Commuter Rail Timeline

Winter Park Station

Winter Park Commuter Rail

The Central Florida Commuter Rail is coming to Winter Park and some local residents are torn about whether it will help or hinder the community.
The Winter Park Station is included in Phase I Commuter Rail Alignment, which includes 31 miles and 12 stations from Debary in Volusia County to Sand Lake Road and is expected to be operational by 2011. Phase II of the commuter rail will include 30 miles and five stations from Sand Lake Road to Poinciana in Osceola County and from Debary to Deland in Volusia County is expected to be operational by 2013.
Local business owners in Winter Park are hoping the commuter rail will bring will be a positive step in stimulating economic growth to the area, while some residents are concerned about the side affects the commuter rail could have on the community.
Donald Marcotte, assistant director and city engineer of Winter Park’s Public Works Department, said the hope for the commuter rail is not to bring growth in terms of density, but in terms of economic stimulation.
“The theory behind our station is that we already have TOD [Transit Oriented Development], we have an entire community that is built around this station already, so we don’t want to grow anymore, we just need to bring people in to spend their money on the retail that we already have,” said Marcotte. “So there’s a theory that whoever’s coming here to work or to visit is going to help the economy here.”
Marcotte also said that even though the economy could be stimulated by the rail, it is not the city’s main goal.
“Typically if it’s just used for people going back and forth to work, that’s not a tourist type of revenue that you’re going to receive,” he said. “It’s not designed to move tourists.”
Melixa Carbonell, owner of Shou’Ture Shoe Boutique on Park Avenue, is excited about the commuter rail coming to Winter Park and is hoping that although the rail is not designed for tourists it will still attract more to the area.
“One of the biggest downfalls in term of getting them [clients] to come into Winter Park is that they don’t want to have to drive,” Carbonell said. “And with the construction on I’4 getting ready to start in 2010, for I’4 expansion, getting here will be even more difficult, so for myself and many of the business owners here, a commuter rail is crucial for keeping us alive.”
When it comes to the commuter rail Carbonell believes it is not an option but a necessary for small business owners like herself.
“I think the commuter rail would help us in terms of tourism and would be something that our Windermere clients would utilize,” she said.
Carbonell, a resident of Winter Park, is excited to see the outcome of the commuter rail for her business, and is excited to use it herself.
“I do like to go downtown to get dinner or see a Magic game and to be able to hop on a train to get to the arena,” she said. “It’s just common sense to have that ability to go and visit your city.”
She is also looking forward to saving money on gas and believes public transportation is a great way to utilize energy costs.
“With rising fuel costs people are very cautious in terms of what they spend,” Carbonell said. “Being able to use something that is cost effective and energy efficient to get around, I think is a no-brainer.”
C.J. Cantú, owner of Haagen Daz on New England Avenue, is also looking forward to cutting costs on fuel by riding the commuter rail from his home in Altamonte.
He said riding the rail to work would also help eliminate his problems with limited parking around Park Avenue, but is not sure it would stimulate his business much.
“It depends on the demographics the rail brings,” Cantú said. “People that ride the Lynx bus are not coming in to buy ice cream.”
Although Cantú is uncertain of the outcome the commuter rail may have on the economic conditions of the community, he is still excited to see the end result.
“Change is good,” he said. “We learn from it.”
Luisa Cannon, a Winter Park resident and Sales Associate for Red Marq, a greeting business on Park Avenue, is not so excited about the outcome of the rail.
She said she is torn on the idea of the commuter rail coming to Winter Park.
“I live right behind the train, so I’m afraid of the noise and I don’t know if I’m going to loose property or if we are going to have crime,” Cannon said. “But on the other hand, I think it could be good for business and will attract more people.”
She also said although the rail could possibly attract more tourists to local businesses, she is not sure the costs and benefits of the rail will be worth it.
“I’m all for public transportation, but I have a bad feeling about it [the rail],” Cannon said. “I am skeptical. I get the feeling that it’s not really going to make a good difference.”

Elections cause racist hate

The Orlando Sentinel reported that a noose was found hanging by an Obama/Biden sign in Clermont. Deputies do not know who put the noose there, but after the recent KKK assignation attempt of Obama I'm not too surprised.

I just can't believe we still live in a country that displays this kind of racism. It's ridiculous! It's 2008, not 1950. Too think we live in the biggest melting pot in the world but still manage to have racist hate living among us is crazy!

I know the elections have been cut-throat, but this is just out of control!

Check it out the whole story at:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/lake/orl-noose-clermont-obama-102908,0,3912792.story

Amazing Slide Show

New Times has done it again. They have put together a great slide show from their pictures of the day and the pictures are (of course) amazing. I think they are a great display of phenomenal photojournalism.

I really like how they cover such a wide range of global news. I think it is important to have this kind of multi-media because it really brings emotion to a story and reminds us what challenges people in other countries are experiencing, which I think is easy to forget with everything going on in our own country.

I especially like the one of the Congolese woman with her children, enduring so much, but still remaining to look so strong. The helicopter delivering the generator in Afghanistan is another one of my favorites. Not only is it a great picture overall, but it does an amazing job of telling the story. This is what photojournalism is about! Well done!

Check it out: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/10/27/nytfrontpage/20081027POD_4.html

'Backbone of America'

"Photo project gives a voice to 'backbone of America,'" is a interesting piece of journalism about a book that captures the detailed lives of everyday Americans called "The Oxford Project." The book combines photos with inmate details of the lives of residents in the small town of Oxford, Iowa over 20 years.

I think the photo project does a great job of giving a voice to the residents of Oxford, because it captures the real-life experiences they have experienced throughout their lives. The article also does a great job of using multi-media to tell the story by adding links to photos over 20 years, video, a map and information on the town of Oxford.

"The Oxford Project" not only documents the lives of ordinary people, but it presents them in a not so ordinary way. Check out the video on author Stephen Bloom speaking about giving a voice to the voiceless and not talking to the decision makers, but the people that are affected by the decision makers. It reminds me that everyone has a story... which is one of the reasons why I was originally attracted to the world of journalism in the first place.
Link: http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/10/07/oxford.project/index.html

Diversion

In times of crisis Sarah Palin continues to divert from the real issues. It is sad that our economy is falling apart before our eyes, but all Palin can talk about is Obama's ties to terrorists. I guess desperation will lead people to come up with anything and cling to it.

It's just ridiculous that she's sunk that low. I'm tried hearing accusations against Obama. I want the real issues to be addressed, like the fact that the $700 billion plan is not helping the markets. The Dow dropped over 570 points and Palin said nothing about this when she spoke in Clearwater today. Maybe Palin should take the heels off and put the gloves back on.

Links: http://news.aol.com/elections/article/gloves-come-off-in-presidential-race/201057?icid=100214839x1210652748x1200617584

http://news.aol.com/elections/article/gloves-come-off-in-presidential-race/201057?icid=100214839x1210652748x1200617584

The Great VP Debate

Finally, what we've been waiting for became a reality Thurs. night and it's about time. I'm so tried of hearing about Sarah Palin's low expectancy for the debate that I almost rather listen to how our stock market is continually falling.

I mean it is pretty sad when you're running for Vice-President of the United States and people are waiting and expecting you to say something stupid. What is this George Bush all over again?

Okay so she did alright, no huge damage to the republican party, according to the New York Times. She supposedly "Helped to stop the bleeding," to McCain's campaign.

But shouldn't we be asking ourselves why his campaign was supposedly bleeding in the first place? I'm not even sure Sarah Palin knows the answer to this question. She seems to think you can fix a severed head with a Band aide. For example, our world is being destroyed by global warming and she can not even admit it is because of us. I think Joe Biden said it best last night when he asked how can you fix a problem when you don't admit what caused the problem in the first place.

Well, overall, I guess it wasn't as bad as the Katie Couric interview, but I'm sure Tina Fey will still find something to entertain us with come Sat. night.

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/03/us/politics/03assess.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Russia: The Land

New Times has done another great job of using converged journalism to tell the story.
They have put together a slide show on Russia's countryside and the people making a living of the land. And not only are the pictures extraordinary, but the story itself is very well narrated. Every picture seems to match the part of the story being told, while keeping it personal.

With so much war dominating the headlines in Russia, it is nice to see a more peaceful existence in Russia, although it is also sad to see it being traded in of the hectic life of the city where more money can be made.

I think overall this is a great piece of journalism that gives the viewer a great depiction of the story being told. It leaves you wanting to know just a little more about the people, such as, where they're going, what will happen to the land, etc. In my opinion great journalism should always leave the viewer wanting a little more and the NY Times does a great job of that.

I encourage everyone who reads this to check it out, because it is a great example of what we could do with our websites.
Link:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/09/28/weekinreview/20080928_JHILL_MULTIMEDIA/index.html#

Failing Health Care= Failing Economy

Two studies released Wednesday, show the increasing strain health care puts on working families in America, and the fact that many can not afford the burden of unpaid medical bills.

With so much talk about our failing economy and how we are going to fix it, perhaps we should look at the bigger picture before we pass out the box of Band-Aids.

How did America get in this bind in the first place?

Yes, we have more and more foreclosures every day, and in the end, banks are suffering, thus leading to a economical breakdown in our economy. But what is causing these foreclosures? Why are so many Americans unable to pay their mortages?

According to these studies, employees are paying an average of $3,354 in premiums for family coverage, more than double the amount they paid in 1999. And out of the 57 million Americans living in families struggling with medical bills, 43 million of those have insurance coverage.

If so many families are simply not making enough to cover their medical bills, even with insurance, then how can government act suprised when they are asked to lend a hand to our broken economy?

Before government jumps to spend $700 billion on bailing out the market I sincerely hope that they have a very, very good plan to make some serious changes to our health care system.

Links: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/business/25health.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/22/markets/markets_newyork/index.htm?postversion=2008092211

Oprah Inspires Saudi Women

After Oprah’s talk show was broadcast via satellite to Saudi women many of them started to feel a special connection to her and the issues discussed on her show.
I think that this is a great outlet for all women, but especially for Saudi women because of they don’t have the opportunity to express issues they might be dealing with as freely as American women do. It is good for everyone to have someone to relate to and know that others might be dealing with the same issues.
Making this connection is especially important in a country where topics like race and sex are not allowed to be discussed. Women need to have more knowledge on these subjects and shouldn’t be looked down on for wanting to.
Oprah is a great medium for gaining knowledge on global subjects that affect everyone. Everyone in the world should have a voice of their own and if a show like Oprah helps women take a small step in gaining one, then I think it’s a step in the right direction.

Link:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/19/world/middleeast/19oprah.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

NY finally settles homeless case

The Bloomberg administration has finally settled a 25 year-old lawsuit over homeless families’ access to shelter in New York City and it’s about time.
This case originally came about in 1983, after McCain argued that the city failed to provide adequate shelter for homeless families, and it has lingered on long enough. In the meantime the number of single homeless adults has fallen, while the number of homeless families has risen.
How can we live in such a rich and prospering county with over 14,400 children sleeping in shelters right now?
And with all the money invested in this 25 year litigation couldn’t the city of found an easy way to resolve this?
With a failing economy, it seems like the government needs to wake up a little quicker and quit denying that fact that homeless children do not just exist in other countries, before the numbers continue to rise. Let’s hope that long- term assistance is an investment that the government will strive to establish a little more, not 25 year-old lawsuits.

Link: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/17/city-settles-lawsuit-over-homeless-families/index.html?hp

Woman microwaves her own baby

In Dayton Ohio, a mother kills her own baby by burning her alive in the microwave.
China Arnold, said she microwaved her own baby because she was worried that her boyfriend would leave her if he found out the baby wasn't his.
Even if her boyfriend did leave this excuse is crazy. How could a mother do that to her own baby?
Crimes like these should be the reason why we have the death penalty and the fact that Arnold escapes the death penalty and ends up getting life is very disturbing.
Her baby was innocent and she died a horrible death why should her mother go on living when she is the one that's guilty?
Another thing that disturbs me about this case, is the fact that I have not heard much about it. Yes, it is in Ohio, but think about all the media attention Casey Anthony has gotten and she hasn't even been found guilty. Is this another an example of media racism?

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/09/08/microwave.baby.ap/index.html?eref=rss_latest

President Bush tries to avoid the same mistake

President Bush addresses the Republican National Convention via satellite, instead of in person, because he is so concerned about Hurricane Gustav.
On Tuesday, the President delivered a speech a day late and 1,100 miles from the Xcel Energy Center, so that he could supposedly monitor Hurricane Gustav as it made land fall in New Orleans.
Ironically, President Bush wanted to seem like he actually cared about the destruction a hurricane might bring to Louisiana this time. He obviously did not want a repeat of Hurricane Katrina.
In fact, the president was so worried about New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, that he was photographed sharing a birthday cake with presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, the very same day Gov. Blanco requested assistance from him. He then went on to play the guitar with country singer Mark Willis the next day.
It is a sad situation when our own president has more important things to do like play the guitar instead of helping our country. Maybe he has learned from this terrible lesson, but it seems a little too late. Hopefully the next president will not be off eating cake when the country is in a state of emergency. Oh wait, he was there too.

Links used:
http://thinkprogress.org/katrina-timeline/
http://usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-02-bush-speech_N.htm