Issue 169, March 13
This past week, we heard from FDOT District Two Secretary Greg Evans. We learned all the facets covered by the FDOT, plus many of the major projects in the works by the agency. This District covers 18 counties, and not only manages everything involved with the roads, they plan, manage, and support economic growth and have the ultimate goal of being congestion and fatality free.
It is home to more than 1.9 million residents. It covers nearly 12,000 square miles. Travelers on the state highway system log more than 43.2 million miles daily. Two major transit authorities, assisted by the FDOT, operate in the district. The area is served by two deep-water ports, three major rail lines, and 144 public and private airports.
The district secretary manages a five-year plan, with funding coming from the state, gas taxes, and tolls. Maintenance is the most consuming, and the current largest project is the widening of the Shands Bridge. This project should start construction soon and will become the Southern Beltway connecting all the way to I-95.
Also, this week, an enthusiastic group of volunteers worked four different shifts at TPC, serving refreshments and earning money for our non-profit leg, SBMC Charities. All the shift money and tips collected will help fund our Christmas Kids program and some of our scholarships.
This week’s meeting we have a change of programs. Join us to hear Bennett Brown as he speaks on Old Glory Bank, a bank started by three legendary conservative figures who teamed up to launch their own independent bank. They wanted to compete with “other banks” that “have marginalized and ignored, hard-working patriots who keep this country running every day.”
Join us for an informative meeting and don’t forget to wear your green. Bring a door prize and get your business recognized.
Cheers!
Jeanne Maron
2023 President
Issue 168, March 06
It was nice to take a break from politicians and hear a different perspective from AG Gancarski, a local journalist. He gave us his view on the upcoming election. He spoke a lot on the mayoral race.
He felt that Donna Deegan will take the majority votes for the Democrats, and most likely run against Daniel Davis. Most of the Republican voters are switching to Davis as they know he is the frontrunner. He said that Davis has primarily been attacking LeAnna Cumber. Davis will need to segment his message to gain all the Republicans. Deegan on the other hand, tends to have thin skin. He feels the final race will be a dirty one. Gancarski said he doesn’t think Deegan has the ammunition to take home the entire race. She is “untested and unprepared”. Deegan is at 37% and Davis is at 20%, according to the University of North Florida polling.
Examining the other races, he said the Property Appraiser will most likely be Joyce Morgan, polling at 43%. In the At Large race, Terrence Freeman is in the lead. In Group 2, Ron Salem and Josh Hicks are in a dead heat.
Group 5, Gancarski picks Chris Miller. Group 11, he thinks Ramon Day will emerge.
In District 5, he said Joe Carlucci is getting most of the endorsements, but a newcomer, Morgan Roberts, a San Marco businesswoman, is starting to get some leverage.
For District 7 which is a newly organized area of white Democrats (formerly primarily black), it is a vicious race. He felt that Jimmy Paluso and Joseph Hogan will have a run-off. Phillips, another candidate and the current owner of Folio, has been slanting his publication to his own election.
Finally, he feels Alberta Hipps and Rahman Johnson, District 14, will take the majority of the votes and will probably go into a runoff.
No matter which way you lean, vote on March 21st.
This Wednesday, we will hear from Greg Evans with the Florida Department of Transportation. It’s always interesting to see what’s in the future for our roads and for the safety of our transportation systems. Please join us and bring a guest. We worked our TPC shifts around our meeting so everyone could attend. Hope to see you there!
Respectfully,
Jeanne Maron
2023 President
