Hometown Democracy?

Here's an excerpt from the web site "Floridians for Smarter Growth". Learn about what the so-called "Hometown Democracy" ammendment really does! Be educated and VOTE SMART! Visit www.flsmartergrowth.org

"Extreme special interests are promoting another irresponsible amendment to the Florida Constitution. Their so-called "Hometown Democracy" amendment - a statewide "Vote on Everything" initiative - would imperil Florida's prosperity. And they are trying to mislead Florida voters to gain support for an unworkable and dangerous idea.


Floridians know our unique quality-of-life is linked to a healthy environment. And we know we must plan and grow smarter than we have in the last decade. But the Vote on Everything amendment will require many Floridians to vote 200 to 300 times each year, deciding even the tiniest planning change. This will lead to far less planning, increased urban sprawl, much more traffic, higher property taxes, and anemic municipal services.


In fact, the net effect of the Vote on Everything amendment - a dead stop for smarter growth in Florida - will destroy our state's strong economy.


Soon, they'll have bought all the signatures they need to put the Vote on Everything amendment on the November 2008 ballot. We need your help to stop the state's most extreme special interests from destroying Floridians' unique quality-of-life.


Please take a few moments to review our Web site. Download our Smarter Growth petition here, sign it and mail it to our office.


And contact us - or sign up for email alerts - to get involved with Floridians for Smarter Growth."

Commuter Rail on the way!

Yes, commuter rail is well on it's way to Orlando! Maitland is the very first City to break ground and pour the train station platform slab. Counties and Cities have high hopes that commuter rail will be an economic stimulus as well as help the redevelopment of the 17-92 corridor, make travel easier and slow down urban sprawl.

Now if we could only get funding pushed up to our lifetime for the 436 flyover! Believe it or not the flyover will help encourage the redevelopment of the 436/434 intersection and surrounding areas that have suffered blight for so long... and are still waiting....
The traffic in that area is horrendous as any of us who travel it know. The City of Cassleberry is already making great strides on improving many areas along thier section of the 17-92 corridor. Let's keep the momentum going!

Easter Egg Hunt

Lake Mary will host, for it's residents, the first Egg Hunt in a lo-o-ng while!
March 22nd - Registration begins at 9AM and the egg hunt begins at 10AM. Have your kids bring thier baskets and don't forget your camera parents and grandparents!!

Hop on over!!!

Tallahassee Legislative Session

I am greatly looking forward to going to Tallahassee to attend the Legislative session and speaking to our state representatives on behalf of Lake Mary's tax payers like myself! I want to know where our tax dollars are going not only at the local level, but even moreso at the state level. I am very disappointed in the fact that severe cuts are being made to the senior citizens and disabled population. Developmentally disabled persons are losing necessary services in order to maintain a productive, healthy life. Group homes are closing, and necessary medical services that keep thier bodies functioning halfway normal are being taken away. And what of low income seniors with no family to care for them and very limited resources? Who will speak for the populations that cannot speak for themselves? These are the very people we should be caring for!
While I agree all budgets do have fat in them that can be cut, we should be cutting necessary services LAST - AFTER the fat.

Sidewalks and trash

About a month ago I began inquiring about the imcomplete sidewalks and excessive trash along Country Club. Country Club Road is a County Road so all maintenance falls under Seminole County Jurisdiction. Although Lake Mary has performed some cleanup on it's own, we are greatly lacking in manpower to handle all of it.
Seminole County has installed many sidewalks to date and if you visit their web site or talk to staff you will find that there are plans to continue in areas where access and right-of-way is available. For example, the bridge near Liberty Park would cost way too much to be replaced and widenened for a sidewalk so it's doubtful there will be one over the bridge.
As for the trash pick up I will keep asking and pestering them. Keep in mind they have limited staff as well for the large area (the whole county) they have to cover. But if you see some Seminole County workers out I would not hesitate to stop them about it or contact the staff directly at 407-665-5601 (Public Works).

Open House

The Lake Mary Events Center will have an open house for all residents of Lake Mary to come visit thier new facility.

Date: Sunday, March 9, 2008
Time: 2-4 PM


Please come enjoy!