TheLakeBlog.com

Robert Jenner for Water Authority says retiring Board Trustee, Nancy Fullerton

October 17, 2010

TO:  The residents of Lake County
FROM:  Nancy H. Fullerton,  Lake County Water Authority Board of Trustees, District 2
PHONE: 352 394 1839

RE:  Lake County Water Authority elections, District 2

                                               * * * * * * * * * *
I’ve been your elected representative to the Lake County Water Authority Board for eight years and now must retire due to term limits. Who will be elected to my position on the Board. is extremely important to me, to the citizens of Lake County and to the protection of our treasured lakes and rivers.    

The choice is simple if the voter’s decision is based on the qualifications of the three candidates.  Only one candidate—Robert Jenner—is qualified and worthy of responsible consideration. He has spent  months proving his commitment by attending Water Authority Board meetings in order to be current on projects and budget issues. He does what a candidate should do—campaign for the office.  He listens to the concerns of the public at the many forums and provides information about himself and his goals.

People learn that he is a University of Florida graduate, has a degree in geology with graduate studies in coastal engineering, was a business owner  providing environmental services involving wetland delineation and a Florida certified teacher of Technology Education. Robert Jenner is extremely well qualified!!!

In contrast, his two opponents filed to run in the last hours of filing. They have not campaigned. They have attended no Water Authority meetings. They have not interacted with the public at forums and events except for one where the candidate stated to the audience that she was running because she grew up on the Clermont Lakes.

Such a narrow viewpoint regarding the duties and responsibility of a Water Authority Board member should be unacceptable to those who have grave concerns about controlling and conserving the freshwater resources of Lake County.

Historically, the Water Authority Board has been a nonpartisan office. In 2006 amidst great political controversy, a voter referendum changed the Board to a partisan elected office. My view has always been that the Board should be a voice that is independent of party politics, that water protection decisions should be based on science and a commitment to restoration and prevention projects that improve surface water quality. 

We have in this election an R, a D and an NPA. I appeal to you to vote for Robert Jenner --regardless of party labels--because he is the best qualified candidate. His commitment to the protection, preservation and improvement of our water resources for the benefit of all is needed on the Water Authority Board. 

Please VOTE for ROBERT  JENNER who I trust to continue Water Authority  projects that maintain and improve the water quality of our lakes, rivers and streams.

Thank you for supporting me these eight years.  

Sincerely, Nancy  

Study finds kids think they'd read more if they had an e-reader, drive better if they had a Porsche

Scholastic's recently released a study with some interesting findings. The company interviewed 1,045 children aged six to 17 and their parents about reading habits. One of the interesting tidbits is that the children who don't read for fun very much (once a week or less), about a third of them said they would read more if they had an e-reader. Two thirds of the entire group, however, said they wouldn't want to give up printed books entirely. Sadly, but perhaps not surprisingly, the study also found that as children grow up, the amount of time they spend reading dramatically decreases, as time spent texting and talking on the phone increases. Hit up the source links for the entire report.

Switched

Scholastic, Scholastic study (PDF)

The Alliance to show award winning film Division Street Oct. 7

Join us, Thursday, October 7th, at 7pm, to see the award winning nature documentary film, Division Street.  Roads are the largest human artifact on the planet, they have fragmented wild habitats, promoted suburban sprawl, and changed our sense of community.

Eric Bendick, Webby award winning filmmaker and writer, takes us from pristine roadless areas to concrete jungles highlighting sustainable road projects and wildlife solutions for the future.

Parts of Division Street, were filmed in Central Florida - giving a unique prespective to our road issues.

The Alliance to Protect Water Resources program is on Oct. 7 is in Jenkins Auditorium in downtown Clermont. More information, please call 352-394-1839 or 321-436-4932.

Peggy Cox, Program Chair
352-429-1042

Alliance To Protect Water Resources

pegcox48@yahoo.com

 

Clermont reopens waterfront beach to public

CLERMONT -- It's been seven years since children and families were last seen splashing around and building sand castles at the local beach and swimming area at Clermont's Waterfront Park.

The frolicking brought smiles to the faces of city officials.

"It went really well," Assistant Manager Darren Gray said. "We got a lot of positive comments, and despite the slightly cloudy conditions on Saturday, the turnout was great."

See the whole story

ISLAND HOP FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS FLORIDA

 
Get away for a great cause at the second annual Island Hop for Special Olympics Florida on Saturday, October 23rd from 6-10 p.m. at Gaylord Palms.

Experience island cultures from around the world at this not-to-be missed party, presented by Travelocity. Set poolside at Gaylord Palms, the Mediterranean themed party features delicious regional cuisine, cocktails, live entertainment, casino gaming, and more! Island attire is encouraged.

Need to get away? Island Hop will feature 75 fabulous vacation packages to locations all over the globe in the Silent Auction. Five premier destination packages will be offered in the Live Auction and five featured trips will be offered in the Explorer Raffle, where every guest has a chance to win a fantastic vacation.

Tickets are $100 per person and all proceeds benefit Special Olympics Florida. To register or for more information, visit www.specialolympicsflorida.org/islandhop

About the beneficiary: Special Olympics Florida provides year-round sports training and competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, at no cost to the athlete or their caregiver, as a means to achieve physical fitness, self-esteem, socialization skills, and the life skills necessary to be a productive, respected and contributing members of their communities.

UF Professor Emeritus supports Amendement 4 Hometown Democracy

 by Dr. Earl Starnes 

Dr. Starnes is Professor Emeritus of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Florida.  He served as The Director of State Planning in the Florida Department of Administration during the early 1970s and is now retired in Cedar Key.

My support for Amendment 4 to Florida’s Constitution known as the “Hometown Democracy Amendment” is very much related to my professional experiences over the last 60 years as a practicing architect, planner, participating citizen and educator. Mostly retired today from such daily activities and responsibilities, I have long observed myths related to continued population increase and economic growth in Florida.

One myth; growth does increase the local tax base and is thus beneficial. However, the cost of additional city and county public services and maintenance of streets, roads and cost of additional schools and other capital costs often exceed the new revenues. Over time public costs of delivering local services tend to stumble; thus, a net loss for the community. Most of Florida’s cities and counties are today facing budget crises as an unintended consequence of the past decades’ real estate boom. As to the pitch that development brings new jobs, this too is basically a myth. Rarely does the new growth provide for long range stability for local jobs. Subsidizing businesses, or as it is often said, “creating a good business climate” has unintended consequences. Driven by this mantra, loosely drawn comprehensive plans and weak land development regulations simply leads to depressed real estate investments, run down vacant commercial properties, loss of residential value and deterioration of the quality of the community’s character, beauty and livability.

More points should be made regarding urban growth myths. Eben Fodor, a practicing planner offers “Twelve Big Myths of Growth”. Several are on point with regard to Amendment 4. It is a myth that environmental protection hurts the economy. This cannot be supported by any studies that assess and compare the level of environmental protection and the quality of a local economy. As an example of political support for strong environmental programs, the electorate in Florida has usually voted 70% in favor of such programs. Myth; growth is inevitable. Communities with strong growth controls tend to have strong and sustained economic development. We are reminded that growth must be thought of as quantitative expansion of the physical structure of community. Community development should refer to the ongoing qualitative strength of its economy and the balance of the needs and aspirations of its population and preservation of its natural environmental and heritage.

One more point on growth; vacant and agricultural lands provide a low source of local tax revenues, but in the alternative these properties require very low levels of public services and in effect contribute proportionally more to the local tax base than residential properties. Open space and agricultural lands designated in local comprehensive plans are too often proposed to be changed to higher density sprawl growth; growth that will demand higher levels of local services. If adopted, Amendment 4 provides that such land use changes would be subject to the local voter approval.

Finally, it is interesting to note the relationship of unemployment rates and population growth rates of several states. Florida, Nevada and California all three have had high growth rates in population over the last 9 years. Florida with a population growth rate of 16% during the nine year period has an unemployment rate of 11.5 % at the end of August 2010. Nevada with a population growth rate of 32% has an unemployment rate of 14.3 %. California with a population growth rate of 9% has an unemployment rate of 12.3%; all above the national average. Now, we look at 10 states with low population growth rates over the same 9 year period ranging from .7 % for North Dakota to Iowa with a rate of 2.7 %. The current unemployment rates range from 3.6% in North Dakota to 6.8% in Iowa. All well below the national average of 9.6%. These statistics can be found in an article by Vincent Fernando in Business Insider and provide an insight to the effects of growth on employment.

Florida voters have an opportunity to bring our intergovernmental planning system into a more open and democratic practice. The Hometown Democracy Amendment 4 with the support of Floridians will accomplish this.

Birds and Wildlife

Bird Count this Saturday

Don’t forget we will be looking for returning migrants, summer fledglings and more this Saturday at TLNC, 8:00 am. Don’t forget your binoculars. Its a great way to learn more about area birds.

WILDLIFE in your Backyard, September 11, 9:30 am

There is a predator in your backyard, stalking their prey, defending their territory, and carrying out their mating rituals just outside your window, and perhaps you don’t even know their name.  

Join the Naturalist at Trout Lake Nature Center on Saturday, September 11, at 9:30 am to learn about these small reptiles sharing our space.

We’ll start inside and investigate their body structure and other members of their family. And then the group will head outside to decide which parts of Trout Lake best meet their needs and to discover how many species of lizards we can find living here.

To reach TLNC travel north of Eustis on Rte. 19, turn right or East onto CR 44 (Publix / Winn Dixie intersection), and proceed .3 mile to the entrance on the right.

This activity is perfect for curious children or adults. Please call, 352-357-7536 for information, and to reserve a space. The better you know your neighbors, the more you will enjoy them. 

Trout Lake Lake Nature Center September 2010 - Calendar of Events

 

 September 2010 - Calendar of Events

All programs are at Trout Lake Nature Center unless otherwise specified.

TLNC Open Hours: Monday-Closed; Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday - 9:00–12:30;

Friday & Saturday: 9:00–4:00; Sunday: 1:00–4:00.

Other hours are available on request.

 

September

01 - Wednesday, 8:00am Garden Workday.

04 - Saturday, TLNC Bird Count, bring your binoculars.

08 - Wednesday, 8:30 am, TLNC Workday.  There is a project for all ages and fitness levels.  Please call to let us know you will help.

11 - Saturday, 9:30 am, Focus on Florida Lizards, Learn about the little wildlife in your backyard, Florida’s lizards.  Family activity, registration required, call 352-357-7536.

15 - Wednesday, 8:00am Garden Workday.

20 – Monday,  9:00 am, Wildflowers and Insects, Bright and Cryptic, Enjoy Fall wildflowers at Ocala National Forest Clearwater Lake while you explore some of the relationships between insects and the plants they shelter upon. Bring a picnic lunch and dress for a day in the woods. Pre-registration requested 352-357-7536

24 – Friday Night Naturalist, 6:00 pm, Florida’s Not so Dangerous Snakes, Howard Riley, the more you know the less you fear, and the safer the snakes will be!

 

Visit our website, www.troutlakenature.org for additional information on programs and activities. Check the Lake Sentinel and other area newspapers or call

Trout Lake Nature Center @ 352-357-7536.

 

Going Green to Save Green$$ Program Lake County Agricultural Center in Tavares, FL September 9th, 2010  1:30-6:00PM There has been a lot of interest in energy independence and reducing the amount of fossil fuels required for agricultural production.  Please plan on joining us to gain insight on potential programs or technologies to accomplish these goals.  It also offers a good opportunity to engage with agricultural producers and other interested individuals in our area.  Hope to see you all there.  Below is the agenda.

 

Agenda 1:20-1:30     Sign in 1:30-1:40     Welcome and Introductions 1:40-2:20     Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grants   R.C. Quainton, Area Director, Rural Development Agency   Matthew Wooten,  Renewable Energy Coordinator,   Rural Development Agency    2:20-3:05     Making Solar Systems Work for Agriculture Producers…   find out how the current rate of return can work for you!    Blake Linville, L.E.E.D® Accredited Professional 3:05-3:15     Break 3:15-3:35     Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) Grants   Chuck O’Roarke, District Conservationist,   USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service 3:35-4:05 Cover Crops for improved nutrition   Dr. Danielle Treadwell, Assistant Professor, UF IFAS 4:05-4:35     Overview of biosolids-the good, the bad, the ugly   Dr. Ed Hanlon, professor, UF IFAS 4:35-5:05     Biosolid Composting as a possible soil amendment   Dr. Fred Mussari,Sr. V.P. Research,   BCR Environmental 5:15-6:00     Dinner   -Sponsored by BCR Enviromental & Green Ban Please contact our office to let us know you are planning to attend, so we have enough food for everyone.  Thanks.  mjarrell@ufl.edu or 352-343-4101 x2730

 

 

Thank you,

Juanita

 

 

Juanita Popenoe, Ph.D.

County Extension Director

Commercial Horticulture Extension Agent III

UF/IFAS Lake County Extension

1951 Woodlea Rd.

Tavares, FL 32778

phone 352.343.4101

fax 352.343.2767

cell 352.516.6486

web http://cfextension.ifas.ufl.edu

Send us your email request if you would like to receive our newsletter and program flyers via email.

Aliance to Protect Water Resources Endorses Elaine Renick and Linda Stewart for Lake County Commission

Please send to your friends and lists.

This Tuesday's primary will determine Lake County Commissioners.

Hi folks - Elaine  Renick and Linda Stewart have both been endorsed by the Alliance to Protect Water resources which protects our lakes and waterways in Lake County and helps educate us on the issues.

You may know that the Orlando Sentinel has also endorsed Renick and Stewart  - (read it here)   and an article by Lauren Ritchie (read Lauren here)

Consensus by all is that Elaine Renick and Linda Stewart are the best candidates for our future.

We agree.

Below the APWR endorsement, we have included a note from Paul Renick who is running Elaine Renick's campaign. Elaine Renick's opponent (S. Parks) has began sending out negative misleading mailers (I recieved one) and has seemingly hired one of those telephone calling companies to call you at dinner time and tell you misleading information  -  Bob Pool did the same thing four years ago. They do it under somebody else's name so they can deny involvement.  Negative ads in Lake County typically backfire this late in the campaign because residents are fed up with election propaganda and they are perceived as a sign of desperation.

Paul's note says it all. Paul and Elaine are a class act. Renick has never even used signs in Lake County...

From:Paul Renick [mailto:pwrenick@hotmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2010 11:04 AM
Subject: Politics as usual
 
Hi All, 
 
You don't need a calendar to know that the campaigning is almost over and that the opening of the polls for the primary election, Tuesday, August 24^th, is less than 3 days away. 
 
The negative mailers and calls started in earnest this past week so that the innuendos, half-truths, and outright lies put forth can't be countered by those against whom they have been leveled.  I wasn't surprised since this is now considered 'politics as usual' in this country, state, and especially in this county. 
 
You've received email messages and a mailer from Elaine with what she has accomplished for you in the last four years and what she would like to continue to do on your behalf if re-elected.  You've read what the Orlando Sentinel said in their endorsement and in other articles they've published about Elaine.  You've seen her candidate profile in both the Daily Commercial and the Orlando Sentinel. 
 
The only thing left for me to do in this campaign is to ask you to vote on Tuesday if you already haven't taken advantage of absentee or early voting.  Please call your friends and family to remind them to vote on Tuesday as well.  Primaries typically have low voter turn out but this election will determine your next commissioner for District 2 so please urge everyone you know to vote this Tuesday. 
 
Thank you for your indulgence during the campaign.  I've appreciated the opportunity to communicate with you. 
 
Regards,
Paul
 
 
Political advertisement paid for and approved by Elaine Renick, Republican, for County Commissioner District 2
 

www.elainerenick.com

3rd ANNUAL FAMILY FUN FEST SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 14th

LAKE COUNTY, FL The 3^rd Annual Family Fun Fest is on the way this Saturday, August 14^th from 10-2 at Faith Lutheran Church and School in Eustis. A roaring success last year, this year’s event promises even more fun and excitement. Over 50 area businesses and agencies get together and offer games, prizes and valuable information to local families. Bounce Houses, Horse-Rides,  Face Painting, Fire Trucks, D.A.R.E., LCSO K-9, Home Depot Build it Centers, Free School Physicals, local theatre and dance performances,  Pizza, Sno-Cones, Cotton Candy, Games, Give Aways and so much more are scheduled for this event. With over 4,000 attendees last year, this year promises to be even more great fun as the premier community give-back event. Bring the kids, but leave your wallet at home, the 3^rd Annual Family Fun Fest is not only 100% Family Friendly, it’s 100% FREE.