Glad to be back people! For those of you who, despite the various postings here and around town, don't quite understand why the site went offline last week, here's one last, very brief, explanation: It was a protest and part of a personal awareness campaign promoting the concept of Net Neutrality. All links provided will detail what that's all about if you take a moment to visit.

Luckily, while Tampa Rail was away, Hillsborough County Commissioner's didn't find God and suddenly initiate the largest mass transit investement ever. Light rail stations, track, and catenaries, didn't spring up all over town. Work on the North to South Tampa subway system didn't break ground; and no-one is hoisting monorail guideways into the air - so far as I've noticed. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. My biggest fear was that my awareness campaign would conflict with rail-relevant breaking news of some sort.

Yeah, I sorta laugh when I read that back, too.

The only bit of solid news to roll by these parts was actually a negative piece on the streetcar line in terms of how it was funded.  That's more like it eh?  Fortunately, as a city feature outperforming ridership projections year after year now, and one making bucket loads of money to boot, the $200,000 slip-up is but a trite issue that Harline Director Ray Miller assures can be readily fixed.

I also think this buzz on how obesity is a direct result of using our cars too much is a worthwhile read. It floated up about mid-week. The Tampa of the future, where people are living more densely, will hopefully drive a demand for more walkability and mass transit options. This hope, after all, is what keeps me so interested in downtown as it turns into a residential mecca. Remember, if you're one of the lucky ones to be moving in down there, make yourself known here.