Tonights City of Commission Workshop should be broadcast so those of us working the late shifts could catch the spectacle that is about to unfold. The evening will begin with what we assume will be a powerpoint-less presentation from the city's own public information officer that will show many pretty pictures the commissioners will coo over with mindless delight. The public information office which is the backbone of the city's own TV station known as Access Osceola will be showing off the 'branding' efforts underway through the graphic design projects taxpayers have been paying for. This was the same department, that by our estimation should be ground zero for the looming budget cuts, that wanted to run with the idea of removing the cow from the City of Kissimmee's logo. The question that should be asked of the PIO tonight is, "Do you believe that the money you have spent on 'creating collateral materials' that reflect a cohesive design scheme to help brand the identity of the City of Kissimmee, just in case people are not sure where they live, is more important than fixing our pothole ladened streets?"
While this discussion would be most entertaining one to watch, it is not one of the discussions that will be of most importance to how this political year will unfold. The last two items on the workshop agenda by Commissioner Irizarry are very blatant attempts to secure support for his re-election campaign. The first item being the discussion on the "Expansion of Bus Bench Agreement" that is allowed with 20/20 Media. While the WayneWho staff was glad to see an item on the agenda about 20/20 Media because, as we witness while driving around town yesterday, it means that the bus stops will actually be cleaned, it is a self serving issue for Commissioner Irizarry because of the "In-Kind Advertising" 20/20 media likes to give politicians. We assume that this is his attempt to pay-it-forward to secure some easy ad space and support. While we are sure that everything will be written off appropriately, we think this discussion touches on some curious ethical issues that make city government look more like county government. On this issue, if Commissioner Irizarry wants to show the community why he should be re-elected, he should ask the question of why the City of Kissimmee has not received a revenue sharing payment from 20/20 Media since August of 2007?
The other item for discussion is one on zoning for the Downtown Commercial District. While this discussion should be one of the most important discussions the City has on steps it is going to take to improve the retail, restaurant, and entertainment corridor, this does not appear to be the reason the item has been brought up. Many local political hopefuls feel that support from the downtown equates to wins during an election. While this may or not be true, our problems is that the discussion will be empty and hollow and offer little insight into the direction that should be taken to improve the economic stability of the B-1 District. While several failed mortgage, title, and real estate establishments have helped property owners pay their mortgages short-term, they have done little to improve the retail foot traffic required to keep retail shop doors open. The addition of several restaurants has helped to create more traffic in the downtown, but it seems the increase in traffic have not translated into sales for the retail merchants who continue to close their doors. So what is the answer? While the WayneWho staff has kicked around a few ideas, what we are sure of is that you will know that this is a self serving topic for Commissioner Irizarry based on the questions and ideas he puts forward. Again Commissioner, this is a golden opportunity to show this community what you are made of and some good questions from you would help. Our suggested question for the evening would be simple. Why is a successful retail business that brings people into the downtown being forced out of downtown so a non-profit organization can take its place? Is the new goal of the city to have tax-subsidized organizations incubated in the downtown or is this a long term plan to keep Kissimmee Main Street as a tenant? The e-mails we have received suggest that this should not be the case, but we will let Commissioner Irizarry show the community his 'Republican' values on the subjects of government intervention and commerce. All we know is that we hope that Breck's Cookies can relocate some where close because our grandkids love their cookies and will cry like the Dickens if we aren't able to get them some.
While this discussion would be most entertaining one to watch, it is not one of the discussions that will be of most importance to how this political year will unfold. The last two items on the workshop agenda by Commissioner Irizarry are very blatant attempts to secure support for his re-election campaign. The first item being the discussion on the "Expansion of Bus Bench Agreement" that is allowed with 20/20 Media. While the WayneWho staff was glad to see an item on the agenda about 20/20 Media because, as we witness while driving around town yesterday, it means that the bus stops will actually be cleaned, it is a self serving issue for Commissioner Irizarry because of the "In-Kind Advertising" 20/20 media likes to give politicians. We assume that this is his attempt to pay-it-forward to secure some easy ad space and support. While we are sure that everything will be written off appropriately, we think this discussion touches on some curious ethical issues that make city government look more like county government. On this issue, if Commissioner Irizarry wants to show the community why he should be re-elected, he should ask the question of why the City of Kissimmee has not received a revenue sharing payment from 20/20 Media since August of 2007?
The other item for discussion is one on zoning for the Downtown Commercial District. While this discussion should be one of the most important discussions the City has on steps it is going to take to improve the retail, restaurant, and entertainment corridor, this does not appear to be the reason the item has been brought up. Many local political hopefuls feel that support from the downtown equates to wins during an election. While this may or not be true, our problems is that the discussion will be empty and hollow and offer little insight into the direction that should be taken to improve the economic stability of the B-1 District. While several failed mortgage, title, and real estate establishments have helped property owners pay their mortgages short-term, they have done little to improve the retail foot traffic required to keep retail shop doors open. The addition of several restaurants has helped to create more traffic in the downtown, but it seems the increase in traffic have not translated into sales for the retail merchants who continue to close their doors. So what is the answer? While the WayneWho staff has kicked around a few ideas, what we are sure of is that you will know that this is a self serving topic for Commissioner Irizarry based on the questions and ideas he puts forward. Again Commissioner, this is a golden opportunity to show this community what you are made of and some good questions from you would help. Our suggested question for the evening would be simple. Why is a successful retail business that brings people into the downtown being forced out of downtown so a non-profit organization can take its place? Is the new goal of the city to have tax-subsidized organizations incubated in the downtown or is this a long term plan to keep Kissimmee Main Street as a tenant? The e-mails we have received suggest that this should not be the case, but we will let Commissioner Irizarry show the community his 'Republican' values on the subjects of government intervention and commerce. All we know is that we hope that Breck's Cookies can relocate some where close because our grandkids love their cookies and will cry like the Dickens if we aren't able to get them some.
7 comments:
What is happening to Brecks?
the brecks location was supposed to be an incubator/welcome center. the original discussions never gave a timeframe on how long a business would be allowed to stay in the building, but it seems like they want to stir things up.
With as small as the farmers market is now, they could probably relocate it to the front of the Keys Station.
As long and hard as it was to fill the corner gas station place, Breck's faced stupid obstacles the city imposed such as building and installing a grease trap which isn't necessary in a shop that does nothing but baking. Alas, the city is reaLLY good at short sightednesss. What's going in there? Something that will add to the tax base? As small as tghe property is, what can fit that would be meaningful?
Where was the potential availability of the gas station advertised? How was someone with a business concept for downtown to know that this opportunity was available?
no comments on durbins house being listed and his retirement from kissimmee?
Sorry but I have to disagree with you on their cookies, I don't like them.
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