FLORIDA DIGEST January 5, 2007

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The Miami Herald

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/states/florida/counties/broward_county/16387000.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp


Posted on Fri, Jan. 05, 2007

FORT LAUDERDALE

Mayor scrutinizes Commissioner Moore's bar visit
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugleconsiders whether to seek an investigationinto Commissioner Carlton Moore's actions at a downtown bar.

BY ERIKA BOLSTAD
ebolstad@MiamiHerald.com

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle said Thursday he wants to know exactly whathappened last weekend during an encounter between a fellow city commissionerand police.

Naugle said he has asked the city manager for copies of witness statementsto police and will then determine whether to ask for an independentinvestigation into Commissioner Carlton Moore's actions.

''I'm just gathering information,'' Naugle said. ``I want to hear that sideof it, if that information is available to me. I've made it very clear thatI don't want to be given anything that I'm not entitled to.''



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The Miami Herald

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/16387048.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp


Posted on Fri, Jan. 05, 2007

MASS TRANSIT
County considers steering Metrorail to airport

Miami-Dade is looking at scenarios to supplant a people mover into MIA,which could save the airport $180 million and shift responsibility toanother agency.
BY LARRY LEBOWITZ
llebowitz@MiamiHerald.com



Miami-Dade Transit is quietly trying to find a way to run Metrorail directlyinto Miami International Airport, a move that could potentially save thefinancially strapped airport $180 million.

Transit consultants are working on an array of scenarios to add to thecurrent $523 million plan to extend Metrorail 2.4 miles from the EarlingtonHeights station into the Miami Intermodal Center, under construction east ofthe airport.

If county officials succeed -- and it's a very big ''if'' at this point --by 2012 a passenger arriving at MIA might be able to catch a single trainall the way into downtown Miami or the popular Dadeland stations at thesouthern end of the original Metrorail line.

''I've always felt that Metrorail should have gone into the airport, and I'mhoping that's what we can do,'' Transit Director Roosevelt Bradley said in atelephone interview.



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Herald Tribune

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20070104&Category=APF&ArtNo=701043598&SectionCat=&Template=printart


Article published Jan 4, 2007

Big business lobby: don't force lower rates
BY DAVID ROYSE


ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

Floridians may be asking politicians to do something quickly aboutskyrocketing property insurance rates. But a powerful business lobby warnedThursday that not everyone thinks fixing the state's insurance problem meanslowering premiums right away.

A coalition of business groups led by Associated Industries of Floridarecommended several things lawmakers should do when they meet in specialsession later this month to deal with insurance rates. Not among them,however, is anything that would quickly reduce premiums.

As the insurance industry has long argued, the business-backed "FloridaHurricane Crisis Coalition" said that rather than rates being too high, insome cases they may be too low, and that's why many insurance companies areshedding policies or seeking to raise premiums. Most ideas for lowering themare a bad idea, the group says.




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The Miami Herald

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/16387107.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp


Posted on Fri, Jan. 05, 2007

REPUBLICANS
Crist's pick to head party fuels discord

The head of Florida's GOP did not endorse Gov. Crist's choice to run theparty, hinting at her own reelection.
BY BETH REINHARD
breinhard@MiamiHerald.com

Just days after his inauguration, Gov. Charlie Crist is facing the firstchallenge to his leadership -- and it's coming from the leader of his ownparty.

Carole Jean Jordan, chairwoman of the Florida Republican Party, was expectedto endorse the governor's choice to replace her: Jim Greer, vice mayor ofOviedo and an energetic leader of Crist's campaign in Central Florida.

Instead, Jordan has distributed a letter extolling her ownaccomplishments -- and failing to mention Greer's name. A few of hersupporters are sending out e-mail missives tearing Greer down.

Though Jordan's letter does not explicitly say she is running forreelection, it notes that the governor's choice to lead the party is only aconsideration, not a mandate.

Party leaders are not pleased.



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tampabay.com

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/01/05/news_pf/State/Fla_leaders_don_t_all.shtml


Fla. leaders don't all use blind trusts
By JENNIFER LIBERTO, Times Staff Writer
Published January 5, 2007



TALLAHASSEE - Only two of the four members of Florida's Cabinet arefollowing the advice of the state Ethics Commission and putting theirpersonal financial assets in a blind trust to avoid conflicts of interest.

Gov. Charlie Crist and Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink are setting uptrusts, which will manage their money while they handle statewide mattersthat often directly affect the financial well-being of private companies andlandowners.

But Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson doesn't plan to use a trust,and Attorney General Bill McCollum remains undecided.

The Ethics Commission made its recommendation last year after it wasrevealed that then-Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher was investing ininsurance companies while he served as state insurance commissioner. Thecommission suggested that the use of trusts, in which the owner surrendersdirect control over his or her assets, would free officials to makedecisions without knowing how it might affect them personally.



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http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBHU8Y1KWE.html


Crist Selects 2nd Democrat Leader
By DAVID ROYSE The Associated Press

Published: Jan 5, 2007




TALLAHASSEE - On Thursday, Tallahassee Police Chief Walt McNeil was named byGov. Charlie Crist to lead the state Department of Juvenile Justice, anagency that has been under fire over the death of a teen at a sheriff's bootcamp.

The Republican governor announced that McNeil will take over from AnthonySchembri, who has run the agency since 2004.

McNeil is a Democrat, the second to be tapped by Crist to lead a stateagency, along with Department of Children & Families Secretary BobButterworth, who served four terms as state attorney general.

"Excellent, excellent, excellent," was the reaction of Sen. Tony Hill,D-Jacksonville, the chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, which hascriticized the agency.

Hill said McNeil, who is black, will have credibility and that the pickshows Crist is sensitive to the black community's concerns.



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From Paul Harris
Publisher
The Independent


Indy Theater Club Offer! - Go see "Kiss Of The Spiderwoman" at a DiscountPrice

Great news! Our friends at the Public Theatre of South Florida have offeredus a discount on the price of tickets to this Sunday matinee's performanceof "Kiss Of The Spiderwoman." The performance, the first after the 'openingnight,' is this Sunday (January 7) at 2pm. Tickets will be $15 so long asyou remember to mention THE INDEPENDENT when you purchase your tickets whenyou call 954.427 0784.

The play ran in NYC and in London. It was also turned into a highlysuccessful film starring William Hurt and Raúl Juliá. Hurt won the AcademyAward for Best Actor for his role, and the film received three othernominations. Then it was turned into a stage musical by the writing team ofKander and Ebb, who are of course most famous for "Cabaret."

Without giving too much away the play is about two very different men havingto share a prison cell. Luis, a homosexual, is found guilty of immoralbehavior while Valentin is a political prisoner. During the time they spendtogether the two men come to understand and respect one another even thoughthey are, or think they are, very different.

The production stars one of South Florida's leading actors, MichaelMcKeever, and David Perez-Ribada. It is directed by Stuart Meltzer.

Readers of "THE INDEPENDENT" are invited to see "Kiss Of The Spiderwoman" onSunday, January 7 at 2pm. For tickets at the SPECIAL price of $15 call954.427 0784. REMEMBER TO MENTION "THE INDEPENDENT" for the special offer.Performances are at the Soref J.C.C. (6501 West Sunrise Blvd.), three lightswest of the Turnpike. It is easy to get to and there is good free parking.




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GLCC - LAST CHANCE FOR STARS OF THE RAINBOW ADS

Stars of the Rainbow is the premier fundraising event for the GLCC, at which honorees are recognized for their contributions to our community. This year’s event will be held at Hyatt Regency - Pier 66, on 17th Street Causeway, aboard the Grand Floridian Yacht. The GLCC is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.

THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO PURCHASE AN AD FOR THIS YEAR'S EVENT.
INVITATIONS HAVE BEEN MAILED AND THE HONOREES HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED.

We are in the process of putting together our program and sponsorship opportunities. We would like to offer you this opportunity to congratulate THE honorees: Commissioner Keechl; Tuesday's Angels; Bob & Hal Bernier-Peterson; LeAnna Bradley; Alison Burgos; BPG (Business & Professional Group); Sonia Mitchell; Series2006FTL - show your support and support the community center.

[ ] Outside Back (4.75” x 8”) $1,500
[ ] Centerfold (2 pages) $1,250
[ ] Inside Front (4.75” x 8”) $750-SOLD
[ ] Full Page (4.75” x 8”) $500
[ ] Half Page (4.75” x 4”) $300
[ ] Business Card $100

PROGRAM SIZE (5.25 x 8.5) COLOR portrait format, ads must be received
camera-ready

TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE BUT THERE IS A LIMITED CAPACITY ON THE YACHT.
PLEASE RSVP TODAY SO YOU "DON'T MISS THE BOAT!"

FOR TICKETS OR AD INQUIRIES CONTACT: NICOLE MARTIN 954-463-9005 X.227 (NICOLE@GLCCSF.ORG)



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