Month: December 2004

Railing Over Streetcar Scenarios

There were some dropped jaws and quizzical looks after that recent Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization vote that nixed a plan for going after federal dollars to extend Tampa’s 2.4-mile streetcar line. This came one day after Tampa City Council had voted to do just that.

What was at stake was some $3 million in federal transportation funds to take the line from the Tampa Convention Center north to Whiting Street near the Fort Brooke Parking Garage — about three-eights of a mile. The plan was part of an overall, long-term strategy to create a more diverse ridership by luring downtown workers.

The 6-5 vote did not include Tampa City Councilman Kevin White, who had to leave early. But it did include a surprise “no” from the Tampa Port Authority representative, Deputy Director Zelko Kirincich. The Port Authority, with lots of frontage on the line and conspicuously appreciative of any cruise-passenger amenity, has been a streetcar supporter.

Proponents of the streetcar – and eventually light rail for Tampa – see the MPO vote as a serious blow to the trolley’s future as something more than an economic development tool and tourist attraction. They also see the heavy-handed yet deft orchestration of Commissioner Ronda Storms at work.

They’re now looking to Mayor Pam Iorio, whose long-term outlook envisions the trolley as a viable automobile alternative, for help. Said one insider still taken aback by the MPO vote: “The question is, ‘Does the mayor have the will and ability to turn this thing around and get it re-heard.'”

In other words, will the mayor go to new Interim Port Director William Starkey – Kirincich’s boss – and ask him to step in? Is the street car extension – and future commuter scenarios — important enough right now to warrant a battle of the bully pulpits with Ronda Storms?

Or is it already time to quote Santayana again?

Gator Grad Upgrade?

In his brief Gainesville appearance last week, new University of Florida head football coach Urban Meyer made the rounds and made the right, positive impressions. He spoke glowingly about the “flagship” university that is UF, and how much he’s admired its nationally prominent football program. He said he considers the Gators to be the “premier” job in the country, and he welcomes the high expectations of Gator Nation.

He also reiterated his mantra: “Go to class, live right or don’t play.” By all accounts, it’s not an Urban myth.

If graduation rates are a barometer – and a priority — Meyer will have some upgrading to do at Florida. UF didn’t fare particularly well in a recently-released study by the Institute of Diversity and Ethics in Sports that shows the graduation rates – both overall and black — of the 56 bowl-bound teams. Florida finished 44th – sporting an overall graduation rate of 42 percent and a black graduation rate of 36 percent. This is also part of Steve Spurrier’s legacy.

As for Utah, Meyer’s old school, the Utes were 46th. Since Meyer was only there two years, the figures are no reflection on his tenure. The overall Utah rate was 41 percent; the black rate 31 percent.

It all underscores the immense challenge that even consummate disciplinarians such as Meyer face. “Student athlete” is too often an oxymoron. Gator graduation rates are unacceptable. And “going to class” is obviously not an end in itself.

Let the Urban renewal begin – on and off the field.

Hey, Tom: Congratulations

Saying Tom McEwen was a sports writer is like saying Abraham Lincoln was a lawyer. It doesn’t tell you nearly enough.

Tom McEwen, the former Tampa Tribune sports editor, was a force. A valued resource. An old-school, home-town community asset. More on that later.

Fact is, the 81-year-old McEwen still has a lot of shelf life – not just legacy stock. He still writes – and has his own web site.

Sure, he can reflect on Pete Rose and the early signs of talent, tenacity and trouble. He can tell you what Bear Bryant was like as a coach — or a golfing partner. Why George Steinbrenner never got over not buying the Buccaneers. What Al Lopez remembers most about Minnie Minoso. And he can give you the inside, dog-and-pony skinny on how the Buc franchise came to Tampa.

Unlike anyone else around here, McEwen can put current sports events into historic perspective. He knows the minutes from previous meetings. He probably kept them.

But he’s also where contemporary media go, for example, when they want to know what Steve Spurrier is really thinking. Some reporters would kill to have his Rolodex.

McEwen has long mattered to this town: For his scoops, his insights, his civic loyalty, his institutional memory and his myriad stints as a master of ceremonies for all manner of black-tie occasions and charity events. The city’s current “I am Tampa” slogan was embodied by McEwen an era ago.

So, it was most appropriate when an endowed scholarship for USF mass communications students was named in his honor. It will be funded fittingly by Media General and the Tampa Tribune .

McEwen was no Red Smith or Jim Murray or even Martin Fennelly. You won’t find “McEwen” and “wordsmith” in the same sentence – except for ones such as this. Too many sentences beginning with “Thought here is

Scripps Scenarios and Florida’s Future

It’s too premature, of course, to tell how the Scripps Research Institute’s plans for Palm Beach County will play out. Ground breaking for a 364,000-square-foot biomedical research facility on the eastern fringe of the Everglades has already been postponed once. The issues are the sensitive environment, per se, and the prospect of sprawl that would violate – indeed, mock — the county’s comprehensive, growth-management plan. Two lawsuits have already been filed in state circuit court in West Palm Beach.

Call it contentious right now between the county and Scripps, but don’t call it off.

Three things.

First, it’s critical that the Scripps’ facility, with all its economic and scientific implications, remain in Florida. Other states — with better biotech track records and still smarting that Scripps chose Florida – will not need much encouragement to transition into predator mode.

When Gov. Jeb Bush made his legacy-like announcement last year, he heralded a biotech bonanza of 6,500 jobs over 15 years worth more than $3 billion. This is, of course, critical to Sunshine State aspirations of a more diversified, 21st century economy.

Second, Hillsborough County is absolutely doing what it should by formulating a contingency Scripps plan and offer with new County Commissioner Mark Sharpe as point man. If Palm Beach thinks this is in “poor taste,” so be it. But should Palm Beach have to bail, Hillsborough must be well-positioned because, quite candidly, no place in the state can better accommodate Scripps’disparate amenity needs than Hillsborough County, Tampa and the Bay Area.

Third, Tampa deserved more than a token shot at competing for Scripps from the get-go. And local officials remember well all the help Jeb Bush WASN’T when it came to going the extra mile for Tampa when this city was in the serious hunt for the 2004 GOP convention.

The governor, frankly, owes us if Palm Beach can’t work. More to the point, he owes it to the state.

Sharpe Start On County Commission

Early returns indicate voters chose wisely by electing Mark Sharpe to the County Commission. Common sense and business acumen are a holy alliance.

He’s already been appointed by his fellow commissioners to monitor the unfolding Scripps scenarios in Palm Beach and help prepare a new pitch should the Scripps’ plot thicken.

Moreover, in casting a vote on behalf of property-tax relief for the Lightning, he said something that ought to be repeated every meeting – right after the invocation.

“Sometimes in the effort to save a nickel, we lose a dollar,” he observed.

Amen.

Teach-In Lessons

As someone who has participated in the Great American Teach-In, I can verify that the experience can benefit both students and volunteers. Some, of course, more than others.

What’s important to remember is this. Some speakers share insights on an occupation, avocation or profession. Others are more oriented to delivering messages concerning values, responsibilities and ethics. And then there is the de facto, show-and-tell holiday.

One middle school class gets an oncologist; others get a stuntman, a card trickster, a belly dancer. Still others are privy to a helicopter and any number of things it might be related to. Some elementary school students hear from a former pro athlete and Rhodes Scholar nominee who has a compelling message about staying out of trouble and away from drugs. Others learn about thermal imaging equipment. Others get a spooked gelding.