Fay’s floods still concern Brevard ranchers, farmers

By Kimberly C. Moore
Florida Today

Some of Brevard County’s most widely known farming and ranching families voiced their concerns to state and county water-management officials Thursday about flooding on their properties during and after Tropical Storm Fay in August.
Read more at Florida Today…

Brevard Art Museum head steps down

From Florida Today
By Pam Harbaugh

After 13 months as president and CEO of the Brevard Art Museum, Karl Hollander resigned Monday. He handed his letter of resignation to Sue Hopkins, chairwoman of the museum’s board of trustees.
Read more at Florida Today…

Nelson fears for space program

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said he fears Russia’s aggressive action against Georgia may have some serious consequences on the American space program.

If Russia fails to hold back military action in the former Soviet republic, it could hurt U.S. chances of accessing the International Space Station once NASA retires the space shuttles in 2010, the Democrat from Orlando said Tuesday.
Read more

Regulators grill State Farm officials over 47 percent hike request

State regulators Tuesday aggressively grilled State Farm officials asking them to justify their request for a 47 percent increase to homeowners insurance rates.

Four Office of Insurance Regulation officials squared off in a Capitol hearing room at tables a dozen feet from four State Farm executives — put under oath to tell the truth — and argued about reasonable profits, discounts for protecting against wind damage, expected hurricane losses, state law and complex computer models.
Read more

County may provide funds for Titusville pond project

Florida Today
TITUSVILLE — The county could provide some of the money to pay for a $1.3 million stormwater retention pond project in the central part of Titusville, as part of a proposed agreement to be discussed tonight.
[Read more at Florida Today...]

Democrats set new date to vote electors

The Florida Democratic Party has finally nailed down a time and place for its do-over meeting to select a slate of 27 members of the Electoral College.   

It’s set for 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at the IBEW union hall in Orlando.   

A problem arose over the weekend when the Democratic State Executive Committee met in Tampa to choose 27 electors, but couldn’t get a quorum. State law requires both parties to submit certified lists of electors to the governor’s office before Sept. 1.   

Party leaders initially called for an Aug. 18 meeting, time and place to be determined. But Democratic National Committeeman Jon Ausman of Tallahassee pointed out that the date didn’t allow 10 days notice, as required by party rules.   

Ausman said that if Sen. Barack Obama carries Florida but his electors are not chosen with strict compliance to every rule and law, the Republicans might go to court and challenge those 27 votes — maybe even affecting the national outcome in a close race. Remember 2000, Ausman said, recalling the 36 days of court fights and recounts over Florida’s then-25 electoral votes.   

So today, the party set the new date. Democratic Party spokesman Eric Jotkoff said lawyers have assured the leadership that notifying executive committee members by e-mail, fax and phone ought to be legally sufficient.   

“We expect a large turnout at the meeting because the members of the State Executive Committee are understand it is their duty to approve the slate of electors, so when Barack Obama wins Florida, there will be no question about our electors,” said Jotkoff.   

Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer marveled at the Democratic disarray. Last spring, the party fought for a couple of months over seating of Florida delegates to the national convention, which was resolved after a long and divisive fight between Obama supporters and backers of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.   

“The continued inability of the Florida Democrats to get their act together simply amazes me,” said Greer.
[Read more...]

Judge halts West Melbourne water suit

A Brevard County judge has put the stopper on a lawsuit between neighbors Melbourne and West Melbourne over their disputed water contract.

Circuit Court Judge George Turner signed an order to put a hold on the lawsuit filed by West Melbourne, saying the two cities have not yet exhausted negotiations.

The order is standard procedure under Florida laws regarding governments suing each other, and sends both sides back to talk, attorneys for both cities said.
[Read more...]

Brevard park projects may be finished by 2010

Before voters agreed in 2006 to borrow up to $85.7 million to finish more than 20 park referendum projects, Brevard County officials said they hoped to complete the parks within two years.
More

Titusville gets money to develop new park

A recently received state grant will allow the city to embark on its first riverfront park development project.
More