Friday Evening in Sarasota - As I look out my office window I see the sun is setting on what has been another spectacular Southwest Florida winter day. Through the wall I hear music coming from the Lemon Avenue Mall (it must be First Friday), proof that the days when outdoor music was banished downtown are truly behind us. All in all life is pretty good in Sarasota for the vast majority of us, and for those for whom it might not be there is great energy in this community to try to make a difference for them as well. No message, no agenda, and no point of view here, just call it a brief stop to smell the roses. Have a great weekend, Sarasota!
posted by Michael McNees at 6:21 PM
42 Comments:
Mr Mcnees, you are so right. Sarasota is a great place to live and work. I too was at Lemon Av. on friday night and had the same thought about outdoor music, dining and the the overall picture of downtown. And believe it or not I had no problem finding a parking space. The growth of downtown is the most important issue we face. It is the future of our city.
This city is a destination and just keeps getting more and more exciting to visit. I think we are really creating a walkable city. We just need to make sure all the eggs do not get put into the Pineapple Square basket because there are many areas that still need help.
I can tell you that all the business people in downtown are not thrilled by the Pineapple Square deal. Many were sold on the project but the deal the city just made was not made public and many spoke in support without knowing how bad the deal was to the city. People are still confused what is being asked for because no honest dialog is taking place, it is spin city when it comes to the commissioners comments or Simons presentations. Commissioners are puppets in this game and they do not even realize how they are being played!
It would be a much better event if it started at 5PM instead of 6PM. The reality is, most of the people that work downtown don't live downtown. The goal of the organizers, by starting the event at 6PM, is to drive them to bars and restaurants for an hour first. That's a bit short sighted. Many of those same people never go to bars after work but would go to an after-work outdoor event. After-work is 5 not 6. So, instead of waiting around for an hour, they go home and go elsewhere and do whatever they would normally do on a Friday. I counted only about 120 people at the event at about 7PM on Friday. I've been to most of the monthly events. For the number of months it's been going on there should be a better turnout. I think the 6PM start time is the main culprit in the low attendance.
Some thought to some family oriented attractions at the event might be in order to encourage spouses to come downtown with the kids and meet the husband or wife who works there. Right now, the only attraction is beer, wine and music. Not exactly anyone's idea of a place for kids.
As far as live music coming back downtown, yes. When the competitors of the Lemon Coast managed to get that business killed off, suddenly live music and noise was no longer an issue.
Reading and hearing many points of views about the Pineapple Square "deal" made by our City Commission. This appears to not be fair to the tax payers and their resources. If this is really the taxpayers money and land and not the sole property of our Commissioners then how could they negotiate a deal by themselves over the past several months? The fact that the City Staff, Consultants and Appraisers only had the proposal from this developer for two months to study and work on is a clear message that the commission did not care what anyone else thinks. Many of the speakers are now saying they did not now the details when they stood up and spoke in favor of this development. How can the Commissioners not realize the difference between supporting a development and the details in the deal. They are two different subjects and it is not good policy for them to confuse the two. The people of Sarasota deserve better from our policy setters. We deserve more accountability for decisions being made.
Can you help the merchants downtown understand how the Pineapple Square parking garage that the city is contributing into by building 350 public parking spaces will help our downtown parking problems?
We believe the consultants analysis that the project is going to generate a need for additional parking and not provide additional parking to other merchants not part of Pineapple Square.
We feel a parking structure on the State Street lot would have benefited more customers and more businesses in our downtown.
The writer who suggested that Main St after 5 be attractive to families with kids is way off. Couples with children should be either home or at a family style restaurant, not outside bars in the street. Why cant we have a strictly adults only event, is that so wrong?
Bring back fireworks on New Year's Eve. That was great in 2000-2001!
Also, do you realize First Watch requires its employees to park at Marina Jack and walk to work in the dark at 6am and to walk down the alley behind the building so they will not come in the front doors? Is this not dangerous for young women to be doing? Parking lots for those who work downtown would be good - what about building a parking garage a few stories high on the City Hall parking lot? Or the city lot behind First Watch area? I doubt Pineapple Square will want those working downtown to park there, or anyone not doing business with them for that matter.
The schedule for channel 19 on the city web-site is frequently not updated. For instance, today (2/15) it shows 1/30-2/6.
Lots of people refer to the schedule and opt to watch meetings on TV. Is keeping the schedule updated a function of the city or the county? How can it be kept current? It would actually be convenient if a two-week schedule could be published.
There was a wonderful essay in TIME magazine by Andrew Sullivan about "The Year We Questioned Authority, For President Bush and other public figures, it was the end of the free pass".
"We tend to think democracies come truly alive only when we elect or throw out a President or Congressman or Senator. But the truth is that sometimes the democratic spirit is more vibrant in the intervals. Democracy is rooted in the impertinent belief that our rulers are no better than we are and that they are answerable always. We're occasionally amazed to discover that people who are used to power forget that. That"s why, every now and again, we have to remind them. In that sense, 2005 was a great year for democracy. Because it was born this time after the votes were counted."
I guess the person replying to my post about the Downtown After 5 event missed my point. If it was supposed to be an "adults only" event, it is never going to work as it is supposedly meant to attract people who work downtown. Many of those people have spouses and children and do not hang out and drink on the street after work without their spouse. Especially when it means having to hang out for an extra hour before the event even begins meaning they are now an hour later getting home to their family. The spouse is not going to hire a babysitter and leave the kids at home for such an event, so unless the event has a broader reach, it is bound to fail. Almost every event in the downtown involves public drinking, which is kind of funny if the response is that we need more adults only events. There seems to be no lack of them if the attitude is children shouldn't be present on the street where there is public drinking.
As for New Year's Eve, the next year's event got basically rained out. The year after that, planning fell apart, and it was a good thing as the weather was also terrible that year. It was never revived after that. Unfortunately, it is very expensive to put on an event in downtown Sarasota. NYE probably costs about $60,000+ to put on with all the stages and entertainment, police, garbage pickup, etc.
On a related issue:
For some reason, the city waives all fees for the Film Festival giving them every city service, (police, garbage pickup, etc.) that other events, that actually raise money for real charities, (as opposed to a supposed "charity" that simply puts on $100 a ticket parties for rich people and has an overpaid staff working one month out of the year), have to pay for. Has the city ever seen an independent audit of the Film Festival? One that accounts for all the tickets printed and given to their BOD for all the events? I'd wager the answer to that is no. As long as the City is basically willing to subsidize a bunch of parties for their sponsors they have no reason to control expenses.
I heard that the City Commissioners read this blog. I hope so! I attended the Kennedy King Dinner on Saturday night. I was ashamed and appalled that our three Democrats on the City Commission had the audacity to stand up in front of the crowd and pat themselves on the back. All three, Mayor Servian, Commissioner Atkins, and Commissioner Shelin! How can any of you sit at a Democrat event and say you're doing a great job, when under your watch, you let the City of Sarasota pass it's no camping law (a law against the homeless) thus winning us the title of the Meanest City in America. Where are your values? Instead of patting yourselves on the back, you should be ashamed that you let this happen.
There is a well known joke in Sarasota that if at an event more than 5 people attend, they bring out the Budweiser trucks. Party on! BTW,I'm sure once the condos get full downtown that will be the day the music dies. Hate to be negative, but that is Sarasota!
There is a well known joke in Sarasota that if at an event more than 5 people attend, they bring out the Budweiser trucks. Party on! BTW,I'm sure once the condos get full downtown that will be the day the music dies. Hate to be negative, but that is Sarasota!
I saw the Pineapple Square project presented at the Downtown Partnership Forum, and I thought it was great. You people crying about the parking problem, should get a grip. Developments like this don't come around often in a downtown, and in fact, most towns our size would give away the key to the city to a developer bringing in this level of project. I think the City could have given the lot on State street away for free, and not required any parking, and it still will be good for the community. We can build a parking garage on the City hall parking lot that would have 800 spaces of dedicated parking, and nobody would even remember the conflict.
I am tired of hearing about this meanest city issue. We don't have a homeless problem. Infact our homeless citizens are taken care of quite nicely, and rarely stay homeless for long. What we have is a Vagrancy problem, and when you take away the persons with mental issues, you are left with the bottom feeders who could care less about having a roof over their head. I say to those people complaining about the camping ordinance, send the police department your name and address and ask them to deliver all homeless people to your front door step. I will leave their disposition in your capable hands. You can let them sleep inside or out, front yard or back. Plenty of room for those poor creatures that are just "down on their luck." Oh yeah, I hope you got plenty of beer! Maybe they can read your latest issue of TIME magazine, and complain about politicians.
I do not know many people that are against the Pineapple Square project but I do hear a lot of people are against the deal the city is doing with the project.
Anyone who combines the two issues are not looking out for the city's best interests.
It is possible to get a good development and a good deal for the city at the same time. At this point we are just giving the developer the State Street land to build as they wish (a very sizable retail and condo project, making them tons of money) in exchange for 1 million dollars (I feel like I am in an Austin Powers movie) and rights to build 350 parking spaces in their other development on Pineapple. Oh, and the city is paying to construct those public parking spaces.
You know, this just seems like an unfair trade without the city getting a piece of the profit from State Street project. Since when is the public just handing over our tax money to developers? What happened to the big greedy developers everyone talks about? Has this group done such a good PR job that everyone has lost their minds and just give them everythings they want and the profits too?
And, does the contract make them have the retail spaces occupied by a certain date? Is it not important to make sure they bring the tenants or is this just a trust thing too?
I agree we do not have a homeless problem and our homeless are taken care of quite well. We have a vagrancy problem with the people that choose to be on the streets. These people are hostile, aggressive and destructive and if this ordinance helps the people who life and work within our city then that is a great thing. Anyone who really thinks that this city is "mean" to it's homeless is someone that is not involved or volunteering to help those in real need. And, I liked the idea of all those that think the ordinance is stupid, sign up and give us your address and we will post it for those that cannot find their way to one of our many shelters.
Also, I thought it was really interesting that the Salvation Army does not charge one penny for the homeless to stay in their shelter. It is a con artist who asks you for $8 so they can have a bed at the Salvation Army. We need to get a grip on reality hear and know there are people that need help and there are people who only what to take advantage of a situation.
I disagree with young children attending downtown after 5, if we need family events then lets get some.
I agree that the city gives away too many freebies to the Film Festival, that gives nothing back to the city. An audit would be nice.
I agree with the vagrancy problem its out of control and needs to be dealt with. We are being mislead by the bleeding hearts.
I agree with the New Years Eve block party. Have the City endorse that instead of the Film Fesitval.
The only reason they bring out the beer trucks for any event is the event organizers have no, or very little, financial support and sponsors, so selling beer is the quickest and easiest way to make money for the charity and to pay for the event. Cities across the country put on events without selling beer on the streets. The difference there is the local merchants foot the bill for the event and make the money back by the thousands of people they attract to the event who then are shopping, dining and drinking in their establishments. For some reason, in Sarasota, many of the businesses seem to think that thousands of people being attracted to downtown is a nuisance for them instead of supporting the event as a great marketing opportunity.
To 2/17 4:43. You obviously don't know what you're talking about. The Salvation Army doesn't charge you IF you agree to go through their case management. That involves being preached to! Have you ever looked at the website for the Salvation Army?? Talk about SCAREY FUDAMENTALISTS!!! Have you ever noticed how the American people have been more than happy to turn the poor, the addicted, the mentally ill, and the homeless over to religious groups? It's a disgrace that people have to pray with these Christian groups before they can receive help. Have you ever noticed that it's just the Christians who do this? Wierd, huh? The Jewish groups in town don't make you listen to a sermon, or post religious statements all over the place (like the Salvation Army does) before they help you!! AND then you have an armed police force who just wants them all to disappear, or just go to Bradenton, or like you just try to convince everybody that it's just a vagrancy problem! It's a disgrace that we don't have a City Manager and City Commissioners with some backbone. And, I'll say it again, Servian, Shelin, and Atkins should be ashamed of themselves, instead of getting up before a room full of fellow Democrats and patting themselves on the back.
Whats wrong with beer trucks?
And I notice that the Channel 19 schedule still is not updated. (See previous post.) Can you help us with this?
I think the channel 19 program is run by the City Auditor and Clerks office, I suggest you contact them.
What's wrong with Salvation Army offering a little religion to anyone passing through their door. I bet you didn't have a problem with Gifts from God's requiring prayer with their food distribution business. Folks like you are pathetic, you claim to care about the homeless, but yet you never offered them a place to sleep for the night. Well the Salvation Army has done that, and a hell of a lot more. So instead of insulting them, and every other church based organization, why don't you put your money where your big mouth is. The truth is you won't, because in your Democratic mind, you think that the Government should be the ones providing this service, and what the heck, throw in free homes, free cars, free healthcare, and everything else. It will be a Eutopia! Of course the tax rate will be 98 percent, but no matter. Well I say, let's let the only people that seem willing to help, even knowing that people like you will criticize, and that is the faith-based groups.
To 2/18 7:07. You just don't get it, do you? But then you live in your own little world, don't you, where everything is just and orderly; and if you're underprivileged, it just has to be your own fault, right? If you don't see a problem with having to be preached to before you get help, then you'll never get it! Maybe you're right God does need the Salvation Army and the Christians to do his work because he/she apparently hasn't been able to do it alone. If he/she could, we wouldn't need any intervention now would we? I wonder if, while being forced to listen to the spiel of the Fundamentalists Salvation Army (notice Army in their title), telling them that God will answer all their prayers, they wonder where he/she's been?
Who is the mayor of this city?!?!
To 2/19 10:21, wrong again! I don't go to church, nor do I consider myself a religious person, and I certainly don't think things are all "just and orderly." The difference is, unlike you, I am wise enough to acknowledge that listening to someone's point of view on religion, in exchange for some free food and shelter, is not unreasonable - especially when noone is forcing the person to go there in the first place. What's more, only a fool would speak down on an organization that has done so many good things for mankind, a feat that I am quite sure you have never attempted. You see, I am a realist, not a idealist like you. What's real is that there are people who are hungry, and there are people willing to help them. I don't care if they call themselves The Salvation Terrorists, if they want to help people by feeding and sheltering them, and oh by the way, telling them about a way of life that works for them, than so be it. How is that a negative thing. Now I ask you the same question as before - the question you and everyone like you is ashamed to self apply. If you really care for these vagrants, then why don't you help them personally? Why don't you offer them the use of your spare bedroom until they get back on their feet? Don't bother answering, I already know your response.
Charles Senf, here.
I read "Anonymous said...I heard that the City Commissioners read this blog. I hope so! I attended the Kennedy King Dinner on Saturday night. I was ashamed and appalled that our three Democrats on the City Commission had the audacity to stand up in front of the crowd and pat themselves on the back."
And had to respond. When Mayor Servian patted herself (and the two other Democrats on the commission) on the back at that dinner, it was for voting againt the 17th Street Connector.
I, too, was there. She is proud of what the Ciy has become and where its going. She's a cheerleader, alright.
But to fault her for leading the cheer for the City and her fellow commissioners at a party dinner is a bit much.
Elsewhere in these replys we read "I agree with the vagrancy problem its out of control and needs to be dealt with." And "These people are hostile, aggressive and destructive . . ."
"These people . . ." Clearly its not the leaders who are hostile to the plight of the less fortunate if we are to assume these anonymous folks are at all representative of our small community.
While I'm on the subject of caring for the less fortunate, let me clarify the characterizatons of that anonymous anal orifice who took the Salvation Army to task for prosletizing those who come to them for help.
Millions have received help from the Salvation Army, nay millions of millions. And the Army simply does not care what your faith may be and certainly never conditions aid on such criteria.
There aren't many WWII vets left, but ask them about the Salvation Army's reputation during that war.
My mom and her siblings sang on the streets of Irland and America with the band and our family has lots of "preacers" in its ranks. But Fundamentalist Christians? Nah, I don't think so.
Good Christians, attempting to practice what they preach, maybe. Doing an imperfect job of it the day you showed up, maybe. But their hearts are in the ight place and they don't desrve such attacks from someone afraid to sign themselves to a post.
Charles Senf
Since you have apparently never been inside the Salvation Army, just check out their website and then tell me AGAIN that they're not Christian Fundamentalists! My original point was in response to the person who said YOU DIDN'T have to pay at the Salvation Army. That's CRAP! If you have to turn to the Salvation Army for needed help, AND you don't have any money, YOU HAVE TO go through their case management (that includes religion). If you can pay, well then that's a different story. I think it's CREEPY to force people who need help to listen to sermons before they help you. But then if you can be so far out there that you don't even care if they call themselves the Salvation Terrorists, then I guess you just don't understand how scarey Fundamentalists Christians are.
9:42 You are really pathetic. Why don't you think before you type. Nobody forces anyone to go to Salvation Army, and guess what, nobody forces anyone to be a vagrant. I think if I was hungry and homeless, I would rather go to the Salvation Army and hear about religion, then beg for change on the corner or eat out of a trash can. There are more than enough opportunities for someone to get off the streets in this town, and there are plenty of jobs available which pay daily so they can get that precious $8 you are so hung up over. The mentally ill notwithstanding, those drug and alcohol addicted vagrants that cause the most problems and are most visible on the streets chose to be homeless. Don't forget that. One day they made the decision to choose a six-pack over paying the rent, and that was ok with them - and so its ok with me too. Why should we enable their addiction? Why should we help them at all? What's funny is you don't REALLY want to help them either. And not only will you not do it yourself, you go one step further and criticize groups that do. You are obviously refusing to see the reality of the situation, because you obviously have a hatred for all things religious. What is your problem? Oh wait, I get it now. You must be possessed. Yep. It makes sense to me now. Ok, no problem, even though you don’t deserve this, I will help you out. Listen up: "The body of Christ compels you. The body of Christ compels you. The body of Christ compels you. The body of Christ compels you. The body of Christ compels you. The body of Christ compels you..." There now... Feel better?
Mike, I must say goodbye to this forum. I had hopes it would turn into a strong civic discourse, an electronic town hall meeting full of intellectual challenge. Instead, it’s turned into a weedy garden bearing precious little fruit, and even less enlightenment.
Don’t know if you ever raised an animal for 4-H, but you have to tend it. Keep it away from danger, and stimulate it with affection so it can reach its potential. It’s been 10 days now since you’ve been to the barn, and look what’s happened! Your topic was, “Have a good weekend!” And your response is some very muddy thinking about the Salvation Army. Your steer has bolted the fence.
I’ve affixed my name to every post, because I am not an intellectual coward. I wish this forum well, but I’m erasing its bookmark. I suspect I am not alone. s/Stan Zimmerman
Mike,
Though I agree with Stan Z. that some of these recent comments are a bit odd, I don't think the City Manager's Blog is no longer viable. Since discovering the Blog several weeks ago, I have enjoyed reading most items, and laughed off the more wacky ones. I think you are always going to get those types on any well publicized site. Reading this latest string, it has taken an odd course through to this Salvation Army stuff. Though some of the posters express themselves a bit unprofessionally, they do make some good points. By the way to 11:18 PM I think the correct exorcism chant starts with "power of" not "body of"... However, I do agree that it is ridiculous to insult the work of the Salvation Army. Nice work, just tone it down a bit.
Mike, Stan also brings up a good point with the whole farmer analogy. You really should try to keep the Blog fresh. I really like your wit on some of these topics and entries, but without fresh topics, people may want to create their own.
Keep up the good work.
Mike:
As I recall, this site was set up as part of your effort to improve communication with the public.
If you are going to continue with this site, I strongly suggest that you reconfigure it to drop the "comments" part. If someone wants to respond to you about one of your posts, they can always send you an email.
The atmosphere is quickly degrading, and it is only a matter of time before you are forced to either heavily censor the site or shut it down completely.
What the City Manager should probably do is convert to a real discussion forum instead of a blog. In that way posts are organized according to subject instead of identical "discussions" taking place on multiple pages within a blog. A discussion forum is not the purpose of a blog and it was never designed to be one.
http://groups.yahoo.com/ might be a place to start one if there isn't one there already. A search for Sarasota shows 386 groups.
Mike:
I think this blog is a very good tool. I also think there are many ways people can communicate with you, such as your email.
I also think people have to realize this is just one way to communicate with you. You are under no obligation to immediately answer questions or follow the direction people expect of you on this blog. You do after all have a real job running the city not playing politician. So, I find it understandable you speak on this site when you can to inform people of this issues at hand.
People need to not have such demands of this site but know it for what it is. Just one tool but not the only one.
If people, like Stan Z has serious issues and needs immediate response then he should contact you on your office phone or email you directly.
I hardly want to think I am paying you to maintain this blog but am happy you spend some time giving your input and letting people write their thoughts.
Mike,
Perhaps you can require someone to register before making entries. I think the anonymous option is good in some ways but largely problematic. Anonymity may encourage suggestions, but it fosters incivility and creates a lack of accountability. Can you require posters to "login"? I know this may reduce the number of comments, but I'll take quality over quantity any day. Besides, I think that over the last few weeks the most profound and thoughtful comments are almost always made by someone providing their name. Either way, I think the Blog is a good thing, and am glad you take the time to work it. It is obvious that you and many of the City Commissioners review the blog often, and I can’t think of any other forum where this communication is so readily available.
2/20 9:42: I'm going to save your fingers. You and your opposing blogger live in separate worlds and will never agree. I'd also venture to guess you're from different generations. What was extremism 20 or 30 years ago is mainstream today. Just look at how popular Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson are in today's society. People outside of the US wonder why we've allowed religion to become so powerful in our poltics and civic affairs. It is puzzling, but I guess serves a purpose for those who don't want to have to think for themselves. Your opposer is more than happy to allow these Fundamenalists (or anyone for that matter) take care of a problem that he/she sees as a vagrancy/bum/drunkard problem. They've already said that they don't care what happens to these people, so just agree to disagree. I do want to comment on his/her exorcism comment and that he/she says that you don't have to answer because they already know what you'll say. Yet in another paragraph say they're not religious. My question is, how do you pull those two things off if you're merely human? Those are great feats that I would think would be left to more powerful sources. Not religious, I don't think so.
To 2/20 9:42: I do give up on that one. What bothers me is that in their first comment, they sound like they work in law enforcement (you know the - give the police your name and adress and the - I'll leave their disposition in your hands) . I hope not, since it will be another (or the same) employee who has already admitted that they are a police officer and could care less about what happens to the homeless in our community. Yet, they have a job where they have to work with them in a civil and humane way. Scares me!
Read Paul Harris' entire article in the Guardian Unlimited dated 2/19 titled "37 Million Poor Hidden in the Land of Plenty". Here's a sampling..
Dealing with poverty is not a viable political issue in America. It jars with a cultural sense that the poor bring things upon themselves and that every American is born with the same chances in life. It also runs counter to the strong anti-government current in modern American politics. Yet the problem will not disappear..
In America, to be poor is a stigma. In a country which celebrates individuality and the goal of giving everyone an equal opportunity to make it big, those in poverty are often blamed for their own situation. Experience on the ground does little to bear that out. When people are working two jobs at a time and still failing to earn enough to feed their families, it seems impossible to call them lazy or selfish. There seems to be a failure in the system, not the poor themselves.
It is an impression backed up by many of those mired in poverty in Oklahoma and Kentucky. Few asked for handouts. Many asked for decent wages. 'It is unfair. I am working all the time and so what have I done wrong?' says Freda Lee. But the economy does not seem to be allowing people to make a decent living. It condemns the poor to stay put, fighting against seemingly impossible odds or to pull up sticks and try somewhere else..
Or they are people like Tammy Reinbold, 37. She works part-time and her husband works full-time. They have two children yet rely on the food handouts. 'The church is all we have to fall back on,' she says. She is right. When government help is being cut and wages are insufficient, churches often fill the gap. The needy gather to receive food boxes. They listen to a preacher for half an hour on the literal truth of the Bible. Then he asks them if they want to be born again. Three women put up their hands..
Some of those tragedies in Tulsa end up in the care of Steve Whitaker, a pastor who runs a homeless mission in the shadow of a freeway overpass.
Each day the homeless and the drug addicted gather here, looking for a bed for the night. Some also want a fresh chance. They are men like Mark Schloss. The former Wal-Mart manager entered a world of drug addiction and alcoholism until he wound up with Whitaker. Now he is back on track, sporting a silver ring that says Faith, Hope, Love. 'Without this place I would be in prison or dead,' he says. But Whitaker equates saving lives with saving souls. Those entering the mission's rehabilitation programme are drilled in Bible studies and Christianity. At 6ft 5in and with a black belt in karate, Whitaker's Christianity is muscular both literally and figuratively. 'People need God in their lives,' he says.
These are mean streets. Tulsa is a city divided like the country. Inside a building run by Whitaker's staff in northern Tulsa a group of 'latch-key kids' are taking Bible classes after school while they wait for parents to pick them up. One of them is Taylor Finley, aged nine. Wearing a T-shirt with an American flag on the front, she dreams of travel. 'I want to have fun in a new place, a new country,' she says..
What happened to the all knowing, all seeing blogger. The one who's not religious?
Hi,
I've never been to Sarasota, that I remember, but am writing a piece on The Salvation Army in BC Canada.
Beginning with a description of their new HQ in the middle of London England http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1391846,00.html, to help 'the poor' and commenting on the lifestyle of their General.
By typing 'salvation marines' into Google's search I found an amusing presentation of what seems to be the the publics' perception of The Salvation Army here in Vancouver BC, with increasing homelessness and poverty providing audiences for wealthy adult aged children here.
I'm writing a BLOG myself, GlobalCanada, and would appreciate any feedback about my concerns.
Just now however, I'd better get busy or my wife will take my computer away.
A Bryan Clifford
bryan_clifford@shaw.ca
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