Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

Here are some things I’d like to do in relation to this new website, but may never come to fruition:

Need a cool logo/gravatar. My brother Mike is working on this.
RadioBlog - to come shortly after site is launched.
Advertising - to come with site launch.
History of Tampa pages (there will be a category, but wiki-type pages would be cool) - some time after launch.
Would love to have an “upcoming events” page.

Leave your suggestions in the comments…

In February, School Board Chair Candy Olson considered asking the county to raise impact fees for school construction shortfalls. Last month she suggested that maybe the county to help find the $276 million for construction. Commissioner Jim Norman freaked out, not wanting to “open a can of worms” (pdf, page 34). The two groups met Tuesday, and completely avoided the subject. When asked by reporters about the situation, Norman reminded us that the county has their own buildings to build, and suggested local growth may slow. Candy Olson, presumably helping Norman keep the worms in the dark, said “We hope [enrollment] stops or levels off.” I swear that’s what the newspaper says (metro, page 6): they both decided to just hope the problem goes away.

When I apply for a loan to open a business, instead of having a business plan, I’ll be sure to tell my banker that although no one wants my products, my fingers are crossed that good stuff happens.

If you asked me, the only way I can see to manage all the costs from this incredible growth is to increase impact fees. Possibly by 2500%. I’ll have more on that discussion later. I am not finished being amazed at the quotes, and wondering how these people got to be in their positions.

Am I overreacting? Is this not outrageous?

By the way, if you go read that pdf of the BOCC meeting, and scroll down to page 38, you’ll see how Ronda Storms goes off on the school. It’s funny (of course). (yes, yes, I need to get a life)

There’s been a lot of news lately about the Tampa Museum of Art. Unfortunately, the hunt for a new space has taken away some focus from the museum’s current exhibit, “Bud Lee, Picture Maker.” Bud Lee has been taking marvelous photographs of people and places since the sixties. Lee came to Tampa in the seventies as part of an Artists-in-Schools program, and never left. He was instrumental in starting the Artists and Writers Ball (recently revived), which eventually morphed into what you now know as Guavaween. Now a resident of Plant City, Lee has shot for Life Magazine, Rolling Stone, and the New York Times Sunday Magazine, just to name a few. The exhibit at TMOA will last until July 10, and you can find times and admission info here. I hope to be there this Sunday, May 1 at 2pm when Lee will be in attendance to discuss his life and work. You should be there too; he’s a fascinating local figure.

A year ago I told you that former Mayor Dick Greco and his beautiful bride were enjoying some fantastic live music. This scene played out again Friday night in Ybor City. Dick sized up the scene in the streets and wondered aloud “what happened to Ybor City?” But the small attendance outside didn’t stop them from enjoying the night. They both mingled with the crowd at the Blue Shark, danced to a handful of numbers, and Linda even got up and sang with the band! Find more pictures via the JGLB blog.

By the way, I still have not seen Mayor Pam anywhere but downtown since she was elected.

Amber Alert issued for 12 Year Old Florida Girl
Posted: Tuesday April 26 1:54 PM CT

MARGARITA AGUILAR-LOPEZ, 12 years old. She’s white/hispanic with black hair and brown eyes. She is 4 feet 10 inches tall. MARGARITA WAS LAST SEEN WEARING A WHITE TEE SHIRT AND BLUE PANTS. THE CHILD WAS LAST SEEN IN 1700 BLOCK OF 14TH STREET WEST AND IS BELIEVED TO BE IN DANGER.

The suspect is Antonio Paulino-Perez who has black hair and brown eyes. He’s 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. He’s White/Hispanic. THE ABDUCTOR WAS LAST SEEN WEARING A WHITE TEE SHIRT AND BLUE JEANS, AND A POSSIBLE SCAR ON HIS FOREHEAD. THEY MAY BE TRAVELING IN A MID 1990’s RED FORD AEROSTAR, POSSIBLE FLORIDA TAG.

If you have any information on this child please call the Bradenton Police Department at 941-932-9300 or dial 911. Visit http://codeamber.c.topica.com/maadr7habgpA7bexbzVb/ for more information.

Here is the Tribune story and photos of both. FDLE site with photos.

There may be no hockey right now, but Tampa’s downtown arena seems to be doing just peachy. The St. Pete Times Forum ranked fourth in the world for tickets sold to concerts and family events. That’s up from ninth worldwide last year.

Mayor Pam Iorio and others now want to consider using the old federal courthouse to house Tampa Museum of Art. Tampa’s economic development director, Mark Huey even said it could be a mini-Metropolitan!! Where on earth did Mark get that idea? HA!

Anyway, we’re only at the beginning stages to check the viability of the hundred year old building, but Iorio seems to think it is a done deal, and has come out to suggest that Zack Street will be the new Art District. It seems to me that Pam is changing all she can from the previous administration. Now the riverside arts district is moving to Zack Street. And this is before anyone ensures that the structure is compatible.

Of course, before the TMOA board was finished kicking the dirt and “aw-shucks”ing the loss of the world’s largest pigeon lure (more pictures here), TMOA Director Emily Kass was canned resigned. And now Wendy Ceccherelli, Tampa’s director of arts and cultural affairs has resigned too. I guess she misses Seattle (who wouldn’t?). Anyway, the TMOA board needs to regroup, get over these perceived setbacks, and realize that they still need a building. (Mayor Pam moves quickly, the city TMOA page showing the new scrapped museum is already gone)

By the way, with the Mayor’s desire for a N. Franklin café district, the recent purchase of the Floridan (with plans to run it as a high-brow hotel), an art museum at Zack & Florida, and continued residential development, the north central part of downtown may one day become an evening/weekend destination.

County Commissioner Brian Blair (have heard a lot from him) thinks he’s still wrestling. After challenging the Tampa Sports Authority, and calling out donors to the History Museum, this week he snuck up behind County Administrator Pat Bean and hit her over the head with a folding chair. Rumor has it he’s having a hard time finding a partner to collaborate with on the ol’ switcheroo. After spending quality time (oh, about twenty minutes) learning the ins and outs of running a government office, Blair sure is making a lot of noise.