Fortunately
At some wee hour this morning, I thought I dreamt that the Pinellas County Emergency Director's instructions were to enjoy a nice summer day today. If the definition of a “nice summer day” is to haul heavy patio furniture, grills and plants back to their original locations—then a nice summer day it shall be in IRB! Look at it this way, it’s a great opportunity to sweep your porches and decks and celebrate the fact that they ARE STILL THERE for sweeping.
Better safe than sorry, I guess. But my personal fear is that being so cautious will cause widespread “crying wolf” complacency when the time really comes for action. Schools and government offices are closed today; nearly every other Tuesday event is also canceled.
Fay provided an excellent opportunity to evaluate the skills of local and network meteorologists to predict the storm's path and intensity. My vote of confidence goes to Chief Meteorologist Denis Phillips on ABC Action News/Channel 28 (Bright House/Channel 11) who said—THREE DAYS AGO--that he wouldn’t be surprised to see the storm path curve in around Naples. Must be the suspenders that make him so smart.
The “nice summer day” remark by emergency officials was made at the same time a mandatory Level A evacuation was lifted shortly after 5 a.m. this morning. To the surprise of many neighbors, this evacuation included us here on the barrier island. I, for one, can never remember a mandatory evacuation ordered so early in the game in IRB in my decade+ in IRB…especially in view of a storm that was never predicted to gain more strength than a Cat 1. Some even thought it to be some sort of communications error.
Do you think that emergency personnel were too reactionary in dealing with T.S. Fay? Or, are you just as happy for the “dry” run?
Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB
At some wee hour this morning, I thought I dreamt that the Pinellas County Emergency Director's instructions were to enjoy a nice summer day today. If the definition of a “nice summer day” is to haul heavy patio furniture, grills and plants back to their original locations—then a nice summer day it shall be in IRB! Look at it this way, it’s a great opportunity to sweep your porches and decks and celebrate the fact that they ARE STILL THERE for sweeping.
Better safe than sorry, I guess. But my personal fear is that being so cautious will cause widespread “crying wolf” complacency when the time really comes for action. Schools and government offices are closed today; nearly every other Tuesday event is also canceled.
Fay provided an excellent opportunity to evaluate the skills of local and network meteorologists to predict the storm's path and intensity. My vote of confidence goes to Chief Meteorologist Denis Phillips on ABC Action News/Channel 28 (Bright House/Channel 11) who said—THREE DAYS AGO--that he wouldn’t be surprised to see the storm path curve in around Naples. Must be the suspenders that make him so smart.
The “nice summer day” remark by emergency officials was made at the same time a mandatory Level A evacuation was lifted shortly after 5 a.m. this morning. To the surprise of many neighbors, this evacuation included us here on the barrier island. I, for one, can never remember a mandatory evacuation ordered so early in the game in IRB in my decade+ in IRB…especially in view of a storm that was never predicted to gain more strength than a Cat 1. Some even thought it to be some sort of communications error.
Do you think that emergency personnel were too reactionary in dealing with T.S. Fay? Or, are you just as happy for the “dry” run?
Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB
3 comments:
What ridiculous media hype on this tropical storm. You can never predict with accuracy the path of a tropic storm, that hasn't formed with a definite nucleus and direction, South of Cuba.[the millibars of pressure were not falling] Then to say this will become a hurricane is an outright guess, just short of deception.
But the best was saved for last, when we were ordered to evacuate our homes. The storm was still a tropical storm. Yes, there is egg on a lot of peoples faces. I wonder what will happen when "wolf' is cried the next time.
Thanks for alerting Citizens on the outrageous tax increase proposed by IRB, on top of a 60% sewer and solid waste increase. The Commission just does not get it! Florida is in a recession, people are losing jobs, and this Commission only wants to tax and spend. We need to, and must cut costs, to meet the needs of these times. A $300,000 reduction in spending is needed. Jose has given some great ideas to cut costs. My thoughts are, first to cut the librarian and her $60,000 salary, cut the funds to the beach Art Center and postpone most of the road resurfacing until next year. If that does not produce enough reduction, then review the manning chart and make a few reductions there. Any thoughts of a new library should be deep sixed. ( thrown away) The reality of the matter is that there are three terrific libraries within 7 miles that can fulfill anyone's need . In these hard times a new library is totally unnecessary!
Regards,
Victor Wood
510 Harbor Drive, North
IRB 33785
I do not often agree with Victor, but in this case I too am outraged by the tax increase I am forced to pay. I agree with all of his proposed cuts, especially the library and librarian! I also think we may want to look at outsourcing our solid waste department and sell all the trucks, this will reduce our costs and raise much needed capital as well as eliminate the silly idea of purchasing land outside our city limits to park these trucks. I do think the Beach Arts Center is a very important part of our city and would look to diminish funding and not eliminate all at once. Instead of trying to give staff a 3% cola adjustment in income, lets just hold them at current pay at least through this budget year, afterall unemployment in the area is >6% and they should be happy to have a good job with decent benefits.
FYI...In the proposed budget there is zero money for the Art Center, there are no COLA or merit raises for staff and no money for any special events. The library is funded at $76k. There is $60k for P&Z consulting fees because our P&Z Director is too busy being CM to work in P&Z. But, there is a P&Z Director's salary budgeted which no one is drawing. Giving up the library and hiring a real City Manager, so Taylor can go back to P&Z would save us $136,000
Post a Comment