Published: October 22, 2009 04:20 pm      

OUR VIEW: All thumbs

Stalemate at City Hall: Thumbs down

The death of Live Oak City Councilman Ken Duce has left the council paralyzed, the remaining four members sure to split 2-2 on any issue of substance. Surely there's somebody out there the Mayor and three council members can agree on as a temporary replacement.



Stalemate at City Hall: Thumbs up

On second thought, why not let this thing run its course and see where it leads? What we've really got here is a trial run at consolidation. Seriously, what better time than the worst recession in memory to take a good long look at the duplication of services offered by our city and county governments?



Allied Community Trust: Thumbs up

Better known as the folks who run Grace Manor Restaurant, which operates out of the historic Dowling House on Duval Street. Due to the ill health of a board member, Allied has reluctantly put the place up for sale.

These folks deserve our thanks on two counts. First, they've made clear they aren't willing to sell to just anyone. Allied rightly insists on a buyer who's willing to preserve the character of a truly grand historic site.

Second, don't forget what the Dowling House looked like not so long ago. The run-down mansion was more suitable for trick-or-treating than fine dining when the folks at Allied got hold of it. Their painstaking restoration was impeccable - something of which we can be proud for generations.

The restaurant's still open, as we reported Wednesday, and the food's as delicious as ever. Check it out while you still can.



Nancy Argenziano: Thumbs up

Our former Republican state senator, and the lone dissenting vote in last week's Public Service Commission approval of rate hikes for FP&L and Progress Energy. She's not anti-nuke, she notes (the increases will fund construction of nuclear power plants), just pro-consumer, and now's not the time to further burden beleaguered Floridians. We agree.

A true "maverick," with brains, guts and the willingness to go to the wall for what's right. No wonder she's under fire on so many fronts.