Teresa Jacobs for Orange County Mayor

Ye socks will recall how frustrated yours truly was with the very crowded field of candidates that assembled to succeed Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty earlier this year.

But, after the August primary, the field was narrowed to just two: current commissioner Bill Segal and former commissioner Teresa Jacobs.

It has been quite easy to compare and contrast these two candidates.

Both have well-documented histories in this little corner of heaven.

If the decision had to be made on demeanor alone, however, I don't see how anyone could vote for Mr. Segal.

In a recent public forum, he sat with arms crossed in what could only be interpreted as a defensive posture. Answering voters' questions, he was more than happy to rattle off how many boards and task forces he belongs to or has belonged to in the past. But, his own ideas are half-baked--particularly when it comes to cutting county employees' healthcare costs and property taxes.

When it comes to jobs, Segal made it clear that his approach as county mayor would be to act as the area's chief salesman. He would pimp out our great natural resources and public amenities to draw new businesses to the area.

At the same forum, Jacobs actively engaged each voter's question. She was leaning forward, looking each person in the eye. And, believe it or not, she actually remembered to use their names as she detailed both her experience and her vision.

Beyond body language, I really liked her answer to the question of improving the local jobs market. Rather than following the tired old formula of selling-out to outsiders, she put more emphasis on utilizing the tremendous resources we already have on hand and encouraging the LOCAL entrepreneurial spirit.

After mulling over this race for the last several months, I can now whole-heartedly endorse Teresa Jacobs for Orange County Mayor.

Another one bites the dust

It seems none of the so-called "heavyweights" are interested in unseating Alan Grayson, the raving lunatic who hijacked Florida's 8th Congressional District last year.

First Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty bowed out of contention. Then State Rep. Steve Precourt said "no thanks" last week. And, now former Senate President Dan Webster has also declined.

This is somewhat disconcerting to yours truly, though I suppose it would be folly to nominate someone who didn't really have a fire in their belly . . . not only to defeat the blithering idiot who currently misrepresents this little corner of heaven in the vaunted halls of Congress, but to effect some real hope and change around here.

Time to start beating the bushes, I guess . . .

Webster for Congress?

It's never too early to begin handicapping political races in this little corner of heaven.

And, some recent events have yours truly concluding that former state senate majority leader Dan Webster is getting ready to run for Congress.

Up until recently, conventional wisdom was that Orange County's mayor Rich Crotty would try to unseat the precariously perched Alan Grayson in the 8th congressional district that includes Orlando.

But, Crotty's got some problems stemming from his entanglements at the local expressway authority. Not only did he recently rush thru an unpopular toll hike, but a grand jury report released the very next day slammed him for strong-arm pay-to-play tactics. It concluded that Crotty had benefited from a "culture of corruption."

Now, flash forward to today's blue ribbon report released by Webster. In it, he calls for some pretty significant reforms at the expressway authority, including:

• Cutting the bloated and top-heavy payroll by $600,000.
• Leasing or selling the TWO current headquarters buildings. (That's right, up til now they felt justified in having not one but TWO headquarters . . .)
• Passing the savings along to everyone with an ePass transponder, not just the frequent users the authority has favored to this point.

What's not to like about this?

Finally, a Republican is talking about shrinking the size of government and reducing its burden on the general public. Perhaps, the party will not have to spend as long in the political wilderness as I feared it might.

I've liked Dan Webster for a long time, and really respected his endorsement of Mike Huckabee over John McCain et al in the party primary during the last presidential election cycle. If only more folks around here had been of a similar mind back then . . .

Anyway, you read it here first, ye socks. Webster's running for Congress. And, today he dealt a body blow to his primary rival.

Crotty thinks higher tolls are the answer

In a stunning display of arrogance today, Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty (who also sits on the board of the local expressway authority) announced that commuters in this little corner of heaven will have to forego all the free lunches they've been enjoying lately.

He rammed thru a system-wide toll increase, hoping to make up for recent revenue shortfalls.

Yeah, that's solid thinking, Rich. People aren't using your toll roads, because they're watching their personal budgets. So, raise the costs and you'll get more of them to drop quarters in your buckets!

This poor decision comes on the heels of a lot of bad news about the authority that has eroded the public's already low level of confidence in it, including:

* CEO Mike Snyder's blatant disregard for a grand jury investitgation.

* Using a disgustingly large portion of tolls collected to overpay for lobbyist schmoozing instead of servicing the authority's debt and paying for road construction/upkeep.

* A huge payroll of $46 million for just 58 employees, making them more highly compensated than just about any other toll system in the country.

It is time for folks like Crotty and Snyder to realize that their authority must undergo the same sort of belt tightening that their "customers" are having to do.

I would encourage my fellow Central Floridians to send the authority a clear message by refusing to use their toll roads until they rescind this increase and come up with a fiscally responsible solution to their money woes.

Isn't it still 2007?!

I don't know why so many people are already talking about the 2008 elections, but it seems to be infectious.

How much longer must the City of Orlando endure Mayor Buddy's focus on entertainment venues at the expense of fighting crime?

Will a credible Republican emerge to oppose Ric Keller in the primary? How 'bout Orange County Chairman Rich Crotty?

What's Jeb Bush up to? He's been keeping a low profile since he left office in January, but surely he's not completely done with politics . . .

Is our new governor Charlie Crist really aspiring to become Vice President?!

And, of course, who to support for President?

Each party has its stars. But, in my opinion, none of them shine very brightly when it comes to the practical aspects of the job.

Sure, their faces might look good on the cover of newspapers. And, some of them are even good at dazzling broadcasters with their simplistic one-liners about complicated issues.

But, is that what we should really be looking for in a president?

Not in my opinion.

That's why I'm leaning toward Mike Huckabee, the former Governor of Arkansas.

I know. Who'd a thought I'd support a former Arkansas governor for President?!

So far, he's my favorite. But, in retrospect, we're not very far along in this process at all, are we?!?

Opinion subject to change.

Lt. Col. Skip Morgan (1948-2007)

Lt. Col. W.S. "Skip" Morgan, age 58, of Orlando, passed away at his home early this morning. He was the 9th generation of a pioneer Central Florida family, and worked as a paper boy for the Orlando Sentinel during his early years. He was an Eagle Scout.

A 1966 graduate of Oak Ridge High School, he was a classmate of Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty.

He was also a 1970 graduate of The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. He shared rides with author Pat Conroy from that military college to their common hometown in Florida. And, during his senior year, Skip was named to the elite Sumerall Guard drill team.

After college, Skip embarked on a career in the U.S. Air Force, interrupted only briefly by a stint as a pilot with the now-defunct Air Florida.

He received commendations for his efforts to retain highly-trained military pilots during the Cold War when commercial carriers were competing for their talents.

His last assignment was at The Pentagon, where he worked with Gen. Colin Powell on arms control agreements with the former Soviet Union.

He retired in 1992, and returned to Orlando.

Skip's great passions included big game hunting, Civil War history, genealogy, and his family.

Sadly, he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's Disease in 2002, and succombed only after a 5-year long struggle with the illness.

Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Leigh Anne; son William of Apopka; daughter Mrs. Keith Simmons of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and 2 grandchildren.

Arrangements are being handled by Woodlawn Carey Hand Funeral Home, with interment to follow at Greenwood Cemetery in downtown Orlando.

The family suggests donations to the Alzheimer's Association of Central Florida, 988 Woodcock Road, Orlando, FL 32803. (http://www.alzflorida.org/)