Red tide continues to linger off the Southwest Florida coast with outbreaks just offshore in Collier, Lee, Charlotte and Sarasota Counties. Red tide is a naturally-occurring algae that kills birds, fish, manatees and causes breathing problems in humans. The noxious fumes drive people away from the beach and hurts tourism. Fort Myers Congressman Connie Mack says the government needs to create a red tide clearinghouse so that research funding is handed out and tracked better.

“There’s only so much money out there and there’s a lot of duplication. And I think we would be much better off and we’d be much closer to solutions if we used a process that went in that direction.”

Mack said scientists would review all of the red tide funding requests and give money to those that show the most promise. He says several federal agencies including NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration could easily oversee the project.

Red tide continues to linger off the Southwest Florida coast with outbreaks just offshore in Collier, Lee, Charlotte and Sarasota Counties. Red tide is a naturally-occurring algae that kills birds, fish, manatees and causes breathing problems in humans. The noxious fumes drive people away from the beach and hurts tourism. Fort Myers Congressman Connie Mack says the government needs to create a red tide clearinghouse so that research funding is handed out and tracked better.

“There’s only so much money out there and there’s a lot of duplication. And I think we would be much better off and we’d be much closer to solutions if we used a process that went in that direction.”

Mack said scientists would review all of the red tide funding requests and give money to those that show the most promise. He says several federal agencies including NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration could easily oversee the project.

Red tide continues to linger off the Southwest Florida coast with outbreaks just offshore in Collier, Lee, Charlotte and Sarasota Counties. Red tide is a naturally-occurring algae that kills birds, fish, manatees and causes breathing problems in humans. The noxious fumes drive people away from the beach and hurts tourism. Fort Myers Congressman Connie Mack says the government needs to create a red tide clearinghouse so that research funding is handed out and tracked better.

“There’s only so much money out there and there’s a lot of duplication. And I think we would be much better off and we’d be much closer to solutions if we used a process that went in that direction.”

Mack said scientists would review all of the red tide funding requests and give money to those that show the most promise. He says several federal agencies including NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration could easily oversee the project.

It’s back to school time for Charlotte and Lee County Public School students. Lee County Superintendent Dr. James Browder joined some of his classes on their first day back Tuesday. Stephanie Westendorf has more.

Tuesday was the first day for Lee and Charlotte County Public Schools. Lee County Superintendent Dr. James Browder visited four schools and chatted with students during lunchtime. With 80,000 students in Lee County alone, Browder explains some of the challenges.

“A usual challenge is academic preparation and getting them ready to be successful as they go through school. / and get every youngster reading and computing on grade level and being successful. /When you have 90 nationalities in your school system you have a lot of challenges in relation to that.”

Although many challenges remain, some note the accomplishments that have been made. The district’s transportation director says the bus system has improved drastically and a shortage of drivers has decreased. Collier County Public School students head back to school next Monday.

Florida G-O-P Senate candidate Katherine Harris brought her campaign to Naples last night to speak to the Collier County Republican Party. Her visit came amid continued frustration over her troubled campaign. Yesterday (Monday) Southwest Florida Congressman Connie Mack declined to offer his opinion on her chances. More than a dozen key Harris campaign aides have quit in the last year. She is well-known to treat her staff poorly and Katherine Harris has dwindling support from both the national and state Republican parties. Fort Myers G-O-P Representative Connie Mack serves with her in the House. Speaking on Gulf Coast Live, he did say she has an uphill climb. But would not say she should pull out of the race.

“It’s difficult when you see all the challenges that she’s facing and how to overcome those. But I’m not involved day-to-day in her campaign strategy and planning and what she’s trying to accomplish. So I don’t know I can answer that question. If you’re saying, ‘can she win?’ Yes, she can win.”

Political watchers expect Harris to win next month’s G-O-P primary but have a much harder time defeating Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson.

Sarasota’s been on the leading edge of conservation efforts in recent years. County commissioners have passed several resolutions mandating sustainability and preservation…and now they’re adding a hybrid bus to the county’s public transit fleet. The diesel-electric bus is the first of 30 that Sarasota County Area Transit plans to have on the road by next year. SCAT’s maintenance manager - Chad Engel - says it saves gas, emits less pollution…and is a downright smooth ride…


“It actually is much like riding in an automobile. Very quiet compared to a standard diesel bus. Very enjoyable – you don’t have to shout or yell if you’re sitting in the back if you’re riding with a friend or you meet somebody new on the bus. It’s a more pleasant atmosphere than a typical city bus.”

Engel says it’s all part of the county’s commitment to reduce fossil fuel use. Sarasota County Commissioners just passed what’s called the 2030 Challenge – a mandate to step down carbon emissions to ZERO over the next 24 years.

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Sarasota County Commissioners recently passed a resolution calling for the reduction in fossil fuel emissions. One of the first steps toward that goal got started Monday when the first of 30 hybrid buses hit the road as part of the county’s transit fleet. Sarasota County Area Transit maintenance manager Chad Engel calls the buses a win – win…


“The emissions are knocked down significantly…most by more than 90-percent, others by more than 50-percent. The overall diesel fuel consumption…you’re saving about 30-percent…the equivalent to about 7-thousand gallons a year.”

Engel says not only do the buses require less energy and emit less pollution, but they’re also so quiet you have to listen closely to tell if they’re running. The hybrid buses cost a half-million dollars each -- 200-thousand more than a standard diesel bus. They’re being purchased with federal grants.

Sarasota’s been on the leading edge of conservation efforts in recent years. County commissioners have passed several resolutions mandating sustainability and preservation…and now they’re adding a hybrid bus to the county’s public transit fleet. The diesel-electric bus is the first of 30 that Sarasota County Area Transit plans to have on the road by next year. SCAT’s maintenance manager - Chad Engel - says it saves gas, emits less pollution…and is a downright smooth ride…


“It actually is much like riding in an automobile. Very quiet compared to a standard diesel bus. Very enjoyable – you don’t have to shout or yell if you’re sitting in the back if you’re riding with a friend or you meet somebody new on the bus. It’s a more pleasant atmosphere than a typical city bus.”

Engel says it’s all part of the county’s commitment to reduce fossil fuel use. Sarasota County Commissioners just passed what’s called the 2030 Challenge – a mandate to step down carbon emissions to ZERO over the next 24 years.

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Sarasota County Commissioners recently passed a resolution calling for the reduction in fossil fuel emissions. One of the first steps toward that goal got started Monday when the first of 30 hybrid buses hit the road as part of the county’s transit fleet. Sarasota County Area Transit maintenance manager Chad Engel calls the buses a win – win…


“The emissions are knocked down significantly…most by more than 90-percent, others by more than 50-percent. The overall diesel fuel consumption…you’re saving about 30-percent…the equivalent to about 7-thousand gallons a year.”

Engel says not only do the buses require less energy and emit less pollution, but they’re also so quiet you have to listen closely to tell if they’re running. The hybrid buses cost a half-million dollars each -- 200-thousand more than a standard diesel bus. They’re being purchased with federal grants.

Florida G-O-P Senate candidate Katherine Harris brought her campaign to Naples last night to speak to the Collier County Republican Party. Her visit came amid continued frustration over her troubled campaign. Yesterday (Monday) Southwest Florida Congressman Connie Mack declined to offer his opinion on her chances. More than a dozen key Harris campaign aides have quit in the last year. She is well-known to treat her staff poorly and Katherine Harris has dwindling support from both the national and state Republican parties. Fort Myers G-O-P Representative Connie Mack serves with her in the House. Speaking on Gulf Coast Live, he did say she has an uphill climb. But would not say she should pull out of the race.

“It’s difficult when you see all the challenges that she’s facing and how to overcome those. But I’m not involved day-to-day in her campaign strategy and planning and what she’s trying to accomplish. So I don’t know I can answer that question. If you’re saying, ‘can she win?’ Yes, she can win.”

Political watchers expect Harris to win next month’s G-O-P primary but have a much harder time defeating Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson.

For the first time, Project Votesmart, has tested Florida primary candidates with its National Political Awareness Test. It chose to do so this year, because many of the races will be decided next month.
Across the state, only 16 percent of Florida’s primary candidates for major races said they would take Project Vote Smart’s issues test. The non-partisan citizens organization serves as a national library of information about candidates and elected officials. That breaks down to 20 percent of gubernatorial candidates, 15 percent of state legislative candidates and 20 percent of congressional candidates. The organization’s Rachel Pagliocca says they don’t take a position on whether a candidate responds to the test, but their actions speak volumes.

“We’re just providing this as an indicator for citizens to find out which candidates are willing to answer important questions. But we do have other ways to find out where a candidate stands. We cover all different categories of information. So even if a candidate does not respond to this test we still have information for voters –we do all the work for them.”

Project Votesmart also provides biographical and campaign finance information, ratings from different interest groups, voting records and other public statements. The website is vote dash smart dot org.

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All four major candidates for Florida Governor this fall have refused to take part in Project Votesmart’s annual National Political Awareness test. And only 15 percent of those running for the state legislature were willing to participate. The organization’s Rachel Pagliocca explains the test.

“This is a test of candidates willingness. And we ask them one question – are you willing to tell citizens your positions on the issues you’ll most likely face on their behalf. And then when a candidate says yes to this question we basically ask them to prove it by answering a few short questions about major issues that affect Florida voters.”

In 2004, Florida congressional candidates had a 43 percent response rate – 10 percent below the national average. This year – only 20 percent of congressional candidates were willing to take the test.

This was the first year Project Votesmart tested candidates in Florida’s primary election.