Thank-you for your comment.

I agree that the phrase in the email casting doubt about whether a renovated State Office Building that was part of the previously considered deal would be an eyesore was not productive. I am not a big fan of “election speak” attempting to foment doubt.

Yes, RLF is moving 100+ employees to Baldwin Park on what I have been told is a five year lease. I note that Florida Hospital also recently moved their administrative offices from the former Crosby Quality College building on 17/92 out of town but there has been no mention of that.

You are correct that developers can’t guarantee jobs. Businesses are (fortunately) free to move where they please. We all hope that RLF moves back to Winter Park when their new lease expires. My guess is that the RLF management and employees that live in Winter Park want that to happen too.

Please read this regarding the RLF deal.

Please read this regarding the swap deal.

Former owners and principals of RLF are deeply involved in Winter Park politics and our extended social fabric, so I understand the emotional and political aspects of that earlier proposal. However, from a factual stand point, representing the long term best interests of all the citizens (which is the city commission’s highest and appropriate mission), the swap deal is far superior to the earlier proposal involving RLF.

I don’t see where Ken Bradley’s email on the subject suggests “that the RLF deal offered no new jobs.” What is too assertive is that his email states absolutely that the swap deal will result in 300 new jobs. There is no certainty as to this statement just as there was no certainty that RLF would stay in Winter Park for 10 years as suggested in the earlier proposal. Also remember that the earlier proposed ground lease was for 50 years with a 20 year renewal option.

Finally, I did not suggest that Ken Bradley gets all the credit for the city’s financial health as you assert. Analysis of commission votes over the past three years shows that 76% of the votes were either unanimous (5-0) or super majority votes (4-1). I have specifically complemented all 5 commissioners several times over the past three years for their votes on the millage rate, spending restraint, and fund reserves.

Having served in several organizations I understand that positive results come from positive leadership. That doesn’t mean Ken Bradley gets (or wants) credit for every good thing that happens. (Did you happen to notice Carolyn Cooper taking credit for moving the political ball forward with a first refusal on the USPS property? Ken Bradley has supported this too along with all other commissioners.) What it does mean is that Ken’s experience and judgment (far from being “poor” as asserted by Nancy Miles) has proven to be effective. My point is that positive leadership leads to positive results.

Thank-you for your comment.

1. Please re-read the paragraph about Steve Lester. My point is that he excoriates Florida Hospital and Ken Bradley without disclosing his long history of business disputes with Florida Hospital. I will leave it to you to judge whether this is a lie or a distortion. If you want a copy of the email he sent around town just ask.

2. I am not the one interjecting hatred and nastiness. It is because of those who actually do that I write in the first place. I assert again that Nancy Mile’s campaign is one of “lies and distortions.” I know this because I attended almost every city commission meeting from which she takes her audio snippets and I know that Ms. Miles did not attend these meetings and uses these audio snippets out of context. I know this because I talked with Ms. Miles about the “issues” she raised on her web site and she confirmed the names of some of the people who helped her write that stuff. The people involved routinely appear at commission meetings attacking Ken Bradley with innuendo and falsehoods without a shred of evidence documenting their case. These people know who they are. They know they speak falsely in an effort to discredit anyone who disagrees with them. These people undermine responsible discussion of the issues and then tell Ms. Miles to claim she is “fair and balanced.” Here is a primer on the larger problem that will hopefully motivate you to get more involved.

3. I agree completely and an overwhelming mandate for Ken Bradley will move us even further in that positive direction.

4. The issue in this election IS Ms. Miles negative campaign. My critique is supported by the facts of her campaign communications and my personal discussions with her, as well as my attendance at numerous city commission meetings and study of the actual issues. A careful reading will, I believe, lead you to the conclusion that it is Ms. Miles who engages in personal attacks and name calling. Here is a selection of the lies and distortions attacking her opponent (not a word of this is supported by evidence or even thoughtful argument): bad temperament, poor judgment, wheeling and dealing, sweet heart deal, bail out, closed the doors of city government to its citizens. Exactly who is engaging in “nastiness and personal attacks/name calling?”

You are correct to applaud Steve Leary’s letter detailing the breadth of thoughtful considerations that went into the eventual approval of the swap deal. Please compare that with Ms. Miles’ description of the swap deal and comment below.

A couple notes of clarification…

Steve Leary’s letter above was sent by him and a link to the letter sent by me to many people on November 18th. So, it was available before the final vote on November 28th. Also, many points made in support of Commissioner Leary’s judgment and opposed to it were discussed at the November 28th commission meeting prior to the final vote.

The representative of CNL mentioned Brasfield and Gorrie (http://www.brasfieldgorrie.com/) and CNL Bank (https://cnlbank.com/) as the likely tenants at the city commission meeting of October 10, 2011. There is no guarantee these companies will commit to a lease.