Identifying Local Opportunities
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“Hospital
Woes hit profits” by Kathleen McGrory
and Neil Bedi of The Tampa Bay Times
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All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL is
struggling after closing their Heart Institute amid investigative reporting which
exposed a death rate that had tripled from 2015-2017. This has caused a loss in revenue and
declining services. The hospital has reported $11.5 million loss the first
quarter and has seen declining admissions, surgeries and services up to 15%.
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Problem
Presented: Although the hospital
spokesman affirmed the hospital is committed to supporting the needs of its
patients, the concern amongst the staff is whether there will be reductions in
labor or programs for the patients. A
large layoff would have a major effect on the community. Not to mention patients who would be without
care if the hospital closed more of its programs due to the decline in profits.
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Who has
the Problem: The staff and patients
of All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL as well as any potential
patients who would be recommended to the hospital for their specialized care.
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“Make our
streets safe” an editorial by Emiko Atherton, Director of the National Complete
Streets Coalition, and Beth Osborne, Director of Transportation for America.
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According to this article the Tampa Bay area is
the ninth most dangerous metro area in the country. The reason for this is that between 2008 and
2017, over 200 people walking or crossing the street have been struck and
killed by drivers. Florida as a whole
ranks as the most dangerous state for pedestrians and roadways seem to be the
problem. Many infrastructure
improvements need to be made around the state and especially in the Tampa Bay
area. Two opportunities are coming up
that could aid in making the necessary precautions to help pedestrians. The government has stated it will invest $2
trillion dollars in infrastructure, however the Tampa Bay advocates need to
raise their voices to make sure some of that money is spent towards its safety
projects. Also, within weeks Congress
will consider its next transportation bill and it will be a chance for the
local representatives to make pedestrian safety a priority and to improve the
lives of its citizens. The authors are calling out to Congress to hear the need
to protect those who are walking or biking on the roadways.
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Problem
presented: Growing problem where pedestrians are being killed by drivers
due to unsafe roadways.
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Who has
the problem: Anyone walking or biking in the Tampa Bay area and the state
of Florida. Especially those in low income areas where the roadways are the
worst.
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“Fatal
Attraction” by Gabrielle Calise at The Tampa Bay Times
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Regardless of what the title would lead you to
believe, this article is not about a crazy ex-mistress as portrayed in the
classic movie of the same title. It is
about another love story that creates havoc with your vehicle windshield and
bumper. The ever annoying love bugs whose
population is in full force during the month of May. Believe it or not, the population of these
alien invasive species has been much worse in the past. For a period of ten years the population of
love bugs had decreased but according to Dr. Norman Leppla, with University of
Florida’s Department of Entomology and Nematology, and the many postings on
social media, the population is increasing with a very heavy infestation this
year. They thrive in areas of fresh
grass and cow poop which explains why there are areas that have a higher
concentration. Over the years there have
been many creative methods used to try to keep the love bugs at bay. Dr. Leppla and his colleagues have gathered
to present these creative ideas and other times he states, “Sometimes we laugh
so hard we fall out of our chairs.” The
best advice he can give is to wash off your vehicle at the end of the day.
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Problem
presented: Growing population of love bugs that cause problems while
driving and with their remains stuck to your vehicle.
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Who has
the problem: This problem seems to be in most of the state of Florida with
the biggest population surrounding open fields of cattle. Most vehicles driving down the
interstate. People enjoying outdoor
activities.
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“All-American
Cigar” by Paul Guzzo with The Tampa Bay Times
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Ybor City in Tampa, FL was the cigar capital of
the world at one time. Now, the last working
cigar factory, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. will convert floor space for hand-rolling
cigars as long as the industry does not get upended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Potential regulations on premium cigars would
require cigar makers to test products they have produced since 2007. J.C. Newman is the only local cigar business
that sells commercially and is bringing back its original cigar The
American. It will be the first cigar to claim
all contents are made in America. No
other manufacturer has been able to make the same distinction. Drew Newman, general counsel for J.C. Newman
states, “We are betting on the future and that we can keep the Tampa cigar
making tradition going.”
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Problem
presented: Cigar industry could face bankruptcy if regulations are passed
that require testing on its products created since 2007.
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Who has
the problem: Cigar manufacturers in the U.S, Cigar aficionados, cigar
manufacturing laborers, communities where the cigar manufacturing is located.
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“Chemo,
herbs and parental rights” by Tony Marrero of The Tampa Bay Times
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Parents decline to continue the maintenance
phase of chemotherapy treatment of a 4-year old boy with acute lymphoblastic
leukemia. Instead they were choosing to
use alternative treatments to keep the boy cancer free against physician’s
recommendations. The family fled to
Kentucky where they were tracked down by child protective services. The local judge has ordered the boy continue
with the chemo and the parents are facing charges of child neglect for their
decision on how to continue treatment.
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Problem
Presented: As a parent it is heartbreaking to think that your rights and
choices for your child would not matter as if you do not know what is
best. The problem lies in the court
system overstepping their bounds and forcing choices that are either outside of
their beliefs or outside of what they feel is safe and effective for their
child.
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Who has
this problem – Any parent of children with medical conditions.
Hello Melissa,
ReplyDeleteYour post was very organized and thorough and I think you did a great job explaining all of the problems and who has them. For your last problem I believe that it is not only the parents that have a problem but the court system both on the state and federal level as we'll as the common public. There is a fine line between allowing parents to make their own decisions on what is right for their children when it comes to medical treatment and what is morally the right call to make. Take for example parents not vaccinating their kids. This affects everyone who comes into contact with the kid who could potentially be spreading a deadly disease.