Titusville's fire truck restoration nears finish

From STAFF REPORTS

Titusville's first Fire Truck is being restored.

      This story begins three years ago when Fire Chief Rick Talbert found the City of Titusville's first original, motorized fire truck—an original 1925 American LaFrance—stored at a fish camp in Osteen, FL, and brought it back to the town of its former glory.
      A major community investment, the LaFrance had been purchased in 1925 for $25,000 by the City of Titusville. The LaFrance served for almost 40 years of active service. The last fire it fought was in 1962, and was permanently out of service by the end of the '70s. It then sat and deteriorated for almost another 40 years. During that time, the value of the LaFrance had diminished to a mere $2,500.
      Even so, Talbert was happy to bring it home—and knew exactly what to do with it. He approached the Space Coast Chapter of the Antique Auto Club of America (AACA) with a restoration project like no other.
      The Space Coast AACA began the restoration of the LaFrance for the City of Titusville on September 4, 2001, and today—three years later—the LaFrance is now worth an estimated $40,000 to $50,000.
      Mike Cunningham, representing the Space Coast AACA, attributes the restoration's success to the instrumental drivers in the restoration project—Space Coast AACA's current President Lee Dodd, and members Don Boshara, Dan Myers and Jim Taylor. "This project's been under way for three years, and there have been a number of people who have worked on the project, but above all, these four people have done more to forward the restoration project than anyone can imagine," said Cunningham.
      What Cunningham and his fellow AACA volunteers feel is most important about the LaFrance is that it invokes community pride. "In all of the shows that we've been to, it crosses all the barriers. It knows no boundaries. It appeals to both young and old; to men to women," said Cunningham.
      Costs associated with the restoration of the LaFrance have been paid entirely through donations and fund raising efforts. To date, volunteers have collected approximately $12,000 from various donors to get it to the splendor that it is in now. But they are in need of more donations from the community to complete the restoration.
      Said Cunningham, "We've adopted a slogan—'A Buck for the Truck.' It's been $1 here and there that has made it possible to bring the truck to where it is now, but we need to raise another $10,000 to finish the truck.
      "All the engine and body work has been completed. We're down to the point now where everything we have to acquire now takes hard dollars. We need to get sirens, bells, ladders, equipment—things that will put it into A-1 condition," Cunningham states.
      It's truly an asset to the community, and the Space Coast AACA is now calling on the community to help raise the needed funds to finish the project. Cunningham said, "If every family could give just $1—an amount less than you spend on a soft drink...less than a gallon of gas (almost less than half a gallon!)—we could finish the truck."
      "You can put donations in with your water bill payment, or stop by the firehouse," he urges.
      And, when you do make your donation, feel good knowing you took part in bringing Titusville's original 1925 American LaFrance fire truck back to life.

No 'time out' for growth

...90-day moratorium rescinded by Council

      A last-minute change in agenda frustrated many residents who showed up at the Titusville City Council meeting March 9, prepared to voice their opposition or support for a 90-day moratorium on certain development activities to give City Staff a "chance to catch up" with all the new development being proposed.
      Early on in the meeting, Councilman Chris Broome made a motion to address this item "out of order," which was passed. Mayor Swank then made a motion to rescind the moratorium motion, which passed 4-1. Mayor Swank observed, "There's no moratorium on the books!"
      Not only were citizens prepared to discuss the moratorium, but Vice Mayor Ken Ward and Councilman Conrad Eigenmann had also done their homework on this issue. And citizens present at the meeting— as well as Council—were still in the mood to debate Titusville's growth issue.
      When the moratorium issue was taken off the agenda, county resident Laura Ward, a staunch supporter of the 90-day moratorium, brought it back up under "Petitions and Requests," and was allowed to state her views without interruption. Ms. Ward ended with two questions she thought that Mayor Swank should ask citizens in a survey:

1. Do you want to see the population of Titusville double in the next five years if it means you can eat an an Olive Garden?
2. Do you want to see every piece of buildable riverfront in Titusville developed with a 10- to 12-story condominium building if it means you can shop at a boutique?

      Mayor Swank responded, and when he made the comment that "Council doesn't answer to county residents," tempers flared. At that point, Mayor Swank told Ms. Ward to "Sit Down!" and that she was out of order. He then went on to say a few more harsh words about her county residency and relevance, prompting several city residents to come before Council (some driving from home after watching the event transpire on television) and defend Ms. Ward's opinions as their own.
     Councilmember Broome responded to Ms. Ward's comments on having a moratorium, saying, "That's not the way things work in the world. They just don't.
     "We work through a problem, you address the issues, and you keep moving, because if development stops—as it did in Titusville for the past 30 years—we saw the results.
     "I think it would be a foolish endeavor if we go down that road," he added.
     Vice Mayor Ward also objected to comments that Titusville was unprepared for growth and was "rubber stamping" plans for 5,000 homes. "That's absurd!" Ward stated. "We've approved only 363 building permits in all of 2003."
     "This Council has gone through strategic planning. We've looked at annexation planning. We've gone through impact fee studies, growth impact fee studies. That's planning!
     "We're looking at future Fire Station locations; looking at where Public Works facilities might need to go, and identified that we need them. We're looking at what our future water supply is going to be, spent thousands of dollars on consultants to find sustainable water through the years 2020 to 2025. That's planning!
     "There's a sewer master plan that we've developed, storm water regulation review that we've gone through, a site plan review process that we've tried to tweak and tried to adjust. That's planning!
     "We're into a systems conversion for our computer system that we've updated completely. We're into the Park Avenue Impact project—widening it for anticipated traffic. That's planning!
     "Asserting that the City of Titusville is not planning for the future is a myth! Buying into it is even worse!"
     It was, then, Councilman Eigenmann's turn. The only "nay" vote on rescinding the moratorium, Eigenmann stated that he was not "anti-growth," but a businessman and an elected official who tries to keep an open mind and be up on issues so "I don't have to 'Rule 13' every issue."
     He stated that the word "moratorium" was a poor choice, and that "Administrative Postponement" probably would have been better. "Developers hear 'moratorium' and look to invest elsewhere," he said.
     Eigenmann also took exception to a letter circulated by the Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce to the business community that he felt did not represent a fair view of his stance on the issue. "Tonight, I learned who really controls this city," he commented.
     And, Eigenmann had his own question for the Mayor:
     When they City was needing all this growth, and making decisions to promote the growth, did you ever envision that you would get it at this rate?
     The Mayor's answer was, "No."
     Even so, there will be no "time out" for growth today.

KALEIDOSCOPE

'The Passion of the Christ'—The gospel according to Mel

By FRED KRUPSKI

      While I have not seen the movie "The Passion of the Christ," nor do I intend to see it since I have no burning (as in bush) desire to spend a dime to see over two hours of violence with not a word of English spoken, I, nevertheless, feel qualified to comment upon it. I have read enough and heard enough to form an opinion. For my piece this week, I'm tossing all the nutty syllogisms of political correctness out the window. Call it my "doctrine of judgment" if you will. Today's penchant for political correctness is designed to protect us against unreasonable polemics. It apparently sets me poles apart from the mainstream media.
      I believe I'm qualified to critique and recognize Jew-baiting when I see it.
      I grew up in a diversely ethnic neighborhood of north Philadelphia that was inhabited by Germans, Italians, Irish, Poles, Hungarians, Lithuanians, Slavs, Bohemians—and a handful of Jews. Most of them who persevered the slings and arrows of abuse delayed moving to the northeastern suburbs, filled with more modern semi-detached homes, from the typical brick and brownstone row houses. They remained in the "hood" from the time they originally settled as immigrants in the late 1800s and early 1900s until about 1940. The Great Depression was almost over, World War II began, and the economy was improving.
      My section of the city was made up of blue-collar workers; many just beginning to find employment beyond FDR's alphabet make-work programs. Many of the Jews were the last to leave because a large proportion owned businesses—drug stores, candy stores, tailor shops, etc. It was convenient because they could be frugal and save money on infinitesimal profit margins because they usually lived either behind, or above their little businesses in two or three story homes. Mortgages were affordable; property taxes almost non-existent.
      Anti-Semitism was, however, prevalent. While not directed against all the Jewish population, it targeted on those immigrant families who arrived in America from Russia and Poland. German, French and Austrian Jews were usually spared the ethnic slings and arrows. Other nationalities remembered the caste system from the "old country," and the favored status was carried to their new homes, even before processed from Ellis Island to the new ghettos.
      Some families avoided race and nationality discrimination because they hid it when they could. Some of them "passed," others disguised, or did not discuss their religiosity.
      While many of my Jewish friends were called names by their peers from intolerant families, I was more fortunate. It's almost like the joke about an offspring from an Austrian Jewish mother and an Irish Catholic father. What were they called? Agnostics.
      And since there were few of us, especially in my own ancestral background, I pretty much got a free pass, described as some kind of Heinz 57 variety. My moniker was usually, "Hey, professor!"
      I also had the approbation of my playmates for other reasons as well. We were not religious in the sense that we boasted neither a menorah or a crucifix, which were found in many homes. Although we could have displayed both icons, I suppose. Our attendance at either a cathedral or Synagogue was rare.
      My neighborhood did have something we shared with even the upper class sections of the City of Brotherly Love along the Main Line.
      Anti-Semitism.
      I was lucky. There was little fighting and listening to divisive lyrics to songs about Palestine, the Jewish Navy and eating beans and gravy. I may have been called a "Jew boy" or "Hebe" a couple of times, but the fact that I inherited more of my father's physical characteristics generally negated me being profiled as Jewish (or half Jewish).
      Since those early days in the 1930s and '40s, I found very little anti-Semitism. Until now. Until the movie, "The Passion of the Christ."
      Attempting to learn anything about the movie from the new, 5-minute news digest provided by Florida Today's new format has proven futile—with the exception of a few letters to the editor from those of us who receive our information from other media sources. Mine happens to be a dozen or so weekly and monthly magazines, excerpts from the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Orlando Sentinel and—most importantly—The Sunday edition of The New York Times.
      Assuming one has a few extra hours to spend on Sundays, since the local daily takes only five minutes to read (and they're proud of it), you can learn a great deal about what's going on outside the boundaries of Brevard County by reading other perspectives.
      The Ash Wednesday release of Mel Gibson's movie has shaken people like few other films. It has also resurfaced some closet anti-Semitism. There are critics who say the movie portrays the governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate, responsible for the crucifixion. Others ascribe it to the power and malignity of the Jewish elite, called as I grew up as the "Christ Killers."
      Mr. Gibson has made a purposefully controversial film and timed the opening to maximize the greatest publicity. So far, it has earned more than 225 million dollars— with a cost of about 30 million to produce. It is box office mammon that makes other Hollywood producers kvitch with unrestrained delight.
      Gibson almost sounds like a Pentecostal who has interpreted Scripture According to Mel. He states that the Holy Spirit was working through him as he directed the movie. The actor who portrays Christ has described the cast and crew members' ability to overcome various obstacles during the filming as "miracles."
      The Bible may or may not be the revealed Word of God—that is an argument best pursued in a venue other than this one, but in the gospel according to the movie credits, "The Passion of the Christ" is a film by Mel Gibson. The most talked about review comes from well known journalist and now critic for The New York Times, Frank Rich. His column, written March 7, has been discussed, debated, and argued by several networks and all cable news organizations at length. Before I read Rich's column I had already believed that Gibson is an anti- Semite. Many of the clergy, both Christian and Jew, disagree. I think this is because they want to be politically correct and not stir up the pot more than necessary to keep the Christian-Judeo peace. If you criticize his film, and the Jew-baiting by which he promoted it, you are persecuting him..."all the way to the bank," says Rich.
      If Gibson says he wants Rich's intestines on a stick and wants to kill his dog, (such was his fatwa against the critic in September), this is not an act of love. It's personal. Gibson stated the remark was a "joke."
      I don't think it was a funny one.
      Another critic, Christopher Hitchens (not Jewish) on "Hardball" calls the movie a homoerotic exercise in lurid sadomasochism for those who like seeing handsome young men stripped and flayed alive over a long period of time.
      So, if this movie is a kind of joy ride for sadomasochists, conveniently cloaked in the plain-brown wrapping of religiosity, as Rich describes, does that make it bad for the Jews?
      Not necessarily. Well, it certainly won't ignite another pogrom on its own velocity. At least in America. I'm not sure yet about Titusville.
      However, you may have seen the news photo in a Denver newspaper that showed the marquee in front of the Lovingway United Pentecostal Church that read: "Jews Killed the Lord Jesus—1 Thess. 2:14,15."
      That message shouldn't start Crusade III. Or could it?
      I must add that Frank Rich's quarrel is not with most of the millions of Christian believers who are moved to tears by "The Passion." What concerns him are those with leadership positions in the secular world—including those in the media—who have given Gibson and the movie's most incendiary hucksters a free pass for behavior that is unambiguously contrived to vilify Jews. Says Rich, "Start with the film itself. There is no question that it rewrites history by making Caiaphas and the other high priests the prime instigators of Jesus' death, while softening Pilate, an infamous Roman thug, into a reluctant and somewhat conscience-stricken executioner."
      "The more benign Pilate appears in the movie, the more malignant the Jews are," is how Elaine Pagels describes Gibson's M.O. in the same newspaper last week. As if that weren't enough, the Jewish high priests are also depicted as grim sadists with bad noses (long) and teeth—Shylocks and Fagins from 19th century stock. The only Jew with a pretty nose in this Judea is Jesus, so I am told.
      Yet, in the early screenings that Gibson famously threw for conservative politicos in Washington last summer and fall, not a person in attendance, from Robert Novak to Peggy Noonan, seems to have recognized these obvious stereotypes, let alone spoken up about them in their profuse songs of praise for the movie.
      And what about the Holocaust denial?
      In an interview I read in Reader's Digest, Ms. Noonan asks Gibson: "The Holocaust happened, right?"
      After saying some of his best friends "have numbers on their arms," he responds: " Yes, of course. Atrocities happened. War is horrible. The Second World War killed tens of millions of people. Some of them were Jews in concentration camps."
      Hello!
      This is classic denial language of Holocaust deniers, including Gibson's own father, Hutton Gibson, a prominent anti-Semitic author and activist. He diminishes Hitler's extermination of Jews by simply folding those deaths into the war's overall casualty figures as if it were a small by-product of battle instead of a Nazi master plan for genocide.
      And they (the interviewers) allowed Gibson, the father, a free pass. No questions asked.
      Mel Gibson is on a roll. For a guy who is "suffering for his art," it's hard to see since his production company is even licensing necklaces that feature 12-buck replicas of the nails used in the film's Crucifixion. Does this sound a little bit like the people who sold miniature ladders after the Lindbergh baby kidnapping?
      I listened to Bill O'Reilly on the "Don Imus Show" (MSNBC) after talking about asking an editor from Variety why Gibson has taken so much heat for his film. After beating around the burning bush for a while, O'Reilly said: "I'm asking this question respectfully. Is it because the major media in Hollywood and a lot of the secular press is controlled by Jewish people?" With respect like this, Jews hardly need any disrespect.
      Gibson also kept most Jewish journalists out of early screenings of the movie, so he cherrypicks his interviewers now.
      Rich says the vilification of Jews by Gibson, his film, and some of his allies, unchallenged by his media enablers, is not happening in a vacuum. "We are in the midst of an escalating election-year culture war in which those of "faith" are demonizing so-called "secularists"—(for which read any Jews critical of Gibson and their fellow travelers, liberals).
      People tell me they came away from the movie feeling that Jesus died in "The Passion of the Christ" so cynics, whether seeking big bucks or votes, could inherit the earth.
      But then, after all, it's only a movie, isn't it?
      The Gospel According to Mel...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Let's set the record straight

      There were many comments made at recent Titusville City Council meetings, concerning the proposed Dairy Park Village multi-family apartment development. Comparisons were made regarding the Park Villas Apartment community, and what Park Villas represents.
      For the record, Park Villas is the only new apartment community built in Titusville in over 15 years, is 70% occupied, and is a gated community offering their residents many amenities, including a computer lab, car care center, picnic area and state-of-the-art fitness center.
      Further, Park Villas promotes drug-free housing and provides a very pleasant living environment. It is a tax-credit community.
      First, it needs to be clear that the tax-credit program is not a subsidy program like Section 8. Nor is it public housing. It is an IRS program, administered by state Housing Finance Agencies, (HFA's), to enable developers to build quality housing for working families who cannot afford market-rate rents. That's the first big difference between tax-credit and market-rate development—the renters themselves. While owners of market-rate properties strive to set rents as high as possible to allow them to develop and build the property without losing money, owners and managers of tax-credit properties do not have the option to adjust rents to meet changing circumstances.
      Renters in tax-credit properties are families whose income or ability to pay rent is limited. Generally, families with incomes at or below 60% of their area's median can apply to live in a tax-credit rental unit, depending on the requirements of the community. (Park Villas requires a credit report, a criminal background check, proof of income and a good rental history.) The applicants are retired or working people—employed in law enforcement, health care, firefighting, education, retail sales and facilities maintenance—who simply are not paid enough to afford market-rate rental housing without financial hardship. Safe, affordable housing is not easy to find.
      The second big difference is the nature of the amenities the apartment communities provide. While market-rate properties may provide swimming pools, exercise rooms, etc., in a tax-credit property it's typically more important to the residents that they have access to family-supportive services such as Park Villas' computer lab and gated playground. Residents using such supportive services such as the computer center can improve their skills and, therefore, become more eligible for higher-paying jobs and can move on to market-rate housing opportunities. Park Villas also offers their residents a home ownership assistance program, with a percentage of residents' rent made available for the resident to purchase a home, and is in the form of a gift or a grant, with no repayment required.
      Park Villas is proud of their residents, the residents are proud of their homes, the management staff is professional and the community is a beautiful addition to the City of Titusville. The public is welcome to stop by and take the tour.
            Bonnie Jackovich, Marketing Director
            Park Villas Apartments, Titusville

BUSINESS BRIEFS

By BOB SOCKS

Titusville Business License Report - February 2004

• Total licenses issued: 30
• Breakdown as follows:
• Home Based Business - 13
• Sales Office - 1
• Consultant - 1
• Attorney - 1
• Helicopter Rides - 1
• Retail Sales - 3
• Acupuncture - 1
• Ice Cream Parlor - 1
• Restaurant - 3
• Physical Therapy - 1
• Wholesale/Retail Autos - 1
• Auto Sales - 1
• Magazine Publication - 1
• Bank - 1

Garden Street repaving

      The final phase of Garden Street's repaving project will be taking place in the next few weeks. The final surface course on the portion of Garden Street from Southlake Elementary School to the FEC Railroad tracks will begin March 22 and continue thru mid-April; immediately following, they will finish up between the tracks and U.S. 1., with an estimated completion date of May 1—way ahead of their June 23 deadline.

Debt and the elderly

      Older Americans who borrow with credit cards are sinking deep into debt, suggesting that more seniors are struggling to pay bills, a study found. Among people over 65 with monthly credit card balances, the average self-reported balance rose 89%, to $4,041, in 2001 from 1992. The biggest increases came among those aged 65 to 69. Their average monthly balances more than tripled to $5,844 in 2001, from $1,842 in 1992.
      Studies found sharp increases in the number of seniors experiencing what is called "debt hardship," defined as families spending 40% or more of household income on debt payments. Among seniors with household income of $30,000 to $40,000 a year, the percentage with "debt hardship" tripled to 27%; debt hardship declined among seniors with annual household income of $50,000 or more.
      Some reasons for the increased credit card debt are: medical costs, eroding pensions, and reduced income because of low interest rates.

By DIANNE SIMMONS

Home Furniture in Mims is having their annual "Spring Cleaning Closeout" through Wednesday, March 31. They offer genuine markdowns on top quality furniture! Check out their ad for huge savings.
* * *
See Rich at Indian River Sportsman for all of your hunting supplies. Remember, turkey season starts Saturday, March 20.
* * *
For all of you art lovers, stop in The Gaslight Mall and see wonderful art for sale by Karen Zoller, M. Merrill Gordon, Peggy Gunnerson, Mary Ann Morris—and meet the newest member, Debi Crawford. They are all members of the Titusville Art League. Also, while you're there visit The Potpourri Patch for great gift items.
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Looking for an apartment? Stop in and see if you qualify for a two bedroom, two bath apartment at Park Villas Apartments and receive half off your first month's rent. Look for the ad and give them a call...
* * *
Visit The Dusty Rose Antique Mall for unique gifts. Check out their ad for lots of items available in their shop. Stop in and meet new renters Kay Phillips (Bean Pot) and June Lee and see what they have to offer.
      And, congratulations to Hillary Futch, granddaughter of Quincy and Kay Taylor, owners of Dusty Rose, for winning 1st place in "Zoology," junior division, at the science fair in Jacksonville, FL. She will be competing in State, which will also take place in Jacksonville, but she also was chosen to go to Portland, Oregon as an observer, since she cannot participate in the fair. (Hillary is in junior division, and only senior division can participate in the national science fair.)
* * *
Be sure and get your summer golf membership at Great Outdoors Golf Club. Also, seniors, join their summer Tuesday morning leagues. See their ad for more details.
* * *
Bobby Mutter, realtor and mortgage broker of Bobby Mutter Realty at 4217 Hopkins Ave., says to come by this office and meet his staff—realtors Andy Andrews, Barbara Doughtie, Becky Sarver, Carmen Powers, Doris Scott, Jack Malec, Paul Patter, Stephanie Price and Jules Hart. Jules is also a realtor and mortgage broker, and Jim Mutter, personal assistant, is taking his real estate exam in March.
      Stop by or call them for an appointment to let them list your property or to help you find what you are looking for.
* * *
River Road Mercantile is getting new items everyday. They have lots of vintage garden items too!
* * *
Simply Precious Crafts and Gift Shop has a wide variety of spring items including all kinds of bunnies for Easter.
* * *
Angeleigh's, on Garden Street, has the largest selections of dance, cheer, gymnastics and workout wear for adults and children in North Brevard.
* * *
The Fly Fisherman has new fishing items, plus they have a large selection of men's and women's clothing up to 50% off. Check out their ad for new items they carry.
* * *
Liz Kinch, owner of Broadwaves Beauty Salon, next to The Coffee Shoppe on Broad St., says to "Spring In" for a highlight special. She also needs hair stylists.
* * *
Do you know someone that needs a little TLC? Someone that's not able to prepare their meals, clean their home or can't drive? Look for Comfort Keepers' ad and call to get help for a loved one. They are also looking to hire...
* * *
Call Linda Williams at Kolors Salon and take in her coupon for a $35 highlight special in March.
* * *
You are invited to a free dinner—and church—at Evangel Christian Center, 2708 Garden St. in Titusville. Dinner is from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.; the service is from 7 to 8 p.m. Children's ministry is provided. Past menus have included spaghetti, quesadillas, hamburgers and hot dogs, curried chicken and such. They also always have salad with other items for those on low carb diets.
      What a great way to come and get to know the pastor and church family at ECC! For more information call 383-8005.
* * *
Executive Chef Pascal Beaute and Special Events Expert Charlene Walters proudly announce the opening of Pascal's Downtown Bistro, their new restaurant in Historic Downtown Titusville featuring affordable French and American cuisine.
      Beaute has his fingers in many pies these days—from serving up delectable space-themed dishes at Kennedy Space Center (he is Executive Chef of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex), to cooking up new school lunch ideas and mentoring at-risk youths. He serves on both the Board of Directors of the Space Coast Chapter of the Florida Restaurant Association and the Advisory Committee for the Brevard County School Board's culinary program. He coaches soccer at Divine Mercy Catholic School and is involved in the "High Five" Eckerd Youth Association. He also donates his time to an early intervention school in Brevard.
      In November 2003, Beaute was named Chef of The Year by the Space Coast Chapter of the American Culinary Federation.
      "I'm very pleased to be part of the Brevard County community," said Beaute, who began his career in France and worked in 17 countries with Club Med, Inc.
      Visit Pascal's Downtown Bistro and try one of Beaute's delectable dishes...you're sure to be impressed!

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