On December 8, 2010, the City Commission was presented with the final numbers for the fiscal year 2010 city expenditures. Unreported to the community by any media outlet was that the city commission would be deciding the fate of an $8 million surplus in the electric utility fund.
An investigation by Tallahassee Reports has revealed that, unlike the City of Tallahassee, most major municipalities in the state of Florida require city lobbyist to register and provide detailed information about their activities.
There is no doubt that the south side of Tallahassee needs economic revitalization.
I have agreed for a long time that it makes perfect sense to move the current Fairgrounds to a new site and to redevelop the existing site on south Monroe Street .
Now that the dust has settled and the local elections are in the rear view mirror, its time for some analysis of what happened and why. This story is about two incumbents – County Commissioner Cliff Thaell and Mayor John Marks – who were challenged by two political newcomers.
Tallahassee Reports investigated how much money each of the five largest cities in Florida with municipal owned electric utilities chose to invest in smart meters. In addition to Tallahassee, we gathered information on Jacksonville, Orlando, Gainesville, and Lakeland.
At the Nov. 9, 2010 Leon County Commission meeting, the issue of a Citizen’s Advisory Board for utilities will once again be addressed. At issue is the city’s response to the county’s proposal to create a citizens board through a charter amendment.
If the City of Tallahassee is serious about trying to create a 18 hour downtown, having more elections would seem to be a great way to accomplish the goal. Too bad then, that Amendment 4 was soundly defeated. The so called “Hometown Democracy” Amendment would have required a vote every time a comp plan was amended, meaning more votes, and more importantly to the City, more election night parties.
The Economic Recovery (ER) Index for September, 2010 was calculated to be 20.9. The Index is calculated by adding the monthly unemployment rate and the monthly supply of residential homes. See more details about the index here. The ER Index was created by Tallahassee Reports.
Tired of low-rent political advertisements that make you hurl objects at the television set? Bored with the finger-pointing, whining, squabbling, temper tantrums and gotcha games? Got indigestion from one too many robocall from Bill Clinton or John McCain during dinner? Perhaps all this has you looking for the “none of the above” box at the voting booth.
On November 2, the citizens of Tallahassee and Leon County will elect or re-elect the individuals they deem best suited to lead our community for the next four years. Tallahassee voters must choose between primary survivors Nancy Miller and Stephen Hogge to replace Commissioner Debbie Lightsey, who is retiring from her 21-year post in Seat 3. In the county, all registered voters will receive an opportunity to re-elect Commissioner Cliff Thaell or select challenger Nick Maddox.