I understand that on Tuesday, Oct. 14, the Hernando County Planning & Zoning Commission approved that Board of County Commissioners the opportunity to further review a request of H. R. Hernando LLP to instill in the County a 57-acre shopping center in the vicinity of I-75 and SR 50. It is to be named Nature Coast Commons.
The unanimous decision came of no surprise since the request was “consistent” with the current master plan and zoning requirements. So it goes and let it be.
I did a little Googling and found nothing on H. R. Hernando LLP, although Nature Coast Commons immediately referred me to a web site that told me the project intends to splatter the east side of the County with anchor stores that include Best Buy, JC Penney (gotta love ‘em), Office Depot and Ross Dress For Less, among others.
Blue blazers shot before my eyes. Here we go again: the big box mentality is “in consistency” with what goes on around this town.
There are no enticements that will prompt me to grace those acres and acres of another blimp of a larger-than-usual strip mall. I won’t go there any more than I frequent all those retail stores that proliferate the rest of Hernando County.
I want a mall! Right there just off I-75 on Hwy 50 where the SunCoast Toll Road to Tampa would entice shoppers from surrounding areas. Just as tourist dollars from non-residents are cream on the topping of county funds, it could have been a small gold mine.
As is the common practice of shopping in the County, it sends me spending time traipsing from one store to another in the heat of summer, the short periods of chills in the air in our winter wonderland and the sometimes-inclement stormy weather of spring, summer and hurricane seasons.
The creeks don’t rise and the rivers don’t flow in this fair County, but the numbers of strip malls continue to grow!
I want to be malled! No waste of gas, time and the aggravations of going here, there and somewhere else. I want the convenience of entering one REALLY BIG box that provides a leisurely stroll along the storefronts that are side-by-side and across from each other. I want a place where I can see more people of a variety than I can imagine. Adults, young adults, kids, toddlers and, yes, senior citizens. Families together and family members cruising stores of each of their singular interests. Groups of elderly people strolling together on days when there are fewer shoppers for a peaceful period of mild exercise. These are signs of life as we should view it.
You may say, lump it, leave it, just don’t peeve it! Fed up in Hernando? Not quite yet. Now is not the time to expect a quick or even lengthy time period of selling a home, although it’s a dandy period to purchase a home elsewhere.
Elderly relatives in Zephyr Hills are of primary concern. Their minds are well but their aching bodies foretell the inevitable. I don’t desert loved ones.
I blame government officials and business leaders for the spreads of ever-growing unoccupied homes, and those not yet built on Hickory Hill, Sunrise and Lake Hideaway. They’ve done their best to boxed us in with small town decisions. I’d like to take each of these people and box their ears, one by one. This is no threat of bodily harm, just an upside down euphemism strewn with sarcasm. What a good humor man, I am!
Cases in point: a shopping center in the vicinity of Spring Hill Drive and the SunCoast-Tampa Toll Road, was to be named “Shoppes of Spring Hill” but changed to “SunCoast Crossing” this past April to better identify the location along the toll road. Or to distance the 53-acre tract from local identification? That’s kind of impersonal.
I suppose the remaining location for a mall in Hernando County would be along County Line Road off the SunCoast, although chance would put a Wal-Mart there.
If we can’t attract a developer to build Masaryktown Mall, another chance would bring about Pasco County Mall… in another county.
For the time being I’ll continue to walk among the shops at the Gulf View Mall… in another county. Or, for a less congested, less red light-infested journey, I can head to the Crystal River Mall… in another county. One trip – one parking spot. Two choices... not in Hernando County.
Any guesses where I’ll do my primary Holiday shopping?
Monday, October 13, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
The $25K Run
What could a person do with $25,000?
Investing such a sum might be the wisest of choices – these economically distraught times could be the perfect opportunity to realize financial security in 5 to 10 years. Stock prices have declined dramatically and sure to level off and, eventually, offer profits to the wise: those who contact a professional advisor rather than decide to pick and choose, then lose.
With the price of gas currently the lowest than it will be anytime in the future, that $25K will put you in a Prius - taxes, title and delivery charges included. It’s a hybrid, gets over 45 mpg and a Toyota. And push-button start is standard. You couldn’t possibly go wrong. I might choose this option, considering the mpg of my ’95 4Runner – paid off years ago and maintained by Mike, the Toyota/Lexus expert, at Toyodoc. It’s still a keeper for transporting anything larger than the purchases at the grocer.
A responsible person would take care of debt. Pay off credit cards, catch up on house payments and pay property taxes and insurance premiums on time.
Attend to medical conditions that have been cost-prohibitive, maybe dental.
This is a perfect time for a first time homebuyer to cash in on the fallen housing market: a sizable down payment and cash to boot for home improvement purchases. It’s still a worthwhile American dream, although on hold for too many.
There are surely those who would just blow the $25K on good-time excursions.
A newspaper trail
Or, as reported by Barbara Behrendt in the Monday, August 25th, edition of Hernando Times, a concerned resident of Hernando County plans to direct the money-flow toward his choice of candidates in the General Election. The article can be viewed at: www.tampabay.com/news/politics/elections/article783284.ece
Many of the 2008 candidates on the Primary Ballot had been given donations from Blaise and his businesses, but on August 26th, Election Day, he let the candidates “battle it out”. The gentleman is one determined individual to put each and every incumbent commissioner out of office. His conviction is flaunted with plans to spend $25,000 of his own money toward that end.
He can be commended for his determination. As he has been a successful businessman with Hartland Homes Inc, America One Home Loans and Juris Title of Hernando County, he is without a doubt a man who has personal goals and the determination to achieve success with each venture.
Backtracking on the newspaper trail
Let’s go back almost one year to the day, on August 25th, 2007, when Barbara Behrendt wrote an article titled ‘Spirit’ trumps the numbers. The full article can be viewed at
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/26/Hernando/_Spirit__trumps_the_n.shtml
A book deal in the making, motivational speaker for pre-construction investment seminars, investor-financed homes… the very type of homes that are vacant, taking up space without occupants to pay for the property taxes that they would bring into county funds. Lowing homeowner property taxes to 1.35% would have made it easier to unload unoccupied, discounted homes and opened opportunities in the future to keep on building.
Ms. Berhendt wrote that Mr. Ingoglia “will come forward later with ideas on how to shrink county government without massive layoffs or service cuts.” At the time, “he hasn’t gotten around to devising those yet.” Whatever those ideas may have been, it’s now apparent layoffs and service cuts are unavoidable and the number of unemployed county workers will increase with little consideration of the position and/or pay level. Primary cost-saving measures include the consolidation of department heads and reduced hours for various services.
One-track minds
The point is that Blaise is determined to prompt voters with a principal that puts decisions in the same vane as voting for a candidate because of a physical appearance, voting strictly along a party line or voting for the candidate based on similar religious beliefs. Single-issue voting is narrow-minded and can compromise the selection of the best-qualified candidate. The odds of making a responsible choice are variable but it’s nowhere near a 50-50 proposition.
Take for instance the current President. Time and again I had talked to people who had voted for Bush in the 2000 election had expressed their dismay and hinted they would go with Gore. These were middle-aged to elderly friends, acquaintances and, just as often, people that would be one-time social contacts (standing in line in a retail store!). Guess what? They made a last-minute flip-flop because of one sole issue. And guess what? It was Iraq and the “war” on terror.
Apparently they make the assumption that it was the patriotic thing to do. This was single-issue voting that kept Bush occupying the Oval Office these past four years. The choice was poorly made as people look forward to the change in January 2009; hopefully mundane McCain won’t be elected on the same premise.
$25K run
Just as Mr. Ingoglia spent over $12,000 last year presenting his Government Gone Wild seminars, he’s prepared to make a $25K run at replacing the incumbent commissioners at whatever cost. Fellow grass roots activist and political action citizen, Linda Hayward, and other members of the Hernando County Taxpayer Alliance haven’t anything better to do, either.
County Administrator David Hamilton is determined to make Hernando County an example in responsible government with cautious steps at balancing a reduced budget by downsizing every level of government. One means of saving resident’s total tax burden is by attrition, such as the announced retirement of Grant Tolbert. And, do the names Tom Leto, Barbara Dupre, Stephanie Anderson, Michael Silvey or Carl Kennedy ring a bell?
The eventual fate of Charles Mixon is uncertain.
Even though these events are decidedly shy of achieving the ultimate goal of reducing taxes further than what has already been realized, Mr. Hamilton is a pro at tackling the issues and delivering successful results - he came on board with no personal, emotional bonds, so his decisions are unbiased and affective.
Blaise can spend his money and Linda can offer solidarity to the one goal of voting against incumbent Commissioners, but it’s poor reasoning gone wild. Their allegiance to that end is wrought with what should be voter concern. The theme will be well received by many who might be less informed as there will likely be no other issues discussed with the same gala.
Nevertheless, with or without their influence, snippets on the budget will continue regardless the vote tally of any given candidate.
It's not just the taxes, stupid
Another concern expressed by many residents is the reliance of construction and related jobs on the local economy. There’s a solid murmuring that the job performance of Mike McHugh should be reviewed for consideration of termination. It appears drawing alternative, higher paying jobs is a haphazard success in that there are businesses that have shown an interest of relocating to Hernando County without the involvement of the Growth and Development Director.
Namely, Precision Alliance has expressed an interest in drawing some 135 machine tool businesses to Hernando County with 4,000 high-paying, technical jobs. The company’s goal is to make this happen within 5 years although the full number of job opportunities may not be realized for a few years beyond, depending on a sufficiently educated work force and the infrastructure to accommodate their needs.
Ignominious and blasé
November is two months in the future. Hopefully residents will become educated voters on a variety of the topics of local concern and not be overly influenced with the preaching of selective topics. There’s no telling how the $25K will be allocated in the coming weeks or what affect it will have on the outcome of Election Day. Perhaps the disappointments of less-than-expected tax savings on recent TRIM notices are all that’ll be needed to make a sweeping change in the makeup of the Board this coming November.
Investing such a sum might be the wisest of choices – these economically distraught times could be the perfect opportunity to realize financial security in 5 to 10 years. Stock prices have declined dramatically and sure to level off and, eventually, offer profits to the wise: those who contact a professional advisor rather than decide to pick and choose, then lose.
With the price of gas currently the lowest than it will be anytime in the future, that $25K will put you in a Prius - taxes, title and delivery charges included. It’s a hybrid, gets over 45 mpg and a Toyota. And push-button start is standard. You couldn’t possibly go wrong. I might choose this option, considering the mpg of my ’95 4Runner – paid off years ago and maintained by Mike, the Toyota/Lexus expert, at Toyodoc. It’s still a keeper for transporting anything larger than the purchases at the grocer.
A responsible person would take care of debt. Pay off credit cards, catch up on house payments and pay property taxes and insurance premiums on time.
Attend to medical conditions that have been cost-prohibitive, maybe dental.
This is a perfect time for a first time homebuyer to cash in on the fallen housing market: a sizable down payment and cash to boot for home improvement purchases. It’s still a worthwhile American dream, although on hold for too many.
There are surely those who would just blow the $25K on good-time excursions.
A newspaper trail
Or, as reported by Barbara Behrendt in the Monday, August 25th, edition of Hernando Times, a concerned resident of Hernando County plans to direct the money-flow toward his choice of candidates in the General Election. The article can be viewed at: www.tampabay.com/news/politics/elections/article783284.ece
Many of the 2008 candidates on the Primary Ballot had been given donations from Blaise and his businesses, but on August 26th, Election Day, he let the candidates “battle it out”. The gentleman is one determined individual to put each and every incumbent commissioner out of office. His conviction is flaunted with plans to spend $25,000 of his own money toward that end.
He can be commended for his determination. As he has been a successful businessman with Hartland Homes Inc, America One Home Loans and Juris Title of Hernando County, he is without a doubt a man who has personal goals and the determination to achieve success with each venture.
Backtracking on the newspaper trail
Let’s go back almost one year to the day, on August 25th, 2007, when Barbara Behrendt wrote an article titled ‘Spirit’ trumps the numbers. The full article can be viewed at
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/26/Hernando/_Spirit__trumps_the_n.shtml
A book deal in the making, motivational speaker for pre-construction investment seminars, investor-financed homes… the very type of homes that are vacant, taking up space without occupants to pay for the property taxes that they would bring into county funds. Lowing homeowner property taxes to 1.35% would have made it easier to unload unoccupied, discounted homes and opened opportunities in the future to keep on building.
Ms. Berhendt wrote that Mr. Ingoglia “will come forward later with ideas on how to shrink county government without massive layoffs or service cuts.” At the time, “he hasn’t gotten around to devising those yet.” Whatever those ideas may have been, it’s now apparent layoffs and service cuts are unavoidable and the number of unemployed county workers will increase with little consideration of the position and/or pay level. Primary cost-saving measures include the consolidation of department heads and reduced hours for various services.
One-track minds
The point is that Blaise is determined to prompt voters with a principal that puts decisions in the same vane as voting for a candidate because of a physical appearance, voting strictly along a party line or voting for the candidate based on similar religious beliefs. Single-issue voting is narrow-minded and can compromise the selection of the best-qualified candidate. The odds of making a responsible choice are variable but it’s nowhere near a 50-50 proposition.
Take for instance the current President. Time and again I had talked to people who had voted for Bush in the 2000 election had expressed their dismay and hinted they would go with Gore. These were middle-aged to elderly friends, acquaintances and, just as often, people that would be one-time social contacts (standing in line in a retail store!). Guess what? They made a last-minute flip-flop because of one sole issue. And guess what? It was Iraq and the “war” on terror.
Apparently they make the assumption that it was the patriotic thing to do. This was single-issue voting that kept Bush occupying the Oval Office these past four years. The choice was poorly made as people look forward to the change in January 2009; hopefully mundane McCain won’t be elected on the same premise.
$25K run
Just as Mr. Ingoglia spent over $12,000 last year presenting his Government Gone Wild seminars, he’s prepared to make a $25K run at replacing the incumbent commissioners at whatever cost. Fellow grass roots activist and political action citizen, Linda Hayward, and other members of the Hernando County Taxpayer Alliance haven’t anything better to do, either.
County Administrator David Hamilton is determined to make Hernando County an example in responsible government with cautious steps at balancing a reduced budget by downsizing every level of government. One means of saving resident’s total tax burden is by attrition, such as the announced retirement of Grant Tolbert. And, do the names Tom Leto, Barbara Dupre, Stephanie Anderson, Michael Silvey or Carl Kennedy ring a bell?
The eventual fate of Charles Mixon is uncertain.
Even though these events are decidedly shy of achieving the ultimate goal of reducing taxes further than what has already been realized, Mr. Hamilton is a pro at tackling the issues and delivering successful results - he came on board with no personal, emotional bonds, so his decisions are unbiased and affective.
Blaise can spend his money and Linda can offer solidarity to the one goal of voting against incumbent Commissioners, but it’s poor reasoning gone wild. Their allegiance to that end is wrought with what should be voter concern. The theme will be well received by many who might be less informed as there will likely be no other issues discussed with the same gala.
Nevertheless, with or without their influence, snippets on the budget will continue regardless the vote tally of any given candidate.
It's not just the taxes, stupid
Another concern expressed by many residents is the reliance of construction and related jobs on the local economy. There’s a solid murmuring that the job performance of Mike McHugh should be reviewed for consideration of termination. It appears drawing alternative, higher paying jobs is a haphazard success in that there are businesses that have shown an interest of relocating to Hernando County without the involvement of the Growth and Development Director.
Namely, Precision Alliance has expressed an interest in drawing some 135 machine tool businesses to Hernando County with 4,000 high-paying, technical jobs. The company’s goal is to make this happen within 5 years although the full number of job opportunities may not be realized for a few years beyond, depending on a sufficiently educated work force and the infrastructure to accommodate their needs.
Ignominious and blasé
November is two months in the future. Hopefully residents will become educated voters on a variety of the topics of local concern and not be overly influenced with the preaching of selective topics. There’s no telling how the $25K will be allocated in the coming weeks or what affect it will have on the outcome of Election Day. Perhaps the disappointments of less-than-expected tax savings on recent TRIM notices are all that’ll be needed to make a sweeping change in the makeup of the Board this coming November.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Smear Graphics
What do we have here, juvenile politicians or intense campaigners or overzealous supporters? Whatever the reason, at the southeast corner of the intersection at Mariner and Northcliffe the land has been cleared with what could be considered a small mountain of dirt in this flatland state. In time, it’ll be the site of other businesses that’ll make the intersection another bonanza of traffic congestion, making it an accident-prone location. But that’s not what this writing is about.
The item of comment is the larger-than-me political sign that’s red-and-white against a backdrop of blue sky. Leaning against a wire fence to keep in it an upright position, the sign has been confetti-eed with additional streaks of red with definite hints of being done by a poor expressionist of pre-school mentality.
Whether done out of zeal to oust incumbent Democrat Diane Rowden, Hernando County Commissioner District 3, or to seat the opposing candidate, Republican John Druzbick, it makes a point in that there are delinquents of any age.
Whoever the culprit, the fact is that the smaller sign positioned next to that of Diane Rowden had no memorable characteristics of its own - I have no recollection the candidate's name or election office. This might give the advantage to Mrs. Rowden.
The Commissioner’s sign stands out so, out of name recognition, perhaps ROWDEN will be easily remembered when voters enter their checkmark on the General Election ballot.
UPDATE:
Just great! Two days later and the sign has been stolen!
The item of comment is the larger-than-me political sign that’s red-and-white against a backdrop of blue sky. Leaning against a wire fence to keep in it an upright position, the sign has been confetti-eed with additional streaks of red with definite hints of being done by a poor expressionist of pre-school mentality.
Whether done out of zeal to oust incumbent Democrat Diane Rowden, Hernando County Commissioner District 3, or to seat the opposing candidate, Republican John Druzbick, it makes a point in that there are delinquents of any age.
Whoever the culprit, the fact is that the smaller sign positioned next to that of Diane Rowden had no memorable characteristics of its own - I have no recollection the candidate's name or election office. This might give the advantage to Mrs. Rowden.
The Commissioner’s sign stands out so, out of name recognition, perhaps ROWDEN will be easily remembered when voters enter their checkmark on the General Election ballot.
UPDATE:
Just great! Two days later and the sign has been stolen!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Newspaper Confetti
I remember so well during the final stretch leading up the 2006 General Election the frequent Guest Columns submitted by Mia Rushing and how she was always rushing to place judgment on each and every Democrat. Initially, I was aghast at such vehemence of distrust of her opposition party. Labeled a “grassroots activist”, I made my own judgment that she was every bit as “radical” as any protester in the 70’s.
At one point, I decided to stop reading her words of ragged patriotism, but the temptation to check out her latest rant found me a regular reader, deciding to accept her words as propaganda, at which she did the best of efforts to get her message across: vote straight Republican on the General Election ticket or face years of flimflam government, which was ironic considering the six years of George W.’s bush-hogging the freedoms given with the Constitution. I eventually took humor in her words.
I don’t expect Mia to contribute her words on the Opinion page this election. I would welcome her uncompromising positions (strictly for entertainment purposes, I assure you) but her work at providing support and services to senior citizens is of much more relevance.
Here we are: another election and another writer taking a turn at bat, although this time the swing is from the left. Frances Earl issues a Call to Patriots but there are so few true patriots enlisting in the military that her . Until there are sufficient troops to fulfill the needs of their service, we will continue to be labeled with a ragtag army.
A draft system would get those American fat-assed kids away from their computer games, cable and wireless services. There’s nothing patriotic about sitting on a sofa while real patriotism lies with others who are risking their lives, any more than it is for a cheerleader to root for a football player – at least the quarterback will get immediate and thorough medical treatment; there’s always a back-up player to take his place.
Don’t worry, I’m not voting against McCain… I’m voting for Obama. Just as I was very concerned in 2004 that Bush would be re-elected, I again feel a sense of dismay and fear that another Republican presidency will further endanger the middle class, continue to be at odds with historic alliances and wage conflicts against an ideology of an unseen threat of terror, and put the world at risk of expanding global war initiatives - with or without a sufficient military force.
There, I’ve done my best to make peace with the former vice-chairperson of the Hernando County Democratic Executive Committee. What could anyone ask for but to have a voter on the right side of your own personal view? Although.... as I would have voted in 1968 if I had been but two months older for Eugene McCarthy, I would place my for Ron Paul this election season.
At one point, I decided to stop reading her words of ragged patriotism, but the temptation to check out her latest rant found me a regular reader, deciding to accept her words as propaganda, at which she did the best of efforts to get her message across: vote straight Republican on the General Election ticket or face years of flimflam government, which was ironic considering the six years of George W.’s bush-hogging the freedoms given with the Constitution. I eventually took humor in her words.
I don’t expect Mia to contribute her words on the Opinion page this election. I would welcome her uncompromising positions (strictly for entertainment purposes, I assure you) but her work at providing support and services to senior citizens is of much more relevance.
Here we are: another election and another writer taking a turn at bat, although this time the swing is from the left. Frances Earl issues a Call to Patriots but there are so few true patriots enlisting in the military that her . Until there are sufficient troops to fulfill the needs of their service, we will continue to be labeled with a ragtag army.
A draft system would get those American fat-assed kids away from their computer games, cable and wireless services. There’s nothing patriotic about sitting on a sofa while real patriotism lies with others who are risking their lives, any more than it is for a cheerleader to root for a football player – at least the quarterback will get immediate and thorough medical treatment; there’s always a back-up player to take his place.
Don’t worry, I’m not voting against McCain… I’m voting for Obama. Just as I was very concerned in 2004 that Bush would be re-elected, I again feel a sense of dismay and fear that another Republican presidency will further endanger the middle class, continue to be at odds with historic alliances and wage conflicts against an ideology of an unseen threat of terror, and put the world at risk of expanding global war initiatives - with or without a sufficient military force.
There, I’ve done my best to make peace with the former vice-chairperson of the Hernando County Democratic Executive Committee. What could anyone ask for but to have a voter on the right side of your own personal view? Although.... as I would have voted in 1968 if I had been but two months older for Eugene McCarthy, I would place my for Ron Paul this election season.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Doctor Visit
The news from the Doctor was very disturbing. He showed no consideration whatsoever when the graphic photographs were presented before me; they have turned out to be life-changing views to the future of my physical and mental well-being.
I wonder if the Doctor would have recommended counseling in advance, but then I might have decided not to attend a meeting so detrimental of my immediate future. The diagnosis was unexpected but my spontaneous understanding of the condition
It’s non-native in origin - an invasion of a foreign agent. The diagnosis was bad, the prognosis in favor of the “enemy”. The Doctor admitted that even with his extensive education in this specialized field he has no remedies to offer; there is no known way of eradication. I feel defeated had become a personal nemesis.
At the Board of County Commissioners hearing on July 22, guest speaker Dr. Stacy Strickland, Regional Specialized Agent of the Hernando County Extension Service of the University of Florida, gave a ghastly presentation of a non-native plant to Florida, cogon grass. I had in immediate feeling of deja vu and a sense of despair for what this vegetation has wrought on my life these past three years.
Cogon grass is a plant that is considered to be one of the 10 worst weeds in the world, damaging crops and ecosystems, costing billions of dollars in lost harvests. In the U.S., Florida is the epicenter, extending from the Everglades north to South Carolina and west toward Texas. It has been reportedly seen as far north as Oregon on the west coast and West Virginia on the east. Global warming will most likely see further invasions around the world, as it is adaptable to moist types of soil, including wetlands and clay and sandy soils but needs little water to survive.
Although I didn’t know the name of the plant that was shown before me, that off-center vein was a familiar sight to my eyes. As Dr. Strickland proceeded to explain fact about this aggressively invasive grass, which grows anywhere between 2 to 4 feet, I felt a sense hopelessness, already having spent three years of my life repeatedly uprooting and applying vegetation killer in an attempt to rid a section of my backyard of these yellow-green strands of grass.
In one sense, my mind wanted to find comfort with the fact that my efforts were as good as they could get but it was with dismay and distress to know that I will forever spend my days hawking the growth of this weed grass in an area of the backyard where I had successfully grown a patch of ruellia.
Also known as Florida bluebell, Mexican petunia and Purple Showers, but better known to myself as “bluebell”, it too has some commonality with cogon grass – they both are invasive plants with rhizome root systems. This characteristic spreads the plant quicker and farther than by airborne seeds. Small pieces of the plant can be transported on tires or in displaced soil. Just a piece of a stem of either plant will eventually thrive even though they may lay dormant for a period of time.
From one small potted bluebell, I was able to grow an area of about 12’ by 6’ in a matter of three months. Snap off a branch, stick it in dirt, water it a little and healthy sprouts will appear in a two to three weeks.
In my case, the area of coverage was contained to keep the plant from invading the whole back yard although it would be an awesome sight to see a field of these purple flowers in full bloom every morning, beginning to wilt in mid-afternoon and falling off one-by-one by nightfall.
Although I haven’t let the cogon grass get to the stage of blooming, it has white fuzzy-hairy flowers. The leaves are fibrous and razor-edged, which has two affects: inhibits animals from eating the grass and cuts into other plants as its density increases. It not only overtakes native vegetation but also disrupts animal and bird habitats, affecting whole ecosystems.
Cogon grass is native to Southeast Asia, where it has been widely used for thatched roofing, but now is found in most parts of Africa, South America, Central America and the Middle East and stretches from Japan, throughout Southeast Asia and Indonesia downunder to Australia. It inhabits and suppresses other plant growth, reduces crop yields and delays harvests on all continents, save Antarctica.
I’m not really concerned about other places around the globe but for as long as I can imagine living in Spring Hill, I shall spend many days unsuccessfully uprooting this grass, with full knowledge that my efforts won't be fruitless in that I will not allow it to overtake those beautiful bluebells.
I shan't blame Dr. Strickland for the aggravation he brought to me when he gave the presentation on cogon grass. I truly appreciate the Doctor's successes to casually share his knowledge, but it’s not just the thought of cogon grass alone but it’s also the sights of Bermuda grass overtaking my yard that haunts the darkened visions behind my closed eyelids.
I wonder if the Doctor would have recommended counseling in advance, but then I might have decided not to attend a meeting so detrimental of my immediate future. The diagnosis was unexpected but my spontaneous understanding of the condition
It’s non-native in origin - an invasion of a foreign agent. The diagnosis was bad, the prognosis in favor of the “enemy”. The Doctor admitted that even with his extensive education in this specialized field he has no remedies to offer; there is no known way of eradication. I feel defeated had become a personal nemesis.
At the Board of County Commissioners hearing on July 22, guest speaker Dr. Stacy Strickland, Regional Specialized Agent of the Hernando County Extension Service of the University of Florida, gave a ghastly presentation of a non-native plant to Florida, cogon grass. I had in immediate feeling of deja vu and a sense of despair for what this vegetation has wrought on my life these past three years.
Cogon grass is a plant that is considered to be one of the 10 worst weeds in the world, damaging crops and ecosystems, costing billions of dollars in lost harvests. In the U.S., Florida is the epicenter, extending from the Everglades north to South Carolina and west toward Texas. It has been reportedly seen as far north as Oregon on the west coast and West Virginia on the east. Global warming will most likely see further invasions around the world, as it is adaptable to moist types of soil, including wetlands and clay and sandy soils but needs little water to survive.
Although I didn’t know the name of the plant that was shown before me, that off-center vein was a familiar sight to my eyes. As Dr. Strickland proceeded to explain fact about this aggressively invasive grass, which grows anywhere between 2 to 4 feet, I felt a sense hopelessness, already having spent three years of my life repeatedly uprooting and applying vegetation killer in an attempt to rid a section of my backyard of these yellow-green strands of grass.
In one sense, my mind wanted to find comfort with the fact that my efforts were as good as they could get but it was with dismay and distress to know that I will forever spend my days hawking the growth of this weed grass in an area of the backyard where I had successfully grown a patch of ruellia.
Also known as Florida bluebell, Mexican petunia and Purple Showers, but better known to myself as “bluebell”, it too has some commonality with cogon grass – they both are invasive plants with rhizome root systems. This characteristic spreads the plant quicker and farther than by airborne seeds. Small pieces of the plant can be transported on tires or in displaced soil. Just a piece of a stem of either plant will eventually thrive even though they may lay dormant for a period of time.
From one small potted bluebell, I was able to grow an area of about 12’ by 6’ in a matter of three months. Snap off a branch, stick it in dirt, water it a little and healthy sprouts will appear in a two to three weeks.
In my case, the area of coverage was contained to keep the plant from invading the whole back yard although it would be an awesome sight to see a field of these purple flowers in full bloom every morning, beginning to wilt in mid-afternoon and falling off one-by-one by nightfall.
Although I haven’t let the cogon grass get to the stage of blooming, it has white fuzzy-hairy flowers. The leaves are fibrous and razor-edged, which has two affects: inhibits animals from eating the grass and cuts into other plants as its density increases. It not only overtakes native vegetation but also disrupts animal and bird habitats, affecting whole ecosystems.
Cogon grass is native to Southeast Asia, where it has been widely used for thatched roofing, but now is found in most parts of Africa, South America, Central America and the Middle East and stretches from Japan, throughout Southeast Asia and Indonesia downunder to Australia. It inhabits and suppresses other plant growth, reduces crop yields and delays harvests on all continents, save Antarctica.
I’m not really concerned about other places around the globe but for as long as I can imagine living in Spring Hill, I shall spend many days unsuccessfully uprooting this grass, with full knowledge that my efforts won't be fruitless in that I will not allow it to overtake those beautiful bluebells.
I shan't blame Dr. Strickland for the aggravation he brought to me when he gave the presentation on cogon grass. I truly appreciate the Doctor's successes to casually share his knowledge, but it’s not just the thought of cogon grass alone but it’s also the sights of Bermuda grass overtaking my yard that haunts the darkened visions behind my closed eyelids.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Bi-polar Conviction
“She must be bi-polar.”
I’ve heard those words more than once as I’ve went about my business of shopping or running errands over the past three years. It’s a presumptive claim and nothing unique in Hernando County although it’s a cop-out when a passerby makes a casual statement based upon an unavoidable moment of eavesdropping on a person whose volume and tone might be filled with anger and threat, a little out of control. Bi-polar depression is nothing to casually speculate about.
I’ve spent my life pretty much control myself in public when irritations arise without notice, but it hasn’t always been such. A combination of work stresses, health conditions and dental expenses, car repairs, money concerns, traffic (Orlando, Chicago, Los Angeles) and more work stresses has at times led to a few public outbursts. People would turn their heads, giving an inquisitive stare as they checked out what the ruckus was all about. A person might have even made an unsympathetic retort.
No, I’ve never been diagnosed as having a bi-polar disorder but a long-term friend has dealt with the ailment for over a decade. In hindsight, the symptoms were always present but, as happens often, a series of traumatic events can exacerbate the condition and can lead to the extreme states of euphoria and severe depression. Medications to help balance the condition include mood stabilizers Lithium, Depakene, and Depakote. Regular liver and kidney blood tests are required to determine their function levels.
Psychiatric evaluations determine the severity of the disorder. It’s like a balancing act to identify what dosage of which drug will do the best at bringing the condition under control. A regimen of medications usually also includes alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin) and other anti-depressants. It takes months, sometimes years, to evaluate the interaction of different prescription drugs.
Medications alone are seldom enough to bring the condition control. Regular visits to a psychologist are necessary to sort out situations that destabilize the patient’s mental well-being. Suicidal ideations are inclusive with the other symptoms – periods of recurrence are frequent.
People shouldn’t be presumptive of someone’s public outburst. It might just be a bad day, a troubling relationship, physical pain or any combination of life’s stresses.
Hernando County is rather unique in that nowhere else have I heard with such frequency a reference to “bipolar”. Some seem to wear the term on the sleeve. Too often, the claim turns out to be self-diagnosed and perhaps the need of sympathy, straining a friendship because random reactive rants have taken a toll.
True, some of the symptoms may be evident and valid but assuming doesn’t make it true. Insomnia, tremors, panic attacks and periods of deep depression with days on end confined to bed can all be considered evidence but these symptoms are side effects from the use of other drugs.
Take for instance the use of illegally acquired drugs. Oxy’s, Roxy’s, Perc’s and Vicodin’s and other painkillers do quite a number on a person’s awareness, moods and judgment. Chasers such as Xanax, Klonopin and alcohol take the user to different levels of incoherency.
In fact, there might actually be some validity to all those undiagnosed cases where individuals insist they are living with a bi-polar depression condition. A 1999 study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that 5 out of 6 “incurable” and severely depressed patients were helped with the use of Oxycodone. Perhaps the attraction to the drug has merit.
Regardless, after living nearly 6 decades, 4 states of residency, living in numerous apartments and two homes, each with diverse neighbors, I find Hernando County has the distinction of being the only place where drug abuse is prominent. It's been said to be a problem nationwide but it is only here where I have been faced with the realities of the situation. No wonder local media has cause to make it a feature presentation. No wonder there's a degree of apprehension from my choice of residency.
This is a community of retail stores galore, strip malls aplenty, vacant houses to the nth degree and, now, I conclude that the illegal use of prescription drugs lies with the fact that the population is rife with a bi-polar .
As I have accepted other contentious conditions since moving to Spring Hill, I shall, for now, also take note that it could likely be about me that someone might be saying, “He must be bi-polar”.
I’ve heard those words more than once as I’ve went about my business of shopping or running errands over the past three years. It’s a presumptive claim and nothing unique in Hernando County although it’s a cop-out when a passerby makes a casual statement based upon an unavoidable moment of eavesdropping on a person whose volume and tone might be filled with anger and threat, a little out of control. Bi-polar depression is nothing to casually speculate about.
I’ve spent my life pretty much control myself in public when irritations arise without notice, but it hasn’t always been such. A combination of work stresses, health conditions and dental expenses, car repairs, money concerns, traffic (Orlando, Chicago, Los Angeles) and more work stresses has at times led to a few public outbursts. People would turn their heads, giving an inquisitive stare as they checked out what the ruckus was all about. A person might have even made an unsympathetic retort.
No, I’ve never been diagnosed as having a bi-polar disorder but a long-term friend has dealt with the ailment for over a decade. In hindsight, the symptoms were always present but, as happens often, a series of traumatic events can exacerbate the condition and can lead to the extreme states of euphoria and severe depression. Medications to help balance the condition include mood stabilizers Lithium, Depakene, and Depakote. Regular liver and kidney blood tests are required to determine their function levels.
Psychiatric evaluations determine the severity of the disorder. It’s like a balancing act to identify what dosage of which drug will do the best at bringing the condition under control. A regimen of medications usually also includes alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin) and other anti-depressants. It takes months, sometimes years, to evaluate the interaction of different prescription drugs.
Medications alone are seldom enough to bring the condition control. Regular visits to a psychologist are necessary to sort out situations that destabilize the patient’s mental well-being. Suicidal ideations are inclusive with the other symptoms – periods of recurrence are frequent.
People shouldn’t be presumptive of someone’s public outburst. It might just be a bad day, a troubling relationship, physical pain or any combination of life’s stresses.
Hernando County is rather unique in that nowhere else have I heard with such frequency a reference to “bipolar”. Some seem to wear the term on the sleeve. Too often, the claim turns out to be self-diagnosed and perhaps the need of sympathy, straining a friendship because random reactive rants have taken a toll.
True, some of the symptoms may be evident and valid but assuming doesn’t make it true. Insomnia, tremors, panic attacks and periods of deep depression with days on end confined to bed can all be considered evidence but these symptoms are side effects from the use of other drugs.
Take for instance the use of illegally acquired drugs. Oxy’s, Roxy’s, Perc’s and Vicodin’s and other painkillers do quite a number on a person’s awareness, moods and judgment. Chasers such as Xanax, Klonopin and alcohol take the user to different levels of incoherency.
In fact, there might actually be some validity to all those undiagnosed cases where individuals insist they are living with a bi-polar depression condition. A 1999 study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that 5 out of 6 “incurable” and severely depressed patients were helped with the use of Oxycodone. Perhaps the attraction to the drug has merit.
Regardless, after living nearly 6 decades, 4 states of residency, living in numerous apartments and two homes, each with diverse neighbors, I find Hernando County has the distinction of being the only place where drug abuse is prominent. It's been said to be a problem nationwide but it is only here where I have been faced with the realities of the situation. No wonder local media has cause to make it a feature presentation. No wonder there's a degree of apprehension from my choice of residency.
This is a community of retail stores galore, strip malls aplenty, vacant houses to the nth degree and, now, I conclude that the illegal use of prescription drugs lies with the fact that the population is rife with a bi-polar .
As I have accepted other contentious conditions since moving to Spring Hill, I shall, for now, also take note that it could likely be about me that someone might be saying, “He must be bi-polar”.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Poor Form at the Forum
The political forum held Thursday, August 14, where candidates vying for voter appeal did a little question and answer series in front of a full house in the Commissioner’s Chamber, wasn’t much more than what anyone could have expected. It appeared people were already pretty well decided in their picks, some wearing campaign attire to attract the attention of undecided voters.
It wasn’t quite a social affair, but most of the after-five crowd was nicely dressed as they mingled and indulged on some of the munchies laid out in the lobby. With an hour of time before the question and answer period began allowed candidates the opportunity to mix and mingle with intimate discussions on how current commissioners have lost connection with their constituents. For many candidates that one hour was the better part of the glory they had envisioned. Which is to say, too often there was plenty of silence and stuttering that kept some of us anticipating what the candidate was trying to communicate.
The candidates’ performance at the forum was less impressive than others have suggested but there were no trick questions. As a matter of fact, the questions were very clearly articulated and shouldn’t have created an obstacle for any of the candidates. Some were moderately impressive but for others it didn’t work out that way.
Fortunately, there was only one blithering idiot which was one too many considering the importance of seeking election as a representative of the residents of Hernando County.
Some who have been outspoken at many of the commission hearings were nearly tongue-tied in trying to make sense of their answers. The disappointments were all too apparent.
There was that same old yawn-inspiring promise to cut spending, cut services, cut employees because economic conditions have cut revenues. If anything needs to be cut, it’s all the rhetoric. These are already being addressed. Fresh ideas are needed but they often sound like pipedreams, without details. Is it wrong to contemplate that a citizen/candidate might get some insight on the possibilities through discussions with county employees?
There were some who were mild-mannered while others talked fast and furious yet made their points within the allotted time period. Some were impressive while others on the opposite end of the spectrum appeared overly seasoned with a casual style of presumptive intellect.
There were moments when the candidates were noticeably shy on their knowledge of certain topics; other candidates were honest in their lack of knowledge. Neither was acceptable. Repeat performances on Hernando County Government Broadcast on Brighthouse channel 622 ought to bring a bad case of déjà vu.
The “kid”, Richard Skandera, may have been a little soft-spoken but his thoughts were well presented as he did less humming and hawing than many. His opponent in the race for State Senator in District 11 poorly arranged his involvement by not appearing at the forum. Invitations were sent out well in advance. Being judgmental, without an explanation his priorities are questionable.
An interesting item offered by Michael Robinson, running for Commissioner in District 5, centered on promoting a charter government for Hernando County. The possibilities appear far-reaching with a board of some 25 residents offering voters a charter that addresses the specific needs of the county. Hopefully, the board would include a cross-section of citizens on every socio-economic level, not just those of selective importance.
Come October, The Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will host a forum for the final candidates to present their visions on the direction Hernando County will take in the years ahead. Hopefully, these finalists will have their acts together and impress voters with less restrictive solutions to the challenges facing Hernando County.
Once the primary ballots have been counted, the real campaigning will begin.
It wasn’t quite a social affair, but most of the after-five crowd was nicely dressed as they mingled and indulged on some of the munchies laid out in the lobby. With an hour of time before the question and answer period began allowed candidates the opportunity to mix and mingle with intimate discussions on how current commissioners have lost connection with their constituents. For many candidates that one hour was the better part of the glory they had envisioned. Which is to say, too often there was plenty of silence and stuttering that kept some of us anticipating what the candidate was trying to communicate.
The candidates’ performance at the forum was less impressive than others have suggested but there were no trick questions. As a matter of fact, the questions were very clearly articulated and shouldn’t have created an obstacle for any of the candidates. Some were moderately impressive but for others it didn’t work out that way.
Fortunately, there was only one blithering idiot which was one too many considering the importance of seeking election as a representative of the residents of Hernando County.
Some who have been outspoken at many of the commission hearings were nearly tongue-tied in trying to make sense of their answers. The disappointments were all too apparent.
There was that same old yawn-inspiring promise to cut spending, cut services, cut employees because economic conditions have cut revenues. If anything needs to be cut, it’s all the rhetoric. These are already being addressed. Fresh ideas are needed but they often sound like pipedreams, without details. Is it wrong to contemplate that a citizen/candidate might get some insight on the possibilities through discussions with county employees?
There were some who were mild-mannered while others talked fast and furious yet made their points within the allotted time period. Some were impressive while others on the opposite end of the spectrum appeared overly seasoned with a casual style of presumptive intellect.
There were moments when the candidates were noticeably shy on their knowledge of certain topics; other candidates were honest in their lack of knowledge. Neither was acceptable. Repeat performances on Hernando County Government Broadcast on Brighthouse channel 622 ought to bring a bad case of déjà vu.
The “kid”, Richard Skandera, may have been a little soft-spoken but his thoughts were well presented as he did less humming and hawing than many. His opponent in the race for State Senator in District 11 poorly arranged his involvement by not appearing at the forum. Invitations were sent out well in advance. Being judgmental, without an explanation his priorities are questionable.
An interesting item offered by Michael Robinson, running for Commissioner in District 5, centered on promoting a charter government for Hernando County. The possibilities appear far-reaching with a board of some 25 residents offering voters a charter that addresses the specific needs of the county. Hopefully, the board would include a cross-section of citizens on every socio-economic level, not just those of selective importance.
Come October, The Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will host a forum for the final candidates to present their visions on the direction Hernando County will take in the years ahead. Hopefully, these finalists will have their acts together and impress voters with less restrictive solutions to the challenges facing Hernando County.
Once the primary ballots have been counted, the real campaigning will begin.
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