What would you like to see us do to make Tampa a better place?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Kern on May 14, 2009 at 3:04pm

They did try this before, and it failed.



Jessie Stehlik said:

I would *love* to see more innovative transportation alternatives. I love they're talking about water taxis. How cool would it be to park my car at a dock in Apollo Beach and ride a boat to work every morning?? A fuel efficient, non-polluting boat... of course. :) I'd catch the sunrise and sunset on the water every day. Awesome.

I think a really great resource we can tap in to is college students. They're fresh, energetic, and want to change the world. Maybe they can help us organize some sort of huge, spontanious gorilla marketing event. Kind of like the massive NYC pillow fight... but not. And have that event draw lots of attention to [insert whatever it is that we want to see happen in tampa] and whoever sponsers the event would give us lots of money to make [insert whatever it is that we want to see happen in tampa] start to happen.

Yeah.

I say you get on that and make it work. But if you hit me with a pillow I'm telling your grandmother.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Kern on May 14, 2009 at 3:22pm

In my opinion Tampa needs the right idea at the right time. Tampa has a history of "making improvements" only to realize it was either to soon or to late or it was not realistic for Tampa. It's all about trends, and finding the one that works for Tampa. You can’t look at a service or program that is offered in Atlanta and try to make it work here. Every city has its own feeling, they have their own identity. Every city I have ever visited the citizens have always had a different way of thinking. Tampa needs to look at what works for us based on our economy, our environment, our geographic location and what resources we currently have available.

I think?

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Permalink Reply by Josh Streeter on May 15, 2009 at 1:28am

http://www.tampabayrideshare.org/bavp.htm

Vanpools can take you to work, or you can set one up for your work. Simple, effective public transport...at least for the commute. There are government subsidies in place for these, BTW. Reclaim some of your tax $$!

I also saw that Enterprise is setting people up http://www.vanpool.com.

This is something that someone could do, right now. Who here is willing to step up and take action?

ME? I bike to work.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Odum on May 21, 2009 at 8:39am

Arts, transportation, reversing urban sprawl. I think we can all agree these are areas we would like to see improvement. The fact is these are symptoms, not diseases. Tampa is a "small" big city. It built itself selling cheap real estate and sunshine. City leaders as long as I can recall always carried inferiority complexes, comparing Tampa to our more glamorous neighbors (Miami, Sarasota, even Orlando). The low wage jobs of firms targeted (call centers, light industry and data processing) in Tampa and attracted encourage urban sprawl (looking for cheaper/better value), and less concern about art, film, music etc., the items that make a more enjoyable community. All this growth was great for construction, real estate and banking industry, but what does it leave us in terms of an economic base? And is it helping build the type of city that we want to have?

Recently, the ability of Tampa to attract the jobs in which we built our competitive edge (unskilled, gray collar jobs and cheep real estate) has been dealt a serious blow by 3 economic factors. 1. The escalation in real estate prices (we are not cheap anymore. Call centers are choosing India, Louisville, etc over Tampa) 2. Insurance - because of storms has become prohibitively expensive and 3. Property Taxes - @ 2.5% of value every year, our tax structure has given us a disadvantage over neighboring states in competing for new business.

My belief is this that our issues come down to jobs… clean, high paying, and professional jobs. Right now, Tampa is considered one of the worst places to live for young professionals, simply because there is nothing to bring them here and keep them here. Attract more creative minds and Tampa will become a more creative city. Creative minds won't come in mass until they have the ability to support themselves in a manner that is consistent with other competing areas. All the cities that I admire have been successful in building the types of communities it appears we all want by attracting the type of progressive minds that can make it happen....college towns (too many to name that I LOVE), Austin (Dell computer and spin off industries), Seattle (Microsoft and spin off), San Francisco (Silicon Valley), San Diego (program to attract niche tech firms).

If Tampa is going to take the next step, we must address jobs first and foremost. In order for jobs to come, there must be meaningful tax reform and a targeted program developed involving local business leaders and City/County government officials for attracting new age employment. A poor education system has always be a hurdle for attracting talent and it is more difficult for us to address, but we should lobby and insist that our education system be a priority.

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Permalink Reply by Joy Kobasko on May 25, 2009 at 7:47pm

Mass transit's been desperately needed for years in this area -- but the sticking point is always the cost. I'd like to see better access for bicycles, an improved and truly *regional* library system, and more college campuses (not necessarily state university campuses, but definitely community college).

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Permalink Reply by capt laurence on July 1, 2009 at 2:47pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CITY OF TAMPA GRANTS TAMPA WATER TAXI CO. A PERMIT TO OPERATE 7 DAYS A WEEK IN TAMPA HARBOR.

Tampa, Florida (JUN 30, 2009)- If you have been downtown in Tampa, you would have seen the blue water taxi “Never Never Land” cruising the waters of Tampa’s Harbor. Its been over 10 years since there has been daily water taxi service in the City of Tampa.

The TAMPA WATER TAXI COMPANY, LLC was recently granted a permit from the Tampa department of permits to operate water taxi and tour service from any city property as well as private docks. This includes the Convention Center, the City Marina on Davis Island and along the River Walk.

Currently operating the first of three vessels providing Water Taxi and Harbor Tours to residents and visitors alike from 11:00 am to 12:00 am seven days a week. Passenger are picked up at any waterfront spot in Tampa’s inner harbor. And dropped off at St. Pete Times Forum, Davis Island, Harbor Island, all waterfront hotels, anywhere on the water even at private homes. Restaurants like THAT’S AMORE offer free water taxi transportation to there guests making dinning with them a special event.
For tour reservations or pick up call 888-665-8687
888-NNL-TOUR

TAMPA WATER TAXI COMPANY also offers hourly Harbor tours, taking in all the sights and history of Tampa Bay. Daily Sunset Tours and Family friendly ECO Tours to see wildlife and the Dolphins that live in the harbor. Weddings have become a specialty of The TAMPA WATER TAXI COMPANY bringing Brides , Grooms and wedding parties to waterfront locations like the Tampa Garden Club. The Captain is even dressed in formal wear for the event.
Special events include this July 4, Fireworks with a front row seat. Limited Seating.

Background:
The TAMPA WATER TAXI COMPANY, LLC was formed by Captain Laurence Salkin a 100 Ton USCG Master.
“Capt. Larry” was a former New York marketing executive that gave up his 30 year career marketing to Fortune 200 companies to
spend his days on the water. He jokes “ I burned my 3 piece suits”. With a love of the Ocean and people he has found his calling in narrating tours and taking guests on a watery adventures in the city of Tampa. “Tampa has the most beautiful waters of any city in Florida” says Capt. Salkin and he wants to share it with everyone he can. He is currently working to make the waters of Tampa safer for all by asking the city council to impose speed restrictions on some of Tampa’s waters. He makes himself available to civic groups to enhance there knowledge of safety for wildlife, boaters in and on the waterways of the city.

RESERVATIONS: 888-665-8687

WEB SITE: TAMPAWATERTAXICO.COM

CONTACT: Capt. Laurence Salkin
Tampa Water Taxi Company, LLC
888-665-8687

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