Clearwater polishes its All-America presentation [don't forget Terri Schiavo]

St. Petersburg Times ^ | 5/4/4 | ADRIENNE P. SAMUELS

[cyn]

CLEARWATER POLISHES ITS ALL AMERICAN PRESENTATION

The city has become a finalist for an award that recognizes cooperative efforts to make progress.

Clearwater is one of 30 cities that have been named finalists for the designation of All-America City.

The award is passed out every year by the National Civil League, a Denver-based think tank that promotes efficient government.

Ten winners will be declared in mid June. Before then, the city has to convince the NCL judges that they are the best in the bunch, which includes South Florida's Lauderhill, Pembroke Pines and Pompano Beach. Other finalists include Stamford, Conn., and Cottage Grove, Ore.

"It's an effort to recognize communities where people are working together in a proactive, thoughtful and constructive way," said Chris Gates, president of the NCL.

All finalists are asked to send a delegation to the June 10-12 final selection competition in Atlanta. Judges will hear each group's pitch and then decide winners on June 12.

Clearwater is poised to send 17 or 18 people - possibly including a spoken-word poet from North Greenwood - to convince the NCL that they are the best.

"It's a three-day process that consists of a community expo where you showcase your city," said Doug Matthews, the public communications director for Clearwater. "Obviously, you want to have representatives indicative of the breadth of the partnership. You want to have the right people."

Clearwater hopes to win by focusing on three things: the Hispanic Outreach Center, the library's GOALS program (a youth reading and tutoring effort) and the revitalization of the North Greenwood area.

Each of those programs relies upon the joint efforts of businesses, city government employees and volunteers, a major criterion for award-winners.

"It's how the community as a whole gets together as a whole to solve a problem," said Matthews.

The National Civil League was created by Theodore Roosevelt in 1894 and has been giving out the All-America City Award since 1954. In addition to the awards, the NCL promotes good government by conducting research and publishing a quarterly journal.

The NCL designation does not mean a community is perfect, said Gates. But it is a boon to the city.

"This is a boost both internally and externally," said Gates. "This is the Good Housekeeping seal of approval for a community. It says this is a place where people worry more about solving problems than who gets the credit. Internally, it's a helpful reminder to a community that as tough as their challenges might be, that somebody from outside has recognized they are making progress and doing good things."

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FV SAYS: "they are making progress and doing good things?" Not in the rule of Terri's case. Clearwater doesn't deserve the equivalent of a good housekeeping seal of approval.

Terri's rehab money is gone and she's in isolation. What, 37 days now, since MARCH 29 / Monday pm

[cyn -- This is NOT the Mother's Day present this city should be giving one of it's most patient mothers.]

[Dante3]

I also never thought our government would do anything like this. This is a horror story. Being starved to death is a horrible way to die, something that is not even done to the worst of criminals. Judges have too much power.

[floriduh voter]

Well, folks are learning something about grassroots activism. The other big concern in Florida is about PROPERTY RIGHTS. Can the govt. take away private property because they can get higher tax revenue if they rezone it? TAKING PEOPLE'S PRIVATE PROPERTY to get more money for the governmental machine is on the horizon. That's scary for anybody who has real property. Sorry I railed on the other thread but Terri's had no jury trials by her peers, she's committed no crimes... Her guardianship was so grossly mismanaged, J. Greer should go directly to jail.

The GOP has no idea that there is a meltdown in Tampa Bay that may be caustic to the GOP for not taking an even tough stance. Our local reps voted for Terri's law but they have free speech after the fact and say nothing. What are they? A bunch of pantywaists? A bunch of Nancy Boys? It appears so.

[William Terrell]

Imminent domain is one area where I'm in complete agreement with Neal Boortz. We just had a recent case near where I live, Boortz talked about it a lot. Makes me want to lock and load.

[sport]

I do. I stay out of Pinellas County.

There is a wodworking supply company that has a store in Clearwater and Orlando.

I go to the Orlando store.

[floriduh voter]

Welcome to free republic where the women are "hot", but that depends on what the meaning of the word "hot" is.

You're an excellent writer, as if we needed any more of those around here. lol

Have we met? floriduh voter

[floriduh voter]

Pinellas County Courthouse. Where life and death is less significant than "where are we going for lunch?"

There are allegations that THE SIXTH CIRCUIT BAILIFFS AND CLERKS ARE TAKING BETS ON WHETHER TERRI WILL LIVE OR DIE. Just one dirty little secret from the Sixth Circuit.

[floriduh voter]

Look at how far REPUBLICAN JUDGES have taken this. I'm ashamed of the local GOP for fronting for JUDGE GREER.

[floriduh voter]

bttt?

[floriduh voter]

If newbie is zotted, why can I ping him.

[cyn]

Good night bump for Terri. Thanks for taking a stand. . . or should I say, a longer sit, all the way to Orlando?

[floriduh voter]

Goodnight. Visit my web site. Jan Govan for Judge.

[floriduh voter]

You can come back AFTER WE FIX A FEW THINGS.

[windchime]

Bump! Hi, FV!

[windchime]

"There are allegations that THE SIXTH CIRCUIT BAILIFFS AND CLERKS ARE TAKING BETS ON WHETHER TERRI WILL LIVE OR DIE. Just one dirty little secret from the Sixth Circuit."

Guess they've learned their callousness well from the judges and Felos et al.

[cyn]

Good morning, fv. h'mm, talking to the dead, are we? . . . !

Terri is in my thoughts and prayers, and those working for her.

[KDubRN]

Progress is never absolute, it is relative to a goal. What's the goal?

Everyone involved is on the same page as to saving Terri's life, a disabled, brain injured woman. Agree, people?
Some have taken that a step further in that education is paramount, the medical controversy must be resolved, the ethical issues must be decided and dealt with, the laws beefed up, judicial and political collusion and corruption, and more. Those are some of the goals.

[HiTech RedNeck]

I meant to chide Clearwater and anyone else who calles themselves "progressive." As if "progress" could stand alone. Like C. S. Lewis said, a purported voyage to New York is no good if it ends up in Calcutta.

[pc93]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,119615,00.html

They might as well be saying Greer/Michael/Bushnell/Felos is great. Let's not let this happen to Terri.

[windchime]

Different names, different faces.....same evil.