Video Slot Terminals Busted In Winter Park

Today was a day that was bound to happen sooner or later. It was also a sad day for a number of folks in my Winter Park neighborhood and beyond. They took away our fun!

My local neighborhood convenience/lottery store was raided and busted for having two "illegal"(supposedly)video slot terminals. The machines were confiscated and at least one of the family members/owners was taken away in handcuffs.

Now, before I go any further, let me say that "I know what was going on here is against state law(supposedly)". If YOU violate the law, YOU pay the consequences. I am fine with that. My question is however, aside from the fact that the state is not getting any revenue from such an operation, why is this a crime? Why are there laws against this type of activity. Nobody is forced to participate in these ventures. It is all by your personal choice as to whether YOU want to play or not.

What is the difference in going in a store and putting $10 in a video slot terminal or, buying $10 worth of "scratch off" lottery tickets that actually have worse odds and are less fun to play? Hey, government geeks, "how about legalizing, taxing and licensing this activity and making some money instead of "spending" money trying to bust these type operations"? YOU waste your time busting them, they just show up somewhere else. What do YOU have to show for it? Nada, nothing, squat, not jack!

"Choice Rules, over governing sucks",

Bobby Sharpe "Dragon, Book Of Shang": Dragon, Book Of Shang "NEW" Reviews Etc Bobby Sharpe's "Animalz": Siberian Husky Info For Wannabe Owners

Winter Park High School Class Of "08

On May 29th of 2008, I had the pleasure of experiencing something that unfortunately, far too many of us do not get a chance to witness in this day and age anymore. My kid "graduating Winter Park high school!" How cool is that? 800 plus kids that accomplished the dream. It was awesome. And even though our son is very intelligent, if it were not for his mother, my incredible wife Mary, who knows if this would have taken place in the time and manner that it did.

One of the main reasons for the low graduation rates in this country today is, the non involvement of too many parents in their childrens lives period. Far too many kids have NO guidance or support from their parents or other family members. If your kids are still in school, start pitching in with their lives and education. Then, maybe YOU will get to participate in this most gratifying and satisfying event.

Peace, Love and Promise to the Class Of '08, Winter Park High

Bobby Sharpe Amazon.com: Dragon: Book of Shang: Books: Bobby Sharpe Bobby Sharpe's " Opyn Mindz": South American Volcanos Lava Flows/Eruptions

Winter Park "Updated" April 17, 2008

Parking And The Post Office Issues

The two trailers that have been parked at the post office are going bye bye! And in six months and "46,000 later, those 80 parking spots in Muni Lot B will be turned into grass. The city commish is having staffers get the word out about other free parking around Park Ave. The commish vote on the plan was 4-1.

According to the Carlisle buyout, if the city wants the current site of the post office, they have to pay for a new post office elsewhere. Estimated cost for that venture, between $5-6 million.

Sunday In The Park

Winter Park and the Winter Park Public Arts advisory board are presenting a Sunday In The Park Community celebration from 1-4 pm this Sunday April 19th at Shady Park at Hannibal Square 721 W. New England Ave. For more details, call 407 599-3498, or cityofwinterpark.org.

Hannibal Square Business Hours

This subject is still up in the air and in limbo. Nothing definitive has been decided yet. Will keep YOU posted.

Seeing as how many of us are of a variety of ethnic backgrounds and have ties to other lands and countries, I thought it would be cool if I turned YOU onto what I recently discovered. That is WRN About WRN . If YOU have Sirius Sat Radio, YOU can listen on channel 140. If not, go to this website where YOU can listen to news, music etc from your "mother land" in the native tongue, OR, English. Go there and check it out. It is really nice.

Peace,

Bobby Sharpe Dragon, Book of Shang Amazon.com: Dragon: Book of Shang: Books: Bobby Sharpe

Welcome To The "NEW" Winter Park, Fl. "In Touch"

Welcome to the "new" Winter Park, Fl. "In Touch" blog. As some or most of YOU know, I was doing the Sentinel Neighborhood Winter park blog for about 8 months or so. Why? I have no idea. There guidelines are way to narrow, YOU got NO compensation for all the work YOU would do, and, YOU were breaking their strict rules if YOU promoted anything YOU were doing. Such as my book. Not to mention the fact that there are too many "negative miserable people" that have nothing better to do than take issue with everything that was posted if it did not agree with their take on said subject. Hello, "who needs that crap"?

This blog will feature things that are going on in Winter Park and some surrounding neighborhoods such as Baldwin Park. It will also feature stories and articles that are not specifically about WP, but, effect our residents nonetheless. Comments are welcome. Even opposing views. However, whiny and negative garbage will not be tolerated or posted!

Here are stories I covered on the most recent Sentinel post.

The city of Winter Park is putting on a 5 day public workshop starting Friday April 11th to come up with guidelines and new zoning rules for commercial redevelopment of various areas of the city. It will be held at the Winter Park Welcome Center 151 W. Lyman Ave for residents, city leaders, architects and planners. For a complete schedule of events and times, visit Developing Common Ground in Winter Park.

Restaurants Want A New Liquor Rule

Vincent Gagliano, owner of Chez Vincent and Hannibal's on the Square, has a hearing Monday April 14th before the City Commission to try to get them to repeal the rule that stops liguor sales in Hannibal Square hours earlier than other areas.

This rule was enacted in 1997 as a promise to residents that they would not let the neighborhood become a club district. Dexter's has twice asked the city to change the hours.

My take on this is, "if you knew these were the rules before you opened, what is the problem"?

However, "the Commission should know that they cannot have different rules for like establishments just blocks apart". What kind of fair business practice is that? The least the Commission can do is to give these places a trial period and see how it works. YOU cannot just slam the door in these businesses face!

I was going to put up the story on the trailers behind the post office being moved so that the asphalt can be turned to grass and grow the park. Then move the parking spaces somewhere else. Then, I thought, "are YOU kidding"? Hey, people in charge, "just do the right thing and get on with it"!

Well, there YOU have the first "Winter Park, Fl. In Touch" posting. Hope YOU enjoyed. More good stuff will be coming on a regular basis. Feel free to leave a comment.

In Touch,

Bobby Sharpe Dragon, Book of Shang www.myspace.com/akuasharpe