Footlick said the bags had become an amenity he could no longer afford to provide. The city spent $48,000 on 1.7-million bags last year. Eliminating the free bags “saves me …