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The Miami Herald
October 16, 2006
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/15769031.htm
BROWARD QUESTIONS
The final two of four questions facing all Broward voters on the Nov. 7 ballot are nonbinding.
`PORTABILITY'
QUESTION
This asks if home sellers should be able to transfer their Save Our Homescap on property taxes to a new home -- called ''portability.'' Thanks to thecap and recent rises in property taxes, long-time homeowners now face a hugetax increase when they sell and buy another home. Still, voters should say No.
Portability could have unintended consequences, too. The issue is best leftto the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which next year will reviewthe entire state tax structure. On the portability question The Miami Heraldrecommends NO.
WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
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http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/opinion/15760851.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
We recommend ...
Governor of Florida: Charlie Crist
Whoever follows in the footsteps of Jeb Bush as governor of Floridawill need big feet. Bush has cut a wide swath through the Tallahasseebureaucracy in his nearly eight years at the state's helm. While we haveoften disagreed with him on key policy issues, there is no denying that hehas had a profound impact on state government; he will leave a vacuum thatwill be difficult to fill.
We believe the candidate most qualified to try filling that vacuum isRepublican Charlie Crist. The somewhat enigmatic attorney general and formerstate senator offers Floridians a strong, indeed charismatic, style ofleadership that should help him emerge from his predecessor's shadow andkeep Florida on the forward-moving course it has been following under Bush.Crist is the most likely successor to push forward the major Bushinitiatives: pro-active wooing of high-tech biomedical companies to broadenthe state's employment and tax base, persistent pursuit of accountability inpublic schools, steady oversight and reform of outdated growth-managementpolicies, a tight fist on spending and taxes and a vigilant eye on hurricanepreparedness.
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http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/elections/orl-amendments1606oct16,0,893632.story?coll=orl-home-headlines
ELECTION 2006
At polls, you'll decide on 6 amendments
A proposal to make it more difficult to pass future amendments is drawingfire.
Etan Horowitz
Sentinel Staff Writer
October 16, 2006
Over the years, state voters have approved amendments to Florida'sconstitution to limit class size, ban smoking in most public places andrestrict property taxes.
They've also voted to build a bullet train and then voted not to build it,and they drew national ridicule by approving a provision to protect pregnantpigs.
On Nov. 7, voters will be asked to restrict their own ability to change theblueprint of Florida's government. Amendment 3 would require that all futureballot questions gain 60 percent of the vote for passage instead of thesimple majority required now.
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The Miami Herald
October 16, 2006
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15769005.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
Till's fate as superintendent awaits vote by School Board
Recent frustration over a land deal in the Broward school district has
provided an opportunity for board members who want to fire Superintendent
Frank Till.
BY HANNAH SAMPSON AND NIRVI SHAH
hsampson@MiamiHerald.com
Seven years ago, Broward School Board members were swept off their feet byFrank Till, the man they believed would fix their struggling urban districtand mend fractured ties with the community.
He is certain not to receive the same unanimous support on Tuesday, whenboard members vote on a measure to fire him with nine months left on hiscontract.
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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-celxcom3oct16,0,5106414.story?coll=sfla-news-broward
Ex-legislator faces physician for seat on County Commission
By Elizabeth Baier
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
October 16, 2006
Political newcomer John Irving Halpern and former state Rep. Stacy Ritterwill face off in November to represent voters in Broward County CommissionDistrict 3.
A political veteran, this is Ritter's sixth race for public office. Herfirst campaign was in 1996, when she was elected to serve as a statelegislator in west Broward. She served until 2004, when she was term-limitedout.
Halpern, a physician and medical director of the emergency department atCoral Springs Medical Center, has never run for public office. He said hedecided to run for county commissioner when he noticed many of the nurses heworks with started moving out of the state because of the rising cost ofliving in South Florida.
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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-sjones16oct16,0,3210434.story?coll=sfla-news-broward
Short-timer on Broward board faces big decision on Till
By Douane D. James
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
October 16, 2006
When he sits behind the dais during Broward County School Board meetings,Albert C. "Al" Jones knows he doesn't have a lot of time.
No matter, said Jones, a career educator who has yearned for years to serveon the board.
"I only have a minute, and within that minute, so many things I'd like todo," said Jones, who was appointed to the board last month by Gov. Jeb Bushto fill a temporary vacancy.
In November, voters will determine who fills that vacancy for the next fouryears. Jones was sworn in Oct. 3, and his term as one of nine board membersends after the election.
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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-celxmoney16oct16,0,6598866.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines
Shaw, Klein intensify efforts to win U.S. House District 22
By Anthony Man
Political Writer
October 16, 2006
U.S. House candidates Clay Shaw and Ron Klein each raised about $10,000 aday during the latest fundraising period, but new reports filed Sundayshowed Klein burning cash faster than Shaw, leaving the incumbent with moremoney to buy TV ads during the crucial final weeks of the campaign.
Don't count challenger Klein out of the money race, however. Later thisweek, he brings in one of the Democratic Party's biggest stars, formerPresident Bill Clinton, for a fundraiser in West Palm Beach.Brian Smoot, Klein's campaign manager, said the event could raise $500,000.Reports filed Sunday with the Federal Election Commission show Shaw, a26-year incumbent Republican from Fort Lauderdale, raised $471,000 from Aug.17 through Sept. 30, bringing his total for the campaign to $3.7 million.
He spent $1.4 million during the 45-day period, leaving him with $1.9million in the bank.Klein, a 14-year Democratic state legislator from Boca Raton, raised$437,000 during the same time, bringing his campaign total to $3.2 million.
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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-ctill16oct16,0,218869.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines
Push to fire Broward schools chief a polarizing issue among educators,parents
By Jean-Paul Renaud and Buddy Nevins
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
October 16, 2006
The combat over Superintendent Frank Till and the leadership of the nation'ssixth-largest public school district is waged in private meetings, e-mailsand telephone conversations.
The call to action resonates among parents, teachers, politicians andbusiness leaders.
"It's the nature of the beast," said member Marty Rubinstein, who is one oftwo on the nine-member board backing the superintendent's removal onTuesday. "It's a polarizing issue and people will line up on both sides."
The fight began when member Stephanie Kraft announced she would ask forTill's resignation. After more than seven years of his holding the reins,the district has drifted into ineptitude and inefficiency, she said.
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