It's tough staying in business on North Kentucky Ave in Lakeland, especially in one row of shops. The block that's somewhat opposite Mitchell's coffee always seems to have vacancies (see photo below). Something new will open up, then close soon afterwards.
Currently there are a few empty storefronts, with one of them being used for record storage. Perhaps retail can't venture that far North, since many of the businesses are services-based, i.e. insurance, etc.
One of the closely watched local races in Polk County is the County Commission District 2 race between Randy Wilkinson (R) and Robert Connors (D). Of course the question is who will win, but how close will it be?
Have the anti-Randy forces secured enough support to elect Robert or will it be a close result with Randy winning again?
Peeble's Barbecue in Auburndale, Florida was featured on 'The List' in the August issue of Delta Sky Magazine. The magazine had asked their readers to submit the names of their favorite BBQ joints. Peeble's made the list along with seven other Florida locations.
Here are some Peeble's photos from last summer (when they're closed). I think we might be heading there tonight....mmmm.
The gang from Theme Park Review recently visited Cypress Gardens as part of their annual Halloween-Orlando trip. There are a few photos and captions of their brief visit before they drove to Tampa to visit Busch Gardens.
In the next few days/weeks the full background will probably come out about Paul Goward's resignation. It appears that it wasn't just the e-mail he sent, but perhaps tensions were slowly escalating within the department.
The only 'online' discussion about Paul Goward's resignation is taking place at The Ledger Forums. Some of the commentary is interesting:
I think the Police Chief was correct in his thinking, even if the message was considered harsh by some (I'm sure the ones offended were in fact those guilty of that very thing). It is a shame that he resigned. - angel120459
I am a law enforcement officer in Polk county. I understand everyone tries to be politically correct these days but what ever happened to just accepting responsiblity for your actions? I couldn't agree with jenibean more. Being in this line of work requires (or should anyways) for you to be at your best, including your health. - kuffs345
I think there is a bigger picture which the general public cannot understand. Paul Goward was not forced to resign because of his "Jelly Belly" email to his empoyees. What people outside the department don't know is that Goward rules with a certain arrogance and "God" like attitude that the entire police force does not perform to their full potential. He does not belive in compromise or constructive discussion. It's either his way or the highway. - CopsCop
Whate part of the real world don't you people understand. the city manager weighs over 400 lbs. He got a copy of the memo called the chief and fired him. the city of Winter Haven has a state of art work out complex at the base ball field and is used 30 days out of the year, it is off limits to all and was built for the baseball players. City Manager Mr. green can't tie his own shoes and should open it up to all employees including himself. - paco
I had the privilege to have worked for worked for Chief Goward at the Horry County Police Department and was fortunate to retire, with twenty five years of law enforcement at the same time he left to go to Winter Haven Fl. Yes, he was pretty much set in his way as CopsCop stated, and I didn’t always agree with his ideas, but then I was not the one hired and paid the big buck to make those decisions. But everything he did was for the best of the department. And he was hired to make those decisions and was held responsible for all decisions made within the department. - Shelley
I am here to tell you that the Winter Haven Police Department and the citizens of Winter Haven lost a great leader yesterday. Chief Goward's forced resignation was based on a handful of the police department's employees who are incapable of progressing forward and making changes for the better. These employees are from the “good ole boy” system and would like to sit around, wait for retirement, and collect a pay check. Some of these are already eligible for retirement and hang around for no other reason than to hold the department down. - dontbeacoward
I was not able to make it over to the Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival this past weekend :-( However, a few folks have uploaded some photos to Flickr.
last night a friend of mine was studying at lake mirror around dusk, and as she got up to leave she was jumped by three black men who stole her laptop (a macbook pro).
im posting this because one, it would be great if anyone who might have been there at the time could offer helpful information. she ran to get the tag number off the car, but was tripped on the way. she says there were three attackers and two drivers. unfortunately i dont know anything else..
I attended the luncheon meeting of the Florida Public Relations Association in Lakeland today to hear Armand Nardi the new publisher of the News Chief speak. This was the first event that Armand had been invited to speak at since he started two weeks ago. Armand admitted that he was not a seasoned public speaker but I think he did a great job and had a great sense of humor.
In his initial remarks he talked a bit about his background and thoughts on the newspaper industry as a whole. In his opinion there is no other news medium like the newspaper industry. Armand said, "The editorial process creates a superior product that still can't be matched by other mediums."
The News Chief is a smaller community newspaper, but Armand feels that local newspapers are the backbone of a local community. A local paper serves as a watchdog and a cheerleader at the same time. Armand went on to say that the local paper prints a daily historical document about the community it serves.
Armand said his primary goals at the News Chief are to increase readership and be the number one source of local news and entertainment information. Part of that is forming a symbiotic relationship with the community. The News Chief will work to support organizations that work to improve the quality of life in Winter Haven.
After his introductory remarks Armand took a few questions from the audience. One of the initial questions dealt with the high turnover the News Chief has had in their editorial positions. Armand said that was something he would be working on. In his previous positions he has always taken an active role in the development of the younger staff members. However, he recognized the fact that community newspapers are often the springboard for many young journalists.
The next question asked dealt with the relationship between print readers and internet readers of the paper. Armand said that like many community newspapers they are one of the most highly trafficked sites in the area. Winter Haven is unique in that many of their local readers leave the market (Snowbirds) and that a high percentage of those that do leave still visit the 'local' paper site (my note: I know my mother who left WH 3 years ago still reads both local web sites)
Lori Edwards asked whether a large number of the New Chiefs' subscriber were dual subscribers, that is they read the both News Chief and The Ledger. Armand didn't have any data on that, but it's something they're researching.
I think Armand did a great job. Any interaction with the local community on the part of the publisher is always good, and an improvement over his predecessor.
Before his blog, residents of Old Seminole Heights, South Seminole Heights and Southeast Seminole Heights communicated through e-mail and phone chains mostly within their neighborhoods. Now, attendance is higher at events because everyone in the area sees the same fliers posted on the blog. “You post it on the blog, you’re going to get a turnout,” said Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association president Randy Baron. “I think it’s an excellent place for people to find out about things. It’s a one-stop shop.”
And readers aren’t just residents. The media and city officials regularly check blogs for neighborhood news. Shannon Edge, the city’s director of neighborhood and community relations, is a regular blog visitor. It’s a great gauge for what residents care about and alerts her to neighborhood issues, she said. She often verifies information posted anonymously on the blog with association presidents in order to pass it along to city officials.
But those professionals will need to know where to turn to fill in their own knowledge gaps as well. That's because the citizenry, the ones who live in the communities or who have a niche interest, are going to be powerful within that niche. Mainstream media outlets simply don't have the resources to get as minutely specific as blogging allows for. So not only is Josh smart for knowing what he doesn't know and reaching out for input, so to should reporters learn to know what they don't know and search for those who do....
....But niche bloggers have the time and the passion to cover topics or angles that big news organizations just can't because the return on investment is too low or even non-existent.
This is exactly the type of thing we see with blogs like Seminole Heights. Now if only every neighborhood had a Tommy, David or Joey we'd be all set.
The second of the two debates this evening featured the candidates for the Florida State Legislature, District 63. Debating were James Davis (D) and Seth McKeel (R).
The debate was taped by PGTV and will be shown on Channel 19 (local cable) on Sunday, October 22nd at 1:30 pm.
All the following notes are done live and may contain some small typos or errors, you've been warned :-) I also recorded the session. You can click here to listen.
Opening Remarks:
SM: I want to use this time to introduce myself to the audience. I am a Polk County native, in fact a 5th generation Floridian. I served on the Lakeland City Commission for five years. He and his wife work together in real estate. He feels he's well suited to take on the role.
JD: Born and raised in Polk County, he considers himself a crusader for the people. We have a number of challenges that we face, he is the candidate to help face those issues and be a voice of the people. To include all the people, not just the privileged few.
First Question: If elected will you support a increase to funding for public libraries?
JD: We have a problem with focusing our efforts on education. Libraries are a part of the educational system. He'd support the increased funding for libraries. There needs to be more effort put forth towards the educational system.
SM: He has some experience with library system. As a Lakeland City Commissioner he helped fund the city library system. There are some exciting changes coming up within the library system and funding is important. Technology offers some opportunities as well. Libraries are an important part of workforce development and must be supported
Second Question: Today is a national day against poverty, what is your plan to help fight poverty in the county?
SM: He has had experience with poverty within the City of Lakeland. It's an issue in the county and the state. Ultimately it comes back to education. By providing a good educational based we can break the cycle of poverty.
JD: Working with the One-Stop Center for Workforce he has seen first-hand the isuses related to poverty. Florida is a service based state. There is a widening gap between the rich and the poor within the state. We should raise the minimum wage so that those working minimum wage jobs can support themselves.
Third Question: In light of the recent poplulation growth in Florida what are your thoughts about reviving the bullet train?
JD: I think that it should be done. We need to bring together the cities and counties within Florida. A transit system like the bullet train would perhaps bring jobs and other opportunities to the people of Florida.
SM: The transportation infrastructure deficit is growing and continues to grow. When he left the Lakeland City Commission there was a transportation deficit of $80-90 million in Lakeland alone. High speed rail does need to be considered, but it needs to be part of a comprehensive plan to improve all transportation in Florida.
Fourth Question: How does your business experience prepare you for service in the legislature?
SM: He is a small business owner and takes a focus on small businesses. His experience in real estate and local government gives him the ability to oversee cooperation between government and business as well as the interaction between state agencies.
JD: I too have a real estate background, he is a broker and he is an educator as well as coach. He is used to challenges. He is used to working for what he wants. He is a winner. He works with businesses to assist them with staffing and other issues.
Fifth Question: How would you improve education in Polk County?
JD: FCAT is a major issue, the teachers in Polk County are underpaid. The problem is not the FCAT though, we need to focus on the basics. We have been saddled with the No Child Left Behind act but no funding to support it.
SM: Polk County recently saw a large increase in educational funding, but it still has a long way to go. There should not be a one-size-fits-all model, it does not work to serve all the students. He would work to bring better cooperation between business and schools.
Sixth Question: How do you propose to continue Florida's strong economy?
SM: The Florida economy is in good shape. The tourism and agricultural industries have been great resources for the state, but we need to diversify. Hi-tech industry must be attracted, but that relies upon the educational system to provide the workforce.
JD: He feels that the Florida economy is not as bright as many think. We need to work to bring better jobs to the state, but once again it's the educational system that most provide the worforce.
Closing Statements:
JD: He was born and raised in Polk County. Rather than hearing the issues, he has lived them. Florida has a bright future and Polk County has the opportunity to lead the state. He will not be afraid to step forward and provide the leadership needed.
SM: He has laid out the challenges we face but also he has provided solutions for those issues. He looks forward to serving the residents of the county.
This evening the League of Women Voters of Polk County and the Lakeland Chapter, Florida Bipartisan Civic Affairs Group held a debate between the three candidates for the 12th Congressional District of Florida. Debating were Ed Bowlin (I), Adam Putnam (R) and Joe Viscusi (I).
The debate was taped by PGTV and will be shown on Channel 19 (local cable) on Sunday, October 22nd at 1:30 pm.
All the following notes are done live and may contain some small typos or errors, you've been warned :-) I also recorded the session, you can click here to listen.
Opening Remarks:
JV: Thanked the League for sponsoring the event and appreciated the folks that turned up in person. Joe feels that any election is about accountability. He wants to separate himself from Adam on the major issues. If you are against the war in Iraq then vote for Joe, if you are for the war then vote for Adam. Offshore drilling, Joe is against it while Adam is for it.
AP: Thanked the League and looked forward to getting into the issues. He has had the honor of representing the 12th District for the past six years. He feels that this district needs somebody that can be a leader in Washington. They need to move beyond sound-bite politics and do the work. Adam is proud to be from the area and that's one of the reasons he has never moved to Washington. Adam then went on to note some of the recent positive economic indicators.
EB: Congressional approval rate is under 20%, that's why we need change. His campaign is about the issues, he is not about attacking other candidates. He disagrees with Adam's positive economic outlook. We have to have people that are willing to fight for the people. The majority of American people want us out of the war, that's the type of change we need.
First Question: How does your background, education and life experience qualify you to represent the 12th District?
AP: Native of Polk County, 5th generation Floridian. There needs to be a balance between growth and the environment. The agricultural industry within the county provides a good base, but we are bleeding jobs because of our lack of an energy policy. Immigration is also a major issue.
EB: Wide range of life experiences. Raised in a single-parent family, served his country, he is a third-generation Marine. He has sent his children off to war, his son has served two tours in Iraq. He has run a business for 12 years.
JV: I've lived in Polk County for over 30 years and has done so by choice. We don't choose how we're born. Unlike Adam, he was not born into a family of wealth. He has worked to earn his place.
Second Question: What would you do with the thousands of unexploded cluster bombs and mines in Lebanon?
EB: It should be Israel's responsibility to handle looking through the bombs/mines. We can't continue to look in to all these foreign issues. We have too many issues at home to worry about all the foreign disputes.
JV: We're talking about violence, death. Hundreds of thousands of people dying because people aren't willing to talk things over. There needs to be a change in how things are dealt with.
AP: Israel is the only active democracy in the Middle East and we need to support them. We did not provoke the attacks on 9/11. We need to work with our allies in the Middle East and continue to fight those that wish to do us harm.
Third: What are your thoughts on Social Security?
JV: He doesn't think that the Social Security system is in as much trouble as the administration would like us to believe. He promises to research the issue and not just vote along party lines.
AP: It's one of the fundamental generational issues we face. Anybody under 35 will not have funds available to them if no changes are not made. We are unable to solve the issues since there has not be cooperation between the parties. There is no question that social security will be bankrupt 2040 if nothing is done.
EB: He agrees with Adam. He has worked up a solution with his economics professor. Do not privative the system, personalize it. The money that is put in should be loaned to state and local municipalities and then that will generate interest. The system needs to be self-supporting.
Fourth Question: Would you allow a citizen's committee to investigate ethics issues?
AP: Recently there has been work to bring in outside investigators to look into some of the recent issues in Congress, unfortunately the minority leader has blocked some of this.
EB: His degree is in political science. Nobody wants to be part of ethics committee, they don't want to dime each other out. That's part of the problem with the current system.
JV: There is need for outside oversight. The Republicans control almost all levels or government. Loads of Adam's money is from lobbyists.
Fifth Quesitions: Please comment on the military services act, can US citizens and not only immigrants be labeled enemy combatants?
EB: No, he does not like what the current adminsitration is doing with the interrogation of prisoners, we're opening ourselves up to be a target.
JV: It's all part of this administrations policy to violate our privacy. We need to treat all people equally.
AP: We will not turn over American serivce-men to an international body for interrogation.
Closing Statements:
JV: Once again we have an incumbent in office. This should be his job assessment. If you're satisfied with what's going on in Iraq then vote for Adam. If you are for offshore drilling vote for Adam, if not vote for me. If you are for cutting student aid then vote for Adam, if not vote for me.
AP: We have global challenges and generational challenges. Social security, health care, you can't do it with sound bites, you can't do it with puppets or pirates. People want somebody in Washington that can get things done.
EB: The major issue is the war. Unlike most members of Congress he has family that has been there. His son doesn't know what their job is in Iraq anymore. Our job should be to bring them back. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed, and needs to be addressed now.
It looks as if the Winter Haven Fire Department has closed down relocated the station near the Valencia Woods neighborhood. The gate is closed, the living quarters and gone and Engine #3 has vanished.
The sub-station opened in early 2003 and had one engine permanently assigned to it, usually Engine #3. Shortly after the opening the city held an open house on February 15th, 2003.
I assume that it was a financial decision, but I'll follow-up with the city to see what I can find out.
Update: I received a response from Tony Jackson re: Station #3
Fire Station #3 in Valencia Woods has not been closed but relocated to property inside of the city at 6600 Cypress Gardens Blvd. Station #3 was not intended to be at the Valencia Woods site permanently due to the close proximity of Polk County Fire Station # 8 on Register Road. However, we are hopeful of strategically locating another fire station in that area in the near future.
Kawasaki’s James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., walked away with $100,000 by winning both Friday and Saturday nights’ events at the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
A series of videos have been uploaded to YouTube showing some Publix staff goofing off in the back of the store. We'll start the countdown now to see how long they last online:
I have heard from four different people now that Winter Haven dining legend Christy's Sundown Restaurant will be closing shortly. Is it true? The rumor is that folks behind Fred's Market in Lakeland have purchased the restaurant.
Then, not necessarily Polk specific, but there is the Fantastical World of Publix Pool. It's a collection of exterior/interior photos from Publix, plus quite a few photos of their private label packaging.
If you follow Orlando politics/issues/news then you know what's been going on recently with Doug Guetzloe. If you don't, you can check out the recent Orlando Sentinel articles:
Doug heads up the Ax the Tax group that fights for taxpayer rights by rooting out overspending by local governments and in his view unnecessary taxes. It's ironic then that the type of contract he received ($107,500) from the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority is exactly the thing that he fights against. (Let me get this straight, you're paying a person $107,500 to study whether people will object to increased tolls?)
The rabbit hole just keeps going and going on this one. Each day a new story comes out that another group paid Guetzloe for 'consulting' (some call it hush money). The most recent revelation in today's paper was the recent battle over the Osceola County Convention center. From the article:
Doug Guetzloe's anti-tax crusaders mobilized last year to convince Osceola County taxpayers that a county convention center was a bad deal while his consulting firm was being paid more than $87,000 by the Gaylord Palms Resort, which was pushing its own plan for a competing facility.
So where does Polk County fit in to this equation? Ax the Tax was involved in the fight against the MSTU tax in Polk County and led a recall drive against the commissioners that voted for it. A 2005 Ax the Tax newsletter mentions this recall effort along with previously mentioned Osceola Convention Center issue.
Does/did Doug have any contracts with any Polk interests? I don't have the reporting/research capabilities to find out, but perhaps The Ledger can check things out.
The Ledger reports that Daily Grind Coffee House is looking to open two franchises in Polk County. Reading the article it says they have "two leads for potential franchises". That doesn't sound very firm.
I wonder if this is the 'national' coffee house that has been calling other coffee shops and asking if employees want to work at a new 'national' coffee chain?
I've decided to start a new recurring item here on Empirical Polk: Where in Polk County. I'll post a photo and see if anybody can guess the location. Some will be easier than others. Here's the first one. Where was this photo taken? Leave a comment below. The winner will receive something...not sure what, but it will be something.
Update: Dean won. It's the Orleans Estate on Lake Eloise in Winter Haven.
Golf anyone? I have a few extra weekly passes to the FUNAI Classic PGA golf tournament at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. The event is October 19-22nd. The badges are also good for the practice rounds earlier in the week.
If you're interested, leave a comment or e-mail me.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is a popular guy the blogosphere. With the recent death of Deputy Matt Williams and the subsequent killing of Angilo Freeland a number of blogs are talking about the events and Grady's quotes.
John over at the Disney Blogpointed out that the Celebration Blog is back up and running. Celebration is an interesting community and a blog is a unique way to look at life in the 'burb. It's worth reading form time to time.
Katherine Harris held a small event/meet-up at Richard's Coffee this morning in Winter Haven. I didn't learn about this till I read the Ledger mention of it around 8:30 am. The event was scheduled for 7:30 am.
A stop a Richard's is part of my morning routine so I thought I might catch the end of it. No luck. By the time I arrived she was gone and the last few remnants of the supporters were leaving. There looked to be a 'special' chair for Katherine though. It was a standard director's chair with a patriotic balloon tied to it. Cute.
There is some great weather out there today. You can walk around downtown (Winter Haven or Lakeland) and not sweat to death. So go outside and enjoy yourself.
If you're stuck inside you can read over Robert's thoughts on the PCOC-affair. When will somebody just put them out of their misery. Or how about canning the entire board in bringing in a group of responsible folks?
A new global public opinion poll shows that Florida ranks high both domestically and abroad as a favorite place to live.
The Anholt State Brands Index -- which includes responses from 9,000 U.S. citizens and 12,000 foreigners -- asked those surveyed to name their favorite state in which they would like to live.
Among U.S. respondents, Florida ranked third, topped only by North Carolina and Virginia. Colorado and Oregon rounded out the top five.
Among foreign respondents, Florida fared slightly better, coming in second only to California. Hawaii, New York and Washington rounded out the top five among those respondents.
Many times the comment about Polk County is that it's a great place to raise a family. Of course once the kids are in their late teens/early twenties they want to run like hell to a bigger city, but that's changing.
The Morris Publishing Group has named a new publisher for the News Chief. Armand M. Nardi will take over for Robin L. Quillon. Hopefully Armand will be a bit more active in the community than Robin was.
Here's an interesting contrast. Look at the headlines for the story in the local papers. Notice any difference :-)
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