Fiscal Rangers

Election for Florida State Agriculture Commissioner Heats Up Right in Lake County

The Orlando Sentinel blogger, Lauren Ritchie, posted a blog describing how one candidate for FL State Ag Commissioner, Congressman Adam Putnam, made a speech at a local Republican Women's Federation lunch (I was there), and also announced endorsements from three GOP groups. The article basically said the meeting and announcement was a slam to his opponent, local Lake County resident Carey Baker, who is currently a State Senator. READ her blog here (also added at the bottom of this posting). Also read the comments, which contained some more issues related to Baker. I wrote this response to Ritchie's column on her blog, but the Orlando Sentinel gave the following message, and would not accept my response: So, here is my response - I decided to stop waffling and come out against Baker - he doesn't do anything that supports local taxpayers...unless they are gun owners or have "Bull's Balls" hanging from their trailer hitch. Baker has also angered the volunteers who were trying to get more oversight and voter approval for the North Lake County Hospital tax district that costs local property owners 1-mill in taxes without ANY specific conditions on how the funds are to be spent by the... Read more →

Space Aliens Are Among Us Again - but at the Federal Government level

Recently, I wrote how a flying space alien seemed to take over four County Commissioners because they increased the budget for the new judicial center expansion from an agreed upon $42-million to $55-million with hardly any discussion. Now I am getting stories of aliens affecting other government officials from other "alien watchers"... so thanks to Riley, read on... (I have not verified the facts below) vj Subject: 1947 To: Everyone Date: Saturday, October 17, 2009, 9:43 AM The year is 1947 Some of you will recall that on July 8, 1947, a little over 62 years ago, Witnesses claim that an unidentified flying object (UFO) with five aliens Aboard crashed onto a sheep and mule ranch just outside Roswell, New Mexico. This is a well-known incident that many say has long been covered up by the U.S. Air Force and other federal agencies and organizations. However, what you may NOT know is that in the month of April 1948, nine Months after that historic day, the following people were born: Albert A. Gore, Jr. Hillary Rodham John F. Kerry William J Clinton Howard Dean Nancy Pelosi Dianne Feinstein Charles E. Schumer Barbara Boxer Harry Reid See what happens when aliens... Read more →

Orlando & Lake Tea Parties Protest Liberal News Bias at Three Orlando TV Stations

Conservative protesters were scheduled to demonstrate in front of more than 100 local network TV stations around the country today. They were protesting the liberal bias of the press and how they ignored the recent Tea party protest in Washington DC where over 1-million people showed up to protest the pending health care plan and continuous Federal spending by the Obama administration.You can get the story of the planned events HERE. So, today I went along with members of the North Lake County Tea Party to demonstrate in front of the ABC, CBS and NBC affiliates in Orlando. About 100+ people from many locations (even Jacksonville residents showed up) joined together to demonstrate at all three local Orlando TV stations. Here are SOME pictures. I will post more later, plus tomorrow I will include a link to a website where all the pictures are. Protesting liberal news bias at Channel 6 - CBS Protesting liberal news bias at NBC WESH2 in Orlando Protesting liberal news bias at CH 9 Orlando ABC 8th Congressional Candidate Patricia Sullivan and supporters at NBC TV North Lake County Tea Party organizer Dave VonGunten signs petition expressing outrage at NBC liberal bias. Read more →

Government Pension Double Dippers in the OTHER Orange County

I moved here in 2006 from Orange County, California - the "Other" orange County, or known as "The OC" due to the TV show with the same name. I frequently get emails on political issues from the OC. There have been periodic articles in the local central Florida press about Florida government pension double dippers, but here is a very good watchdog article from the OC Register newspaper in California, preceded by a comment from a local County Supervisor (like a Commissioner here) John Moorlach. The key point that Moorlach makes is the Orange County County government just increased the retirement age and reduced the government retirement contribution... for their 30,000 or so County government employees ( in California, the local agencies enact such rules, not a central State government). Here is my favorite quote from Moorlach about the change: "The answer? Raise retirement ages. This is low hanging fruit. This is what the County of Orange just did with its largest employee bargaining unit. New hires will not automatically go into a “2.7% @ 55” formula. They will adopt a “1.62% @ 65.” They will be able to adopt the higher benefit, but they will be paying the higher... Read more →

The Federal Debt BEFORE Obama's spending is $486,000 per family household

This stuff about the federal debt is depressing, but this billion dollar "Peter G. Peterson" foundation is new, and was founded by the founder of the Blackstone Group equity fund. He sold out when prices were high, and set up this billion dollar plus foundation to educate the public about the terrible Federal debt and other budget and economic problems being ignored by Federal elected officials. The President is the former head of the Federal GAO, David Walker, who spent his last 2-3 years making presentations all over the US and to Congress on the increasing Federal Debt - and that was BEFORE Obama ran up the debt even more. If you are interested in monitoring this type of subject on the Federal debt, unchecked spending, etc. , go to their homepage at http://www.pgpf.org/and register for free emails. They have just been issuing some grants for teenagers to create online games to educate teens about personal finance, etc so they should be issuing all types of online finance education "tools" over the next few months. Also download and read their "State of the Union's Finances Citizen's Guide" which is where I got the above graphic. They also offer online games... Read more →

Alan Grayson Town Hall on Health Care was STACKED - Only 15 Conservatives admitted

Tavares, FL - US House Rep. Alan Grayson (Democrat) had his first Lake County Town Hall meeting last night in Tavares to mostly "get input" on the proposed Federal Health Care plans (aka Obamacare). So I cover that meeting below plus first a report on an earlier event the same day. Earlier, about 50 members of the North Lake County Tea Party who are against Obamacare "ambushed" Grayson at an earlier 5pm dinner at KiKu restaurant on the east side of Mount Dora. Apparently a Grayson supporter had organized the event for members of the Mt. Dora Chamber of Commerce, and sent out an invitation that appeared to be from Chamber officers, but it was not. One source told me that the invitation upset a lot of Chamber members, but the dinner was held, and about 30 people arrived at the parking lot to find 50 Tea Party members lining the streets with signs opposing Obamacare and other Grayson issues. While waiting for Grayson to appear, many cars going by honked in support of the group. Finally, Grayson appeared, waved to the tea party members and went into the restaurant. At that point, the group adjourned to a tailgate party... Read more →

Florida State Pension TimeBomb - facts from Orange County Mayoral Candidate

This is very good information about the pension liability and unfunded liabilities faces by Florida taxpayers. It is reason enough to vote out every incumbent elected official in Florida. A similar problem exists in the OTHER Orange County, in California where the 3% unfunded pension just for Sheriff deputies is about to force the County to declare bankruptcy. I moved here in 2006 from that "OC" and get frequent emails from one County official on the issue. vj This is from an email sent out by Matt Falconer, who is running for Mayor in Orange County, FL: Most taxpayers are not aware that virtually every public employee and elected official is part of the Florida Retirement System. Every year taxpayers pay up to 23% of the employee's salary into the FRS fund. The FRS is a "defined benefit" system which means the members are guaranteed levels of income regardless of the performance of the retirement fund. If the fund loses money, the taxpayers make up the losses. It is a great system, unless you are a taxpayer. Pensions were designed to keep older people from having to work late in life and starving. But in Florida, I have seen a... Read more →

A Clear Explanation of just WHO will pay for upcoming Obama & Democrat Tax Increases

Thanks to friend Riley Warddrip for sending me this - it is a speech from a business owner to his employees, and quite clearly explains how the Obama tax increases will affect employees in many businesses, and is similar what was happening in California before I moved to Florida in 2006. I recommend you read this before voting for any Democrat... vj The Employee Meeting: I would like to start by thanking you for attending this meeting, though it's not like you had much of a choice. After all, attendance was mandatory. I'm also glad many of you accepted my invitation to your family members to be here as well. I have a few remarks to make to all of you, and then we'll retire to the ballroom for a great lunch and some employee awards. I felt that this meeting was important enough to close all 12 of our tire and automotive shops today so that all of you could be here. To reassure you, everybody is being paid for the day --- except me. Since our stores are closed we're making no money. That economic loss is mine to sustain. Carrington Automotive has 157 full time employees and... Read more →

Lake County Board Terminates County Manager Cindy Hall

Final update: 12:50 pm - Note : I just added the County's official press release at the bottom Note: Also added yesterday's article by Lauren Ritchie at the bottom Monday, Oct. 5, 2009 - Leesburg, FL - Today, the Lake County Board of Commissioners voted 5 to 0 to terminate County Manager Cindy Hall. They were at a special meeting held in Leesburg to discuss plans, objectives and other issues. however after some emotional discussions, the Board Chairman, Welton Cadwell, after talking to County Manager Cindy Hall during a break, returned to the meeting and said he wanted a motion to terminate Cindy Hall. In my opinion, it was a mutual decision. I was there at the meeting, which had been publicized in an article written by Lauren Ritchie in yesterday's Orlando Sentinel Lake section. All five members of the Board were there, plus Cindy Hall & the County Attorney, two members of the public, myself and Orlando Sentinel reporter Steve Hudak. The meeting was not publicized in the Board meeting section of the County website, and if Ritchie had not written this ARTICLE HERE (also added below), I would not know about the meeting. The "Retreat" meeting agenda was... Read more →

North Lake County Hospital District Update - Legislator's Deny Referendum Request

Tavares, FL - Oct. 1, 2009 - Yesterday was the annual Legislator's Delegation meeting of the Florida State Legislators from Lake County. Held at Lake Sumter Community College, the purpose is to hear from various constituent groups requesting various actions. For "local" issues, the delegation can initiate "local laws" that could be successful. The big, first subject I am writing about here ( I will add a separate posting on the other subjects later) was the proposal from Marilyn Bainter, an elected Board member of the North Lake County Hospital (Tax) District, who requested the Delegation initiate a local law to eliminate the current law establishing the Hospital District and 1 Mill tax. That law gives about $12-million in property taxes to two local hospitals, and she wants to replace it with a referendum to let voters decide if the tax should be continued. Marilyn Bainter spoke for 15 minutes and 6 other tax opponents (including me) spoke for 3 minutes each. The Hospital representatives also received 15 minutes, and then there were about 15 more of them each speaking for 3 minutes. Senator Paula Dockery did not show up. Also out sick was Rep. Stephen Precourt. Thus, attending the... Read more →