Citizens to vote on riverfront referendum

An artist's rendering of Harbor Towne luxury condominiums currently under construction in downtown Titusville. Is this a glimpse of what's to become of the waterfront along U.S. 1?

City Council moves forward with plans to acquire property along Indian River

From STAFF REPORTS

      Many Titusville residents are apprehensive about the seemingly uncontrolled growth of condos and private homes along the Indian River, increasingly blocking the view of their most scenic resource.
      Several proposals have been suggested over the years to address citizens' concerns about the problem, including the latest: A $10-million, 20-year bond issue to acquire and maintain undeveloped property on the river, east of U.S. 1.
      Several months ago, Titusville City Council appointed a "Riverfront Acquisition Referendum Committee" to identify, evaluate and price suitable waterfront sites, and to report back on the feasibility of a voter referendum on the tax increase necessary to cover all the costs involved in purchasing those properties. At the July 13 City Council meeting, the Committee's report was discussed and voted on.
      Bill Kolodney, a current Code Enforcement Board Member who served on the Acquisition Referendum Committee, rose to speak against the results of the Committee's work. He stated that the original function of the Committee was to identify land that was contiguous to city and county-owned property on U.S. 1-from SR 50 to Paul's Smokehouse restaurant-that was available. The Committee identified some of those parcels, sent letters to the owners, and got responses that indicated it could all be done for $2 million.
      "Then," Kolodney said, "a new dynamic was added. Improving the view became secondary to stopping development. This was not our charge!"
      Kolodney was the only Committee member to vote against the final report, which identified 16 properties from SR 50 to Titusville High School, which are assessed at $3.8-million, but may cost "in excess of $10-million" to acquire because of development plans, including using submerged land in calculating unit density, which City Council recently voted to keep allowing.
      Also rising to speak against the report was Al Gutierrez, who said he represents "Ax The Tax!" He stated that environmentalists were looking to raise our taxes. He urged the Council to reject the report because, "They went beyond their authorized agenda," and because the U. S. Constitution limits government's intrusion on property rights of its citizens. "Why buy the buildable land?" he wondered.
      Laura Ward, a concerned and politically active area resident, and a member of the Referendum Committee, spoke in favor of the report. "People want parks on the river instead of condos," was the gist of her argument. "We don't need to buy little pieces of un-buildable property. We need to buy buildable sites. The Idea is a good one," she opined.
      In the end, City Council voted unanimously to accept the Committee's report, and to proceed with the steps necessary to get the bond issue on the November ballot. It has to be presented to the County Supervisor of Elections by Aug. 2, 2004, in its final version, $2-million or $10-million, 10-years or 20-years, and the rate at which the voters will be taxed if the measure passes.
      The voters will be the final arbiters on the question of condos vs. parks on U.S. 1.

Farewell to our friend

Dianne Simmons November 18, 1942 – July 3, 2004

By LAURA KELLY

      Dianne Simmons, advertising executive and columnist for the North Brevard Beacon-and my close friend-passed away Saturday, July 3, after a very brief struggle with cancer.
      We at the newspaper are all very saddened by this loss, and I know that many members of this community had a personal connection to Dianne, too, as was evident at her services held the morning of Thursday, July 8, at Temple Baptist Church, where she was surrounded by flowers, family and more than 100 friends. It was the same at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, where she was laid to rest.
      By noon, family members and friends started arriving at the American Legion for a "Celebration of Life" Memorial Dinner, complete with food, drinks and, of course, karaoke singing. Although this may seem a little out-of-the-ordinary, if you knew Dianne, you would know that it was a most appropriate way to celebrate her.
      Known as "Lady Di" around the North Brevard karaoke circuit, Dianne loved to sing and entertain a crowd, and sang over 250 different songs in her karaoke repertoire. One of her most favorite songs to sing was "Wind Beneath My Wings," by Bette Midler. A recording of a duet between her and Ed Michaelson, (the love of her life), was played during the funeral services, touching the hearts and bringing tears to the eyes of almost all in attendance.
      Knowing what a big part of her life karaoke singing was, Dianne's dear friend from "Be A Star Karaoke," Jill Rennie placed a microphone in the casket with Lady Di for her to be buried with. Lenny, "Keeper of the Stars," permanently removed the #1 spot on his karaoke sign-up board in honor of Lady Di.
      But the mark of Dianne Simmons is not the karaoke she sang, or in what she had accumulated over the years, but her family, whom she loved dearly, and the number of lives she had positively touched.
      Dianne was very kind, very real-and a very hard worker as well, which I very much appreciated.
      Some people believe that I'm the one responsible for the Beacon's "brilliance." But the truth is, every pumpkin pie is just a result of its components: crust, pumpkin goo, eggs, maybe even a little "nut"-meg.
      What I am trying to say is just that The Beacon owes itself to all different kinds of things, but without Dianne, this newspaper would have never been possible-and would have never been able to continue on.
      But, always one to do things in her own certain and precise way, Dianne has, in effect, made it easy for someone to try and fill her sales shoes. She had meticulously written down everything in her daily logs that a salesperson would need to carry on.
      Nevertheless, this issue, for me, has been a very difficult one to publish. I worked alongside Dianne going back almost 15 years, when I was a young, inexperienced "classified girl" and typesetter for the News Observer, and over these years, she had come to be my "adopted" mom. Her being gone just doesn't seem real.
      But, I know Dianne is now at peace and without the pain of cancer. And, just as it is said that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, I take comfort in knowing someday I'll see her again.
      If I can now see the screen through all these tears, I will compose this most sentimental statement:
      Goodbye, Dianne; I shall miss you dearly.

KALEIDOSCOPE

Changing political loyalties after 52 years a decision not done hastily, or without some regret

By FRED KRUPSKI

      For the better part of the past two years, I realize that I've been in denial since our president took us to war against Iraq. Being a registered Republican since I proudly received my registration card and declared my party affiliation in 1952, I have cast my vote for the Republican candidate in every election, with the lone exception of Democrat John Kennedy in 1960. My family were staunch Republicans and passionate in their choices. Our house was festooned with black ribbons when Wendell Wilkie and Thomas Dewey were defeated by Franklin Roosevelt.
      Since my betrayal in 1960-(a decision that was never truly proven correct or incorrect)-my allegiance has always been with the Republican candidate, decisions arrived at through studying, reading, listening, evaluation, and the record and accomplishments of the candidates' political background. They were not blindly partisan, nor were they based on nationality, religion, appearance, glibness, type of education or their desire, but strictly on their experience, platform, honesty, truthfulness and intelligence.
      Three years ago, George W. Bush was not my first choice. I cast my ballot in protest for my man, John McCain, who could not muster sufficient primary wins. Now my regret is that others did not see in McCain what I did.
      Unless something amazing and incomprehensible happens between now and November, I will throw my support to John Kerry and John Edwards to lead this country.
      Most Americans, unlike myself, are not news junkies. They don't watch cable TV news programs and they don't read daily newspapers, magazines or books. I was also a loyal listener of Conservative talk show hosts Rush, Hannity, and others, but today I also tune in to the few liberal hosts for their take on politics.
      Then there are the books. Boy are there books-enough to keep anyone busy throughout the entire summer-and they should be read. Examples: Against All Enemies, Richard Clarke; Plan of Attack, Bob Woodward; The Politics of Truth, Joseph Wilson; House of Bush, House of Saud, Craig Ungers; and Al Franken's Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them. I should not forget to suggest Bushwhacked, by Molly Ivins, written nearly two years ago.
      If all you've read is 10 Minutes To Normal, by Karen Hughes, you are short-changing yourself.
      In addition to the above listed books, you should treat yourself to go see "Fahrenheit 9/11," Michael Moore's film. It is haunting conservatives, whose clumsy efforts to suppress the movie have only increased its appeal. There is another movie the White House doesn't want us to see. It's called "The Day After Tomorrow."
      If possible, also try to read the editorial pages of the Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. After originally supporting Bush's war, all of them are now backing off. There must be a reason. No, there are many reasons for the negative coverage.
      Sadly, about 50 percent of Americans will not read, see, examine or give any intelligent thought to who will lead this country. About one percent will make the difference.
      Bush continually denies the absence of stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction with no evidence of viable WMD's in Iraq. Bush and his cronies, notably Dick Cheney and Don Rumsfeld, go into a frenzy every time it's mentioned. Our President says he was duped by the CIA and its now departed Chief, who is taking the heat and has allowed his company to become a laughing stock while the president pretends guilelessness. Despite the absence of evidence... "Listen, we thought there were going to be stockpiles of weapons," he told one Philadelphia audience. The truth is that he wanted to believe it and the CIA knew he wanted to believe it-so they fabricated it. And Congress mostly believed it because Bush told them so. And he used Powell to try to convince the U.N. to believe it, although they did not, nor did the rest of the countries that Bush counted on to aid us believe-and we have its cold shoulders to prove it. That's why only Britain and America are the Lone Rangers-unless you count the few countries that threw in 50 guys to the campaign to get brownie points from Bush. Most of those already pulled out.
      What else bothers me was his prior inattention to 9-11 and terrorism, fixing his sights on other more trivial matters that was not being bought by most Americans, like his stupid health plan. And, speaking of stupidity, I was amused when Rush Limbaugh said he was "perplexed" over Bush's decision to cooperate with Bob Woodward for his new book, "Plan of Attack." I think Bush was faked out because Woodward gave Bush a small boost in his earlier book.
      What really disturbs me about this man is that I never trust anyone who thinks that he exclusively has God on his side. Especially when he is the President of the United States. Is Bush leading this country as an American or leading the country as a Christian? This election is quickly becoming the most religiously infused political campaign in modern history and, to be fair, both parties are responsible.
      I think most Americans want political leaders to have a moral center but do not expect the president to also be their national pastor. I think that part of the problem is that Bush believes he's experienced the truth in religion because it has changed his life and that he believes he does not need to know a variety of other things because he knows what is true for him. Just by staying sober and finding some tiny nugget of Scriptural truth enabling him to understand his God's love for him may not be the best one for deciding what to do in Iraq, or elsewhere in the Middle East.
      Like many church leaders and professors of theology, his efforts to empower faith-based social service groups was in keeping with the self-help trajectory of his spiritual journey. Critics see this as a religious agenda that extends beyond compassionate conservative outreach in the judges Bush has appointed, and his decisions to limit federal funding of stem-cell research (which we will hear much more about during the Democratic convention, where Ron Reagan has been invited to speak).
      I know that politicians and voters alike may be guided by faith, but that does not mean they will be led in the same direction. When Bush claims that the 9th Infantry Division can be used as an instrument of God's Will to share the rights of liberty, I get very nervous. And, I don't think you believe our president's most important decisions must have a stamp of approval from God.
      Former President Ronald Reagan did not make a mistake by wearing his faith on his sleeve to gain political advantage. Bush does by trying to court the Religious Right.
      How, for example, does a devout president like Bush rally a country against an enemy that claims to fight in God's name without implying that this is a Holy War?
      Recently, I read an article written by a Bill O'Grady who said that often one will hear that what Islam needs is a reformation, assuming that when this event happened in Christianity it ended the religious wars and religion's domination of the political sphere. "This isn't exactly true," he wrote. The early Protestant denominations tried to dominate the political situation they found themselves in much like the Catholic Church did. What privatized religion in the West was the Enlightenment. This philosophical movement, probably best shown in the Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution, held that religion was a private matter and exhorted government to avoid state sponsorship of a particular religion of denomination. Moreover, the Enlightenment glorified the individual with its highest value-freedom. In terms of transcendental values, in the Enlightenment-dominated West, each person is free to choose, and they are also free to simply not choose and focus on the material comforts and distractions that the capitalist societies generate.
      This is one of the key underlying reasons there is a conflict between Islam and the West. It isn't just that they see us as oppressors; it's also because our values and freedoms directly oppose a rules-based religion that sees secular states as an apostasy. This is a conflict of cultures that won't necessarily be solved by improving Middle East economies or solving the Palestinian issue. When Bush speaks of democratizing the Middle East, Islamic fundamentalists see this as removing religion from public life-a direct threat to Islamic Law.
      Sadly, this issue will be with us for a long time, and it isn't clear whether it can ever be resolved. At best, it can only be managed.
      Thomas Jefferson's spiritual beliefs were vague, but one thing is clear-he wanted to keep religion and politics separate. For example: the only direct reference to God in the Declaration of Independence comes in the first paragraph, in which Jefferson and his fellow drafters, including Ben Franklin and John Adams, invoke the "Laws of Nature and of Natures god (the absence of capitalization was the way Jefferson wrote it, although the final parchment capitalizes all four nouns).
      The original phrase "Nature's god," reflected Jefferson's deism-his rather vague enlightenment belief, which he shared with Franklin, in a creator whose divine handiwork is evident in the wonders of nature.
      Deists like Jefferson did not believe in a personal God who interceded directly in the daily affairs of mankind.
      Recently the Rev. Peter Sanborn in Melbourne said he found himself offended both spiritually and personally at the request of certain politicians for the membership lists of faith communities. Said Sanborn, "As a Pastor of churches in the Northeast, I would always encourage people to take the right to vote seriously, but I never would tell people for whom to vote." Good advice. Sanborn also said it is wrong for any politician to request such lists and, even more, a violation of God's grace and power for a church to hand over such lists. "If any religious group wants to tell people for whom to vote, then they should lose their tax-exempt status. For Christians, it's ironic that Christ was not a Republican, Democrat, or Independent- or of the Green Party-and to imply otherwise is blasphemy."
      All this aside, I feel strangely uncomfortable joining sides with people like Howard Stern, but this president's agenda has me talking to myself. I knew he wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer three years ago, but his utterances of late, decisions, and defense of the undefensible (i.e. Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld, some Army commanders, etc.), have forced me to do something I haven't done in 52 years.
      "Liberal Democracies can offer their citizens many good things; above all, the freedom to pursue wealth and happiness. What it cannot, and this should not, claim to do is show people the meaning of life."
            - Ian Buruma.

IT'S MY TURN

By BOB SOCKS

      Since my last column, I went to the Brevard Tomorrow workshop at Dixie Crossroads, and learned that very few people are interested in what the future of Brevard County Land Use regulations become. Among the 25 or so people who were there, at least 10 were affiliated with Brevard Tomorrow, along with several political types and maybe six to eight private citizens.
      I didn't feel much was accomplished. Several of the Brevard Tomorrow volunteers have put in many hours of volunteer time over the past three years, and seem to have a handle on what the county needs are to be...but is anyone listening?
      In my e-mails to the Brevard Tomorrow leadership, I conveyed to them the message that the people in North Brevard really don't have a handle on what is happening in Palm Bay or Barefoot Bay, for those cities are 60-70 miles away and, for many of us, it's a different world we don't want to be associated with.

Where are they coming from?

      Is it baby boomers or Orlando commuters?
      There seems to be a tremendous amount of housing units under construction. The reason I bring this up is that I just drove Hwy. 405, just east the Elks Club, and noticed a tremendous piece of property (around 40 acres) has been completely cleared and will have apartments built on it. Drive down Sisson Road and you will see construction all along that road; and off North Grissom, the same story.
      Since I don't see any new jobs coming this way, where are the people coming from? Please send your answers to The Beacon.

Back in space

      Congratulations to Space Ship One and the Paul Allen team on taking their experimental spaceship into space, and returning safely, thus being the first private firm to do this extraordinary event in our space history. The Mojave Desert in California is now the epicenter of manned flight and, rest assured, other states will now take an active leadership role in manned, private space flight.
      We here in Brevard County have relied on the government, and their old bureaucratic ways (which have not been very successful), and now there is a new way- private enterprise.
      The future of private space flight looks exciting! Just imagine, in a few years, for a relatively small fee, you and I can take a flight into space, return, and still have time for lunch. I'm sending my deposit in this morning.
      See you "out of this world!"

BUSINESS BRIEFS

By BOB SOCKS

Titusville Business License Report-June 2004

• Total licenses issued-35
• Breakdown as follows:
• Home based businesses - 20
• Optometry - 1
• Restaurants - 3
• Real Estate - 1
• Seasonal Sales, Sparklers - 2
• Design Research & Development - 1
• Medical Clinic - 1
• Convenience Store - 1
• Gas Station (only) - 1
• Mobile Vendor, Special Events - 1
• Hair Salon - 1
• Natural Gas Supplier - 1
• Wholesale Fasteners & Industrial Supplies - 1

Port Canaveral News

      After nearly 40 years of dedicated service, Malcolm "Mac" McLouth has retired. Stan Payne, former Chief Operating Officer and senior vice-president, took the helm as CEO on July 2. Mac will officially retire at the end of this year, when he is expected to remain active in the maritime industry as a valued consultant.
      Mac was served as the Port's director since 2000, prior to that as deputy director of business development, and prior to that, served as Port Commissioner for 30 years. With Mac's guidance, the Port Canaveral grew from a small fishing port to the 2nd busiest cruise port in the world.
      Port facts and figures: May 2004 continued as a good month for cruising with an increase all in cruise revenue of 22.5%. Cargo revenue was down slightly for May, but still ahead, fiscal year to date by 7%.

Searstown Mall sold!

      WBS Management and Acquisition Corp. of Boca Raton, FL, through its subsidiary company, Titusville Commercial Properties, LLC, has completed its purchase of the 280,000 sq. ft. Searstown Mall.
      The new owners announced their intention to completely renovate and remodel, with plans to spend $1 million on restoring Searstown Mall to its past prominence. Renovations have already started, and they are presently accepting new leases for retailers at pre-renovation rental rates. If interested, contact WBS Management and Acquisition at (561) 860-9402.

Prime meeting space

      The American Police Hall of Fame in Titusville has now opened its meeting space doors to outside clubs and organizations. The meeting room features a 14' high domed ceiling, service kitchen, podium with audio, dual televisions with simultaneous VCR play and large restroom facilities. The room seats 250 and has a dining capacity of 150. The Hall of Fame is located at 6350 Horizon Dr. in Titusville and is approximately a 1/4 mile east of U.S. 1 on SR 405. For more information, contact Brent at 264-0911.

Convention Center location sought

      The last Titus Nites Street Party, held in downtown Titusville July 9, was a great success, as was the first ever gallery walk. Over nine art galleries participated, with snacks and drinks offered to those that took the walk.
      But the most exciting part of the whole night was the ribbon cutting for a brand new business, a entertainment promotional company, called IHI Promotions, which has moved to Titusville and is looking for a location to open up a convention center. This firm has over 40 bands, entertainers, etc., in their inventory of entertainment, including the rock group Kansas, who will be performing at Sea Fest next March.

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