Interesting how Mayor Baker on one hand says the City can afford a half a billion to support thriving millionaires, but on the other hand he announced 8.8 million in budget cuts and the elimination of 92 jobs. Oh, and get this: the Mayor has asked the absolute expert in stealing your money for private gain- Progress Energy's CEO Jeffry Lyash, to lead a task force on sealing the deal. Who better than the guy who has gotten away with a 25% surcharge on all of his customers bills, in part to pay for his private profit?
Where are our representatives one might ask? They are where they have always been, buried in the deep pockets of corporations like PE. Did you know that 2006 FL Senate Bill 888 allows PE to keep the advanced cost recovery (our money) even if they don't complete the nuclear power plant project, that they claim it is for? What if slick ole' Jeffrey Lyash can add that provision to baseball field construction? Would you still go for it?
Opponents of this project are already organized and ready to return the power back to the people. POWW-[image-1]Preserve Our Wallets and Waterfront, is a diverse group of concerned citizens who have finally said "enough is enough". They have 2 petitions that will give the voters a say in just who gets to take public money and just how they can change waterfront parks. By signing their petitions, you will give the people a chance to have a voice in this debacle. Wouldn't it have been great if we could have had an opportunity to vote against the bailout of AIG? Well now you can actually vote against another bailout. Once this becomes law, you will have the right to vote on whether or not a hand can rip into your wallet. And you can have a say in protecting your environment.
Think about it. Wouldn't you rather take $450 million to build a solar energy facility? In Babcock Ranch they are doing it for only $300 million, a 75 megawatt plant that will be enough electricity for 45,000 people. They are also creating 400 jobs while attracting economic development to the region.
Where are your City's priorities? Where are yours? What is truly more sustainable, solar energy or another sports complex? Even for sports lovers, there is a clear distinction here. Where do you want your money, and the money of your neighbors and your grandchildren to go?
What you can do: Go to http://www.npn-vote.org/or call: 727-490-3213 The New Petition Network and request that you be sent the 2 POWW petitions. Recruit others to sign. Then encourage people to vote for them when they make the ballot.
Contact Mayor Baker and the City Council Members by calling 727-893-7117, and email to [email protected].
Mayor Baker
Dist. 1: Herbert E. Polson
Dist 2: Jim Kennedy
Dist. 3: Bill Dudley
Dist. 4: Leslie Curran, Vice Chair
Dist. 5: James Bennett
Dist. 6: Karl Nurse
Dist. 7: Wengay "Newt" Newton
Dist. 8: Jeff Danner, Chair
