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Full steam to rail plans, trash hawks, trail lovers

By Ernest Hooper, Metro Columnist
In print: Monday, November 10, 2008

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The Hillsborough County Commission remains two years away from potentially putting an initiative on the ballot to raise funds for a regional transportation effort, but I think it's safe to say the addition of Kevin Beckner heightens the possibility of such a proposal.

I'm not saying Beckner will be a rubber-stamp, but he has promised not to be penny-wise and pound-foolish. ...

Speaking of transportation, I know we need a comprehensive regional rail plan, but in the interim, would it be a bad idea if Amtrak carried local passengers from Plant City or Seffner to downtown Tampa? I see the train running behind the Pizza Hut in Seffner, and I'm guessing a quick renovation could lead to a restaurant/train depot. Breakfast pizza on a train sounds good to me. ...

Kudos to the Pinellas clerk of the circuit court auditors for discovering agencies had put sensitive documents in trash Dumpsters. The auditors rooted through bins and found papers containing personal information, including Social Security numbers. Whichever employees drew the short straw and got the assignment deserve a raise. ...

Seen on a bumper sticker: Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once. ...

The kids running around International Plaza in pajamas Friday weren't suffering from an outbreak of pediatric insomnia. The mall kicked off the holidays with the nonprofit Pajama Party, which provides pajamas and books for children. More than 50 kids got treated to new PJs and copies of The Polar Express. ...

If the Friendship Trail Bridge can't be fixed, convert the east span or just build a new one. We have to save the icons that give our community character.

That's all I'm saying.