Rick's Blog

In reviewing my notes from the Thursday, May 14 meeting with Commissioner Gene Valentino and County Administrator Bob McLaughlin, the Commissioner mentioned several other cities…

The Mobile County website is one of the least informative. It lists accomplishments but has little about structure (See). I did go through the county…

Portland Development Commission Form: City Department The Commission is governed by a five-member board of Commissioners who are all local citizens appointed by the Mayor…

Commissioner Valentino also lists Saint Lucia – which I think is not a city, but a country in the Caribbean. Not sure it applies at…

Galveston Economic Development Partnership Form: Private/Chamber Funding Source: Memberships The City of Galveston recognized the Chamber of Commerce as the economic development engine of the…

Kalamazoo Economic Development Corporation For: City Department Budget: $ 649,998 Source: Loan repayments, TIF The City of Kalamazoo’s Economic Development Corporation offers a range of…

Another city in the Valentino presentation-Houston, Texas Greater Houston Partnership Form: Private Sector/Chamber Funding: Private sector Board of Directors The Greater Houston Partnership is governed…

Jacksonville is one of the cities listed in Valentino’s presentation as a success story. Here is its structure: Jacksonville Economic Development Commission – JEDC Form:…

Will PEDA bring more politics? That is one of the big questions I have about the Valentino plan for economic development. The Escambia County Commissioners…

My daughter Claney sang the National Anthem at the Pelicans Home Opener. If the video isn’t appearing, try this link.

The meeting with Gene Valentino could have been contentious, but it wasn’t. The meeting with the Commissioner and County Administrator Bob McLaughlin had been scheduled…

Here are the overnight trends for the conservative blogs according to NetRightNation.com: Issue Trends 1. Medicare: + 265.52 % 2. Social Security: + 165.91 %…

Updated 11:42 am, May 15 Commissioner Gene Valentino gave the IN a peek into his black box to see his economic development plan. He will…

I know some of the council members are scrambling to learn more about soccer fields inside the City limits. The only ones I can find…

Of course, we did the story two years ago – Shauna’s Story of Slavery. At the time we got national attention – CBS News and…

Correction: We originally incorrectly reported the judges involved in this case. Judge Thomas Johnson handled the first appearance. Also the State Attorney’s office did object…

A lawsuit against a major tobacco company that is being tried in Escambia County is being closely followed by a team of Canadian lawyers interested…

It’s official– Florida CEO Alex Sink has announced that she will run for Governor in 2010. She issued the following statement regarding the 2010 Florida…

State Sen. Don Gaetz reports that funding for K-12 will remain about the same per student for the upcoming school years: Escambia County will earn…

Not in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties. It is in Pinellas County where the commissioners voted 4-3 during a budget workshop to cut their salaries…