This year Statesman deletes my blog, last year a blog was deleted in FL

In less than one month the METROBLOGORLANDO has been suspended!!!

Per the MetroBlogOrlando website.........

"Since its launch, a number of issues related to the blog have come to our attention. These include questions about Sunshine laws, liability and inappropriate comments. "

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The MetroBlogOrlando WAS a blog hosted by MetroPlan Orlando - the regional transportation authority. This blog gave individuals/citizens/taxpayers/voters a place to express their opinions, concerns and share facts about local transportation, growth management and planning issues. I, as many of you posted many comments, concerns and facts about the future of our community on this blog. Unfortunately, the blog had a very short life and is no longer available to us.

I was informed by Bob O'Malley from Metroplan Orlando, about the blog being suspended (see attached email). I then went to the blog site and here is the explanation why they have suspended the blog. Copied from the MetroBlogOrlando website..........

MetroBlogOrlando has been suspended.

Blogs are a new tool for public involvement and communication. As far as we know, METROPLAN ORLANDO was the first metropolitan planning organization (MPO) in the country to implement a blog. But with innovation and initiative come risks and uncertainty. Since its launch, a number of issues related to the blog have come to our attention. These include questions about Sunshine laws, liability and inappropriate comments.

We remain committed to providing citizens with information about transportation and involving them in the planning process. We will continue to do so through other outreach efforts.

For information about transportation issues in Central Florida, please visit www.metroplanorlando.com or send an e-mail to bomalley@metroplanorlando.com.

Thank you for your interest in transportation planning.

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My opinion.........

True public input and fact sharing puts commuter rail and this MPO at risk of being shut down. Elected and non-elected public servants want to control information and public policy. Thus, there can be no open and free exchange of facts and public opinion.

Our elected and non-elected public servants have lost their way. It is not the role of elected and non-elected public servants to control information and public policy. They are supposed to REPRESENT the will of the people. This does not happen in Central Florida and the suspension of the blog is just more proof of an out-of-control government that is more worried about political pork and the next campaign than serving the people of Central Florida.

As Always,
Please drive safely, be safe and help stop toll abuse in Florida.

*** Tolls Create Gridlock *** No I-4 Tolls ***Commuter Rail Costs Too Much and Does Too Little***

Sincerely,
Sally Baptiste
A Citizen for Ethics, Accountability in Government and Property Rights
A Citizen for Reform in Education, Transportation and Government Spending
3936 S Semoran Blvd, PMB #351, Orlando, FL 32822

----- Original Message -----

From: Bob O'Malley

To: SallyLBaptiste@att.net ; info@hyperlinkorange.com ; futureflcpa@aol.com

Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 10:34 AM

Subject: MetroBlogOrlando

Sally & Jim,

I wanted to send a quick e-mail to let you know that our blog has been suspended.

Nevertheless, I appreciate your support and involvement and I hope you will stay engaged in METROPLAN ORLANDO�s planning efforts.

If you have questions, please call me directly at the number below. Thank you.

-Bob

Bob O'Malley, APR
Director of Public Affairs & Strategic Planning
METROPLAN ORLANDO
315 E. Robinson Street, Suite 355
Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 481-5672 x323