More Stars, Dollars, Spurs & Coconuts

• Editorial: Stars, Dollars, Spurs & Coconuts 1-3-09
• Editorial: Stars, Dollars, Spurs & Coconuts 12-27-08
• Editorial: Stars, Dollars, Spurs & Coconuts 12-20-08

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Oh, that kind of ‘port’

A starfish to political candidates offering insight into an Everglades area project.

In editorial board interviews, Florida Reps. Matt Hudson and Denise Grimsley informed us that the “port” around the Lake Okeechobee area designated for acquisition and preservation by the state — a concept that makes no sense — isn’t really a “port” in a traditional sense.

It would be more of a transportation/distribution hub for trucks rather than boats, with big vehicles taking away goods manufactured at a special free-trade zone established to take the place of lost jobs with Big Sugar.

Now that makes sense.

Can’t play the ‘iffens’

A sandspur to the things that will keep Tampa Bay Rays fans guessing and grousing all winter. What happened to the pitching, hitting and defense that got the Rays not only their first winning season but into the World Series?

What would have happened if the Rays had won Game 5 — the one with the 46-hour rain delay — and brought the Phillies back to St. Petersburg, where the Rays had the major leagues’ best home record this year? And what about some of those umpiring and the Rays’ own managerial calls in the Series?

The good news:

It is only 31/2 months until pitchers and catchers report as the Rays open spring training for the first time in Port Charlotte, about an hour away for most of us.

 For the Rays, good things have only just begun. This young team promises lots to cheer about for many years to come.

Just pay the extra $2

A coconut to the cheaters.

You know, the ones who get dropped off outside the entrance to Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, then rejoin their driver after he or she pays for a single entry ($3) rather than a car full ($5).

Pretty small, and it leaves you know who picking up the slack.

Trees truly worth hugging

A starfish to the Naples Zoo and Collier County commissioners for designating some of the most iconic and stately trees on the grounds as historic. That means hands off as the zoo goes about its remodeling and expansion.

That ought to help address concerns of nature lovers and historians who feared what was special about the zoo — and what voters embraced in 2004 when they agreed to tax themselves to buy it — would be destroyed.

P.S. — This is the first Saturday of the month, which means free admission to the zoo for Collier County residents. Remember, guests under 16 have to be accompanied by an adult.

Go see those trees and all the other cool stuff at the zoo for a very nice price.

Tell the zoo folks we sent you.

Driven to finish highway

A starfish to contractors working on the expansion of Interstate 75 in Collier and Lee counties.

Only one year into the three-year project, they are five months ahead of schedule.

Goes to show what motivation — with few other jobs and handsome on-time bonuses — and good weather can do.

Project officials are smart to skip the temptation to show off and open traditional lanes as they’re completed. It’s more efficient and safer to do that all at one time.

Results in, signs down

A sand spur awaits candidates whose roadside signs are still up this time next week.

What better way for the victors to say “thank you” and for the others to show they’re good sports.

It’s been great seeing these grass-roots displays of democracy in action.

But enough is enough.