TUESDAY, OCT. 6, 2009
TALLAHASSEE:
Charge Against Sansom Dismissed
The case against former House Speaker Ray Sansom suffered a major blow Monday when a judge dismissed an official misconduct charge related to a $6 million project that a grand jury said was to be an airplane hangar for one of Sansom's political allies. "It is also natural to want to punish those involved. But not every wrongful conduct is a crime. Sometimes the remedy for such conduct must be political rather than judicial. This is one of those situations," wrote Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis. Lewis also swept aside felony official misconduct charges against Sansom's co-defendants: developer Jay Odom, and former Northwest Florida State College president Bob Richburg. A perjury charge against Richburg was dismissed, though part of one against Sansom was allowed to stand. [Source: Times/Herald]
» Do you agree with the judge in the Ray Sansom case? Is it right to dismiss the misconduct charges?
ORLANDO:
FAMU Law Gains Credibility
LeRoy Pernell's overhaul of the once-troubled law school leads to full accreditation. Read how he did it ... [Source: Florida Trend]
LONGBOAT KEY:
Colony Resort Files for Chapter 11
The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort sought bankruptcy protection for its 237-unit hotel Monday, two weeks after announcing plans to shutter the Sarasota County property. The Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing marks the latest episode in a simmering three-year dispute between Colony general partner Resorts Management Inc. and individual unit owners over repairs at the condominium hotel, which has operated for four decades and was once ranked as the best tennis resort in the U.S. [Source: Herald-Tribune]
STATEWIDE:
Conservatives Falling for Marco Rubio
The former leader of the Florida House has dared to challenge the state's most popular politician, Gov. Charlie Crist, for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate. "He's not the favorite in this race, but he's the best one running," gushed talk show host Laura Ingraham. "I'm all about supporting true conservatives.'' The National Review made Rubio its September cover boy. The American Spectator called him the "great right hope." George Will even predicted a Rubio upset in his nationally syndicated column after just a half hour in his presence in Coral Gables. Crist allies are starting to push back at the notion that Rubio is a conservative's dream candidate. Rubio is undoubtedly to the right of the governor, but he has strayed on occasion from the GOP's core principles of smaller government and less spending. [Source: Miami Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Miami-Dade Teachers to Get Long-Awaited Pay Raise After a 16-month impasse, the Miami-Dade school district and teachers union have agreed to a three-year contract.
› Firm Says Water Radiation Levels Are High in Acreage Homes
The radiation appears to be coming from well water, said Lemuel Srolovic, an attorney with the law firm Weitz & Luxenberg, which is investigating a suspected cancer cluster in the semi-rural community.
› State Seeks to Speed Up Weapon Permits
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson said Monday that he is trying to relieve congestion caused by an unprecedented number of new applications.
› Management Changes at Florida Trend, Times Trend Publisher Bruce Faulmann becomes the Times' new vice president of sales and marketing. Andy Corty will replace Faulmann as publisher. Corty was Trend's first publisher after the Times bought the magazine in 1980.
› Fed Transit Chief Tells Fla. to 'Get Act Together' on Rail
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood had a simple message Monday for the Florida Senate: Get behind the planned SunRail commuter train in Central Florida, or forget about the state winning $2.5 billion in federal money for a high-speed train linking Orlando with Tampa. Also: 1,000 jobs in train plan
› Purchase of Busch Parks Could Be Announced as Early as Today
The price tag is thought to be between $2.5 billion and $3 billion, these people said. It is possible, though unlikely, that the deal could still fall apart.
› Officials Coordinate Swine Flu Vaccines, Due Next Week
At-risk groups will receive vaccine first.
› Panel Decides Today on 300-Mile, $1.5B Natural Gas Pipeline
If the Public Service Commission determines there is a need for it, that would be just the first step in a years-long process that will involve 35 or so governmental agencies, every city and county on the pipeline's proposed corridor, and potentially thousands of residents and businesses.
›
Plan Is Back for New Nova Campus in Palm Beach Gardens
Nova Southeastern University finally will secure a new Palm Beach Gardens campus, courtesy of the Stiles Corp. Related: Private medical-career schools rake in profits in sick economy
› Your Table Is Waiting
Walt Disney World is experimenting with new crowd-control methods in some of its busiest in-park restaurants, hoping to make the facilities more pleasant for guests and more profitable for the resort.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Bealls Changes Executive Ranks
The Manatee County-based national retailer announced that Dan Love has been named executive vice president and chief financial officer. Jim Simpson has been named vice president of real estate for Bealls Outlet Stores Inc.
› Bowden Stays Out of Fray
Bobby Bowden refused to enter the public discussion about his coaching future a day after Florida State University Board of Trustees chair Jim Smith said Bowden should retire at the conclusion of this 34th season with the Seminoles. From Trend: Icon Bobby Bowden
› State Investment Spurs Fast Growth at High-Tech Firm
Voxeo, which was founded in Silicon Valley in 1999 and moved to Central Florida in 2003, is the first recipient of millions from the Florida Growth Fund, which invests in the state's technology, aerospace and science sectors. Related: Tech Data Corp. a target of computer hardware giants?
› Report Details Questionable Financial Moves at JESCA
Under Miami-Dade Commissioner Dorrin D. Rolle's watch, the James E. Scott Community Association raided employee retirement accounts and diverted charity funds to pay executive salaries and other operating costs, the county's Office of Inspector General found.
› United Offers Year-Long Baggage Fee of $249
United Airlines put a new twist on baggage fees today, introducing a sort of all-you-can-carry fee for luggage.
› Melting Pot Teams with Chef Chris Ponte
Melting Pot Restaurants Inc. will launch two new restaurant concepts next year.
› Possible Ban on Snapper, Grouper Would Be Large-Scale
Deep-sea bottom fishing in the southeast is in deep trouble.