Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

The Census Bureau released 2006 population estimates for cities. Tampa added 7,088 people to the city from 2005 to 2006. That’s a net gain of just under 19 and a half people moving into Tampa city limits every single day. I hope they all read Sticks of Fire.

Tampa had the 7th highest gain in the state of Florida. Orlando gained 6,936 (9th highest in Florida), Clearwater lost 788 (3rd largest loss in the state), Sarasota lost 537 (8th largest), and St. Petersburg lost 267.

If you’re a regular reader of weird news aggregator Fark.com — and you should be — you already know that the state of Florida is held in high regards at the site. Among the , , and stories one might find at Fark, stories originating in the Sunshine State have their own tag — and a majority of those wacky stories originate right here in Tampa Bay.

Fark proprietor Drew Curtis is particularly fond of the area (he has family here and visits often) and in his new book (available at a fine bookstore near you) Drew explains Florida’s the only state to have its own news category because,

For some reason Florida is messed up [...] Perhaps it’s the warm weather that makes people stupid. Perhaps it’s the Real World-like population demographic, where old people, Cuban immigrants, gobs of tourists, and rednecks all mix together in one huge melting pot of crap [...] It’s not a lifestyle choice, it’s who they are.

A quick perusal of Florida-tagged stories on Fark show plenty originating from here in Tampa, many of which slipped through our intrepid reporting here at Sticks, including:

Today’s prostitute mugshot thread brought to you by Tampa. Wouldn’t it be funny if you recognized one of… hey wait, Mom?

Tampa man, arrested for butchering alligator on his front lawn, explains to police he just wanted a new belt

Watching this video of Tampa cops and firefighters compete in a chicken-wing-eating contest will pretty much ensure that you will never eat chicken wings again

Not to be outdone by Boston’s War on LiteBrites, Tampa bomb squad declares a War on Homeless Guy Luggage

A good number of the stories come from our own Tampa Bay’s 10 (we hear web editor Theresa Moore is a big fan). While Sticks of Fire will continue to keep an eye on what’s happening around here, you might consider adding Fark to your daily reading as well.

Disclaimer: Drew Curtis has, on occasion, bought me a beer or six.

56, of Plant City, Fla.

assigned to the 143rd Sustainment Command, Orlando, Fla.; died Nov. 13 in Kaiserslautern, Germany, from a non-combat related incident while in Iraq.

The incident is under investigation.

Friends described Winston, 56, as a man with a generous and energetic spirit… Winston headed for Iraq when the U.S. invasion began, leaving behind a spacious ranch at the end of a dirt road off Trapnell Road, where he had lived with his wife, Jennifer… A small wooden sign nailed to a pine tree still bears his last name, near the Calvary Free Will Baptist Church, where he was a member… The Rev. Rodger McClellan remembers Winston as someone unfailingly friendly, who loved the church, his family, his old cars - and, especially, the U.S. Army.

what is this?

Earlier today, 970 WFLA reported that a county employee got in trouble for posting on a local blog. I think they got that story from the Tampa Tribune*, who got around to the story late this morning (it won’t be in your newspaper until tomorrow (maybe)). The Tribune probably got it from the St. Pete Times, who was on the story late yesterday (when it happened). Both newspapers mentioned the local blog by name, but included no links. The radio station didn’t even bother with the name of the blog. And just forget about hat tips - they won’t link to little ol’ me, much less each other.

I only point this out, because they are all in some trouble. Online Media Daily reports the latest findings from Edison Media Research:

THE INTERNET HAS PASSED RADIO to become Americans’ second “most essential” medium and swapped places with TV as the “most cool and exciting medium” since the subjects were last studied five years ago, reported Edison Media Research.

Edison’s “Internet and Multimedia 2007″ study, conducted this past winter with Arbitron, reported that 36% of consumers age 12 and over chose TV as the “most essential” medium in their lives, followed by 33% choosing the Internet, 17% radio, and 10% newspapers.

In 2002, TV was also ranked “most essential” by 39% of respondents, followed by 26% for radio and 20% for the Internet.

With TV only three points in front the internet in terms of the “most essential” medium, you can see where they are headed as well. The full Edison report compares answers to the same questions asked in 2002.

More findings:

• Internet has now overtaken television as ‘most cool and exciting’ medium
• More say newspaper ‘is getting stale and boring’
• Greater numbers report using Internet more lately; fewer say radio
• Newspapers remain medium used less lately; radio holds steady
• Radio still clearly leader for learning about new music, though Internet gains
• Television dominant first source for major news story; Internet doubles and passes newspaper

Check out the full report.

If Clear Channel, Media General, and the St. Pete Times want to remain on top of the local scene, they better figure out how to use this internet thingy.

*side note: the radio stations have been getting their news from the newspapers for years, without ever acknowledging it. Most blogs usually mention where the info comes from and even provide a link to the place where they found the news.

Did you see this? The City of Tampa may purchase the land where Trump Tower was supposed to go. Mayor Pam Iorio:

“We want to make sure that part of the Riverwalk gets built in a timely manner,” Iorio said. “The owners first have to be willing to sell and it has to be a reasonable price, but this could be a continuation of what we’ve already done, so it makes sense.”

My first thought was “How on earth can you even bring that up when you have plans to discuss the effects of budget cuts this week?”

Well, when Iorio went to explain her plans for budget cuts, City Councilman Joseph Caetano had the same thoughts as I:

Councilman Joseph Caetano questioned why the city is looking into buying the Trump Tower Tampa property if the condo isn’t built.

“How can we get involved in something like that?” Caetano said.

I don’t see where he got an answer.

“Sicko” says insurance companies care most about their financial health.

Sicko

PG-13; 115 minutes

As a documentary about health care, “Sicko” is more entertaining than it has a right to be. It is also, shall we say, a wee bit slanted.

But there’s more behind Michael Moore’s latest — and, I would argue, finest — film than the not-too-surprising news that giant American corporations place greed above humanity, rigid rules above common sense. “Sicko” has a broader agenda than simply suggesting that no one should be refused medical attention. With heartbreaking case histories, poignant interviews and cheeky stunts, the film forces us to consider a more basic question: What kind of a society are we?

“Sicko” starts with examples of lives shattered by a lack of health insurance. But those folks, Moore tells us (off camera, where he stays for the film’s first half), are only 50 million or so of the U.S. population. The movie, he explains, is more concerned with the other 250 million of us — those who assume they are covered when in fact the biggest insurers are always seeking ways to deny claims. One insurer dares to argue that the company isn’t denying anyone care, just coverage. In other words, if you have the cash, the doctor will see you anyway. Oddly enough, Moore says, the U.S. is the only industrialized with that approach to medicine.

On friendly but occasionally tear-jerking mini-tours of health care facilities in Canada, England, France and Cuba, Moore suggests that we haven’t been given a very complete picture of how those countries operate (no pun intended).

As our working population ages and starts making more doctor visits, the health care industry — including its army of well-connected lobbyists — will come under increasing scrutiny. “Sicko” is a splendid starting point for anyone who wants to be informed on the subject.

Unless you’re an insurance executive or hospital administrator, you’ll find this brisk nonfiction film to be well worth an A.

Find more film reviews and fun at BobRossMovies.com

20, of Middleburg, Fla.

assigned to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Nov. 1 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle in Baghdad

Kevin J. Ellenburg was a 2004 high school graduate [of Pace High School] and was assigned to Fort Hood. He was described as a good student and athlete, who played football and golf, and was imbued with team spirit and a sense of humor. He was popular and likable, say those who knew him.

what is this?

Editor’s note: Sticks writer Mariella Smith contributed greatly to this post.

Mariella Smith has done quite a job keeping you informed of Hillsborough County’s attempt to dismantle the Environmental Protection Commission. And as you know, some folks are so passionate about the environment, that they are willing to jeopardize their own career. I only wish that the general population had this much passion - or even just a modicum of interest in what’s going in your back yards.

We here in the sticks have no interest in becoming a one-topic website. And frankly, I am not what you could call a tree-hugger. However, I feel that this ongoing attack on the wishes of the citizens deserves a bit more than one or two mentions of outrage. Therefore, I’ve asked Mariella to continue to learn more about all of this, and Sticks of Fire will be following this story to its conclusion. Of course, you may have heard that Sticks of Fire is now a part of the story.

In the face of unconscionable pressure to toe the company line, the director of wetlands regulation for the Environmental Protection Commission had the guts to let her feelings known in this public forum. For that, Jadell Kerr was suspended for her comments on Sticks of Fire.

Directly after the vote last week, Ms. Kerr felt completely lost:

Jadell Kerr, the wetlands division manager, said she wasn’t holding out much hope her job or those of 28 who work for her will be saved… “I think wetlands management is dead in the water, ” Kerr said. “I don’t think it matters what the public says. The county commissioners have already made up their minds.”

Over the weekend, it seems she found some hope within the outrage on Sticks of Fire. With over 30 comments at the time, there were others incensed at the commission about her passion. Here there were real people - local citizens - and she reached out to them.

It obviously took great courage to go all in and let the public see things from her insiders’ perspective. Clearly, she felt the only hope for saving our county’s wetlands is for the citizens to understand what is going on, and hope you citizens can makes a difference.

Ms. Kerr’s comment was in the commissioners’ hands a few hours after she pushed the “say it!” button. She did not push that button accidentally — she knew what she was doing. Just as clear, Jadell’s primary concern is our natural resources, not her job.

Of course, in the wake of last week’s meeting, it was obvious that not only her job, but the entire EPC is in jeopardy. And don’t just read the headlines. Look at the way the BOCC treated EPC Executive Director Richard Garrity: (from the Transcript):

RICK GARRITY: COMMISSIONER, TOM IS RIGHT IN THAT $1.2-MILLION FIGURE. I DIDN’T ANTICIPATE YOU MAYBE MAKING THIS DECISION TODAY, BUT WE — I DID HAVE AN UPDATE FOR YOU ON THE FEASIBILITY STUDY, WHICH I THINK ADDRESSES SOME ISSUES OF DUPLICATION, WHICH I KNOW IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THIS BOARD, AND I THINK IT’S VERY PERTINENT TO YOUR DECISION. THIS IS A PRETTY BIG DECISION, AND I THINK WHAT SOME OF THE THOUGHTS THAT WE HAD ON ADDRESSING THE DUPLICATION ISSUE
THAT YOU SHOULD HEAR BEFORE YOU MAKE THAT DECISION. IT WOULD JUST TAKE ME A FEW MINUTES HERE.
BRIAN BLAIR: WELL — OKAY. IT’S 12:12. HOW LONG IS THAT GOING TO TAKE YOU, DOC? I’VE GOT COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM, I WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE COMMENTS, AND –
RICK GARRITY: GIVE ME THREE MINUTES.
BRIAN BLAIR: IT’S GETTING LATE. OKAY. THREE MINUTES. GO AHEAD. THAT’S IT. WE’RE GOING TO MAKE A DECISION RIGHT NOW.

Richard Garrity’s entire department was on the line. Above, you can see he was pleading for just a few minutes (Times says he “begged”) to be heard. Garrity was SCHEDULED to make a presentation to the board. Brian Blair did not give a hoot. He pushed Garrity off to the end of the meeting. He derisively called him “Doc.” He didn’t even want to give him the three minutes. BLAIR even HIT THE TIMER. In reading the transcript above, you can easily imagine Blair rolling his eyes.

With that disrespect commissioners showed toward her boss, we believe Jadell Kerr felt no one was listening in the county and she had to reach out to the public on Sticks.

As mentioned above, we will be following this story to its conclusion. We are already chasing down some interesting developments related to this that will affect the entire state of Florida. But most importantly, we want to keep this public discussion going. We welcome all and any comments from any of you, and I’d particularly like to hear from any of you who support removing the EPC.

The county is asking for our input on our Comprehensive Plan. Again. It feels like Groundhog Day all over again: the county asked for our input, tossed out our input, and now they’re asking for our input again. But look closer at who’s listening to us and who’s not:

Our county planners in the Planning Commission asked for our input and collected 3,000 comments during years of meetings, then wrote a major Plan update. Then, our County Commissioners, influenced by developers, trashed that update without a proper public hearing. The commissioners directed the planners to take more input from “the development community” and redo the update. The planners are inviting everyone to comment.

They are holding two series of meetings on our blueprint for growth for the unincorporated area. (The cities have their own plans.) One series is for “stakeholders,” one is for the rest of us.

“Stakeholders” is a code-word for special interests, but they can’t hang a sign on the front doors of County Center saying “Developers Only,” so a handful of us citizen activists have been crashing the “stakeholders” meetings. The first meeting had only 4 citizens to balance 27 building industry lawyers and lobbyists. You are welcome at these meetings, too — well, you’re welcome by the county planners, if not the “stakeholders” — but be warned: these meetings are choked with developers’ lawyers combing through the Plan line-by-line, haggling over every other word.

I recommend you come to one of the meetings for the rest of us. Tell our planners how you want them to manage growth. Here are a few ideas:

• Strengthen rules meant to keep development from overcrowding our roads and schools.
• Growth must pay its own way, not suck our wallets & watersheds dry.
• New development should benefit — or at least not harm — current residents. If it would lower our quality of life, just say “No!”
• Do not allow urban sprawl into the rural area.
• Protect our environment and natural resources.
• Require better wetland buffers as proposed by EPC.
• Save our agricultural lands for agriculture.
• Implement the Livable Roadways Guidelines and take Hillsborough out of the top ranking of bicycle/pedestrian fatalities.
• Put the Livable Communities Element back in the Plan.

Tell us your ideas so we can all emphasize the best ones. Of course, I don’t want to tell you what to think, just want your opinion to be heard.

Open house meetings will be on the following Thursdays, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

June 28: Gaither High School
16200 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33618

July 12: HCC Brandon Campus
10414 E. Columbus Drive, Tampa, FL 33619

July 19: South Shore Regional Library
15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin, FL 33573

July 26: Alonso High School
8402 Montague Street, Tampa, FL 33635

For information contact the Planning Commission: 813.272.5940 or lacollaa@plancom.org.

Our planners will report all the comments — from the developers and the citizens — to the commissioners. Let them also report that we have not given up; that the developers cannot wear us down by dragging out the process; that we are watching our commissioners and we will vote them OUT if they do not incorporate our wishes in our plan for our county.