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Join host Tom Krynski as he covers some of the issues of Alachua County and the surrounding areas.
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If you have any suggestions about topics for discussion on North Florida Journal, please e-mail. Re-broadcast time on Sunday is
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Previous Episodes: April 22 - “Rodman Reservoir” Watch a replay of the show online. The Rodman Reservoir has been at the center of competing views of its value or harm ever since its construction in the late 60’s. Should it be maintained for the activities it provides or be drawn down to restore a free flowing Ocklawaha River?
Guests: Ed Taylor Steve Noll April 15 - “Domestic Violence” Watch a replay of the show online. In 2008, Alachua County alone reported over seventeen-hundred domestic violence crimes, including assaults, aggravated assaults, and rapes, all perpetrated on victims by persons with who they had a relationship. Multiple agencies and services are attempting to both prevent these violent acts and to aid the victims.
Guests: Bruce Ferris Tracy Hickman Teresa Drake April 8 - “Charter Review Commission” Watch a replay of the show online. An appointed Alachua County citizens’ commission is considering County Charter changes to be placed on the ballot this fall. We discuss the proposals that are under consideration and how they might change county government.
Guests: Bryan Harrington Larry Travis April 1 - “Biomass Plant” Watch a replay of the show online. Gainesville Regional Utilities is pursuing a plan to build a biomass plant to serve the area’s energy needs with a renewable resource; but some are questioning the need for additional generation and the viability and impact of such a facility.
Guests: Dian Deevey Josh Levine Josh Dickinson March 25 - “Fire Assessment” Watch a replay of the show online. One of the most basic services asked of local government is fire protection. And the Alachua County Commission is again considering a way to achieve fair and stable funding to provide that service in the County. They are looking to replace ad valorem taxes for fire protection with a system of assessments for fire services on structures including previously tax exempt churches and non-profits.
Guests: Edwin Bailey Fr. John Gillespie March 4 - “Gainesville Mayoral Candidates” Watch a replay of the show online. Tom Krynski is joined by WUFT TV Assistant News Director Bridget Grogran in questioning candidates in the March 16 Gainesville Mayoral election. Guests: February 25 - “EPA Water Standards” Watch a replay of the show online. The increasing levels of nutrients in Florida’s waters have prompted environmental groups to pressure the Federal EPA to impose specific limits on the amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus that will be allowed. Depending on where those levels are set and how soon they must be met, the costs to comply could be high for Florida agriculture and utilities.
Guests: Neil Armingeon Charles Shinn Rob Brinkman February 18 - “Amendment 4” Watch a replay of the show online. In November’s general election, the voters of Florida will be asked to consider an Amendment that would require--- that changes to local government’s comprehensive land use plans would need to be approved by a direct vote of the citizens. Why do some feel this change is necessary while others feel it is unwise?
Guests: Janet Stanko Adam Babington Joyce Tarnow February 4 - “Jobs Creation” Watch a replay of the show online. Here in our area, the Marion County unemployment rate hovers at fourteen percent and Alachua County citizens are very much dependent on a single employer, and seemingly chronically under employed. What can be done locally to get people back to work in jobs that have a future? In both areas coalitions of private, public, education, and elected leaders are working together to attract new employers and see to it that there is a ready workforce.
Guests: Pete Tesch Angela Pate Brent Christensen Kurt Kelly (R) January 28 - “Legislative Session Preview” Watch a replay of the show online. With the distressed state of the economy and the anticipated end to Federal stimulus dollars, the Florida Legislature is expecting a $2-3 billion budget shortfall in the upcoming budget year. The legislators face some tough choices as they prepare for the upcoming session and four of our area’s delegation join us to talk about those challenges on this edition of North Florida Journal.
Guests: Sen. Steve Oelrich (R) Rep. Chuck Chestnut IV (D) Rep. Debbie Boyd (D) January 14 - “'Race to the Top' Education Proposal” Watch a replay of the show online. The federal government is offering $4.3-billion to the states in a competitive grant program called the “Race to the Top Fund.” The Florida Department of Education has developed a proposal to compete for the funds and has asked the local school systems and teachers to sign-off on those commitments. But some local school boards and most teachers’ unions have balked at accepting the constraints of the proposal.
Guests: Sandy Hollinger Diana Greene Gunnar Paulson November 19 - “Meal Limits” Watch a replay of the show online. In Gainesville food distribution centers for the needy are prohibited from serving more that 130 meals per day; must be at least two-thousand feet apart and there cannot be more than two such centers in a two mile radius. Those restrictions along with others in city codes and ordinances have been at the center of examination, testimony, and discussion before a city committee considering changes to those regulations.
Guests: Ken McGurn Marilyn Maple November 12 - “Juvenile Justice” Watch a replay of the show online. For far too many young people there seems to be a progression from problems in school, to criminal acts, to incarceration. What efforts are being made by schools, law enforcement, and the community to achieve a different outcome for at-risk youth in our area?
Guests: Rebecca Mickholtzick Greg Pelham Brian Greene November 5 - “Koppers Superfund Site” Watch a replay of the show online. The area in northern Gainesville known as the Cabbot-Koppers site was declared a national Superfund site in 1983. The U-S Environmental Protection Agency, which has the jurisdiction in dealing with superfund sites, has come up with a draft proposed remedy for the site. But city and county governments and local citizens have called into question the thoroughness of the analysis and the effectiveness of the solutions.
Guests: Chris Bird Maria Parsons Patrice Boyes October 29 - “County-Wide Fire & Rescue” Watch a replay of the show online. When we make a request for emergency assistance we expect a rapid response; whether we’re in a large city, a small town, or even in the unincorporated countryside. But as costs increase, and property owners seek tax relief, how can local governments maintain the levels of service that we’ve all come to expect?
Guests: Chief Ed Bailey Brett Sandlin October 8 - “Law Enforcement” Watch a replay of the show online. The tough times in the economy have seemed to have an impact in one aspect of society that may not be generally recognized__ crime and law enforcement. How are those pledged to “serve and protect” us meeting their responsibilities in times of rising crime and shrinking budgets?
Guests: Major Mike Fellows Chief Argatha Gilmore Capt. Brad Smith September 17- “Flu Season” Watch a replay of the show online. How are area institutions preparing for the coming flu season and what can we do as individuals to get ready as well? That’s our focus on this edition of North Florida Journal.
Guests: Dr. Glenn Morris Kenneth Allen September 10- “Student Alcohol” Watch a replay of the show online. The University and the City of Gainesville have been making efforts to reduce the amount of under-age and binge drinking that has been happening in the community. But just what should be the concern and responsibility of the institution and community in the choices made by students with regard to alcohol use?
Guests: Ron DeFilippo Lt. Keith Kameg Dennis Thombs September 3- “New School Year” Watch a replay of the show online. A new school year has begun, but some of the toughest problems to solve won’t be in math class. Difficult budget situations and policy determinations must be faced by the School Board members and Superintendents of counties all across North Florida.
Guests: Jim Yancey Virginia Childs Bobby James April 23 - “UF Budget Reduction” Watch a replay of the show online. As the University faces a third year of reductions in state funding, the administration has called for budget reduction plans of ten-percent from each of the University’s Colleges. How the University should deal with the present budget situation and beyond has been THE central discussion in the University community of late and is the topic of this edition of North Florida Journal.
Guests: John Biro David Quillen Danaya Wright April 16 - “Sustainability” Watch a replay of the show online. “Think Globally; Act Locally” has been part of the environmental lexicon since the early Seventies. Here in North Florida, by their actions, individuals, institutions, and governments are attempting to give substance to that concept.
Guests: Sean McLendon Mike Amish Anna Prizzia April 9 - “The DTV Transition Addendum” Watch a replay of the show online. WUFT-TV has become part of the digital revolution as we move from analog to digital TV. This program updates the new June 12 digital cutoff and alerts WUFT viewers to potential loss of service for fringe areas. We discuss what this change will mean to public broadcast viewing and what you might need to do to prepare for it.
Guests: Titus Rush March 26 - “Heart of Florida Coalition” Watch a replay of the show online. In these economically challenging times, there is a new air of collaboration and cooperation between Alachua and Marion Counties. One of the centerpieces of this sense of common purpose is the Heart of Florida Coalition. The work of this group of area business, government, and education leaders to promote our area while protecting our quality of life, is our topic on this edition of North Florida Journal.
Guests: Barbara Fitos Brent Christensen Ron Barnwell February 19 - “Gainesville City Election” Watch a replay of the show online. On March 24th the citizens of Gainesville will go to the polls to select two City Commissioners. The candidates seeking to fill those two seats are our guests. At-Large Candidates: District 1 Candidates February 12 - “Renewable Energy” Watch a replay of the show online. The generation of energy, without the creation of climate change and the depletion of scarce resources, is a goal widely sought after. On this edition of North Florida Journal we examine how our area is playing a role in the future of renewable energy.
Guests: Edward Regan Kathy Viehe Rob Brinkman February 5 - “The DTV Transition” Watch a replay of the show online. WUFT-TV has become part of the digital revolution as we move from analog to digital TV. We discuss what this change will mean to public broadcast viewing and what you might need to do to prepare for it.
Guests: Titus Rush January 29 - “Legislative Delegation Session Preview” Watch a replay of the show online. The Legislature just went through a Special Session process of cutting spending and withdrawing savings to cover the State’s expenses till July 1. Members of our area Legislative Delegation join us for reflections on the actions of the Special session and take a look ahead to what the upcoming regular session might hold.
Guests: Larry Cretul (R) Charles Chestnut IV (D) Debbie Boyd (D) January 22 - “School Funding” Watch a replay of the show online. The first “North Florida Journal” of 2009 examines the impact of state budget reductions on two area school systems. We’ll examine the effects of the reductions passed in the recent special session and look ahead to anticipated lowering of state budgets in the upcoming regular session of the legislature. Guests: Alachua County Schools Dan Boyd Virginia Childs Marion County Schools Jim Yancey Judi Zanetti November 20 - “UF Panel on the Economy” Watch a replay of the show online. There is high anxiety about the nation’s economic future and sharp disagreement about how to solve complex financial issues. To help us understand where we’re at and where we might be going, we’re joined by a group of scholars and educators from the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business Administration on this edition of North Florida Journal.
Guests: Wayne Archer David Denslow Mark Flannery Jonathan Hamilton November 13 - “Access to Healthcare Services” Watch a replay of the show online. After twelve years of financial losses including a loss of 12-million dollars in fiscal 2008, the Board of Shands HealthCare has decided to close the Shands at AGH facility by the end of 2009. What will be the impact on the community and its access to appropriate medical care facilities following the closure of this three-hundred and fifty bed hospital and its emergency care facility? Joining us to discuss those community concerns are three individuals who play important roles in coordinating the efforts of the medical community to provide access to quality healthcare for all of us here in the area.
Guests: October 30 - "County Commission Districts 1 & 5" Watch a replay of the show online. Candidates for Alachua County Commission District 1: Candidates for Alachua County Commission District 5: Guest Reporter: Alachua County voters will be selecting three of the five members of the County Commission this election. All three seats are voted on County-wide by all voters. We spoke with the candidates for District Three in an earlier program. The challengers for Districts One and Five join us for this episode. October 23- "Florida House District 23" Watch a replay of the show online. Candidates for Florida House D 23: Guest Reporter: District 23 runs from north central Marion County through eastern Alachua County including portions of Ocala and Gainesville. October 16 - "Florida House District 21" Watch a replay of the show online. Candidates for Florida House D 21: Guest Reporter: District 21 runs from eastern Marion County through all of Putnam to southern Clay County with corners of Bradford, Volusia and Lake thrown in. October 9 - "Senate District 3" Watch a replay of the show online. Joint interview of the candidates for Florida Senate District 3. Candidates: Florida Senate District Three is one of the largest in the state. It sweeps from Citrus and Marion counties north along the Gulf coast then wraps around east as far as Baker. October 2 Watch a replay of the show online. First segment: Guests: Second segment: Guests: September 25 - "Florida House District 11 " Watch a replay of the show online. The candidates for Florida House District 11 are interviewed. Candidates:Debbie Boyd (D) Elizabeth Porter (R) September 18 - "Florida House District 24" Watch a replay of the show online. Two of the three candidates vying for Florida House District 24, which lies within Marion County, participated in the program. Candidates: August 21 - “The Alachua County Aug. 26 Primary” Watch a replay of the show online. This one-hour edition of North Florida Journal includes candidates involved in several races in the upcoming Aug. 26 election. The races for Sheriff and for School Board Districts 2 and 4 are open to all Alachua County voters and the office holders will be decided by the 8/26 election. The race for the Democrat nominee for Alachua County Commission District One will be open only to registered voters of that party. Guests: Alachua County School Board Alachua County Commission D1 (Democrat) May 8 - "Legislative Sessions Follow Up" Watch a replay of the show online. Looking at a second straight year of reduced revenues and a clear mandate from homeowners to provide some relief, the Legislature had to craft a budget that also met their responsibilities to provide for the safety, education, and welfare of the state. Three members of our area delegation join us to assess the overall success of the legislative session and the challenges ahead. Guests: Rep. Chuck Chestnut IV Rep. Kurt Kelly May 1 - "Alachua County CHOICES Health Program" Watch a replay of the show online. The voters of Alachua County decided in 2004 to help their fellow citizens who were working at least part time but still could not afford health insurance, by collecting a quarter-cent sales tax to pay for basic medical services. The agency established to administer that program is know by the acronym CHOICES. The present state and future plans of CHOICES is our topic on this edition of North Florida Journal. Guests: Lorraine Austin Ed Jennings, Jr. April 17 - "Transportation and Development" Watch a replay of the show online. Decisions about transportation are one of the core components of how a community shapes its development and growth. The state recognized this inner-dependence when it made transportation concurrency part of State Growth Management law. Transportation planning and how to pay for needed changes is the topic of this edition of North Florida Journal. Guests:
April 10 - “Homeless Service Center” Watch a replay of the show online. In 2005 City and County governments and a broad range of community organizations and individuals came together to formulate an action plan to end homelessness in the county. A key component of that plan is to create a one-stop center to provide services for the homeless. But creating and citing that center has proven to be a complex process. We’ll be discussing achieving that goal on this edition of North Florida Journal. Guests:
February 7 - “Legislative Session Preview” Watch a replay of the show online. The drive for property tax relief reached a significant milestone with the passage of Amendment One. Now it will be up to the Legislature to craft a budget within the State’s means that still provides essential state services. That challenge along with other significant statewide policy decisions will be taken up by our area delegation along with their colleagues from across the state. Several members of our area’s delegation join us for a preview of the legislative session. Guests: January 24 - “Gainesville City Commission Election” Watch a replay of the show online. Joint interviews with candidates in two of the Gainesville City Commission races.Guests:
January 17 - “The Property Tax Amendment” Watch a replay of the show online. Discussion of the proposed state property tax amendment on the Jan. 29 ballot. Guests:
January 10 - Gainesville Commission District 2 Candidates Watch a replay of the show online. Guests: For questions and comments about current or past North Florida Journal episodes, contact NFJ Producer Frank Counts at 392-5551 ext. 1127 or via e-mail. |
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