Comments for voteheather2008.com Blog http://voteheather2008.com/blog Here are some of my thoughts. Please share yours! Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:01:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 Comment on Government Enterprise by Heather_Carruthers http://voteheather2008.com/blog/2008/10/10/government-enterprise/#comment-63 Heather_Carruthers Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:05:53 +0000 http://voteheather2008.com/blog/2008/10/10/government-enterprise/#comment-63 Hi Jim - Yes, I'm aware of these beaches and also that the beach near your runway is an "unofficial" nude beach. The discussion at the Guild forum was about beaches in Key West, the city with the racier character in the County. Maybe we should think about making the Boca Chica beach an "official" nude beach . . . Heather Hi Jim -

Yes, I’m aware of these beaches and also that the beach near your runway is an “unofficial” nude beach. The discussion at the Guild forum was about beaches in Key West, the city with the racier character in the County. Maybe we should think about making the Boca Chica beach an “official” nude beach . . .

Heather

]]> Comment on Government Enterprise by Jim Brooks http://voteheather2008.com/blog/2008/10/10/government-enterprise/#comment-60 Jim Brooks Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:06:55 +0000 http://voteheather2008.com/blog/2008/10/10/government-enterprise/#comment-60 Heather- County has other "beaches" other than just Higgs Beach. County has a license with the Navy at the "beach" on Old Boca Chica Road. It's already an unofficial "nude" beach and has been for the time I've been here (4 years). The county also owns a waterfront "park" on Ramrod Key. It's an unofficial dog park now. Jim Heather-

County has other “beaches” other than just Higgs Beach. County has a license with the Navy at the “beach” on Old Boca Chica Road. It’s already an unofficial “nude” beach and has been for the time I’ve been here (4 years). The county also owns a waterfront “park” on Ramrod Key. It’s an unofficial dog park now.

Jim

]]> Comment on Rumors . . . by Heather_Carruthers http://voteheather2008.com/blog/2008/09/19/rumors/#comment-59 Heather_Carruthers Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:50:56 +0000 http://voteheather2008.com/blog/2008/09/19/rumors/#comment-59 Thank you, John. I must say that I am extremely frustrated by the persistence of rumors like these, now being sustained in public forums by my Republican opponent. It seems that some people misconstrue common courtesy for collusion. Anyone who knows me, who has heard me speak (not just during this campaign but throughout my civic involvement here), who has read my platform or this blog would know that my positions on issues like the role of government, unbridled development, transparency -- just about everything, really -- are quite different from those of the outgoing Commissioners and the current Mayor. That is why I am running. It is disheartening to learn that people cannot engage in the democratic process with respect and without resorting to such underhanded tactics. I just wish more folks would do a little homework and stop spreading falsehoods. Thank you, John. I must say that I am extremely frustrated by the persistence of rumors like these, now being sustained in public forums by my Republican opponent. It seems that some people misconstrue common courtesy for collusion. Anyone who knows me, who has heard me speak (not just during this campaign but throughout my civic involvement here), who has read my platform or this blog would know that my positions on issues like the role of government, unbridled development, transparency — just about everything, really — are quite different from those of the outgoing Commissioners and the current Mayor. That is why I am running. It is disheartening to learn that people cannot engage in the democratic process with respect and without resorting to such underhanded tactics. I just wish more folks would do a little homework and stop spreading falsehoods.

]]> Comment on Rumors . . . by John Murphy http://voteheather2008.com/blog/2008/09/19/rumors/#comment-51 John Murphy Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:51:39 +0000 http://voteheather2008.com/blog/2008/09/19/rumors/#comment-51 Heather, Thank you for addressing this issue. Please believe me it is important to many of us. Much time and effort was put forth in voting out two commissioners that most of us felt were way out of touch with us ordinary citizens. To think that they could continue to have influence on the commission through association with a new commissioner is frightening. You must understand that rumor or not, you need to distance yourself from these people every opportunity you get in order to convince the voters of your sincererity. Heather,

Thank you for addressing this issue. Please believe me it is important to many of us. Much time and effort was put forth in voting out two commissioners that most of us felt were way out of touch with us ordinary citizens. To think that they could continue to have influence on the commission through association with a new commissioner is frightening. You must understand that rumor or not, you need to distance yourself from these people every opportunity you get in order to convince the voters of your sincererity.

]]> Comment on Fiscal Responsibility #2 by Sue Heim http://voteheather2008.com/blog/2008/08/11/fiscal-responsibility-2/#comment-35 Sue Heim Sun, 31 Aug 2008 02:05:21 +0000 http://voteheather2008.com/blog/2008/08/11/fiscal-responsibility-2/#comment-35 selling off the Gato Building --- Might want to check the deed first, because I think it has a restriction that the bldg can not be sold. <em>Another reason this suggestion was way premature! Thanks, Sue. - Heather selling off the Gato Building —
Might want to check the deed first, because I think it has a restriction that the bldg can not be sold.

Another reason this suggestion was way premature! Thanks, Sue. - Heather

]]> Comment on Fiscal Responsibility #2 by Bill Hendry http://voteheather2008.com/blog/2008/08/11/fiscal-responsibility-2/#comment-32 Bill Hendry Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:33:34 +0000 http://voteheather2008.com/blog/2008/08/11/fiscal-responsibility-2/#comment-32 In the 1980's, I worked at Coca-Cola headquarters, in Atlanta. They used a zero based budgeting method (pioneered by Jimmy Carter as Gov. of Ga.) It required you to start with a base budget of no more than 40% of the prior year and then justify "increments" of additional money AND staff for well defined and documented reasons. It was more involved than just that, including peer reviews of requests, but the result was trash did not carry over from year to year. Just because "we always did it" didn't make it. This system certianly worked for Georgia and for Coca-Cola. It was NOT painless! But I thought it was very effective. It also made it much easier to decide where to cut, if the time came (and it often did.) In the 1980’s, I worked at Coca-Cola headquarters, in Atlanta. They used a zero based budgeting method (pioneered by Jimmy Carter as Gov. of Ga.) It required you to start with a base budget of no more than 40% of the prior year and then justify “increments” of additional money AND staff for well defined and documented reasons. It was more involved than just that, including peer reviews of requests, but the result was trash did not carry over from year to year. Just because “we always did it” didn’t make it. This system certianly worked for Georgia and for Coca-Cola. It was NOT painless! But I thought it was very effective. It also made it much easier to decide where to cut, if the time came (and it often did.)

]]> Comment on Transparency by John http://voteheather2008.com/blog/2008/06/10/transparency/#comment-17 John Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:55:07 +0000 http://voteheather2008.com/blog/2008/06/10/transparency/#comment-17 The blatant disregard that Commissioners McCoy and DiGennero have for the sunshine laws is atrocious. These guys think they are above the law and will do whatever pleases them. They have no conscious for disrespecting the public and act like bullies. These guys have got to go! They, along with the other member of the gang of three are a total embarrasement to Monroe County. The blatant disregard that Commissioners McCoy and DiGennero have for the sunshine laws is atrocious. These guys think they are above the law and will do whatever pleases them. They have no conscious for disrespecting the public and act like bullies. These guys have got to go! They, along with the other member of the gang of three are a total embarrasement to Monroe County.

]]> Comment on Budget by Jack Agnew http://voteheather2008.com/blog/2008/07/08/budget/#comment-15 Jack Agnew Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:14:37 +0000 http://voteheather2008.com/blog/2008/07/08/budget/#comment-15 Go Heather. If we don't make a change in the Commission, we have only ourselves to blame. Keep the heat on and know you have my vote. Go Heather. If we don’t make a change in the Commission, we have only ourselves to blame. Keep the heat on and know you have my vote.

]]> Comment on Fiscal Responsibility 1 by Gary Sechen http://voteheather2008.com/blog/2008/06/05/fiscal-responsibility-1/#comment-10 Gary Sechen Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:49:50 +0000 http://voteheather2008.com/blog/2008/06/05/fiscal-responsibility-1/#comment-10 Heather I believe that you have hit the nail on the head when you state "Isn’t this the time where we start looking at what we absolutely need versus what we really want". The County Commission (I believe most often the Gang of Three) has spent the taxpayers into this mess. Because of their wish to keep spending without understanding the ongoing consequences of their actions is further binding future budgets. How did we survive without the Nelson Government Center building in the past? What are the ongoing costs to maintain the still under construction Nelson Government Center? Did anyone inform the County Commission as to how much the annual operating cost would be of the new government center? Did any of the Commissioners ask this question? How much has the fiasco of the Hickory House cost the taxpayers, not only in outright cash, but the cost of staff services and lost tax revenue? You are also right to question the $18,000/month operating costs for a park in BPK, that is almost a ¼ million dollars per year! Who is the recipient of a sweetheart deal on this one? I do adamantly believe in more green space but let’s be reasonable and frugal. Not only is the individual taxpayer at their breaking point but businesses are at a fiscal crisis also. It is a daunting task to work our way thru the current fiscal crisis and rebuild the necessary reserves. This budget process must be done and with the taxpayers wallets and businesses bank accounts scrutinizing every decision. Heather

I believe that you have hit the nail on the head when you state “Isn’t this the time where we start looking at what we absolutely need versus what we really want”. The County Commission (I believe most often the Gang of Three) has spent the taxpayers into this mess.

Because of their wish to keep spending without understanding the ongoing consequences of their actions is further binding future budgets. How did we survive without the Nelson Government Center building in the past? What are the ongoing costs to maintain the still under construction Nelson Government Center? Did anyone inform the County Commission as to how much the annual operating cost would be of the new government center? Did any of the Commissioners ask this question? How much has the fiasco of the Hickory House cost the taxpayers, not only in outright cash, but the cost of staff services and lost tax revenue? You are also right to question the $18,000/month operating costs for a park in BPK, that is almost a ¼ million dollars per year! Who is the recipient of a sweetheart deal on this one? I do adamantly believe in more green space but let’s be reasonable and frugal.

Not only is the individual taxpayer at their breaking point but businesses are at a fiscal crisis also. It is a daunting task to work our way thru the current fiscal crisis and rebuild the necessary reserves. This budget process must be done and with the taxpayers wallets and businesses bank accounts scrutinizing every decision.

]]> Comment on Heather Carruthers Announces Her Candidacy For Monroe County Commission District 3 by Scott Fraser http://voteheather2008.com/blog/2008/04/08/heather-carruthers-announces-her-candidacy-for-monroe-county-commission-district-3/#comment-2 Scott Fraser Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:09:37 +0000 http://voteheather2008.com/blog/2008/04/08/heather-carruthers-announces-her-candidacy-for-monroe-county-commission-district-3/#comment-2 You go girl! Our County Commission has become a rather sad state of affairs and an outright embarrassment to reasonable thinking honest people everywhere. Heather has the dogged sense of persistance we need to get a start at wrangling this commission back to a representative arm of government. She's not shy about asking the right questions to get to the bottom of something, nor is she beholden to the special interests (developers) that have such a stranglehold on the present commission. Heather is the type of person we need to make these improvements happen. You go girl!

Our County Commission has become a rather sad state of affairs and an outright embarrassment to reasonable thinking honest people everywhere.

Heather has the dogged sense of persistance we need to get a start at wrangling this commission back to a representative arm of government. She’s not shy about asking the right questions to get to the bottom of something, nor is she beholden to the special interests (developers) that have such a stranglehold on the present commission. Heather is the type of person we need to make these improvements happen.

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