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spenser1058

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10 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

Indeed it is, but in a region infamous for paving paradise to put up a parking lot or ugly, cheap boxes (did we mention Chris Dorworth?)  it’s sadly necessary.

I don't think Winter Park has that problem. I am concerned that we are seeing the Californication of land use. Which California at the state level is trying to reverse. Local communities, (mainly suburban ones) put onerous conditions to development locking any and all housing out unless its for rich people. Middle class people have to drive to they can afford a home leading to insane commutes. 

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5 minutes ago, jack said:

I don't think Winter Park has that problem. I am concerned that we are seeing the Californication of land use. Which California at the state level is trying to reverse. Local communities, (mainly suburban ones) put onerous conditions to development locking any and all housing out unless its for rich people. Middle class people have to drive to they can afford a home leading to insane commutes. 

Have you noticed all developers want to build are so-called “luxury apartments”? Developers also can’t be bothered with entry-level housing anymore since the huge corporate entities that own most of the builders these days are slaves to Wall Street profit demands. The whole thing is out of whack. Is Winter Park the perfect place to start. Of course not, but you have to start somewhere and until Orlando actually gets a “strong mayor” again to fill the shoes of our strong mayor form of government, we have to look at the smaller towns as the place where the action is.

In Winter Garden, for example, the mayor and city commission came out in support of annexing a historic but poor African-American neighborhood because it’s the right thing to do. This is while Orlando has been running away from getting involved in Holden Heights and Pine Hills for years.

At least the smaller cities are trying new things while Orlando has become the epicenter of “What? Me Worry? thinking. If you ever wondered what Alfred E. Neuman would be like as a mayor, look no further than Orlando.

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16 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

Have you noticed all developers want to build are so-called “luxury apartments”? Developers also can’t be bothered with entry-level housing anymore since the huge corporate entities that own most of the builders these days are slaves to Wall Street profit demands. The whole thing is out of whack. Is Winter Park the perfect place to start. Of course not, but you have to start somewhere and until Orlando actually gets a “strong mayor” again to fill the shoes of our strong mayor form of government, we have to look at the smaller towns as the place where the action is.

In Winter Garden, for example, the mayor and city commission came out in support of annexing a historic but poor African-American neighborhood because it’s the right thing to do. This is while Orlando has been running away from getting involved in Holden Heights and Pine Hills for years.

At least the smaller cities are trying new things while Orlando has become the epicenter of “What? Me Worry? thinking. If you ever wondered what Alfred E. Neuman would be like as a mayor, look no further than Orlando.

That's is not true. Workforce housing is not built because it is difficult to break even. Especially in urban areas. Land prices and construction costs are too high to justify workforce housing w/o a government subsidy or you need to build far out where land prices are low which mean you can builder cheaper. The most reasonably priced multi-family buildings to build are 3 story walk ups with no elevators and open corridors. 15 units or so an acre. You are not doing that in most location in Orlando. If you do find a spot to build, you will get forced to add features that add costs. Like your awesome winter garden community that mandates elevators and non combustible materials on the 1st floor for apartments. 

And FYI, most developers are local or regional and raise capital from non wall st sources. Unless you define wall st as people that have money. 

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It’s often been said a mayor can be succsssful if he/she/they do nothing else but keep the potholes filled and regardless of their political party.

That said, a trip down Summerlin or Delaney makes it clear that it’s time for Buddy to go. And to think Orlando used to be known for the upkeep of its roads.

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Speaking of political parties, I’m not sure when FL Senator Linda Stewart became such a reliable vote for Republicans (especially in this Legislature) but it’s disquieting to see. I can’t imagine she’s caving as a steppingstone to higher office so I can’t imagine what’s resulted in this turnaround. It seems to be another case of someone staying around too long, the bane of politics here in Central Florida. “Who cares if they’re competent? We’ll vote for ‘em ‘til they’re senile! “ (as was woefully demonstrated in the case of Earl K. Wood and Mayor John Land). 

Edited by spenser1058
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  • 3 weeks later...

A federal judge rules Chris Dorworth must pay over $500000 in legal fees for trying to overturn the will of Seminole County voters at River Cross.

The man is pure evil and if developers had any ethics at all, they’d police their own.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/seminole-county/os-ne-seminole-county-river-cross-judge-order-20220329-pnhra2fumfa43pfuf4ou5sljbu-story.html

From The Sentinel


 

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It’s kind of amazing to me that Winter Garden’s city government runs a lot closer to Democratic ideals than “big city” Orlando does.

The way they have been incredibly successful through organic growth in their core is a lot closer to progressive concepts than DINO Buddy’s overreliance on big projects.

Fascinating.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orange-county/os-ne-orange-east-winter-garden-makeover-20220331-qlw2zz2kfzbwhfbig3p6zjz2bm-story.html

From The Sentinel 
 

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They swore last year they wouldn’t raid the affordable housing fund anymore. One year later, here they go again:

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-hometown-hero-fund-lacks-criteria-20220404-tah65dei7ndf3fwets5o5kjove-story.html

How long, Oh Lord, how long? 

From The Sentinel 

 

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When you want something done right that will actually serve the citizens, you call in the Democrats and the funding made possible by the Biden administration.

.Did we note that the patron Saint of fake hair, John Mica, had nothing to do with this? In fact his ideology to all but prohibit the use of federal funds to get things done (one of the ways he torpedoed light rail all those years ago), held back the region for years (isn’t it interesting all the Republican bankers in Charlotte understood what was at stake and went with it).

 Instead, we’re seeing an answer take shape. Performance over ideology is the road to success.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/transportation/os-ne-brightline-sunrail-demings-action-call-20220405-x2curfy4gjdstagrzvd5fbp7mu-story.html

From The Sentinel 
 

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Good to see the Orange County Commission developing a backbone and learning to act like a blue county.

The initial proposal for rent control if in fact there is a crisis doesn’t even try to stop increases, it simply attempts to hold them to a somewhat manageable 5-6%/year.

As more than one person noted, all the developers want to build these days are luxury-plus apartments. That’s hilarious given that we’re #50 of 50 in wages.

Oh, they’ll blame it on anything but themselves but if they don’t reign it in (one person I know just had their rent increased by 33% and the complex was built in the ‘60’s) it’s going to get a lot worse. The county would also do well to look at the profit/loss statements for all these builders saying they have no choice in the matter.

Of course, nothing will likely come of this at the moment and Tallahassee will just try to undo anything reasonable. It will be back, though, and next time they won’t bend over backwards to developers unwilling to come up with solutions besides government handouts (my how developers love welfare - corporate and otherwise - just as long as it goes to their bottom line)

In the meantime, the county would do well to address the “missing middle” (no, you don’t have to build single-family or 300 units) and work with Valencia and UCF’s small business unit to develop a cadre of entrepreneurs without the ridiculous overhead and Wall St expectations of corporate builders and to develop the kinds of 10-30 unit complexes with limited amenities that the core is full of. How ‘bout more of the ubiquitous Murphy duplexes?

If regulations need to change, change ‘em. If corporate builders are too greedy to bother, send them elsewhere. Less ideology, more performance. 
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orange-county/os-ne-orange-rent-control-20220406-rlwibn5xrrafngv43no4k377ci-story.html

From The Sentinel 

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What needs to happen is the major employers need to help out... oh wait...

Disney to bring big affordable housing community to Orange County- "The Walt Disney Co., Central Florida’s largest employer, will set aside nearly 80 acres in southwest Orange County for a 1,300-unit affordable housing community. "

and, Full project team for Universal Orlando affordable housing community revealed- "Companies from New York to Winter Park are involved with plans to build 1,000 affordable housing units on land donated by Universal Parks & Resorts."

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2022/04/06/disney-to-bring-big-affordable-housing-community-t.html

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2022/03/31/full-project-team-for-universal-orlando-affordable.html?cx_testId=40&cx_testVariant=cx_11&cx_artPos=9#cxrecs_s

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3 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

Good to see the Orange County Commission developing a backbone and learning to act like a blue county.

The initial proposal for rent control if in fact there is a crisis doesn’t even try to stop increases, it simply attempts to hold them to a somewhat manageable 5-6%/year.

As more than one person noted, all the developers want to build these days are luxury-plus apartments. That’s hilarious given that we’re #50 of 50 in wages.

Oh, they’ll blame it on anything but themselves but if they don’t reign it in (one person I know just had their rent increased by 33% and the complex was built in the ‘60’s) it’s going to get a lot worse. The county would also do well to look at the profit/loss statements for all these builders saying they have no choice in the matter.

Of course, nothing will likely come of this at the moment and Tallahassee will just try to undo anything reasonable. It will be back, though, and next time they won’t bend over backwards to developers unwilling to come up with solutions besides government handouts (my how developers love welfare - corporate and otherwise - just as long as it goes to their bottom line)

In the meantime, the county would do well to address the “missing middle” (no, you don’t have to build single-family or 300 units) and work with Valencia and UCF’s small business unit to develop a cadre of entrepreneurs without the ridiculous overhead and Wall St expectations of corporate builders and to develop the kinds of 10-30 unit complexes with limited amenities that the core is full of. How ‘bout more of the ubiquitous Murphy duplexes?

If regulations need to change, change ‘em. If corporate builders are too greedy to bother, send them elsewhere. Less ideology, more performance. 
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orange-county/os-ne-orange-rent-control-20220406-rlwibn5xrrafngv43no4k377ci-story.html

From The Sentinel 

The underlying issue is demand is outstripping supply and this proposal does nothing to remedy it. 

Rent control has been implemented in some of the largest cities in the county and no proof has every been offered that it has worked the way it has intended to. What is has done is drive up the price of new housing knowing that you need to start rents high before regulations kick in. 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 4/5/2022 at 8:32 PM, spenser1058 said:

When you want something done right that will actually serve the citizens, you call in the Democrats and the funding made possible by the Biden administration.

.Did we note that the patron Saint of fake hair, John Mica, had nothing to do with this? In fact his ideology to all but prohibit the use of federal funds to get things done (one of the ways he torpedoed light rail all those years ago), held back the region for years (isn’t it interesting all the Republican bankers in Charlotte understood what was at stake and went with it).

 Instead, we’re seeing an answer take shape. Performance over ideology is the road to success.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/transportation/os-ne-brightline-sunrail-demings-action-call-20220405-x2curfy4gjdstagrzvd5fbp7mu-story.html

From The Sentinel 
 

Keepin' it real...

You forgot about one thing... Mica spearheaded the Sunrail/ CSX deal. By this happening, the corridor was improved with TOD in several places.  Following this, the OBX corridor also applied for and received improvements to it's rail corridor just a couple short years later.  Now, there is renewed interest in a Sunrail spur along that route.

Next, yes, the Hood administration.  Might as well throw in Obama HSR while you're at it.  But, take that example and apply it to CA's HSR boondoggle, and Medicare Rick was right.  

Next, throw in private BL and the Higher-SR system leg beginning in 2023 to Orlando.  I didn't see any Democrats involved in BL, CSX, Sunrail, or OBX's improvements.  Mica's replacement has been asleep at the wheel and is just a place holder- I get that.

But now, Buddy and yet other Democrat place holders have no choice but to act because the Tampa leg of BL is in jeopardy b/c of the drama from Universal and Hunter's Creek (as we know).

So at the end of the day the Big Ole liberal corporate machine from Orange County of the 33rd parallel in CA, which has been insisting on getting their way with BL's Tampa leg, is at odds with Buddy and the group of Dems over a route that would not other wise be even contemplated if private (bad word) company FEC didn't build their choo choo train which isn't fast enough.  Because there is no way in hell the Fed or State would fund an east west corridor for Sunrail at that location specifically if BL wasn't going to lease ROW from it.

So regardless of all this you have two private rail companies responsible for all of this: CSX and FEC.  And THAT is the truth with no spin.  Mica and Scott made the CSX deal happen, and Scott made the BL deal happen, and now Buddy and the Dem placeholders will get credit for the E-W Sunrail leg to OCCC leased by BL (if that happens) just to show that they actually did something that the Democrat Manual states a Democrat should be working on, which is mass transit, in this case, passenger rail.

Actually, DeSantis will also get the credit since he is governor.

At the end of the day I could care less who gets the credit; just build the line to the OCCC for the County's sake.

And, yes, Mica had the fake hair while Blago had the hair helmet, while DeSantis has a full head of hair with a chunky face, whom some have referred to as a thicc zaddy. I'm not sure what that means, but I can take a guess at it.

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We knew Disney was being strangely quiet about the RCID kerfuffle and now we know why. It seems to actually dissolve the district requires the approval of Disney’s handpicked residents. 

https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202204/8906/

From Theme Park Insider

As blog owner Robert Niles notes, the only way around that is if the courts should decide to ignore the requisite section of the law concerning it. Even in Florida’s courts, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the GOP, that’s probably a bridge too far.

Much more likely is that Florida Republicans, who think nothing of wasting tens of millions of dollars on legislation they know will be struck down before it’s even passed, are wasting valuable time on the state’s real issues to concentrate on political theater for DeSantis’ likely presidential run. The question is why true conservatives are OK with that.
 

Edited by spenser1058
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2 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

We knew Disney was being strangely quiet about the RCID kerfuffle and now we know why. It seems to actually dissolve the district requires the approval of Disney’s handpicked residents. 

https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202204/8906/

From Theme Park Insider

As blog owner Robert Niles notes, the only away around that is if the courts should decide to decide the requisite section of the law concerning it. Even in Florida’s courts, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the GOP, that’s probably a bridge too far.

Much more likely is that Florida Republicans, who think nothing of wasting tens of millions of dollars on legislation they know will be struck down before it’s even passed, are wasting valuable time on the state’s real issues to concentrate on political theater for DeSantis’ likely presidential run. The question is why true conservatives are OK with that.
 

Disney already has a fire station on property.  Who pays for that?

And, at some point in the mid 2000's, OCSO started patrolling DIsney highways.  Before that it was the Disney anti-hooking-uo-in-their-parking-lots-at-night police.  Isn't the County paying for this, or does Disney hire them?

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12 minutes ago, jrs2 said:

Disney already has a fire station on property.  Who pays for that?

And, at some point in the mid 2000's, OCSO started patrolling DIsney highways.  Before that it was the Disney anti-hooking-uo-in-their-parking-lots-at-night police.  Isn't the County paying for this, or does Disney hire them?

Disney has a contract with OCSO which they pay for. They opted to do that early instead of having their own police force. It’s not an unusual arrangement- Deltona, for example, does the same thing with the Volusia County Sheriff.

In addition to generally being more efficient, it is often more professional. Windermere’s PD was infamous for hiring cops who were as crooked as a dog’s hind leg.

Edited by spenser1058
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15 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

Disney has a contract with OCSO which they pay for. They opted to do that early instead of having their own police force. It’s not an unusual arrangement- Deltona, for example, does the same thing with the Volusia County Sheriff.

In addition to generally being more efficient, it is often more professional. Windermere’s PD was infamous for hiring cops who were as crooked as a dog’s hind leg.

Reedy Creek has its own fire department paid for by Disney through their taxing mechanism. 

18 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

We knew Disney was being strangely quiet about the RCID kerfuffle and now we know why. It seems to actually dissolve the district requires the approval of Disney’s handpicked residents. 

https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202204/8906/

From Theme Park Insider

As blog owner Robert Niles notes, the only away around that is if the courts should decide to decide the requisite section of the law concerning it. Even in Florida’s courts, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the GOP, that’s probably a bridge too far.

Much more likely is that Florida Republicans, who think nothing of wasting tens of millions of dollars on legislation they know will be struck down before it’s even passed, are wasting valuable time on the state’s real issues to concentrate on political theater for DeSantis’ likely presidential run. The question is why true conservatives are OK with that.
 

This whole episode might be the dumbest thing I have ever seen in this state. 

The definition of conservatives you grew up with does not apply to modern day conservatives. These folks just want blood. 

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1 hour ago, jack said:

This whole episode might be the dumbest thing I have ever seen in this state. 

The definition of conservatives you grew up with does not apply to modern day conservatives. These folks just want blood. 

Yep.

Totally over the edge.

The political ascendance of Trump and J6  are two of the most glaring example of that.  

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I agree that kindergarteners shouldn't be taught about being transgender. However, I disagree with punishing Disney for simply having an opinion on the issue. DeSantis isn't even governing anymore. He's just using his position of power to repeatedly try to "own the libs" and do publicity stunts.

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if you guys are going to complain about this, then look no further than the past four years of retaliatory litigation and policy making and witch hunting from the other side of the aisle and don't be surprised when this stuff happens.  if you complain about it, complain about it even when the Democrats do it.

that being said, it's all part of the overall plan to keep both sides at odds with each other while the REALLY rich stay that way.

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52 minutes ago, jrs2 said:

if you guys are going to complain about this, then look no further than the past four years of retaliatory litigation and policy making and witch hunting from the other side of the aisle and don't be surprised when this stuff happens.  if you complain about it, complain about it even when the Democrats do it.

that being said, it's all part of the overall plan to keep both sides at odds with each other while the REALLY rich stay that way.

I'm at the point in life where I hate everyone. I don't call out democrats for bad behavior for obvious reasons. They have been pulling shenanigans for the last century. The GOP was supposed to be better. They have always has psychopaths in the party but the party leaders were supposed to keep them at bay. Now, all bets are off. Men are acting like children with no regards to the impact of their decisions. 

Burn it all down. 

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You see, that’s where you’re wrong. The way you make it better is one step at a time. Beginning with LeRoy Collins, Florida inched its way up with good governors like Reubin Askew, Bob Graham and Lawton Chiles. There were good legislators too, including Republicans like Toni Jennings.

Florid at one point was recognized for having one of the most effective legislatures in the country after fighting to fire the Pork Chop Gang.

But then it all went downhill and everyone just shrugged and said, “it’s always been that way.” But it wasn’t- as Franklin said, “a republic, Madame, if you can keep it.”  Can we? Only if we support those trying to make a difference and send the carpetbaggers like Rick Scott packing. It can be better, it has been better, but we have to earn it. That’s the definition of being a citizen.
 

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Regardless of what made this get noticed, the simple fact is the right thing is happening: democrats used to scream about big corporations paying their fair share and not evading taxes. This issue brought to light that Disney has been doing just that, and they're proposing no other punishment to Disney other then making them pay their fair share, what everyone else in the country has to pay. 

It looks like Reedy Creek owns many of Disney's parking lots and garages, likely as a tax evasion method. I have to pay property taxes on the parking lot I own, why doesn't Disney? Well, it looks like now the ownership should turn over to Orange County, I hope Orange County charges some nice parking fees at Disney so we don't "need" a 1% sales tax hike. I'd definetely pick a $10-20/day parking fee at Disney Springs over a 1% sales tax hike

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According to all accounts, the taxpayers of Orange County will be on the hook for $130 million in lost tax revenue which will likely result in a 20 - 25% property tax increase for all homeowners.

Chances are, from what I've heard reported, some kind f deal will be worked out.  

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