This is what happens when you deal with a con man

I've deliberately not blogged on this matter before. Oh, not because it's embarrassing, but because who the hell would believe it. It seems something right out of a bad comedy play.

Summary: small 'city' wants to revitalize its downtown. It puts out for bid the entire project and really sweetens the deal. A flamboyant man from the the 'big city' comes in and sells the 'city' council on a great plan. Tells the rubes exactly what they want to hear. Even though he has no experience in performing such a large project, they award it to him anyway. Gives him money and virtually gives him the land, etc.

And of course, the deal goes sour. Little is accomplished. They can't even find the man after he defaults. The land he was given he get a loan on, which he defaults. You know, a real cheesy play written by a has-been hack.

Well, not exactly.

OCALA - City Shops & Walk developer Jorge Gutman might be willing to walk away from the project - but not for free.
City Shops & Walk is a planned 40,000-square-foot open-air retail and restaurant center just across Southeast Fort King Street from City Hall. Gutman owes the city $1 million for the Sprint property on which the project was to be built and $1.5 million for the loan Ocala provided to jump-start the project.
Gutman's attorney, Steve Zucker, has said the developer would deed the land back to the city, but he wants to be compensated for his investment in the project so far, City Manager Paul Nugent said Monday. (The man has balls. Wonder if the Ocala Council has.)
**************
Recent attempts to provide Gutman with notice of two lawsuits filed against him and his company have been unsuccessful. No one answers the gate at the entrance of his residence, said City Attorney Pat Gilligan. (GILLIGAN! You gotta be kidding!)
Until Gutman, or someone living in his residence, has been provided notice of the suit, the city cannot move forward with the litigation process.
**************
The City Council's confidence in Gutman's ability to complete the slow-moving venture began to wane in July, when he stopped returning staff phone calls after liens filed against the property put him in default of his contract.
On Aug. 7, the council called Gutman into default on the $1.5 million loan for the project because of two late interest payments. At a special meeting on Aug. 10, Gutman said he would repay the city in full for its $2.5 million investment, as well as continue work on the project.
When that didn't happen, the council decided Aug. 21 to file suit. A second suit was later filed for violation of the mortgage agreement concerning the Sprint property as a result of unsatisfied liens and an additional $130,000 mortgage Gutman took out against the property.

Kind of embarrassing, as I said. And of course who today would believe any story that had a city slicker taking the hicks to the cleaners?

Ocala is No. 1 for job creation?

Well it is according to The Milken Institute (whoever they are) as recorded in the Ocala Star Banner article.

OCALA - The Milken Institute of Santa Monica, Calif., has ranked the Ocala metropolitan area as the country's Best-Performing City for job creation. The annual report is based on data from 2006. "Best Performing Cities 2007" will be published Wednesday morning, said Jennifer Manfre, the institute's associate director of communication. The institute looked at which metropolitian areas "are the most successful at creating and sustaining jobs," according to the report.
********
Here's the report's statement on Ocala: "Ocala leaps into the top spot in the 2007 Best-Performing Cities Index, up from 13th in the previous index. It owes its position to consistent, top-ten growth rankings across specific categories, such as wages and technology output. Perhaps most impressive is Ocala's job growth, which averaged 5.8 percent from 2004 through 2006. Ocala shared in the Florida housing boom witnessed from 2002 through 2006. Its proximity to Disney World links its economic fate with the travel-and-tourism sector. But unlike many other Florida metros, Ocala has greater dependence on the manufacturing industry, where Lockheed Martin's circuit-board facility is a technology anchor. Coupled with Cingular Wireless operations, this technological presence boosts Ocala's ranking to 2nd in the country for high-tech output growth over the past five years. "

We're number one. Who knew?

"The problem with memories"

That's the title of the linked article from the PalmBeachPost.com.

It's the story of a mother who lost her two sons: one killed in Viet Nam, the other from drugs, etc. It's a painful example of what can happen in a family.

Both of these men were my age.

And I knew both of them.

And god help me, I could have been either of them.

What a scam! (probably)

Here's the deal.

A 'muslim' man gets tasered by Ocala cops. So now he's suing because...well, because he wouldn't drop his koran. He's religious, you know, and of course no muslim would drop a koran when cops say 'put your hands up, Sparky.'

OCALA - The Ocala Police Department has launched an internal afairs investigation involving four officers accused of roughing up and stunning a man with a Taser when he refused to drop his Quran or even take his hand off the bulky book, which was tucked into his waistband.

Forget the rest of the circumstances, it's the usual "I'm not guilty, I'm being picked on because..." bullshit. This can be summarized by: Shields also accused the officers of lying and said, "Hazel violated my civil rights."

Oh, why do I say it's probably a scam. Well, here's a kicker: Shields, who said he's a Muslim, has spent time in prison for grand theft, grand theft auto, forgery, uttering a forged instruments and robbery.

This could be a nice little 'get out of jail' free ticket for such devout muslim criminals. I don't doubt he learned that in prison from other devout followers of his religion.

Kick-Ass Weather!

That's what we had last night. Marion and Lake counties, among a number of others, got slapped around pretty good, but we're okay. And enjoying the rain. And tonight there's another round, but so far worst weather has been in Brevard and Orange.

We're pulling for you, Bill!

Bill, The Florida Masochist, had surgery this morning "...in order to have more lymph nodes removed for biopsy. This will be done in-patient, I will not come home till sometime Wednesday."

Stay strong, Bill. Your readers-and friends-are thinking of you and we continue to pull for your recovery.

For those of you who pray, please put his name in your prayers.

All the best, man.

UPDATE (9/21/07)

Bill writes to say his operation went all right but that he's ready to return to blogging until maybe October. Glad you're okay, Bill. Return when you can. We'll be waiting for you.

UPDATE (9/22/07)

Well this is good new! Bill is back doing some "light" posting. Welcome back!

Close, Jim, but no cigar

OCALA - Jim Warford, the former Marion County superintendent of schools and once the state's K-12 chancellor, did not make the final cut for the commissioner of education position after a State Board of Education vote this morning.

Three of the seven board members said this morning that they were ready to pick the next commissioner of education. However, the other four board members wanted to narrow the list down to three.

The final three chosen Tuesday morning were: Cheri Yecke, Florida's current K-12 chancellor; Eric Smith, senior vice president of the College Board, a national not-for-profit group based in New York; and Joseph Marinelli, a New York state regional superintendent.

Warford attended Tuesday morning's session. ''I have no regrets,'' he said in a telephone interview. ''I am really grateful for the following in Marion County and the support. I am sorry to let them down.''

That's okay, Jim. Come on home.

What was that scream from Gainesville on Monday?

Turns out it was a schmuck masquerading as a University of Florida student. You heard of it, right? A guy who fancies himself some brilliant provocateur, and who's been looking for his 15 minutes of fame, found it. Poor little scamp was tasered after being a pain in the ass at a Kerry speech.

Oh, the inhumanity of it all!

Well, this is an update (at 5:52 p.m.), per above link.

GAINESVILLE - Police have released the incident report detailing the Tasering of a University of Florida student during a campus forum with Sen. John Kerry Monday, and the officer who actually Tasered Andrew Meyer wrote in the report that Meyer later told police, "You didn't do anything wrong."

In the 12-page report, which gives accounts of the incident from the perspective of eight different officers who were present Monday afternoon, Officer Nicole Mallo writes that Meyer would only resist officers when cameras were present.

"As (Meyer) was escorted down stairs (at the University Auditorium) with no cameras in sight, he remained quiet, but once the cameras made their way down stairs he started screaming and yelling again," Mallo wrote.
********************
The supervising officer, Sgt. Eddie King, attempted to Taser Meyer on his chest, but he reported that his Taser would not deploy. He then instructed Mallo to Taser Meyer, and she Tasered him on his shoulder, according to one of the officer's report.

The officers were then able to fully handcuff Meyer and escort him from the building. Each of the six officers reported that Meyer yelled things like, "They're going to kill me," and, "They are giving me to the government," while he was being taken from the room.

Frankly, having to listen to Kerry would make me run screaming...from the building. But then, I'm not a child. I don't have much of a life, but apparently it's better than this stupid bastard.

Ah, yes: the world will be such a great place when the 'best and brightest' like this guy finally run the world.

Frankly, rather than a tasering, this baby should have had his ass kicked. But maybe I'm just too old school.

UPDATE (9/19/07)
Jessica from Gainesville dropped by. She feels much as I do. She also knows one of the campus police involved. I wish I did so I could give her an 'attagirl' or three.

Is there a pro-life Democrat?

According to this post from The Corner it seems the answer is no.


You remember Sen. Bob Casey Jr., the 'moderate' Democrat who was so touted as pro-life. This was done to show that at least one (actually the only one) Democrat could be called such.

Well, there was a vote and he "...voted against every other pro-lifer in the Senate."

No big shock. To be an elected Democrat today, you must give up every hard core belief you've ever had IF it conflicts with party loyalty and dogma.

I say again, there are no moderate Democrats. You may think you voted for one or more the last election, but you were lied to. Party first...convictions last. Please-don't get fooled again. That would just prove your continued gullibility.

And there are no more conservative Democrats. The last was Zell Miller, and he's gone, folks.

This is too sad (Update)

In a previous post, I mentioned a news story that stated "A 3-year-old playing at his home Friday afternoon chased a soccer ball into the street where he was struck and killed by a car. Friday was his birthday."

I was incredibly sad when I read that, and just wanted to say so. However, in response to a reader's comment, I asserted that the child, Ethan Skye Cook, was unattended when the accident happened. What I said was "The unattended child ran into the road. I would probably be critical of inattentive parents, but this story just made me sad, including for the parents, rather than my usual self-righteous state."

Well, I received a comment on the 7th from someone claiming to be Ethan's mother, who said:

The child was not unattended. I was blowing the leaves off the front porch in preparation for his birthday party the next day. The lady who hit him held the phone while I gave him CPR while waiting for help. We are sad, but still living.

I choose to believe this is in fact Ethan's mother and I wish to publish her comment. Perhaps because what I said was inappropriate and because I had nothing but my own smug assumption to go on.

I feel the need to apologize publicly.

Sixth Anniversary

Another sad anniversary of 9-11-01.

But hopeful since we still have not had a similar attack in six years.

Thanks to all the men and women who have ensured that such attacks have not occurred.

Thanks to all our warriors who have fought this war against Islamic terrorism.

Thanks to President Bush and Vice President Cheney.

God continue to bless America.

Marion County Justice (the decision is in)

Well, I was so wrong...and I'm damned glad!

OCALA - A Marion County judge ruled Monday that convicted killer Angel Diaz died a "painless and humane" death despite testimony indicating the execution didn't go smoothly.
Circuit Judge Carven Angel refuted allegations that Diaz's execution was botched and lifted a stay of execution for Ocala death row inmate Ian Lightbourne.
Medical evidence and observations of lay witnesses do not support the allegation that the execution was 'botched, " Angel wrote in his five-page ruling. "There were irregularities which the Department of Corrections has addressed and taken appropriate action to reduce the risk of happening in the future."
The court rejects the argument that the Diaz execution was 'botched.' Inmate Diaz died within a reasonably short time after the chemicals were injected in a manner that the court finds was painless and humane. It was never intended that the inmate should wake up and go home."
The judge's ruling came as a surprise to Lightbourne's attorney, Suzanne Keffer, of the Capital Collateral Regional Counsel, who felt the judge brought up concerns in a July 22 hearing."It is a bit of a surprise, given it's in complete contradiction to his ruling on July 22," she said, referring to Angel's verbal order to the Department of Corrections about its execution manual.
"I find surprising his treatment of the Diaz execution," Keffer said. "[The judge] was clearly troubled . . . and to me, his ruling is a complete opposite of that."

Thanks, Judge Angel. You reached both the correct legal and moral decision.

"Snipes' tax trial will be held in Ocala"

Well, it's official. Tough guy Wesley Snipes will stand trial on a federal tax rap. Just a couple of months ago (as I noted here) he was challenging on the grounds that he was being persecuted only for being black.

OCALA - Actor Wesley Snipes will be sitting in an Ocala courtroom in October facing tax evasion charges, a judge ruled last week.
The federal judge also dismissed Snipes' notion that he is being targeted by the IRS and the U.S. Attorneys Office because he is a black man.
The other men charged with conspiracy in the tax case were not charged with tax evasion. Neither were the 2,000 people who relied on Kahn and Rosile for tax advice.
Citing case law, U.S. Senior Judge Terrell Hodges called "selective prosecution" a part of everyday business.

Well, there's much more to it than that. Others have been charged (no description of their races) for an old tax scam that's been around since I became an adult. What is that, you say?

According to the indictment, the two organizations sold tax schemes. The group used the "861 argument," which states that U.S. citizens and residents are not subject to wage and income taxes if the money was earned in the United States.
Rosile allegedly prepared false returns using the 861 argument. Clients paid American Rights and Guiding Light a membership fee, and paid American Rights 20 percent of the funds they received from the IRS.
Snipes reportedly became a member on March 2, 2000. The next month, Snipes allegedly filed a false return with the IRS. According to court papers, Kahn held a private seminar at Snipes' California home.

I am always amazed at the number of people that get taken in by schemes that are based on any claim that much of what is presently taxed is not actually taxable under the 'real' tax laws. The IRS picks up a number of these each year. Most aren't celebrities, however.

Snipes' isn't being picked on because he's black. It's because he's a celebrity....and a stupid one.

Bin Laden-Alive? (What-again?)

The world awaits Bin Laden's video tape blah, blah, blah. This supposedly proves he's alive.

Once more, I'm skeptical.

UPDATE (9/11/07)

Okay, so there's been a second video. Maybe I'm as crazy or stubborn as a "9-11 Truther" but I still don't believe it's really Oz in real time. (Well, let's just say I'm still not convinced otherwise.)

Ken Jenne-Justice at Last!

MIAMI, Sept. 4 — Broward County’s chief law enforcement officer resigned Tuesday after agreeing to plead guilty to federal tax evasion and mail fraud charges stemming from a two-year corruption investigation.

The official, Ken Jenne, the county’s sheriff since 1998, agreed to plead guilty to three counts of tax evasion and one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, the authorities said.

They said that Mr. Jenne had secretly accepted tens of thousands of dollars from contractors doing business with the sheriff’s office and that he falsified his tax returns in 2001, 2002 and 2004.

The 60-year-old sheriff could serve up to two years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines. The plea deal spared him the possibility of indictment on more serious charges of money laundering.

Get that...Sheriff Ken Jenne! I lived in Broward for lots of years, and it seems that half of our sheriffs get caught for illegal activities. But perhaps I'm overstating the case.

I'm not surprised in the least. Ken was always a slick politician who was continually angling for the next big job in politics. Some of us knew Jenne would end up behind bars, especially those who went to college with him.

I'm just surprised it took so long to catch up with him.

Yet Another Travolta Connection

It looks like "Dallas" the movie is alive again and John Travolta still wants to bring it to Ocala."

'Dallas,' is in fact, back from the dead," Entertainment Weekly reports. "Only John Travolta remains attached to play J.R. Ewing." Also expected to be in the cast are Shirley MacLaine (Miss Ellie) and Luke Wilson (Bobby).

Last year, "Dallas" was set to begin filming but plans fell through. Travolta, though, has long been committed to the project and has said repeatedly he would like to film it in Marion County. He owns a home in Anthony.
*************
Travolta seems determined to do "Dallas" and wants to do it here. New Orleans and Dallas are among the cities also competing for the movie location. Ocala is considered a long shot.

Long shot, huh? And here we thought we were Hollywood East-ish. Well, of course it's a long shot. It's just kinda nice just to mention our connection with celebrity. Makes us feel...special. (And not in the usual 'short bus' kind of way.)

Marion County Justice (Update)

That's right, Florida. Get ready for another thrilling judicial decision from a Marion County circuit judge. (Here is first post)

OCALA - Attorneys involved in the lethal injection hearings for a Marion County man sentenced to be executed have until 5 p.m. today to give Circuit Judge Carven Angel their last arguments involving Department of Corrections execution protocols.

The deadline for the written, closing arguments marks the end of a months-long look at Florida's execution manual and the newest policies implemented since the December 2006 execution of Angel Diaz.
**********
In December, it took Diaz 34 minutes to die after an atypical second dose of chemicals. (Not long enough, in my opinion.) Then-Gov. Jeb Bush suspended all Florida executions until a full review of execution policies was done.
**********
Angel is scheduled to rule on whether executions are "cruel and unusual" based on the state's execution procedure. His ruling is expected by Sept. 10.

We wait with......antici.....pation.

Another Knuckehead of the Day marathon

Thanks to The Florida Masochist for another marathon, or should I say blogathon.

You gotta check it out. He's up to 16 at this point.