In January, 2008 the North Brevard Beacon and NBBD.COM again teamed up to make local news even more accessible to the people of North Brevard and the world. Here we will be publishing the lead stories of the current edition of the Beacon and linking you to the main website where you can read a PDF copy of the entire Beacon and browse the archives.

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July 17, 2008

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2008 Beacon Hurricane Guide •|• The Bargain Hunters

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What a drag Oh, the high heels... and the girdle! Michael Renninger, left, plays Paddy McMutton, a wanted jail breaker who disguises himself as a woman, and Richard Jones plays his partner, Tony Pinella, during "The Senator Wore Pantyhose," a comedy at Emma Parrish Theater, which runs through July 19. A quote from the playbook states, "They made me wear the dress! I swear!" says Renninger. Schools get "A" on FCAT By D.D. Remini This year's FCAT scores are in and the county school system is excited. The schools earned the highest performance in the history of Brevard Public Schools with 83 out of 84, or 99 percent, receiving an A or B. Seventy-seven schools received an A - an increase of three from last year. "This is a great 'grade day' for Brevard Public Schools, said Superintendent Dr. Richard DiPatri July 8. Florida Department of Education ranked Brevard County second in the state along with a grade of A. The county is tied with Okaloosa County on the panhandle. First-ranked Gilchrist County, with four schools in its district, is just eight points ahead of Brevard. "I commend all of our students, teachers, parents and administrators for their outstanding work," he said. "We are extremely pleased with these results while continuing to focus on improving student performance." No schools received a D or F. In the 57 elementary schools, 54 earned an A and three received a B. The 27 middle and high schools also faired well with 23 receiving an A, three a B and one a C. For the third straight year, all middle schools earned an A. Five schools were penalized due to struggling students who didn't show sufficient improvement as assessed by the state's standards. The state assesses a penalty of one letter grade if a school does not show at least half of its lowest 25 percent of struggling students as making learning gains in reading or math. Astronaut High, Bayside High, Mims Elementary and Rockledge High earned As but received Bs due to the penalty. Cocoa High earned a B but received a C due to the penalty. Here are the grades in the Beacon readership area: Andrew Jackson Middle: A, 2007 A Apollo Elementary: A, 2007 A Astronaut High: B, 2007 B Atlantis Elementary: A, 2007 A Audubon Elementary: A, 2007A Cambridge Elementary: A, 2007 A Challenger 7 Elementary: A, 2007 A Clearlake Middle: A, 2007 A Cocoa High: C, 2007 D Coquina Elementary A, 2007 A Edgewood Jr/Sr High: A, 2007 A Endeavour Elementary: B, 2007 C Enterprise Elementary: A, 2007 A Fairglen Elementary: A, 2007 A Gardendale Elementary A, 2007 A Imperial Estates: A, 2007 A James Madison Middle: A, 2007 A Lewis Carroll Elementary: A, 2007 A Merritt Island High: A, 2007 A Mila Elementary: A, 2007 A Mims Elementary: A, 2007 A Mims Elementary: B, 2007 A Oak Park Elementary: A, 2007 A Pinewood Elementary: A, 2007 A Riverview Elementary: A, 2007 A Robert Stevenson Elementary: A, 2007 A South Lake Elementary: A, 2007 A Space Coast Jr/Sr High: A, 2007 A Thomas Jefferson Middle: A, 2007 A Titusville High: A, 2007 A Tropical Elementary: A, 2007 A

View for commissioner By Susan Walden Whether it's bringing more jobs to the area, concern for escalating property taxes or wanting a better quality of life, seven candidates are in the race for County Commissioner District 1. Republicans Jeff Rainey, J. Roger Shealy and Meredith Eberhart; Democrats Robin Fisher, Maureen Rupe and Al Yorston and Independent Ilene Davis are running. The primary is Aug. 26 and the general election, in which Davis will go against the remaining Republican and Democrat, is Nov. 4. Eberhart declined to answer these questions. Why are you running for commissioner? Rupe: "To build upon my experience in community service. I will be a full-time county commissioner whose only interest is the people of Brevard." Yorston: "To take that experience and dedication to my community and put it to work for the citizens of Brevard. ... I believe it is vitally important that we have someone who can represent the best interest of the people and knows the responsibilities of serving as county commissioner. I will be a full-time Commissioner that works every day to try and make it a little easier for people to live, work, raise a family or retire in Brevard County." Fisher: "Create and keep good jobs. Brevard County is unique in its heavy reliance of government-related jobs. We may be facing unprecedented economic challenges as funding for the space program shifts. There will be many contractors reevaluating their investment and commitment to our community. Strong leadership will be required to ensure stability as the space coast evolves with new programmatic priorities. North Brevard needs a strong voice to make sure taxpayers get their fair share." Davis: "Because I am sick and tired of politicians who want to give money I earned to someone else just because they have less, and who make campaign promises that they don't keep, and who seem to care more about their political party than the taxpayers who pay their salary." Rainey: "To continue to serve my community. I have the leadership and experience to start on day one to protect the unique communities that make up District 1, and to bring jobs to Brevard to offset the planned layoffs at KSC. By bringing these jobs, we broaden our tax base, replace lost jobs with new jobs and keep jobs and associated businesses healthy. Shealy: "Property tax revenues to Brevard County have increased more than a 140 percent over the past 10 years, while over the same period our population has grown 16 percent and per capita income (our ability to pay) has increased 55 percent (see www.Shealy2008.com for data and charts). This has created a heavy burden for tax payers, especially those on fixed incomes as property taxes and assessments take a greater portion of our income. I am running this race to restore fiscal conservatism and fiscal restraint to the Board of County Commissioners. What do you bring to the office that will make a difference? Rupe: "I have been a dedicated community volunteer and activist working in the county government arena for over 20 years. I have fought hard for quality of life issues that impact our neighborhoods, our community and our county. My record shows hundreds of examples of my effective results in working with homeowner groups, the county commission, city councils, and state agencies to actually change policy. The recent agreements with FPL for a new $10 million plant and cleaner air for all in North Brevard are only one example of how my efforts have been successful. (Another example is) connecting Titusville's southern commercial district with communities to the south through the opening of Grissom Parkway, and the creation of our new Parrish Health Care Center in Port St. John." Yorston: "(In addition to serving in many volunteer positions) for the past 15 years, I've worked as a public servant for Brevard County Parks and Recreation, the Brevard County Clerk of Courts and the Brevard County Housing and Human Services Department. Over the past decade, I have served as assistant to three of five County Commissioners in Brevard. From 1997-2000 - served as assistant to County Commissioner Nancy Higgs (District 3), from 2000-2002 - Commissioner Jackie Colon's assistant (District 5), and most recently assistant to County Commissioner Chuck Nelson (District 2) beginning in 2006. b "I have owned my own business for 20 years; I know the issues facing business owners. In my previous city council experiences, I have had to take on tough issues that needed to be addressed. I have a proven track record of bringing people together to improve our community. Politically, former councilman in Palm Bay and Titusville. Professionally, I have run a successful small business for the past 20 years. I have served on the United Way and Chamber Board of Directors, BCC Board of Trustees and Board Chair for Central Florida YMCA, where I led the way to raise over $2 million for the Titusville YMCA." Davis: "A public track record of standing up for what I believe to be fair to all, honoring campaign promises even under pressure to back off, 40 years of reading financial statements, 30 years of helping others manage their business or personal finances, a degree in math, accounting, and soon an MBA, and an extensive understanding of how factors outside Brevard, and our dependence on state, federal or local tax dollars to provide much of the income in Brevard, could be affected by those factors. I have been a city council member, but frankly, I find too often those with lots of political experience care more about getting reelected than doing what is right for the people whose money they are spending. I believe my business experience, my extensive reading, my understanding of how social security cash flow, the world economy, new accounting rules, and more will dramatically affect the ability of 'government' to do much of anything." Rainey: "My political experience serving on the Titusville City Council and as vice mayor for two terms (six years), has prepared me to effectively serve as your county commissioner. During this time I served on the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Space Coast Economic Development Commission, Brevard County Economic Development Commission, and Delegate to the Space Coast League of Cities, Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce, Taylor Creek Reservoir Committee, North Brevard Hospital District Board, Community Redevelopment Agency and Spaceport Florida Commerce Park Authority. I worked with state and federal governments to keep much of the space program at Kennedy Space Center. I was also invited to speak at President Bush's 2004 "Moon, Mars and Beyond" Hearings. My volunteer service with the Sheriff's Department has given me hands on experience and the understanding to recognize our uniqueness, and the importance of public safety. This would be the very last area on the table for me to even consider cutting due to the passing of Amendment 1. My political experience gives me the ability to understand the process and trim the process whether it is through an easier permitting process, prioritizing services, and/or recognizing the need and ability to pay for services/expansions." Shealy: "I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Liberty University in 1990 and for the past 17 years I have worked in financial industry. Five of those years I was employed as an internal auditor for Brevard County where I conducted financial and performance audits of county departments and programs. This experience gave me a very broad and thorough understanding of county operations, as well as a detailed knowledge of county budget issues and processes. Currently, along with my business partner, I own and operate the independent investment advisory firm SKadvisors located in Titusville. I am a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Internal Auditor, and a Certified Information Technology Professional. As property values are now falling, it will be vitally important we have commissioners on the board that possess the qualification and experience to deal with difficult financial issues. My qualification and experience has prepared me for this task." What are your goals as commissioner? Rupe: "Work to improve trust in government, and encourage more citizen participation. Attract clean, secure employment opportunities to Brevard County. In a climate of climbing fuel and food costs, adequate paying jobs are a critical component of our county's future. We must accept the fact that our resources are reduced and prioritize the basic elements that are needed to support our residents today. Proactive, creative and critical thinking are mandatory. Work to our growth remains sustainable and our quality of life is not compromised ... (and to) make sure we do not allow overdevelopment to exceed the capacity of the area's economic or natural resource support systems. Ensure the burden of infrastructure for new development to be on the financial backs of current residents; nor is there any rational argument for overextending our transportation capacity to the point of gridlock. • Foster an improved quality of life for our community." Yorston: "Property taxes and insurance rates are driving people out of their homes and must be reduced. Brevard needs to be a diverse and affordable community. We have a highly skilled workforce and a quality of life and natural environment that is the envy of many throughout the country. We need to provide for the basic services that are required to meet the demands of today while planning and preparing for the opportunities available to us in the future." Fisher: "Good government: I will support open and responsive government. • Strong voice for North Brevard: I will make sure that the north has a fair shot at new business and investment, while representing the entire county. • Create and keep good jobs." Davis: "To return government to a government of, by and for the people, instead of a government of, by and for the politicians. To limit the use of tax dollars to services that truly serve to provide for or protect the public safety of the community as a whole, to reduce the cost of government, and make Brevard a place that successful, creative business owners want to locate or expand to, and where talented local students want to stay and build businesses." Rainey: "As we lose jobs at KSC, we must diversify our economy. We must bring good paying jobs to our area. Without good employment for our residents, we will continue to see our children move elsewhere for employment, continue to have foreclosures and vacant houses. I will work with all parties to accomplish this task. I also want to look into duplication of county services, so that we can do the job cleaner, quicker and more cost effective for our residents and businesses. You are the backbone of our county. My goal is to have an open door policy to listen to the concerns of the citizens of North Brevard. And I must listen and understand the concerns of the rest of the county as well. My first allegiance will always be to the citizens of north Brevard to maintain their unique lifestyles and communities. Next we must provide a safe and affordable supply for our drinking water. We currently see cities battling each other over water rights. We must make this a priority to have a constant water supply. I have a plan for a multi-county solution to this situation." Shealy: "- Decrease government taxes and spending to levels that are: a) reasonable, based on current economic conditions, i.e. the tax base, b) justifiable, based on the actual demand for public services, and c) sustainable, based on the taxpayer's ability to pay. • Reduce regulation by eliminating numerous County Codes that add significant cost to housing and businesses. • Increase transparency and accountability by making board meeting agendas and agenda item packages available online well in advance of the meetings. Change County Policy and Procedures to: a) eliminate the abuse of last minute add-ons to the meeting agenda, and b) link completed meeting minutes and video with a record of each vote by commissioner for each agenda item." What do you think are the most important issues facing Brevard County, namely our district? Rupe: "The ending of the shuttle program. ... We must attract clean, secure employment opportunities and work with all agencies to try to lessen the impact of the end of the shuttle program. ... Budget reductions can be accomplished but must be done wisely. ... I would like to explore the recommendations from the Brevard County Industry Budget Review Report. ... Projected changing demographics - I would reexamine our services to see how to better serve and involve seniors." Yorston: Eliminating waste, inefficiency and duplication of services with the county. Work with state and local officials to ensure available, affordable insurance. Support changes to state law requiring insurance companies return premiums to policy holders that are cancelled without making any insurance claims. Solidify the county as a key player in the next generation space vehicle programs. Recruit new businesses and support programs that retain and continually educate Brevard's workforce. Create and support a Citizen Advisory Panel to review and make recommendations on the Brevard County Comprehensive Plan. And support small Area Studies and joint planning pgreements to determine future annexations and growth. Support innovative energy efficient green building technologies, Promote the conservation and preservation of native habitat and support Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program and encourage conservation of limited natural resources and protection of available clean air and water." Fisher: "The decline of the shuttle program and the potential loss of 6,000 jobs." Davis: "The almost total dependence of north Brevard on incomes that depend on government (ie, tax-funded or borrowed) spending. Not just KSC, but Medicare, Medicaid, social security, military retirement, other state/federal government contracts. America already borrows $2 billion a day to keep the government afloat. Twenty percent of that is from China. China is already talking about investing in U.S. stocks instead of government bonds. Social security (currently with a $92 billion excess cash flow) is projected to go into negative cash flow in 2018. And many baby boomers heading to retirement have little saved. Add in rising home insurance, likely cutbacks in federal or state subsidies, declining housing values as more homes go into foreclosure, and the list goes on." Rainey: "The most immediate is the challenges of our unique economic environment and the challenges we face as the shuttle program closes down. We must bring new jobs to Brevard County to maintain our quality of life. Also to be addressed is the budget process and how Amendment 1 will impact this process. We must make smart decisions on the spending of your money. We will need to prioritize our spending, not cut public safety issues, but spend our money wisely to provide the best services to our citizens and tax payers. The long-term important issue will be drinking water. I have a plan that will form a multi-area coalition to develop a solution in part through desalinization, protection of our current reserves, education of water conservation and cost sharing in the development of solutions. Shealy: "Our local economy. Home prices have fallen 35 percent since August 2005 while foreclosure filings are occurring at record levels. Retail sales in our county are at levels not seen since 2004 and unemployment is currently over 5 percent. Our local economy is hurting, and with the potential layoffs at KSC, we are facing real economic problems in North Brevard County - we need jobs. To address these issues and encourage new and existing business expansion, we need to: Reduce property taxes and assessments providing relief not only to employers, but also to employees and all who pay property taxes. Streamline the permitting process across all permitting agencies and establish a deadline for decision making. Abolish commercial impact fees."

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| Archives to 9/1/2004 | Obituaries to 8/18/04 |

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