Christopher Mitchell
For State Representative, District 47
Press Releases
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Are Expensive Appraisals Really Needed to Save Cone Ranch?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Are Expensive Appraisals Really Needed to Save Cone Ranch?
Tampa, FL - December 17, 2009
The most important point raised in the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Cone Ranch yesterday was raised by Kent Bailey:
"Appraisals are not required by the Bond convents. Section 11.07 of Resolution R03-211 (the bond covenants) related to sale of the system assets says:
Section 11.07 (1)
The Issuer will not mortgage, pledge or otherwise encumber the System. The Issuer will not sell or otherwise dispose of any property of the System if the fair market value of the property in question as determined by the Qualified Independent Consultant:
(b)
exceeds $500,000, unless (i) the Director of the Water Department first finds in writing that such property is no longer necessary, useful or profitable in the operations of the System, (ii) next the Qualified Independent Consultant finds in writing that it is in the best interest of the Issuer that such property be sold of disposed of, and (iii) then the Governing Body, by resolution, concurs in the finding of the Director of the Water Department and the Qualified Independent Consultant, and authorizes the sale or other disposition of such property.
The requirements of the appraisal and sale at "highest and best use" simply are not there."
We agree with Commissioner Beckner that the decision to move forward with an appraisal that can cost tax payers $200k- $250k is unwarranted without first fully understanding the options available to transfer Cone Ranch to the Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP). In our conversation with attorney and Cone Ranch Advisory Panel member, Pamela Jo Hatley, she informed us that neither Mike Merril nor his bond council could explain where the "highest and best use" language is in the bond covenant. This supports the assertion of Kent Bailey that we should be able to transfer the property as outlined in Section 11.07 (1) (b) without having to spend more than the value presently on the books for Cone Ranch.
It should surprise no one that the Water Department and their bond council have the position that the Water Department should receive the highest amount for Cone Ranch that it can. It is widely expected that the appraisal of Cone Ranch will come in much higher than the $12 million value that is now on the books. Every million spent by ELAPP above that is a million that will not be available for other vital conservation projects. The process stipulated in Section 11.07 (1) (b) should be examined carefully as an opportunity to Save Cone Ranch for little more than the cost already on the Water Department books.
Saving Cone Ranch has implications that reach beyond our county. When Hillsborough County draws water from the aquifer, it draws from water that Floridians outside the county also depend on. As we look at how to proceed with our stewardship over Cone Ranch, we must be mindful that this decision is so important it also affects the entire region and therefore our state. Sometimes an agency directly responsible for a particular issue overlooks the best solution. It then becomes the responsibility of those who are aware of more cost effective solutions to speak up.
Statement from Christopher Mitchell:
"It's important that we make efficient and effective use of the monies entrusted to government by the tax payers. If there is a way to Save Cone Ranch without needlessly reducing limited taxpayer dollars allocated to conservation or without expensive appraisals, then we should examine those options first."Contact:
Campaign For Christopher Mitchell
State Representative, District 47
Email: Contact@ChrisMitchell2010.com
Phone: 813.398.9804
Website: ChrisMitchell2010.com -
Response To Michael Steinberg's Case Dismissal
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Campaign For Christopher Mitchell
State Representative, District 47
Email: Contact@ChrisMitchell2010.com
Phone: 813.398.9804
Website: ChrisMitchell2010.com
Response To Michael Steinberg's Case Dismissal:
TAMPA, FL ( December 9, 2009) The announcement of the dismissal of Michael Steinberg's case against the United States was published in this Monday's Courthouse News Reporter. We had expected a press release from his campaign in response, especially considering that his actions now reflect on the Democratic Party.
The following description of the complaint is taken directly from the Motion to Dismiss Complaint by the United States Court of Federal Claims No. 09-59 C:
"Mr. Steinberg obtained two tickets from his Congressman for admission to the “Blue Section” of the reserved viewing area. After obtaining the tickets, Mr.Steinberg traveled to Washington, DC to attend the inauguration and incurred travel expenses. Mr. Steinberg and his guest arrived at the designated “Blue Section” several hours before the inauguration ceremonies were scheduled to begin. They stood in line to enter into the designated “Blue Section,” but were eventually refused admittance.
Plaintiff asserts that he was never told by the JCCIC that there was a possibility that he and his guest might not be admitted into the designated viewing section. Mr. Steinberg asserts that the JCCIC knew that many ticket holders would be unable to be admitted to the inauguration ceremonies and that the JCCIC had a contractual duty to advise him of this fact publicly before he incurred the expense of traveling to Washington. Plaintiff asserts that if the JCCIC had advised him that many ticket holders would not be admitted to the inauguration ceremonies, he could have made an educated decision whether to incur traveling expenses.
Plaintiff asserts that the JCCIC breached a contractual duty it owed to him by failing to disclose known facts, which plaintiff detrimentally relied on and which defendant knew or should have known would be material to plaintiff in determining whether to incur travel expenses."
This complaint will raise several questions during a political election:
1. How many taxpayer dollars were spent to handle this complaint?
2. Now that the court dismissed this claim, how will constituents feel about this use of their tax dollars?
3. As someone whose actions now reflect on the Democratic Party, where is the press release in response to the case's dismissal?
Michael Steinberg filed his case February 9th and he announced his candidacy August 27th, so he had time to prepare. He should have known that this case would come up as a part of Republican opposition research. This is the sort of thing that becomes the subject of unfair attack ads that make assumptions, without the concern we have shown above for his side of the story.
Statement From Chris Mitchell:
" I am disappointed that Michael has placed the Democratic Party and my campaign in this situation. He needs to address this issue in the coming days so that we can move past it. This is something neither Michael, the party or myself need to be addressing come November."###
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Kicking Off Petition Drive
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Campaign For Christopher Mitchell
Email: Contact@ChrisMitchell2010.com
Phone: 813.398.9804
Website: ChrisMitchell2010.com
Kicking Off Petition Drive This Weekend!
Democrat, For State Representative District 47TAMPA, FL (November 12, 2009) - We are happy to announce that we will be kicking off our Petition drive to get Chris Mitchell on the ballot this weekend in the Forest Hills area. We have set a goal to collect more than 1200 petitions by the end of February.
Furthermore we are even more excited that Lee Nelson has joined the campaign to head up the Petition drive and help build our volunteer base. Lee is an active member within the Democratic party, a recent Wellstone Graduate, was a former Supervisor of Elections candidate during the 2008 election cycle and ran for State House in 2006. We are very thankful to have him on board and look forward to working with him to make sure Chris represents us in Tallahassee.
Statement From Chris Mitchell:
"I am excited for this upcoming election, and the vision and expertise that Lee Nelson brings to our team. Let there be no mistake, we are going to win this election in the primary and ALSO in the general. The voters are going to have a clear choice in this election, namely, a Progressive voice that represents the needs of the community or another Corporatist that pushes the interests of the Business elite. The Republican Party would be making a big mistake taking the voters of this district for granted come November."
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Weekend Wake Up with Chris Mitchell
Chris Mitchell will be hosting a weekly interactive forum online every Saturday morning at BlogTalkRadio.com/ChrisMitchell starting on 9/26/09. As a candidate, and when elected as State Representative, Chris Mitchell will continue to be available to the residents of District 47, Hillsborough County, and hard working families across the state with a weekly program dedicated to allowing you to voice your concerns with him.
"For too long our elected representatives have not been accessible to the general public , for many it's because of their choosing. Today I am making a commitment to you by announcing that every week we will be hosting a talk radio show online dedicated to allowing you to voice your questions, ideas or comments about the problems facing Florida. " - Chris Mitchell
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Education Reform & Heathcare
Today the campaign released two videos on Education Reform and Health Care. You may view these videos at ChrisMitchell2010.com or by going directly to http://www.youtube.com/VoteMitchell2010.
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Bo's Ice Cream Event
MEET CHRIS MITCHELL RUNNING FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 47
First 100 Customers Receive a Free Small Ice Cream
TAMPA, FL (July 27, 2009) - On Saturday August 1 meet Christopher Mitchell, running for State Representative, District 47 at the historic Bo’s Ice cream located at 7101 N Florida Ave Tampa, FL 33604. First 100 customers will receive a free small ice cream cone. Customers will have the option of vanilla, chocolate, or a mix. The event will start at 1:00p.m. This will be a great opportunity to ask Chris any questions or voice any concerns that you may have.
Chris has also teamed up with a local non-profit organization, Kids Charity of Tampa Bay. Kids Charity of Tampa Bay helps benefit the quality of life for foster children. During the month of August, we will be helping Kids Charity of Tampa Bay's annual school supplies drive. This drive provides backpacks filled with the necessary school supplies to hundreds of foster children. Chris is asking people to bring school supplies for the organization's school drive. There will be a donation box at Bo’s on Saturday August 1 to drop off the supplies.
For more information on this event and others please visit www.ChrisMitchell2010.com. -
Campaign Announcement
CHRISTOPHER MITCHELL'S CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT
Democrat, For State Representative District 47
TAMPA, FL - July 1, 2009 - Most of the representative leadership in Tallahassee has shown us how disconnected they are to our everyday problems and issues. The old ways of doing business and politics are quickly becoming a thing of the past and the past is somewhere that this state can no longer afford to live in. We need a new era of fresh ideas and new common sense solutions that have a direct impact to our respective communities. It is time for a leader with formative years on his side and the strength to work vigorously for the people in the Tampa Bay community. The time is now to strengthen our flawed education system that Tallahassee cuts with every session, and to address the transportation problems that face our region. We must figure out sensible solutions to address the 3.8 million hard working Floridians who currently do not have health care. The home owners' insurance and property taxes that have placed a heavy burden on the middle class. The wasteful spending that is not being addressed or corrected has lead to further cuts to important programs such as public safety. For these reasons I hereby announce my candidacy for State Representative of District 47. We have a long road ahead of us, but together we can correct the mistakes of the past so that we can lay the foundation for Florida's future.
I am a life long Floridian born here in Tampa and spent most of my youth in Polk County. Being raised by a single mother I have learned first hand of the strength needed to accomplish great success for others. With my grandfather Rene Zacchini being a circuit judge and a state representative I have always been shown the great importance of public service. After High School I came back to the Tampa Bay area to attend the University of Tampa where I received my Bachelor’s Degree. This is more importantly the place where I met my lovely wife Alissa and found that no matter what groups and organizations that I have been apart of I have found myself naturally being placed in a leadership role because of my ability to find middle ground solutions.
The extreme disconnect between Tallahassee and the majority of Floridians has caused us to lose trust in our politicians and their ability to do the will of the people. We have to realize that Washington D.C is not going to address the day to day issues that residents of Hillsborough County face. We as a community need to engage our local and state governments to tackle the major problems with common sense solutions. I hope that everyone will get involved in this coming election in some way. The future is closer than we think and our foundation must be strong to survive these hard times. We need common sense leadership in our state's legislature and with your support we will have some in 2010!
