From the St. Petersburg Times, April 15, 2010
"The selection of Tallahassee Community College president Bill Law this week as the new president for St. Petersburg College was predictable, safe and uninspiring. Now Gov. Charlie Crist should be more creative and bring some fresh faces to the college's board of trustees. As long as the college is embarking on a new era of leadership, there should be a clean sweep at the top.
For years, the trustees were practically hand-picked by former president Carl Kuttler and acted as his rubber stamp. The college flourished, but there were times when Kuttler should have been reined in by more independent-minded trustees. Kuttler's incredible demands for his retirement package and the initial willingness of some trustees to write him an unreasonably large check crystalized just how out of balance the relationship had become.
Crist has an opportunity next month to start overhauling the board of trustees when the terms are up for W. Richard Johnston and Deveron Gibbons. Johnston has served more than 20 years over two different stints and was even on the board when Kuttler was hired. Gibbons has served just four years, but he has not been the most diligent or effective trustee. He wound up on the board primarily because of his close ties to former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, which created a mess when Baker did not endorse Gibbons in last year's mayoral primary and Gibbons did not support Baker for the St. Petersburg College presidency.
Next year, a new governor can replace Evelyn Bilirakis, the wife of the former congressman and mother of a current one, and Ken Burke, who can devote his full attention to his day job as clerk of court. Both have been trustees for more than a decade.
Now is the time for the governor to make appointments based less on political patronage and more on the qualities of leaders who can offer more aggressive oversight and better match the college's priorities with the community's needs. Law comes into the job facing a divided faculty and the long shadow of his larger-than-life predecessor. At 61, he is not likely to have a particularly long run as president. St. Petersburg College needs a strong board of trustees with more vision to ensure its long-term future is bright."
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Gov. Crist Vetoes Controversial Teacher Bill
By Gary Fineout, 04/15/2010 - 12:59 PM
Gov. Charlie Crist on Thursday vetoed SB 6, the controversial measure that would strip job protections from teachers.
Crist publicly announced his veto at a noon press conference just outside his office which has been bombarded with calls and e-mails from teachers across the state.
The governor said he based his veto on several reasons, including the speed at which the bill moved through the Legislature and the fact that House Republicans refused to consider any amendments on the bill once it reached the full House.
Crist also said it would place the jobs of teachers in jeopardy and he said he was concerned about how it would impact special education teachers who would be evaluated based on the results of a high stakes test.
It's not clear yet how lawmakers plan to react, although a veto override would appear out of the question since the measure was opposed by Democrats and a handful of Republicans. It takes a two-thirds vote for an override.
But there could be a backlash against Crist that could affect how the session ends over the next two weeks.
Gov. Charlie Crist on Thursday vetoed SB 6, the controversial measure that would strip job protections from teachers.
Crist publicly announced his veto at a noon press conference just outside his office which has been bombarded with calls and e-mails from teachers across the state.
The governor said he based his veto on several reasons, including the speed at which the bill moved through the Legislature and the fact that House Republicans refused to consider any amendments on the bill once it reached the full House.
Crist also said it would place the jobs of teachers in jeopardy and he said he was concerned about how it would impact special education teachers who would be evaluated based on the results of a high stakes test.
It's not clear yet how lawmakers plan to react, although a veto override would appear out of the question since the measure was opposed by Democrats and a handful of Republicans. It takes a two-thirds vote for an override.
But there could be a backlash against Crist that could affect how the session ends over the next two weeks.
Friday, April 9, 2010
MEET WITH REP. MURZIN ABOUT YOUR RETIREMENT CONCERNS
Rep. Murzin invites public to meet him at Jerry's Cajun Café on April 10th
Pensacola, Florida- State Rep. Dave Murzin invites the public to stop by and meet him on Saturday, April 10th, between noon and 5 p.m. Rep. Murzin wants to give his constituents a chance to informally meet with him both as a state Representative and as a candidate for the State Senate, District 2, currently held by Sen. Durrell Peaden.
Murzin will be stationed at a table on the front porch of Jerry's Cajun Café at 6205 N 9th Avenue, Pensacola, Florida. The public is encouraged to stop by between noon and 5 p.m.
Pensacola, Florida- State Rep. Dave Murzin invites the public to stop by and meet him on Saturday, April 10th, between noon and 5 p.m. Rep. Murzin wants to give his constituents a chance to informally meet with him both as a state Representative and as a candidate for the State Senate, District 2, currently held by Sen. Durrell Peaden.
Murzin will be stationed at a table on the front porch of Jerry's Cajun Café at 6205 N 9th Avenue, Pensacola, Florida. The public is encouraged to stop by between noon and 5 p.m.
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