State leaders enjoy visit [An entertaining news account of Jeb's visit to Frostproof, FL]

Newszap.com ^ | April 1, 2004 | Newszap.com

[summer]

FL's favorite gov -
Jeb Bush

State leaders enjoy visit --

What a big day for the City of Frostproof!

In anticipation of the arrival of the State Leaders visit to Frostproof, the final touches to the city were completed. City Hall's new sign was erected, plants and/or flowerbeds were spruced up, and fresh mulch was placed throughout the city.

Governor Jeb Bush, Lieutenant Governor Toni Jennings and several other members of the governors' administration arrived at Frostproof City Hall on schedule last Friday morning.

Mayor Allen Sullivan, City Manager Jeff Brown and other City officials and Council members lined the sidewalk in front of City Hall to greet the governor and his staff upon his arrival. The Governor swiftly put the welcoming committee at ease with his grand sense of humor. As part of the State leaders warm welcome the Governor received the key to the city and Lt. Governor Toni Jennings received a stain glass citrus ornament depicting the citrus industry.

The State leaders met with local and non-local residents for a five minute one on one meeting. There were people lining up outside City Hall around 5 A.M. to register for the first come, first serve meeting. Some individuals had come from Venice, Lakeland, Avon Park, Winter Haven and Lake Wales.

Governor Bush and Lt. Gov. Jennings had sixty-seven meetings scheduled from 8 a.m. until 12:15. Residents were able to meet and discuss topics of choice with their State Leaders. Topics discussed ranged anywhere from education funding issues, contract disputes, healthcare issues, cleaning up property dwellings, zoning issues, saying thank you or just wanting to meet the leaders of our State.

The governors' press secretary Alia Faraj said, "If they can't come to us, we'll come to them."

Mayor Allen Sullivan said "It was a real honor having the governor and Lt. governor visit Frostproof."

When Channel 13 news reporter Ken Swarez interviewed Mayor Sullivan he asked what concerns he would speak to the governor about? Sullivan said "One of my concerns I was going to discuss was funding issues for Frostproof Elementary." Frostproof Elementary is a Pre-k to second grade school and because of this they are unable to receive extra funding from the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) test scores. The FCAT is not given to students until they reach the third grade thus allows Frostproof Elementary School to miss out on this benefit.

After the governor concluded the meetings at City Hall, it was time to go to Frostproof Middle/Senior High School where the governor met with Polk County Superintendent Jim Thornhill, Principal David Lewis and faculty members of the Media Center, reading and language arts department.

FMSHS has been recognized for their consistent high-ranking FCAT scores.

Before going to the Media Center Governor Bush stopped at the office where he was welcomed by the office staff. Gov. Bush and his staff were pleased to see a cookie jar full of cookies sitting on Becky Purvis's desk; they enjoyed partaking in the sweet treats. He then made an announcement on the P.A. system that he was happy to visit the friendly town of Frostproof and FMSHS campus, but due to time constraints he wouldn't be able to spend as much time or meet and talk to as many faculty members and students of FMSHS as he would like to.

Next it was a trip to the seventh grade language arts class where students discussed the book 'Where the Red Fern Grows'- one of the Governors favorite stories. The class was very knowledgeable on the details of the book and was not the least bit intimidated to explain the points of interest.

The Governor enjoyed being in the classroom so much that he ran a bit behind schedule.

Arriving at the Media Center he met with the FMSHS staff to hear their different opinions on what the staff felt contributed to the schools' notable academic success and what their plans were for future improvements.

Principal David Lewis, PC Superintendent Jim Thornhill, Joanne Merkle and Annette True Media Specialists, Language Arts dept.- MaryJane Newcomer, Holly McCraw, Amy Duke and Linda Thompson, Reading-Cheryl Mathias, Suzanne Duke and Angela Theriac extended an invitation to the governor and his staff to return for the opening of The Cyber Caf/ later this year.

[summer]

The State leaders met with local and non-local residents for five minute one on one meetings. There were people lining up outside City Hall around 5 A.M. to register for the first come, first serve meetings.....Governor Bush and Lt. Gov. Jennings had sixty-seven meetings scheduled from 8 a.m. until 12:15. Residents were able to meet and discuss topics of choice with their State Leaders. Topics discussed ranged anywhere from education funding issues, contract disputes, healthcare issues, cleaning up property dwellings, zoning issues, saying thank you or just wanting to meet the leaders of our State.

The governors' press secretary Alia Faraj said, "If they can't come to us, we'll come to them."

This kind of outreach by a governor of the 4th largest state, all the time, every year, is a major reason I think Gov Bush is such a great leader.

I don't think some people realize just how much time Gov Bush continuously spends visiting these small FL towns like "Frostproof," meeting one-on-one with local citizens -- and listening to their concerns. I think people believe the job of a governor is always so glamorous, but Gov Bush has made his position seem much more down to earth than any other governor I've ever read about. He is always out there, with the people, listening and learning more.

IMO, he deserves a lot of credit for being that way, as he does not do it because it's 2 weeks before an election -- he is like that all the time, and has been since Day One of being governor. I really believe that's why so many voters in FL like him -- because so many feel like they actually know him on some level, having met him in person, at a school, whatever.

He deserves some kind of award for his constant outreach to regular people. I hear political pundits describe him as "politically astute," but I just think he simply always remembers who put him in office: the voters! :)

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[summer]

FYI, as I thought you'd enjoy reading this. BTW, this is not a ping list; just a one-time ping here. :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

A one-time ping here. :)

[JLS]

I believe that Frostproof is the home of Ben Hill Griffin, the Grandfather of Katherine Harris. The football stadium at UF is also named after him.

[summer]

I think the parkway near FGCU in SW FL is also named after him.

[summer]

www.frostproof-fl.com

[summer]

Here's the school Gov Bush visited there:



It looks like a pretty nice school, especially for a town of only 3,500 permanent residents.

[summer]

And this always amazes me about these little rural towns in FL -- they always have a local art league:



Frostproof Art League and Gallery

[summer]

This is their "Art of the Month" - Frostproof's first mural:

[summer]

Well, I hope you've enjoyed this mini-tour of Frostproof, FL! :)

[scouse]

Summer: Ollie North was in my neck of the woods the other day. The tickets were sold out in minutes.

[summer]

Was he part of this event below?

MESSAGE FROM GOVERNOR BUSH

Part of my commitment as governor is focus state government on its main objective: serving the people. Capitol for a Day is one of the ways we affirm our commitment to making government open, accessible and responsive to the needs of Floridians. It gives those outside Tallahassee an opportunity to participate and watch their government in action, by bringing government right to the people of Florida, where it belongs.

On Tuesday, I was joined by Education Commissioner Jim Horne, cabinet members and city officials in Leesburg for Capitol for a Day. While there, we also took the opportunity to visit the Brown v. Board of Education exhibit chronicling the history of integration and education. The exhibit will visit 20 Florida communities before returning to Tallahassee on May 17 - the 50th anniversary of the landmark decision guaranteeing equal access to education in this country. The exhibit is titled "50 Years of Progress" - and the Florida Dept. of Education has done a tremendous job putting it together.

Florida's graduation rates among students with developmental disabilities are a success story in the making. In 2001-2002, 84 percent of students with disabilities were awarded a diploma. The next year, that number jumped to 95 percent. Connecting these Floridians with employment and expanded living options is vital. That's why this week, I issued an executive order creating a task force to develop a plan to expand and improve inclusive community living options for people with developmental disabilities. The group will also coordinate services statewide for students with developmental disabilities as they transition from school to work or further education, and study improved employment options for Florida's developmentally disabled. The task force will present its final report by December 15, 2004.

Florida continues to grow by leaps and bounds, and managing that growth responsibly is key to Florida's continued success. Our growth knows no county lines, which is why this week, we created a Committee to make recommendations for sustainable, long-term growth and intergovernmental cooperation among the counties on Florida's Treasure Coast. The Treasure Coast has seen explosive growth over the past decade, and preparing the region for continued growth will ensure that this vital area of our state is poised for a bright future. I look forward to the Committee's final report, which will be presented no later than September 30, 2005.

This week, the Florida House of Representatives passed legislation based on our proposals for Voluntary Universal Prekindergarten in the state. I applaud members of the House for their commitment to deliver an effective program. The compromise proposal announced this week provides the framework for a quality voluntary education program for Florida's four-year-olds. I thank Speaker Byrd and Representatives Barreiro, Kilmer, and Arza for their leadership on this critical issue

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely, Jeb Bush

[summer]

The tickets were sold out in minutes.

I'm wondering because that event above is actually free! So I'm not sure what tickets were sold out for North.

[cyn]

oh, summer, thanks for the ping! I feel like I've just had a nice visit in a real old-Florida small town! . . . so did you get to meet him??!

[summer]

Glad you enjoyed it! I felt the same way online.

I did not go to Frostproof, but....

As you may recall, while I was writing about Gov Bush a lot on FR (prior to him winning the FL gov race), I had never met him. But, after he won, I did go to the public inaugural event he had in Tropical Park, in Miami, open to all, for free, in Jan 2003. And, there, I did meet him, finally! He was very nice to everyone waiting to shake his hand on this long line, and though he couldn't hear me introduce myself (due to all the noise of the crowd), he took the camera I brought, from my hand, and directed his aide take a photo of him and me. I was so surprised! I then emailed him and thanked him, and I think he had a chuckle because he did not realize when he met me that it was me! But he realize it when he emailed me back. LOL...so, yes, I did finally meet him -- once. :)

[summer]

realize = realized

[ptrey]

How about that...My old home town...Allen Sullivan, Mayor...Was one of my best friends. A great guy.

Thanks for the post....

[cyn]

lol, nice story -- so he knew you from your many emails?

We have pleasant memories of a spring-time excursion to there a number of years ago. We were living in Orlando at the time. We went to Bok Tower, drove around Chalet Suzanne, and stayed at the Hotel Jacaranda in Avon Park -- it reminded me of the hotel in Somewhere in Time (just not as big, but romantic, old, creaky . . . and with, er, respectably hugh bugs.

Guess you can see my soft spot for 'old Florida'!