Charlie Crist News Blog

FDLE reports crime stats for past year

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:00:02 +0000

Murders and other violent crimes rose at a ''disconcerting'' rate in Florida last year, Gov. Charlie Crist said Tuesday, but he hopes new laws he helped pass will help. Closer to home, Charlotte and Sarasota counties documented increases, while DeSoto County recorded a drop in the crimes used in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement analysis.

The FDLE Crime in Florida report for 2006 compared the numbers and percent changes in certain crimes between 2005 and 2006. The crimes analyzed -- called index offenses -- were murder, forcible sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny (theft) and motor vehicle theft.

Statewide, the numbers showed a surprisingly large jump in gun crimes, including murders, armed robberies and assaults. Overall, the state's crime rate continued a downward trend that has been going on for years.

Firm Pictures Hollywood In Florida

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:00:02 +0000

Gov. Crist unveils homeowners insurance Web site

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:00:02 +0000

TALLAHASSEE — Confident it will empower consumers and chide private insurers for less than stellar cuts to premiums, Gov. Charlie Crist on Tuesday unveiled a Web site to give homeowners more information on insurance costs in their area.

Accompanied by state Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty, Crist unveiled the Web site: www.shopandcomparerates.com. The site compiles rate data by county in an attempt to give consumers additional information as they shop for property insurance.

?You?ll find some enormous distinctions,? Crist told reporters in Tallahassee. ?This will empower the consumer, which is the entire point.?

Jupiter program helps young people ARISE and walk away from trouble

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:00:02 +0000

June 27, 2007They may seem like things people should learn as they are growing up: how to get along with people you don't like; how to study; how to set goals; what to do when things don't go your way.

They aren't.

News Briefs

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:00:02 +0000

The public is invited to view the new exhibit sponsored by the Blanchard House Museum and the Florida Military Heritage Museum honoring Lt. Charles P. Bailey and the Bailey brothers. The exhibit opens Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will be remain at the Florida Military Heritage Museum until September, when it moves to the Blanchard House Museum. An opening reception will be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. July 7 at the Florida Military Heritage Museum at 100 Madrid Blvd. in Punta Gorda.

The Bailey Brothers, sons of Archie and Josephine Bailey of Punta Gorda, distinguished themselves during World War II and the Korean War. Six of the seven Bailey sons -- Harding, Arthur, Berlin, Maurice, Paul and Charles --all served in World War II. Two sons, Maurice and Carl, served in the Korean War. The Bailey family is believed to be the black family with the largest number of family members serving in World War II.

Lt. Charles Bailey was the first aviator from Florida to become one of the famous Tuskegee Airmen, the all-black 99th Fighter Squadron in World War II. Bailey flew 133 missions over enemy territory and is credited with shooting down two German fighter planes.

North Palm Beach County business briefs: June 27

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:00:02 +0000

Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties are uniting for their first tri-county trade mission ? bound for Canada and aiming to expand ties in trade, tourism and investment. Plans call for a Sept. 23-28 trip to Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, likely with about 30 business leaders from South Florida.

WEST PALM BEACH

Our view: Still more setbacks

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:00:02 +0000

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

We're talking about Space Florida, the quasi-governmental agency that's supposed to be flying at warp speed to recruit new space businesses, but is still stuck in the bureaucratic mud.

Gov. Charlie Crist shoulders the blame for taking five months to appoint new members to the agency's governing board, meaning the group that's supposed to provide the agency with direction hasn't met since January.

Perry, 3 other governors advocate for Farm Bill's priorities

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:00:02 +0000

Gov. Rick Perry and governors from Florida, California and New York on Tuesday sent a letter to congressional leaders crafting the 2007 farm bill to advocate for the priorities of the nation's most populous states.

Perry added his signature to those of Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer.

In the letter, the governors asked lawmakers to look at priorities for the farming community, asking for additional funding and resources in six areas.

Sheriff Balkwill must show up at the table OUR POSITION:

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:00:02 +0000

Sarasota Sheriff Bill Balkwill is taking the wrong tack in budget negotiations with county commissioners. He's got to show up at the table, at least.

It isn't high noon yet, but Sarasota County Sheriff Bill Balkwill seems to be gunning for a showdown with county commissioners.

Balkwill has so far chosen not to participate in county budget-cutting efforts.

Thomas trying to make case for downtown program

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:00:02 +0000

Tight budget year or not, there may be no time like the present for enrolling downtown Punta Gorda in the Florida Main Street program.

The trick now will be to find about $30,000 in seed money from either the city or some other source.

Ron Thomas, executive director of Enterprise Punta Gorda Inc., said he believes this shouldn't be an impossible task and plans to make his case for a special appropriation of matching money for a state grant.

Your views: Scraping for solutions

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:00:02 +0000

Readers express a variety of opinions in their letters to FLORIDA TODAY.

If you're dropped, shop for bargains

I was dropped from my Allstate homeowners insurance, so I promptly dropped Allstate as my auto insurer. It felt good.

Bense urges commission to work quietly on property tax issues

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:00:02 +0000

Members of a constitutional commission reviewing Florida's tax structure should stay out of the debate over the Legislature's ballot issue on property tax relief even though they cannot ignore that subject, the panel's chairman said Tuesday.

Allan Bense urged colleagues on the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission to, instead, work quietly on possible alternatives if the tax-cutting amendment fails or enhancements if it passes. The measure goes before voters on the Jan. 29 presidential primary ballot.

"I think it's up to the people to approve," said the former Florida House speaker, but then he added, "We can't just put our heads in the sand."

Crist: Home insurance rates haven't fallen as hoped

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:00:02 +0000

Last updated on: 6/26/2007 6:43:11 PM by The Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE: A new law hasn't cut home insurance rates as much as expected, but a new website might help Florida homeowners save money.

Governor Charlie Crist says some insurance companies have not filed for rates as low as he had hoped. The law makes state backup coverage for insurers more available and at a cheaper cost than what they typically pay on the private market.

Crist: Home insurance rates haven't fallen as much as hoped

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:00:02 +0000

Gov. Charlie Crist knows a new law hasn't cut home insurance rates as much as he and consumers had expected, but he launched a new Web site Tuesday that might help homeowners comparison shop to save money.

Crist said some insurance companies have not filed for rates as low as he had hoped after lawmakers changed state law in January to try to lower premiums. The law made state backup coverage for insurers more available and at a cheaper cost than what they typically pay on the private market.

Rates being charged by major home insurance companies have gone down only 10 percent since the legislation passed - not a lot compared to how much they have risen since the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons. Some customers saw their rates increase by more than 100 percent in the last few years.

DCF head proposes changes in wake of Courtney case

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:00:02 +0000

Florida's child welfare agency will add five "child locator specialists" and seek legislation to require local police to immediately take missing children's reports from the agency, its secretary said Tuesday.

The actions by Department of Children & Families Secretary Bob Butterworth were in response to the case of a girl who was missing four months before police began looking for her. Butterworth issued a report Tuesday that tries to answer questions about how a foster child could have been missing so long before Florida police initiated an extensive search.

DCF's review found a series of missteps at several levels, which Butterworth called "totally, totally inexcusable."

Bite victim not seeking dog's death

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 06:14:32 +0000

William Flick, who was attacked by the German shepherd awaiting destruction by Sarasota County Animal Services, isn't asking that Zeus be destroyed.

It's not his decision, however. Bob Elek, a spokesman for Verizon, Flick's employer, said the dog's fate isn't up to them, it's up to the county.

Zeus, who belongs to Ana and Gilberto Otero of Nokomis, is to be destroyed because its attack is considered under Florida Statute 767.13 to have left severe injuries.

Landrum gets 'Best Places' spot for 3rd year

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 06:14:32 +0000

June has been an extraordinary month for Landrum Human Resource Companies founder and CEO Britt Landrum Jr.

On Monday his Pensacola-based company was named one of the 25 "Best Small & Medium Companies to Work for in America" for the third consecutive year.

Earlier this month Landrum was honored by Florida's Gov. Charlie Crist with the Sterling Award, the state's most prestigious honor for performance excellence.

Steroid plan is a noble waste

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 06:14:32 +0000

So Florida lawmakers found $100,000 to implement a random steroid-testing program for high-school athletes around the state?

Great move. They should have invested that money - and their time - passing a law requiring peace in the Middle East instead. Maybe spend a few bucks solving global warming, too. Or how about throwing a couple of singles into finding a cure for cancer.

Florida ups poker betting limits

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 06:14:32 +0000

The two most famous words from the world of poker will soon be shouted at the card room at the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track thanks to a new Florida law that takes effect Sunday.

No limit Texas Hold 'Em the poker game that has skyrocketed in popularity because of televised tournaments will be offered in Florida card rooms beginning Sunday.

It is the latest expansion of gambling in Florida and the first time since 2003 betting limits have been increased.

Kirton re-appointed to IRCC Board of Trustees in Okeechobee

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 06:14:32 +0000

Gov. Charlie Crist announced the re-appointment of Cheryl L. Kirton, 42, of Okeechobee to the District Board of Trustees, Indian River Community College.

She is the owner of Physical Therapy of Okeechobee. Her term expires May 31, 2010.

Kirton reappointed to IRCC board in Okeechobee

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 06:14:32 +0000

Cheryl L. Kirton, 42, of Okeechobee, has been reappointed to Indian River Community College's district board of trustees by Gov. Charlie Crist.

The term for Kirton, owner of Physical Therapy of Okeechobee, would end May 31, 2010. Senate confirmation is required.

Today is Election Day for some in county

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 06:14:32 +0000

BROOKSVILLE Check your voter card. If you live in Florida District 43, today is Election Day for you.

Four candidates are vying for the seat, which represents all of Citrus County and portions of Marion, Levy and Hernando counties.

The district has roughly 111,000 registered voters, with 12,456 in Hernando County.

Today's election will fill House seat

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 06:14:32 +0000

A low turnout is expected as four candidates vie for the District 43 post.

A block of voters in Hernando County head to the polls today to decide a special election for state House District 43.

The 12, 459 registered voters in Hernando will choose from four candidates: Democrat Sophia Diaz-Fonseca of Inverness, Republican Ron Schultz of Homosassa, Independent David J. Gregory of Homosassa and write-in contender H. David Werder of Hudson.

Today's Letters: Commissioners watch out for us

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 06:14:32 +0000

A misguided courtesy leads to faulty governing June 21 editorial

This editorial continues your misguided attacks on the Pasco County commissioners. Pasco has had, and continues to have, severe problems dealing with land development. But the County Commission is not the problem. Your editorial writer would have done better to focus on the process, rather than the people.

The combination of a timid county attorney, a compliant Development Review Committee and a loosely written land development code has repeatedly led to the threat of legal challenge in any situation where developers do not get everything they request. The elected county commissioners remain the last appeal for an aggrieved citizenry for whom 30-day notice is the only courtesy offered before decisions severely affecting their quality of life are rendered.

Two prison firms cleared

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 06:14:32 +0000

The FDLE's report on $12.7M in overpayments finds no intent to steal.

TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Department of Law Enforcement closed an investigation and cleared two private prison companies of criminal charges Monday.

Lawmakers had asked FDLE to investigate for criminal activity, after state auditors reported that the companies improperly collected more than $12.7-million in overpayments.