Who will deliver the roads?
With what region do you identify? Is Polk County more closely aligned with the Tampa Bay area? Orlando/Central Florida area? Or are you a more independent sort confident in your opinion that both Tampa and Orlando should each take note of Polk?
Whatever the case the St. Petersburg Times reported in today’s edition that a Senate transportation committee on Wednesday gave unanimous consent to a proposed regional transportation authority that would finance major projects. The authority would represent six counties and Polk is noticeably absent from the mix.
Predictably we have Polk legislators that think we should participate and some who think we should let Tampa and Orlando go their ways and we’ll go ours.
It seems logical that the dance partner we choose needs to serve the interests of all of Polk County. But others are quick to add that if there’s a dance … the first priority is a partner.
It is logical too, that Lakeland has developed historic ties to the Bay area. Yet there is no arguing that Orlando’s growth to the south is wielding great influence in East Polk.
Polk County is a little like Scarlett O’Hara with Ashley on one side and Rhett on the other. And frankly, we may have to give a damn.
Transportation infrastructure ranks among the highest priorities for both our quality of life and smart growth.
Who do YOU think can best represent our interests.
I say that our county should be included with the other 6 counties. I think Alezander has his own agenda in mind to help his own pocket. In order to increase our county revenue we need to advance and grow with the stronger counties around us and work with them. I say if we have to choose between Orlando and Tampa- I say Tampa. Are main area, which is Lakeland works more with Tampa and quite honestly any time you contact anyone in Orlando local business or government they tell you to call Tampa. So let’s grow with them and be in with a big central FL plan.
We should be included right in the middle! We are the direct down the center of Florida gateway to South Florida. Just look at the CSX venture! We will need them as equally as much as they need us! We need to be considered by both Tampa and Orlando.
Since when has Tampa paid any attention to Polk County? It’s all about Lakeland trying to team up with Tampa at the expense of Winter Haven and the rest of east Polk County. Thanks to Senator Alexander for not sucking up to Tampa.
Polk County is as much part of Tampa Bay as it is part of Orlando. However it is much less part of the Bradenton/Sarasota than the Avon Park/Sebring/US27 corridor.
That said I don’t think that we should shut the door on either area…as you see the growth along the I-4 corridor it is easy to see that Polk County will become a larger entity influencing both Tampa Bay and Orlando in the future. It is for this reason that we should not make ourselves mutually exclusive to either metropolitan area. I do feel we should continue to develop our own identity and address the needs of the central part of the county rather than letting the bureaucrats in Tampa and Orlando do it for us. Can you define “being used”? Let’s steer our own ship, but have a safe harbor at each port.
I identify more with Orlando than Tampa. But I also think that Polk county is a very different area than either and as George suggested we are going to be affected by both areas like it or not. We might as well work with both. But for me Orlando would be primary to Tampa Bay.
Ken is absolutely correct. Both Orlando and Tampa have treated Polk County like a red headed stepchild forever. And now we actually have some leverage. Let’s play the middle and work with both sides without excluding any part of Polk County.
It makes no sense to rope Polk County into an agreement with Sarasota and Pinellas County? Who representing us would possibly support such an idiotic idea? We should work with the folks who are close and can help us- Tampa AND Orlando.
I read the St. Pete Times article and think it’s typical pro-Tampa crap. Sen. Alexander is the only one standing up for us and preventing Tampa/Sarasota from taking us for granted.
Marty,
How is Lakeland our “main area?” The rest of Polk County does not need to continue to play second fiddle to Lakeland. If they want to work with Tampa, then they can do that. There’s no reason to drag the rest of Polk into a required agreement with Sarasota and Manatee County when we can work with everyone. Think about it.
I am so tired of everything being about Lakeland. When is Winter Haven going to actually stand up for itself? Do we need to count on politicians doing everything for us? Get a darn backbone WH!
I just read the article in the Ledger. Why are Senators Ross and Dockery trying to sell out Polk County for just Lakeland? Doesn’t Dockery remember who she represents?
Yes Kevin, Dockery does represent the West side of Polk County, but you’d never know it by her actions.
Marty Bowen was also there for us. It’s about helping all of Polk, not just one city.
I think with Lakeland coming into it’s own as a distant future metro, and with the growth of Davenport as our Tourist revenue city. Polk County will easily be able to be self sufficiant. No need to go with Orlando or Tampa, but let’s not snub them either. We should be open to eithers ideas of infrastructure reform if it will involve our county, however make it clear that we are Independent, and willing to be interdependent when needed.
Winter Haven should stand up on its own.
Winter Haven is a FANTASTIC COMMUNITY and has a GREAT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Neither Orlando,Tampa or Lakeland have ever come to the aid of Winter Haven, so why do the citizens of Winter Haven continue to vote for the CIRUS CLOWNS.