http://www.wmnf.org/news Recent stories from the WMNF Evening News, RadioActivity, and public affairs shows. 27.98152-82.44591 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WmnfNews/~3/AdtJT6Aiies/the-stoning-of-soraya-m Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh adapted the screen play from the book by French Iranian journalist Freidoune Sahebjam, the international best seller, "The Stoning of Soraya M", based on the real story of Soraya M who was stoned to death by her fellow villagers in 1986 in the presence of her children. www.thestoning.com http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/the-stoning-of-soraya-m WMNF http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/the-stoning-of-soraya-m http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WmnfNews/~3/UgjhfrxznbY/the-reckoning-pov-film-airs-tuesday Pamela Yates, director, "The Reckoning". Film airs on WEDU, Tuesday, July 14 at 11 pm. "The Reckoning" has 3 meanings: 1) Can the world bring the perpretors of massive crimes to justice? 2) Can the international criminal court become the global arbiter of justice? 3) Do we, as people, have the political will to carry out the mandates of this new court? (went into effect in 2002). In my opinion, humanity, with a sense of justice, hangs in the balance. www.pov.org http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/the-reckoning-pov-film-airs-tuesday WMNF http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/the-reckoning-pov-film-airs-tuesday http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WmnfNews/~3/xdrer_sz82Y/katrina-vanden-heuval-on-russian-american-nuclear-disarmament Katrina vanden Heuvel, Editor of The Nation and expert on Russian affairs talked about the recent Russian/American nuclear disarmament talks. The subject is as deep as it sounds. Hear Katrina, with her brilliant articulation, discuss the possibilities. www.thenation.com http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/katrina-vanden-heuval-on-russian-american-nuclear-disarmament WMNF http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/katrina-vanden-heuval-on-russian-american-nuclear-disarmament http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WmnfNews/~3/6QF5Ei8zziY/nuclear-arms-reduction-or-eliination Jacqueline Cabasso, Executive Director, Western States Legal Foundation which monitors nuclear weapons policy talked about the Russian/American talks and gives a broad perspective of nuclear weapons and the policy of deterrance. Do we risk Armageddon or do we reevaluate our sense of security? www.wslfweb.org http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/nuclear-arms-reduction-or-eliination WMNF http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/nuclear-arms-reduction-or-eliination http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WmnfNews/~3/0s0Il3_F504/st-petersburg-hosts-great-neighborhoods-conference This week, the 13th annual [Florida’s Great Neighborhoods Conference](http://www.stpete.org/neighborhoods/florida_neighborhoods_conference/docs/FNCRegistrationBooklet.pdf) is being held in downtown St. Petersburg. It brings together municipalities, non-profits, and neighborhood associations to brainstorm the best ways to serve neighborhoods throughout the state. More than 400 people from around the state are participating in a series of workshops on topics ranging from homelessness to community gardening. Susan Ajoc is [neighborhood partnership](http://www.stpete.org/neighborhoods/) director with the City of St. Petersburg and an organizer of the conference. “The conference is about neighborhoods. … Let’s bring the neighbors of the state of Florida together so that they can network.” Friday’s workshop sessions focused on issues of importance to neighborhoods, such as the use of federal funds to purchase unoccupied homes. In a workshop on dealing with the foreclosure crisis, Coral Springs senior planner Jaci Foster says foreclosures in her Broward County city have more than doubled since 2007. Gladys Schneider, technical assistance director with [Florida Housing Coalition](http://flhousing.org/), ran a workshop on the [Neighborhood Stabilization Program](http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/programs/neighborhoodspg/), or NSP. “The main purpose is to purchase properties that are foreclosed and owned by banks. And the purpose of that is to get these properties off of the banks’ books and to put them into useful use in the community. And he NSP program has an income limit of 120% of the area median income for buyers. So it’s more for your lower-income working people to be able to purchase these homes, get them rehabilitated, move into them as permanent housing, and put them back on the tax rolls.” Last year, Congress allocated $4 billion for the NSP and Florida received $541 million. Under this February’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, $2 billion more were allocated to what is being called NSP2. But the program is not without controversy. Schneider says banks benefit, but the program doesn’t stop foreclosures or guarantee that potential homeowners will be able to get loans. “The purpose of the money is to purchase the homes from the banks. So the banks get the lion’s share of the funds. But the theory is that they would then have more liquidity and be able to lend back into that community. But a large portion of the funds will be used for rehabilitation, which pays for contractors, inspectors, title companies, appraisers, surveyors. That’s local money, that’s people that are working in the community on these homes.” Beverly Toney is the director of community development with the faith-based organization [Fresh Ministries](http://freshministries.org/). They have helped manage home rehabilitations in Jacksonville. She is also concerned about banks receiving NSP and bailout funds, but refusing to lend to the people who need it the most. “It really is double-dipping. I don’t think the general public generally knows that we are actually paying the banks to get this off of their books. And then in return everyone knows that they are not going to lend to the people that most need it. … We definitely say ‘you can afford this [house]’ or ‘you can not afford this.’ If they had let us – the CDCs [Community Development Corporations] and the non-profits – just work the way they had been, we wouldn’t be in this situation. So now we’re paying them to take this off their books. Everyone already knows about the billions of dollars that they’ve received on the forefront, but they don’t really know that now we’re paying [banks] for them to take this [houses] of their books and then the money is not even going to come back to the people who really need it.” Congress is rumored to be considering a third Neighborhood Stabilization Program, according to Gladys Schneider from the Florida Housing Coalition. The Florida’s Great Neighborhoods Conference continues on Saturday at the St. Petersburg Hilton Bayfront with a session at 9:30 am. It concludes with a keynote luncheon with St. Pete Mayor Rick Baker at 11 am. [St. Pete Neighborhood Partnership](http://www.stpete.org/neighborhoods/) [13th annual Florida’s Great Neighborhoods Conference](http://www.stpete.org/neighborhoods/florida_neighborhoods_conference/docs/FNCRegistrationBooklet.pdf) [Florida Housing Coalition](http://flhousing.org/) [Neighborhood Stabilization Program Grants](http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/programs/neighborhoodspg/) [Fresh Ministries](http://freshministries.org/) [RealtyTrac](http://www.realtytrac.com/) [RealQuest](http://realquest.com/jsp/rq.jsp?action=switch&page=main) [U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development](http://www.hud.gov/) [Florida Association of Realtors](http://www.floridarealtors.org/) [Existing home sales statistics](http://media.living.net/statistics/statisticsfull.htm) [info about modifying or refinancing home mortgages](http://makinghomeaffordable.gov/) [contact list of mortgage banks for property preservation](http://mbaa.org/files/PropertyPreservationList.pdf) http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/st-petersburg-hosts-great-neighborhoods-conference WMNF http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/st-petersburg-hosts-great-neighborhoods-conference http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WmnfNews/~3/lMEA_McsolQ/local-health-officials-prepare-for-h1n1-virus Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said today that though media coverage of the swine flu (H1N1) virus has fallen in recent months, the federal government is working hard on having a vaccine ready by mid October for what could be an expansion of the virus. Sebelius says of particular interest to U.S. officials is the nature of the virus right now in the Southern Hemisphere. On Thursday, some 500 state and local health officials met from around the country to talk about dealing with the threat of the H1N1 virus this fall. Sebelius says that so far the virus has not spread in the Southern Hemisphere, calling it ‘mild’, and not lethal to date. Warren McDougle is the Epidemiology Program Manager for Hillsborough County. He says his agency is addressing the situation by continuing to evaluate those people in the county who have contracted the H1N1 virus. McDougle said his agency is preparing for immunizations for both the regular seasonal flu and the swine flu this fall. And he is working with law enforcement and emergency management services for the possibility of a big vaccination program in the fall. Dr. Prakash Patel is preparedness manager with the Pinellas County Health Department. He says his department is also working with local and state officials. Dr. Patel says that the Pinellas County Health Department is also supplying free drugs to those afflicted with H1NI who are uninsured. The federal government is working on having a vaccine ready by this fall, though no decision has been made on whether or not to actually use it. Sebelius said that the Centers for Disease Control has officially counted 33,000 people in the U.S. with the virus, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. She says when considering those who have the virus but refuse to get tested, there is an assumption that a million people currently have H1N1. The government has announced that there is $350 million dollars in federal grants to help the states prepare. Eight people have officially died of the virus in Florida. http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/local-health-officials-prepare-for-h1n1-virus WMNF http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/local-health-officials-prepare-for-h1n1-virus http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WmnfNews/~3/_4V0BA99Gok/zev-chafets-on-hysteria-over-steroids The issue of steroids in professional baseball reared its ugly head again recently with the revelations that superstars Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez were revealed to have used performance-enhancing drugs. Ramirez was suspended for 50 games this season, but has been playing for the last week with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He seems to be receiving more criticism from members of the press than opposing fans. Zev Chafets is the author of the new book, “Cooperstown Confidential: Heroes, Rogues and the Inside Story of the Baseball Hall of Fame”. In this 2nd part of our interview, Chafets says that there’s been a hysteria promulgated by baseball writers about performance-enhancing drugs. In his book, he argues that the Hall of Fame is hardly a bastion of morality, and that sports writers should consider the players based on their performances on the field, not off. http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/zev-chafets-on-hysteria-over-steroids WMNF http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/zev-chafets-on-hysteria-over-steroids http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WmnfNews/~3/cZ1KC5_fuJk/advocate-on-challenge-to-proposed-nuclear-plant Progress Energy’s plans for a nuclear power plant in Levy County became a little bumpier this week. On Wednesday, the Atomic Safety & Licensing Board (ALSB), an arm of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ruled that 3 environmental groups could challenge the power company’s plans and cited 3 specific reasons why. The groups are The Florida Green Party, The Florida Ecology Party, and the Nuclear Information Resource Service, or NIRS. Mary Olson is the Southeast Regional Coordinator for the NIRS, and based in North Carolina. Olson was chosen to represent the 3 groups before the Atomic Safety & Licensing Board back in April. She discussed the challenge with WMNF. Olson says that her group can bring additional issues to the ASLB regarding the proposed nuclear plant in Levy County. Progress Energy hopes to bring the plant online by the year 2018. http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/advocate-on-challenge-to-proposed-nuclear-plant WMNF http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/advocate-on-challenge-to-proposed-nuclear-plant http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WmnfNews/~3/aT-dITRrKZQ/the-rise-of-the-eliminationists Welcome to Radioactivity. I’m Rob Lorei. Political discussion on talk radio, in some churches and on television has become increasingly harsh and divisive in recent years. In a moment we’ll talk with the author of the new book who says that the radical talk has reached a point where one faction is calling for the elimination of the other faction. In recent months we’ve seen a variety of murders by right wing radicals against an abortion doctor, members of a Unitarian Church, and a guard at the US Holocaust Museum. Muslim mosques have been targeted for vandalism and the President’s policies and even his background described as un-American. Our guest today has written a new book about the increasingly harsh nature of political discourse in the US - especially by those on the political right. Our guest is Dave Niewert who is the managing editor of the blog Crooks and Liars. His book is “THE ELIMINATIONISTS: How Hate Talk Radicalized The American Right.” (Polipoint Press) FMI [http://dneiwert.blogspot.com](http://dneiwert.blogspot.com); [http://www.crooksandliars.com](http://www.crooksandliars.com) http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/the-rise-of-the-eliminationists WMNF http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/the-rise-of-the-eliminationists http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WmnfNews/~3/HabCcwfIGDM/opposition-crashes-moveon-public-health-care-option-rallies *Please note the update to this story (below) since it went to air.* In Washington, D.C, Congress is considering a range of options for health care reform. This afternoon in Tampa, members of [MoveOn.org](http://moveon.org/) lobbied both Florida Senators to support a strong “public option.” But they were outnumbered by people opposing a public health care option. Outside of the Federal Courthouse in downtown Tampa, the location of Democratic U.S. Senator Bill Nelson’s regional office, more than twenty people opposing a public health care option held signs as traffic passed along Florida Avenue. Pam Hill, from Brandon held a sign saying “Stop Socialized Medicine.” She worked at a grocery store but is retired and has private health insurance because of contracts negotiated by her labor union, UFCW. Outside the Federal Courthouse, three people supporting a public option debated with those who were opposed. Stephen Brown from Tampa is a graduate assistant at USF. Brown criticized the group protesting against a public option for suggesting that under a public plan the government will force people to go to a certain doctor – limiting choice of health care providers. On Thursday afternoon, citizens supporting and opposing a public health care option met with staff at the Tampa regional office of Republican Senator Mel Martinez as well. Karen Ritchey from Tampa supports a public health care plan. Janine Ortiz from Tampa had surgery at the Veterans Administration and opposes a public health care option. St. Petersburg restaurant owner Emmanuel Roux supports a public option. He used to live in France – where he says the national health care was less expensive, better, and more convenient than in the United States. Karen Reese is a chiropractor in St. Petersburg. She advocates for a single-payer national health care program that would provide complete medical care for everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. But since many Democrats and Republicans in Congress have taken single-payer off the table, Dr. Reese says a strong public health care option is needed. Neither Senator was available for an interview. In a written statement, Senator Bill Nelson’s office said he supports a [plan](http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2009/06/has_kent_conrad_solved_the_pub.html) that involves federally-chartered co-ops that would be a non-profit substitute for insurance. Nelson's staff added, “There are several versions of a so-called public option, one of which Nelson supports. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee he's charged with finding a way to pay for it. And the price tag for health care reform has been put at $1 trillion over the next decade. So far, there's no bipartisan consensus on how to raise that amount of money.” Senator Martinez’ office did not respond by airtime. In an email received after airtime, Senator Martinez wrote, “I’m committed to finding ways we can insure the uninsured and lower health care costs for all Americans. As the Senate begins deliberating potential solutions, I will remain engaged in bringing about a solution that’s affordable, protects access to your doctor, and doesn’t downgrade the quality of care.” [Move On](http://moveon.org/) [Health care plan supported by Senator Nelson, according to his office](http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2009/06/has_kent_conrad_solved_the_pub.html) http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/opposition-crashes-moveon-public-health-care-option-rallies WMNF http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/opposition-crashes-moveon-public-health-care-option-rallies http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WmnfNews/~3/KLi-3QFT5Jg/nrc-ruling-case-against-progress-energy-has-merit A branch of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission ruled yesterday that the Florida Green Party will be allowed to challenge Progress Energy’s proposed $17 billion dollar nuclear power plant in Levy County. Three groups -- the Green Party of Florida, the Ecology Party of Florida, and the Nuclear Information and Resource Service -- challenged Progress’s combined Operating License Application back in February. The groups challenged Progress on 12 different issues. No date has been set for a hearing yet. The Atomic Licensing Board ruled on Wednesday that several issues raised by the Greens and the other groups had merit. The Green Party’s Michael Canney says that the public power company Gainesville Regional Utilities rejected a request to work with Progress on its nuclear plant proposal. But he says that they and Alachua County refused to join with the Greens and others in contesting the application. Although it will be years, if at all, before the proposed nuclear plant would come online, Progress customers are already paying for its construction, thanks to a 2006 state law. The law allows no recourse for refunds if the plant is never built. The rate that customers pay per 1,000 kilowatt hours is $4.31, a substantial reduction from the $12.00 they were paying before lawmakers pushed Progress to reduce the rate. At the time, New Port Richey state Senator Mike Fasano said, “It really amazes me how shameless Progress Energy is. They have no consideration for the customer. None whatsoever. They can talk all they want about how they want to put the customers first. They have yet to put the customer first when it comes this issue.” A spokesman for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission told the St. Petersburg Times today that Progress will have to amend their application to satisfy the 'shortcomings that have been found'. http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/nrc-ruling-case-against-progress-energy-has-merit WMNF http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/nrc-ruling-case-against-progress-energy-has-merit http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WmnfNews/~3/upgTPodYSAg/psc-progress-energy-public-hearing The Florida Public Service Commission is holding a series of public hearings to better understand the possible effects of Progress Energy’s proposed 31.5% increase in base rates. Tuesday afternoon’s hearing was held at Spartan Manor in New Port Richey. At the beginning of the hearing, various parties spoke, such as the Florida Retail Federation and the Office of Public Council. Members of Florida Legislature were also present, including House Representatives John Legg and Peter Nehr. Alex Glenn, representing Progress Energy Florida explained their reasoning for higher rates. Glenn called for a 12.5% rate of return, which Progress feels is a fair rate. However J.R. Kelly, from the office of public council disagrees. He feels that the revenue is too high. New Port Richey State Senator Mike Fasano said that there is nothing consumers can do in order to lower these base rates. Lowering usage will not decrease the base rate costs. The energy rate increases don’t only have effects for the homeowner, but also the business owner, according to Cecilia Bradley, representing Attorney General McCullum. She calls this the trickle-down effect. Senator Fasano says that these rate increases are not reasonable for his constituents. These constituents came to the hearing in a packed banquet hall to tell the commissioners their experiences with Progress Energy and why they don’t support a rate hike. Roselyn Linen receives Social Security. Her fixed income is not enough for expenses. Elaine Geier of Holiday says that these cost of living increases won’t even be available. Lilian Desau of New Port Richey, who is also on Social Security, is caught feeling as though she doesn’t know what else she can do. There are suggestions going around about how to save money in the current economic climate. But Frederick Tomaski of New Port Richey doesn’t support paying more to Progress Energy. Maryellen McGee of New Port Richey said she does not use her air conditioning because she can’t afford it. But she does need the electricity to power an oxygen pump to help her breathe. Harry Blethroad is a former US Marine. He brought up the unique situation he faces because he lives in an apartment. Ellen Geier also says that since the business is a monopoly, Progress Energy customers have no options. Will Nickerson of Holiday asks the commission to think about the customers of Progress Energy when making their decision. For more information about the hearings, and when they may be coming to your area, go to [www.floridapsc.com](www.floridapsc.com). The Commission will vote on the matter at the November 19th and December 1st Special Agenda and Agenda Conferences. http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/psc-progress-energy-public-hearing WMNF http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/psc-progress-energy-public-hearing http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WmnfNews/~3/tRG65wCaX3s/local-govts-sue-over-growth-management-bill A group of local governments is suing Charlie Crist and the state legislature over Senate Bill 360, the controversial growth management bill signed by the Governor last month. The new law exempts builders from having to widen roads to accommodate traffic from new construction and eliminates the review process for some large developments. Environmentalists have called the bill a gift to developers. But the lawsuit doesn’t touch on the merits of the legislation. Instead, it focuses on its constitutionality. Jamie Cole is the attorney leading the suit on behalf of the Broward County city of Weston, and 7 other local governments. He said the bill breaks the ‘single subject rule’ by adding language about security cameras at private businesses and affordable housing to its growth management provisions. Secondly, Cole says the bill violates the ‘unfunded mandate’ provision. Denise Layne is with the group Citizens For Responsible Growth. She lobbied against the bill during the session, and said there were always concerns about the law being an unfunded mandate. Attorney Jamie Cole said he, as well as the City Manager of Weston, worked on getting other local governments to join in on the lawsuit. Locally, members of the Hillsborough County Commission did sign a letter to Governor Crist, urging him to veto the bill. Commissioner Mark Sharpe led the effort to write that letter to the Governor. He said he is very interested in joining in on the lawsuit. Some local environmentalists were upset that Hillsborough County’s lobbyists didn’t fight hard enough against Senate Bill 360. Commissioner Mark Sharpe said part of the problem is institutional – the leadership in Tallahassee at times isn’t in synch with local governments on a major issue like growth management. Environmental activist and lobbyist Dee Dee Layne said she sympathizes with the Hillsborough County Lobbyists. She says they can only take directions from the leaders in the County Government, and wants to know who was directing them to take a ‘hands off approach’ to SB 360 until the end. Layne says that many organizations were for SB 360, before they were against it. Attorney Jamie Cole has asked for an expedited hearing. If granted, he says a ruling could come down within a few months time. http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/local-govts-sue-over-growth-management-bill WMNF http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/local-govts-sue-over-growth-management-bill http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WmnfNews/~3/nS-BpblKiu8/polk-county-may-cut-77-jobs-because-of-budget-concerns Like other counties in the state, Polk County is facing severe revenue shortfalls. Yesterday, County Manager Mike Herr presented a recommended budget that calls for eliminating 77 positions and reorganizing some departments in order to bridge a ten million dollar budget gap. [Randy Wilkinson](http://www.polk-county.net/subpage.aspx?menu_id=68&nav=gov&id=1530) is a Polk County Commissioner. “We’re slicing some programs and we’ll find the money.” Commissioner Wilkinson is a candidate for the U.S. Congress District 12 seat being vacated by Adam Putnam. The county manager’s proposal calls for all county workers to take five unpaid days off. That would save $500,000, Wilkinson says, but he has an alternative proposal that would save that amount or more. County Manager Mike Herr says he has not yet verified the fiscal impact of Wilkinson’s alternative to furloughs. Herr says that a lot of the savings he proposed on Tuesday comes from reorganization of divisions and departments. Nearly half of the 54 employees of Polk County’s [Healthy Families Division](http://www.polk-county.net/subpage.aspx?menu_id=252&nav=svc&id=8540) are slated for layoffs. Marcia Andresen is their director. “Healthy Families works with families prenatally and after the birth of their baby up to five years providing home visiting service to encourage parent-child activities and positive childhood outcomes and reducing poor childhood outcomes such as abuse and neglect.” Because of the 24 positions that are projected to be eliminated, Andresen says the reduced staff will need to tell 350 Polk County families that they will no longer be able to receive services. “There really isn’t a program that’s geared towards what we do. We work with families that are under stress. And during these difficult economic times, it’s even more critical, I think, that we have programs to work with families to help reduce their stress load and link them with resources in the community that could be helpful. So while there are some programs, there aren’t specific home visiting programs that do what we do. … So we’re just hopeful that maybe some of the money will be restored and we’ll be able to see more of the families. We’re hopeful that might happen.” The final fiscal year 2009-2010 budget for Polk will be adopted by the County Commission on September 10th. [Polk County Healthy Families Division](http://www.polk-county.net/subpage.aspx?menu_id=252&nav=svc&id=8540) [Polk County Leisure Services Division](http://www.polk-county.net/subpage.aspx?menu_id=252&nav=svc&id=8554) [Polk County Commissioner Randy Wilkinson](http://www.polk-county.net/subpage.aspx?menu_id=68&nav=gov&id=1530) http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/polk-county-may-cut-77-jobs-because-of-budget-concerns WMNF http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/polk-county-may-cut-77-jobs-because-of-budget-concerns http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WmnfNews/~3/Dfun5Qf51nU/citizens-organize-to-save-the-friendship-trail-bridge Good Afternoon, welcome to Radioactivity. I’m Rob Lorei. Coming up today we’ll talk about the future of the Friendship Trail Bridge- a recreational bridge that links Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. It was closed last year because of structural problems. But first some listener comments about yesterday’s program Yesterday we heard about the problem of human trafficking or modern day slavery. Last December Pinellas and Hillsborough counties closed the entire Friendship Trail Bridge, including the catwalks. The decision came after an engineering report found that the bridge structure was deteriorating and posed a danger to the runners, walkers, bikers, skateboarders, and people who fish from the bridge’s catwalks. Initial estimates of the cost of fixing the bridge were about 30 million dollars. But a more recent estimate puts the cost at 15 million. Next week there will be two public meetings about future plans for the now closed bridge. Here to talk about the future of the Friendship Trail bridge are: * Bob Kersteen: Chairman, Agency on Bay Management, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council Member, President Friends of Weedon Island and a Friendship Trail Oversight Committee member * Capt. Tom Bryan: President Friendship Trail Corp., owner of scuba & gun shop, Friendship Trail Oversight Committee member * Ben Ritter: Government Relations Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Vice-President, Friendship Trail Corp. * Frank Miller: Executive Director, Friendship Trail Corp. * And Barbara Sheen Todd, former Pinellas County Commissioner FMI [http://www.trailbridge.org](http://www.trailbridge.org); fmiller@tampabay.rr.com http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/citizens-organize-to-save-the-friendship-trail-bridge WMNF http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/citizens-organize-to-save-the-friendship-trail-bridge