City manager Susan Stanton, who was born Steven Stanton, will be profiled in a CNN documentary. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

Tomorrow night, CNN will be premiering a documentary called “Her name was Steven” – a very intimate profile of Lake Worth, Florida city manager Susan Stanton. In 2007, Steven Stanton found himself in the center of controversy when he announced he would become Susan Stanton. Since then, Steven Stanton has completed her transition to Susan Stanton and works in Florida as a city manager, helping her city work on debt settlement relief, among other issues.

Steven Stanton fired for transition plans

In 2007, Steven Stanton had been serving as city manager in Largo, Florida for 14 years. He had a wife and a young son, and was a very respected member of the city government. When the local newspaper broke the story that Steven was planning on becoming Susan Stanton, the city almost immediately placed him on administrative leave, followed by termination. This action was very controversial, and as a St. Petersburg Times survey found, was not supported by most Largo citizens. However, Stanton eventually decided not to sue the city, announcing on Larry King Live that it would be “like suing my mother.” This move angered many GLBT advocates, some who offered a personal cash loan to help her pursue the issue.

Susan Stanton became a reluctant representative

A large portion of the transgendered community almost immediately rose to support Stanton in the fight to reverse Steven’s firing by the Largo city council. She also testified in front of congress about transgendered rights. However, Susan Stanton stepped out of the public spotlight as a transgender advocate rather quickly. As the TransAdvocate reported, the internal debates with various GLBT support organizations played a role. Additionally, being in a very bright international spotlight only a few months into her transition was very difficult for Susan Stanton to handle.

Steven Stanton’s experience helps Susan Stanton get hired

After Steven Stanton’s transition to Susan Stanton became a public issue, it was very difficult for Susan to get a job. There was also anger in the transgender community that Susan made the decision not to sue Largo for Steven Stanton’s firing. After applying for over 100 city manager jobs, Susan Stanton was hired as the Lake Worth, Florida city manager in April of 2009.

CNN Documentary “Her Name was Steven” airs this Saturday

After several years of relative anonymity, Susan Stanton will be the subject of a very extensive CNN documentary called “Her name was Steven.” This documentary will cover not only Steven Stanton’s transition to being Susan Stanton, it will cover Steven’s career as city manager, Susan’s relationship with her son, her divorce, and the reaction of Largo city leaders to the announcement of her transition. CNN reports that Susan “Stanton agreed to participate in the documentary to “put a human face on [something] people still have a profound misunderstanding of.”

See the preview of Susan Stanton’s “Her Name was Steven” documentary here

Image from Flickr.

Up until now, people had to pay $10 for their burgers in order to have a beer with them, and the beer cost extra. However, at the new Burger King Whopper Bar in Miami Beach, Fla., it’s $7.99 for a burger, fries and a beer.

The Whopper Bar will open in mid-February, but this isn’t the first Whopper Bar in the U.S. or even the first Whopper Bar in Florida. There’s already a Whopper Bar in South Beach. I guess I’ve been concentrating so much on payday loans with no faxing that I fell behind on the fast-food-and-booze beat.

Price analysis

While $7.99 is a better deal for a burger, fries and a beer than you’ll get anywhere else, I am not sure if it’s a super deal for a Whopper, fries and a Budweiser or a Coors. Prices vary at different Burger King locations, but let’s just say you’re paying $4 for the burger and fries combo and $4 for the beer. Not a super great deal. Still, any other place that serves burgers and beer will cost more.

Pub burgers tend to be bigger, have more ingredients and be of higher quality, and they cost at least twice as much. Also, $4 at a pub will usually get you a “nice” beer, something with a little more flavor and thickness to it than Bud or Coors.

Competition

The Fast Food Wars have been going on since before I was born. Competition has always been stiff between fast food places, but I would argue that the biggest rivalry lies between Burger King and McDonald’s, at least in the places I’ve lived.

According to Florida AP (See: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/AP/story/1439993.html), “Morningstar analyst R.J. Hottovy says adding beer is part of Burger King’s efforts to reinvent its image as a fast-food restaurant with a sit-down feel.” My perception could be off on this, but it seems to be McDonald’s has a reputation for being super fast and getting people in and out quickly, so perhaps these competitors are finally finding their own separate identities.

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Do you ever get that feeling that you want to throw  your computer out the window when you experience a glitch? Imagine a computer glitch that made you think you had won more than $166 million. Obviously, in this story, a casino denies a man a jackpot.

In Tampa, Fla., on Sunday, Bill Seebeck was playing a slot machine at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. When he hit the jackpot, the machine did its usual bells and whistles performance, but a very unusual amount showed up indicating how much Seebeck had won: $166,666,666.65

Casino denies man jackpot

Officials at the casino explained to Seebeck that the machine had malfunctioned, as the maximum payout for that game was $99,000. Furthermore, they said, the $1.50 bet he had made could only result in a $2,500 payout. Furthermore, they said, you’re not getting a cent. Furthermore, they said, sign here.

Well, this wasn’t small cash loans he was dealing with here, so Seebeck said, to paraphrase, “Sign what?! I don’t think so,” and went off in search of a lawyer. He didn’t get very far, though. By Tuesday, Seebeck and the casino had reached a “good faith” agreement. Either the “undisclosed amount” the casino offered was huge or they really duped this guy. Who wouldn’t go to court for a chance at $166.7 million?

Historical facts

This is not the first time a Seminole-run operation has run into a fake jackpot computer glitch. In 2007, a slot machine at the Seminole Hard Rock Resort & Casino in Hollywood told a man he’d won more than $259,000. In that case, the man even got the oversized check to go with his jackpot.

However, when it came time to write the real check, the casino said there had been a computer glitch and he didn’t win. In that case, after a media storm following the event, the casino agreed to pay the man the full amount. I hope Seebeck knew about what happened in the other “casino denies man jackpot” story before he agreed to accept whatever undisclosed amount they offered.

The FCAT scores for 2009 are now out, and parents in Florida can find out where their children are headed academically and possibly financially. FCAT stands for Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Students in grades 3-11 take the FCATs, and it’s never too early to start thinking about your child’s future, college and career.

Everyone knows that college graduates make more money. FCAT scores could help or hinder a high school graduate’s chances of getting into their university of choice.

Of course, if you don’t have stellar FCAT scores, that doesn’t mean you won’t be successful, but high FCAT scores just make it a little easier to follow the traditional path of college followed by a career.

Don’t be hasty

Of course, you’re probably going to need personal loans to send your child to college. If your student’s FCAT scores are so stellar that you get a scholarship to an Ivy League school, more power to you. But the reality for most people is that college is expensive.

So I must caution you: just because your FCAT scores in 2009 are good enough to get into an uber-expensive school, that doesn’t mean you should automatically send  your child there. So if you get your student’s FCAT results today, don’t automatically fax an application to Harvard. Here are some excerpts from an article I wrote on a SmartMoney study about private universities versus public.

Nuts and bolts

The SmartMoney report analyzed the cost of private school versus public schools based on out-of-state tuition. It looked at the cost of attending 50  universities and the salaries of alumni three years later and 15 years later.

The results are not surprising. While many Ivy Leaguers do make higher salaries, the extra money they spend repaying their student loans cuts greatly into the return on their investment.

Money-saving tips for college

For students who move to a different state to go to college, private schools cost about 30 percent more. Stay home to go to school and that difference jumps to about 75 percent.

So going to a public school in your home state costs a quarter of what it would cost to go to a private school.

One college-girl’s opinion

As a college graduate myself, here’s my model for the least expensive way to get a degree:

Go to community college first. Tuition is a fraction of what it costs to go to a four-year university. After you transfer and get your bachelor’s degree, it’ll carry just as much weight as everyone else’s.

If you want to go to an out-of state school: Most states consider you a resident after you’ve lived there one year, as long as you only go to school part-time. So move to the place where you want to go to school, attend community college part-time for a year. Then you’ll be able to pay in-state tuition and fees for the rest of your college career.

FCAT scores can save you money

So, if your 2009 FCAT scores are good enough to get you into an expensive, private university, just think of the scholarships you could get for community college or a state school. You could end up getting to go to school for free!

So study hard, get good FCAT scores and embrace your future earning potential.

Sunshine Dodge faces shutdown

Last week I wrote that Chrysler would not renew its franchise agreements with 789 Dodge dealers. This week, the owner of Sunshine Dodge-Isuzu in Melbourne, Florida, has written a letter demanding to know: “HOW IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CAN THIS HAPPEN?”

The owner of Sunshine Dodge is George C. Joseph, and  his “letter to the editor,” which I found posted on Prison Planet gives a very real, personal perspective on the meltdown of the auto industry.

Who needs Chrysler?

While Chrysler’s actions aren’t directly shutting down dealerships like Sunshine Dodge, that’s the inevitable outcome — not even guaranteed loans will help — and Joseph explains why in his letter:

On Thursday, May 14, 2009 I was notified that my Dodge franchise, that we purchased, will be taken away from my family on June 9, 2009 without compensation and given to another dealer at no cost to them. My new vehicle inventory consists of 125 vehicles with a financed balance of 3 million dollars. This inventory becomes impossible to sell with no factory incentives beyond June 9, 2009. Without the Dodge franchise we can no longer sell a new Dodge as “new,” nor will we be able to do any warranty service work. Additionally, my Dodge parts inventory, (approximately $300,000.) is virtually worthless without the ability to perform warranty service.

Just think, there are 788 other Chrysler dealership owners facing the same situation.

Adding to unemployment

Joseph expresses his concern for himself and his family, who he says will go bankrupt because of this. He adds that the 50 employees who work for him will now be unemployed.

“How will they provide for their families?” Joseph writes. “This is a total economic disaster.”

Insult to injury

Unfortunately, that’s not all. Joseph writes:

Our facility was recently totally renovated at Chrysler’s insistence, incurring a multi-million dollar debt in the form of a mortgage at Sun Trust Bank.

He also emphasizes that before Chrysler made this decision, Sunshine Dodge was doing just fine:

We deal with several dozen local vendors on a day to day basis and many more during a month. All depend on our business for part of their livelihood. We are financially strong with great respect in the market place and community. We have strong local presence and stability.

A call to action

If you are sensitive to caps lock, you’d best stop reading now. Joseph ends his letter with some lines obviously meant to highlight his anger, resentment and disbelief over what is happening to Sunshine Dodge:

HOW IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CAN THIS HAPPEN?

THIS IS A PRIVATE BUSINESS NOT A GOVERNMENT ENTITY.

This is beyond imagination! My business is being stolen from me through NO FAULT OF OUR OWN. We did NOTHING wrong.

…

HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN IN A FREE MARKET ECONOMY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA?

I beseech your help, and look forward to your reply. Thank you.

A prediction, if I may

Seeing how popular “Letter from a Dodge dealer” has become, I think it won’t be long before we hear from other owners of franchises that will meet the same fate as Sunshine Dodge. You can read the full letter at Prison Planet.

University of Oregon in Eugene uses solar panels to supplement power.

Babcock Ranch could soon be the site of a groundbreaking project, if the plan meets with Florida state officials’ approval. Developer Kitson & Partners intends to build the largest-ever on-site solar photovoltaic energy facility and world’s first fully solar-powered city.

“Babcock Ranch is a collaborative effort between Kitson & Partners, the State of Florida, Charlotte and Lee counties, major environmental groups and others,” Reports the Palm Beach Post.

Saving energy, creating jobs, spending money

Syd Kitson, chairman and CEO of Palm Beach Gardens-based Kitson & Partners, estimated the solar plant will create 200 to 300 jobs.

“We want to make this the most environmentally responsible, sustainable community ever designed.”

The project will cost a pretty penny, too. I don’t know where Kitson & Partners are getting their cash advances from, but they’ve already spent $700 million to purchase 92,000-acre Babcock Ranch. The solar plan will cost about $300 million.

Sunny living at Babcock Ranch

That $1 billion doesn’t even include the cost of building the city itself. The company calls Babcock Ranch the “City of Tomorrow. The developers plan to build more than 18,000 homes. The city will also house 6 million square feet of commercial development, and the whole thing will be powered completely by the sun.

Collaboration

Florida Power & Light Co., the state’s largest electric utility,will build the 75-megawatt solar plant. The plant will power Kitson & Partners’ 17,800-acre city in Charlotte and Lee counties. Solar panels on top of buildings and spread throughout the city will convert sunlight directly into electricity. The technology is “carbon-free, uses no water and produces no waste,” reports the Post.

Taking it a step further

Babcock Ranch will encourage other types of carbon and waste free energy as well. FPL will build “solar kiosks,” which will allow electric car owners to plug in and power up at different locations throughout the city.

With legislative approval and the completion of regulations, FPL plans to complete the solar plant by 2010.

Disaster area?

A Florida county that has been particularly hard-hit by the housing crisis is seeking “disaster area” status.

In St. Lucie County, thousands of homes stand vacant or unfinished. A  county commissioner believes the crisis has reached disaster proportions. If the county is declared a disaster area, it could receive money from the government’s fund dedicated to providing relief in areas hit by hurricanes and tornadoes.

What constitutes disaster?

Instead of waiting for cash advances from the government, County Commissioner Doug Coward is pushing for the disaster area classification so his county can get some help.

“This is a man-made disaster,” County Commissioner Doug Coward acknowledged. But he said that is why “we’ve got to do something. Clearly, the economic crisis of the country far exceeds the ability of local governments to solve it, but we’re trying be a part of the solution.”

Why make declaration?

Doug Coward

In addition to being eligible for the disaster relief funds, the declaration would let the county sidestep the usual bidding process for construction projects. Then the jobs could go directly to local contractors.

Advocates are hoping that if more locals are put to work, they’ll be able to pay their mortgages and avoid even more foreclosures in the area.

Rise and fall

Port St. Lucie was the fastest growing large city in the United States just five years ago. However, the rapid growth led to a rapid decline.

Affordable housing, open space and a laid-back lifestyle drew residents to Port St. Lucie by the busload. But despite the seemingly low home prices, many people soon realized they couldn’t really afford their homes. They found themselves swept up in the nationwide mortgage crisis.

Hard facts

In St. Lucie County, 10,000 homes were foreclosed last year — more than double the amount of the year before. Unemployment is 10.5 percent, significantly higher than the nation’s 7.9 percent.