Posted on January 23rd, 2013 by
Thomas Kennedy
Taxing Authorities Response to Duke’s Letter
On January 17, 2013, R. Alexander “Alex” Glenn, Duke/Progress Energy Florida’s CEO sent a letter to Citrus County Commissioners; Citrus County Property Appraiser; Citrus County Schools Superintendent; and the Citrus County Sheriff giving notice that it would not pay more than $19million on its 2013 Property Tax Return. It should be noted that Mr. Glenn’s letter comes long before the Citrus County Property Appraiser has even appraised and/or certified Duke’s or any of Citrus County Property Owners properties. Below is a joint response to Mr. Glenn’s letter.
Dear Mr. Glenn, January 23, 2013
We are in receipt of your letter dated January 17, 2013. The expression of your strong commitment to Citrus County is important and we acknowledge the value of the County’s 50-year relationship with the power companies before Duke. Likewise, we recognize some value in the forewarning of your intention to make another partial payment for taxes in the upcoming fiscal year 2013/14. However, the full assessment of your properties has just begun to establish its value for 2013. Therefore, it is premature for you to unilaterally determine what your taxes should be. It is our intention to complete that evaluation in the coming months in accordance with Florida Statutes and the Florida Constitution.
We further believe it is inappropriate for your company, or any other, to pre-determine a partial payment of a tax bill. Progress Energy/Duke, like every other taxpayer, should pay their fair share, not the share they want to pay. Progress Energy/Duke would not accept a partial payment of a monthly electric bill from their customer, nor should they.
We know you are aware of the potential negative impact this issue will have on our schools, public health and safety and to our quality of life in Citrus County. As we move forward with these discussions, let us remember that your ratepayers, your customers, and even your employees, are our citizens. We all are bearing the cost of your attorneys, our attorneys and the negative impacts to the community.
While it appears that you have made a business decision on behalf of your company, the taxing authorities must protect the interest of this community. You give us no choice but to defend our position. We are committed to working through these issues efficiently and amicably. We appreciate keeping an open line of communication, and we look forward to working with you now, and in the future. It is our sincere desire to have a solid relationship with your organization, and one that is based on trust and is mutually beneficial to all parties involved.
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on January 21st, 2013 by
Thomas Kennedy
CSMS Honors Inauguration Day 2013
Friday might have been only January 18th, but at Citrus Springs Middle School it was Inauguration Day. All day long Social Studies and American Government teacher, Mr. Shawn Keenan, had his students take part in a mock United State Presidential Inauguration Ceremony to learn and experience first hand what and why this event takes place. Each class had a President, Vice President, Chief Justice and Associate Chief Justice and others that play their roles. The President (student) was sworn in by The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (another student) by their own name and then the President gave an Inaugural Address which they had personally written. Their speeches were most impressive and greatly enjoyed how each student shared their view of our country and gave their vision of the direction our country needs to take in the next four years.
As the ceremony took place it was hard not to see how serious the students took this exercise. Even when each person walked to and from the podium the manner in which they walked reflected the importance of this event.
After the ceremony Mr. Keenan spoke to the students about different presidential inaugurations in history and told of unique, unusual and important details that took place during past inauguration ceremonies or speeches. One of the stories that the students enjoyed was about the first inauguration of George Washington and how the public came out to hear the voice of our first President, a leader known for his great role in forming our country. When the President elect began to speak and the people eagerly began to listen, the people could not hear a word, because Washington, who had false teeth and had them in for this event, was so concerned his teeth might come out that he spoke very carefully, quietly and softly.
This event surpassed any single political party or ideology but was a learning experience for students about this special and important event that takes place and empowers our President every four years.
Scroll down to see more photos posted of this event on the Citrus Schools Facebook Site
From Citrus Springs Middle’s Presidential Inaugural Ceremony, posted by Citrus County School District on 1/21/2013 (47 items)
Generated by Facebook Photo Fetcher 2
(Citrus Springs Middle’s Presidential Inaugural Ceremony)
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on January 18th, 2013 by
Thomas Kennedy
Emergency Appeal LifeSouth’s blood supply
I am on the Citrus LifeSouth Advisory Board and today Kimberly Edwards the Regional Manager put out an emergency appeal.
December and January are notorious for a seasonal decline in collections, but this has been compounded by the recent flu outbreak and unexpected increased usages in our hospitals. LifeSouth’s blood supply is low and we are currently in a state of Emergency Appeal.
LifeSouth is working very hard to meet our hospital demands. It would be greatly appreciated if you could, over the next few days, recruit friends and family to donate blood.
All blood types are needed, especially any rh= (i.e. O=, A=, B=, AB=).
Below is a list of public drives our bloodmobile will be located in Citrus county for the next 5 days.
Thank you in advance for your continued efforts to help save lives in our community.
|
DAY
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DATE
|
LOCATION
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TIMES
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|
|
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| Saturday |
1/19/2013
|
Manatee Festival |
9A-5P |
| Sunday |
1/20/2013
|
Manatee Festival |
9A-4P |
| Monday |
1/21/2013
|
Eagles Club-Homosassa |
12P-6P |
| Tuesday |
1/22/2013
|
Love Chevrolet-Inver |
10A-4P |
| Wednesday |
1/23/2013
|
Wal-Mart-Lecanto |
8A-3P |
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on January 17th, 2013 by
Thomas Kennedy
Florida Public Teachers Ranked 4th in Nation, Schools Ranked 6th in Nation
Education Week’s Quality Counts rankings for 2013 were released and Florida received a score of 81.1 (B-) making Florida 6th in the Nation for total quality of education.
Public school teachers received high marks by earning a “B”, ranking them 4th in the nation, Nationally teachers in others states earned just a “C”. It should be noted that Florida public school teachers typically rank 47th nationally for teacher’s wages. This further demonstrates that Florida’s educational challenges are not about ineffective teaching and teachers.
These findings do not surprise me. I spend many hours at our schools and in our classrooms. I witness firsthand the dedication our teachers, our staff and our administrators have for the students. I am blessed to have my own children in the public school system in Citrus county, who have received a powerful high quality education by caring and committed individuals. Education is not a job to these professionals, it is a “calling”.
We must stand together as communities to support and honor public education. It is one of the greatest investments in our community, country and future.
I congratulate our teachers, school staff and administrators for their long hours and difficult work they do each day for our students.
Also see NPR story: Quality Counts 2013 Education Rankings Come In
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on January 17th, 2013 by
Thomas Kennedy
Making a difference for Students and Schools
Congratulations to our teachers and support staff who have been selected by the peers to represent their school at the Galaxy of Stars banquet, where the teacher of the year and school-related employee of the year are named!!
http://www.chronicleonline.com/content/making-difference-4
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Filed under: News & Updates
Posted on January 17th, 2013 by
Thomas Kennedy
NEWS ALERT: Florida Supreme Court Rules In State’s Favor On 3% Retirement
I am just receiving information that the Florida Supreme court has upheld the State’s right to have government employers levee 3% contribution to the Florida Retirement System (FRS).
At this time I have few details, but it is my understand that this ruling would mean that the current requirement of collecting 3% from all state employees would continue.
I know this is not what mean in State, County, Law Enforcement, Fire, education and more hoped for.
If you are interested in reading the Courts Opinion visit: http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/decisions/2013/sc12-520.pdf
Also Tampabay Times has an article on this story at: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/florida-supreme-court-sides-with-state-in-retirement-battle-against-state/1270970
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Filed under: News & Updates
