5A Local Opportunities

Local Newspaper: The Gainesville Sun and WUFT

1. Alachua County Opposes Coastal Connector Plan

http://www.gainesville.com/news/20180529/alachua-county-opposes-coastal-connector-plan

The possible roadway connections of the Suncoast Parkway to I-75 are strongly opposed by Marion and Alachua Counties for a few reasons. The roadways will increase traffic on I-75, it does not wait for a study currently being conducted on 75, it would cross through "significant environmental areas", and it would also be very damaging to the Horse showing business economy in Ocala, and negatively impact many valuable private horse farms. The Alachua County Commissioners also challenge that the Coastal Connector does not significantly improve the evacuation times of people from the state, which is the main goal of the plan.
The problem in this story is that traffic needs to be able to channel easier out of the state without significant negative impacts to economies, individual property owners, and natural areas.
Citizens of Florida and the state government have this problem.

2. Bike Infraction Leads to Drug Charges

http://www.gainesville.com/news/20180528/bike-infraction-leads-to-drug-charges

A man was riding his bicycle at night without lights and was spotted by an officer. The man turned into a driveway and the officer thought he was avoiding being spotted, so he confronted the man. The man was found with cocaine and spice and so he was arrested. His bond is $20,000.
The problem is that his lack of lights caused him to be suspicious, and found with another bigger, more significant infraction of the law.
Individuals who ride their bikes at night have this problem. Drug dealers or users without cars have this problem.

3. UF Appoints Chief Diversity Officer

http://www.gainesville.com/news/20180529/uf-appoints-chief-diversity-officer

The article shares information about the newly created position of chief diversity officer, and the man who now hold the position, Antonio Farias. He was in a similar role at another University before being offered a $280,000 salary to come here. He says he will focus on learning the UF/Gainesville culture, because these solutions are not cookie cutter. Also included is a very characteristic quote from President Fuchs saying that UF is not always very welcoming.

The problem in this article is that a very high salary position has been given to someone to increase inclusion- which cannot be solved systematically (many opportunities exist that strive to increase UF's diversity) but only through how individuals act toward one another.

Tax paying Floridians and tuition paying students have this issue, because less of their money will be used to educate and improve classroom qualities.

4. Hard-Care Homelessness Proves Costly for Alachua County

http://www.gainesville.com/news/20170805/hard-core-homelessness-proves-costly-for-alachua-county

The first half of the piece focuses on one chronically homeless man named Ramine. He is an alcoholic, has been homeless in Gainesville for 25 years, panhandles, frequents jail and the emergency room, and is estimated to have cost taxpayers around $1 million in those 25 years (legal fees and healthcare costs).
The problem is how to deal with these "frequent flyers" in a way that actually gets them off the street and saves money at the same time.
The problem is for taxpayers. He was quoted saying years ago that he liked being homeless, now he says he doesn't.

5. National Wal-Mart Crime Problem No Different in Gainesville

https://www.wuft.org/news/2017/12/22/national-wal-mart-crime-problem-no-different-in-gainesville/

Walmarts were the locations with the most reported incidents last year in Gainesville. Cops were called to one Walmart an average of six times a week last year. Most of the calls related to shoplifting. This is a national problem.
The company says that its a catch-22 because they like being easily accessible so that they are convenient for customers to visit, but it also makes it easier for shoplifters to get away. Shoplifting costs the company a lot of money, and costs the police departments time and resources as well.
The problem is footed by customers in their bill, and tax payers taxes... but the issue must be solved by the company. The Police Department can only respond to calls. The company needs to add security measures.