You may have seen that The Ledger reported today, on a potential veto for the USF School of Pharmacy. �It is scary that the Governor chooses a fully vetted state priority to try to make an example of.

Obviously as an�employee�of USF Polytechnic, this matter is close to my heart. Though you can read my letter to the Governor below as to how else I view his fork in the road.

I would like to ask each of you reading to join with me in asking the Governor to support the budget for construction and operation of USF Polytechnic, including the USF School of Pharmacy. USFP wants to make sure your voice is heard. I am attaching a template you can use to ensure it is addressed correctly and includes the important points of support for USF Polytechnic.

Dear Governor Crist,

My name is Aaron J. Bates. I am resident and registered voter in Lakeland, Florida, as well as a

husband,father of 3, serial optimist and entrepreneur. Also, I am an alum, current employee and future grad student of the University of South Florida Polytechnic campus. At USFP, I am the Business Development Manager for the Blue Sky Business Incubation program. The Blue Sky program is eminently becoming the heart of USFP because it embodies the applied learning tenants that are critical to the polytechnic model.

With the signing of the bill in 2008, you created USFP as Florida’s first and only public polytechnic university, you successful ignited the opportunity for the greatest economic development project our region has seen in a generation. What you have set in motion has developed into a unique model of economic development and education; and so it is with great conviction that I ask you to fully support the legislative budget allocations, for operations and construction of the new buildings, for the University of South Florida Polytechnic campus and the USF School of Pharmacy.

As a fourth generation Polk County Citizen, I understand the opportunities and threats for the children who have grown up here. For many, they are unable to see past the lure of simple high school graduation and do

not even consider going to college. We must raise the bar of expectation, so they can raise their own bar of motivation. This regional priority will literal change the game for our communities and enable us to be a great example of the �New Florida� agenda. This new campus will allow our region to prepare itself for its piece of the state puzzle so that our citizens can compete in the global economy.

My mother, whom I deeply respect, often says, “Without consequence there is no action!” Whether good or bad, there are always consequences. I hope you truly consider all consequences surrounding this vetted priority and ask Â�you to ensure the prosperity of my children’s and their children’s generations, by signing the budgeted items of USF Polytechnic and the USF School of Pharmacy.

Thank you for your time and genuine consideration. I hope that we can count on you. Good luck, may God bless you and GO BULLS!

Most sincerely,

Aaron J. Bates

Husband, Father, Entrepreneur

USFP Alum, Staff and Prospective Grad Student

Special thanks to the following organizations for supporting USFP in this�endeavor:

Lakeland Chamber

Freedom Development Group

Email me and I’ll post you or your company too.

First, I saw the opportunity for collaboration.

The day Google announced its Fiber for Communities project, the Blue Sky team was busy working on the BTOP grant that USFP was applying for. Our proposal was to connect four underserved counties in our area (Polk, Highlands, Hardee and Desoto) with a 250 mile sonnet 10Gb/sec ring that will bring these underserved communities Lambda Rail and additional dark fiber. Yesterday we made the final submission and should know if we go to due diligence by the fall. Also, I knew that the City of Lakeland has fiber to every street light in the city and that it is around 300 miles in length.� So I shot of an email to those involved in hopes of getting the ball rolling.

Second, I saw the opportunity to, as the popular phrase goes, bridge the digital divide. I know some out there might not see the internet as a basic right, I may agree, but I do believe it has become a basic utility. A requirement to be a part of modern society. Just like electricity and water. I see the opportunity to enableÂ� schools to deliver relevant education to the home, and to us technology that they normally are unable to because of the lack of access that many students simply don’t have. Its this lack of access that i believe will continue the and compound the cycle of poverty, simply because broadband access elevates the entire society with it, and strands the rest without it. Now I know my conservative friends are starting to get riled up, and thinking “Pull yourselves up by your bootstraps”; but I contend thatÂ� you simple can not improve your own situation without broadband access in today’s global economy. The U.S. access to broadband has now slipped from 3rd to 5th in the world, and as reported:

“The nations that have actually progressed the most since the WEF began this survey back in 2002 are actually two surprising ones: China, and India. China, despite the numerous international concerns about the freedom of its Net systems, has leaped from 64th position to 37th, and India has moved from 54th to 43rd rank: This demonstrates incredible commitment by these (relatively) poorer nations to push their Net technology forwards, and highlights how little internal progress the U.S. has made.”

Simple put broadband access is the first step to enable our poorest children to change their status in life, to get them off government programs, and to prepare them to achieve in the global economy.

So why Catalyst for Innovation? Well it has become a mantra for me, in my faith, family, work and play. Its through this mantra that I want to pursue my life (not just career) track of being a builder of communities. Not just Cities or Towns, but people groups. Lots and lots of people groups.

Thanks for taking the time to read, and check out http://ConnectLakeland.com, because Google was just the start our community has a vision and I am going to make sure we reach it.

Let me know your thoughts, I really would love to hear them.

So I work diligently through morning meetings and tours of�Blue Sky West. Then I finally get to the part of the day where I am checking email and preparing for my afternoon meetings and I realize that everyone in the office was gone and I still had to make my way from Downtown Lakeland to the�USF Poly campus. Remember that my wife had to drop me off?

I call her (1:43)to see if she could just drop everything she was doing to come and shuttle me over to campus, and those crazy kids were asleep. I didn’t’ see another option at this point, so looked up bus routes for theÂ�Citrus Connection. I thought to myself, “This is a long shot”. I didn’t think i could get to campus on time with just 40 minutes(1:50) left until my meeting.

I was surprised to find out that i sat nearlyÂ�equidistantÂ�to 2 stops for theÂ�Lakeland to Bartow Express. I looked for the later stop time to ensure I could walk there fast enough. I knew this could be close because myÂ�scheduledÂ�arrival time was 9 minutes (2:21) before my meeting, whichÂ�wouldÂ�be fine if everything worked. I didn’t think luck would be on my side today. So I left the locked up office (and no keys) with a hope and a prayer. I arrived at the stop 5 minutes (2:00) before the scheduled arrival of 2:05. I whistle and sing to pass the time, as my concern grew as the 5 minutes became 3 and 1 minute; the bus was nowhere in sight. The clock ticked 2:05 and I looked up and saw the bus round the corner. I thought, â�� Wow, this is to good to be true.â��

So I boarded the bus set to ride to campus, with my backpack and thermal mug. The cost was a mere$1.25, but its an automated payment machine, with no change available. So my ride cost me $2, since all I had was a couple $1 bills.

As I sat down I noticed that there was sign claiming free wifi available. Â�Sweet. I popped open the laptop and was surfing in just a few moments. I am aware of the dangers of open access networks so I didn’t do anything secure, but I did check a couple of emails on the way to campus. It was a Great use of my Time. There was just 1 stop between the downtown Park and stop and the USF/PCC campus, at Grove Park Shopping Center; but nobody responded when the bus driver announced the stop and we kept chugging down Bartow Hwy.

We arrived on campus, just steps away from the LTB early at 2:19, so I had plenty of time to walk to the 2nd story and stop by our the office of our Blue Sky on-campus team members.

Over all my bus ride went extremely well. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised and honestly I am planning to use it again as I have on campus meetings. But I don’t know about the system as a whole, and will be exploring its use as interest and need arises.

This will likely be the first in series of posts about local mass transit needs, challenges and potential improvements. So stay tuned!

If you haven’t heard of Seth, go check him out. He has a new book out, that I can’t wait to read.

In this post on his blog, he discusses people in just two groups: Hunters and Farmers.

Seth mentions the very skill sets as we see them today:

A kid who has innate hunting skills is easily distracted, because noticing small movements in the brush is exactly what you’d need to do if you were hunting. Scan and scan and pounce. That same kid is able to drop everything and focus like a laser–for a while–if it’s urgent. The farming kid, on the other hand, is particularly good at tilling the fields of endless homework problems, each a bit like the other. Just don’t ask him to change gears instantly.

Honestly, I can see both skill sets in myself. But overall I tend to be a hunter. I really believe that is what I am good at. Which obviously lends itself to the idea that Seth quotes of author, Thom Hartmann:

That medicating kids who might be better at hunting so that they can sit quietly in a school designed to teach farming doesn’t make a lot of sense.

Though we as hunters also have to understand that our system was built by the farmers, as well as the fact that they are people to respect too.

As a marketer this isn’t a lens through which I would have previously looked, but Seth has again pointed me in the right direction.

I will end my post the same way he did:

“All I know is that it often explains a lot about behavior (including mine).

Some ways to think about this:

• George Clooney (in  Up in the Air) and James Bond are both fictional hunters. Give them a desk job and they freak out.
• Farmers don’t dislike technology. They dislike failure. Technology that works is a boon.
• Hunters are in sync with Google, a hunting site, farmers like Facebook.
• When you promote a first-rate hunting salesperson to internal sales management, be prepared for failure.
• Farmers prefer productive meetings, hunters want to simply try stuff and see what happens.
• Warren Buffet is a farmer. So is Bill Gates. Mark Cuban is a hunter.
• Hunters want a high-stakes mission, farmers want to avoid epic failure.
• Trade shows are designed to entrance hunters, yet all too often, the booths are staffed with farmers.
• The last hundred years of our economy favored smart farmers. It seems as though the next hundred are going to belong to the persistent hunters able to stick with it for the long haul.
• A hunter will often buy something merely because it is difficult to acquire.
• One of the paradoxes of venture capital is that it takes a hunter to get the investment and a farmer to patiently make the business work.
• A farmer often relies on other farmers in her peer group to be sure a purchase is riskless.

Who are you hiring? Competing against? Teaching?”

1. Apple has developed a new ecosystem to capitalize on the technology it has developed.
2. The most impressive feature is not related to the device it self, but to its partner service. AT&T was chosen once again to partner with Apple in the US to deliver the 3g service at a historical low. $30 / month without a contract. Cancel at anytime.
3. Target Market: To the disappointment of all my geeky and techy friends. You are not that target. Yes you are the ones who cared to  watch yesterday, but its not your all in one dream device. Its simple my Next device.
4. Business Model

Let me delve into that last one.

I am sure that for your top 15 reasons why you hate the iPad there was a solid business decision to do so.

The top two of those reasons are:

1.Cost Engineering the $499 base price

Think about the economy, we are recovering from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. A $1000 starting price would likely have flopped.

Steve was very proud in the presentation of the fact that the iPad was starting at 499. Yes i know those of you who want the high end will likely add all the trimming and pay over $1000, but budgets are tight.

 

2. AT&Ts $30/month w/ no contract

I said this already and I will say it again. This is the most impressive feature!

Lets compare to the cost of Verizon data:

They sell  an HP Mini netbook for $199 with a 2-year contract. The data plan is $39 for 250Mb/month, $59 for 5Gb

You can clearly see that though the initial price for the device is lower, but the  monthly cost is significantly more.

Finally we need to remember that this is a 1st generation product. We will see revisions, modification and additional functionality as future generations come out. Just be patient.

Both my 5 year old and I can’t wait to get our hands on one. Yes we watched the demo as a family. Yes, I know how dorky that is. I also know that my kids likely won’t even remember the pre iPad days. Now that IS crazy.

This is how I plan to live in 2010, and I know it will be a daily struggle.

I will strive to enter into more and deeper relationships with those around me.

I will strive to hold my faith in God as my compass.

I will strive to engage my family as my anchor.

I will strive to lead those who look to me for leadership.

I will strive to ensure that 2010 will be less about me and more about those around me.

I will strive to give my all in everything that I do, and if I can not, fix what needs to be fixed.

With that said I get to start the new year in an exciting way.� I am pleased to announce that I will be joining USF Polytechnic Blue Sky Incubator team beginning in January. This is an exciting opportunity for me to continue on the path that has been set before me. I will keep you updated as I make this transition.

Until today.

I was truly ecstatic when I heard that Paula Dockery was officially running for Governor of Florida.

I have had the pleasure to meet Paula Dockery on two occasions, and each time I did I realize how much I wished other elected officials would be like her.

She has a never say die attitude that she uses to take on the most daunting task, bucking party leadership and winning, with conservative principles that truly speak to who I am. She is such a humble stateswoman that she had to be drafted to run, to represent those that felt they had no representation. She has taken it a step further by announcing that she will qualify for the election by petition. She truly is a Voice For The People.

So here is the ask:

Please take a moment to fill out and mail this petition in to help Paula Qualify. She is looking to gather 113,000 signatures and ANY registered voter can fill out a petition. Download it here:

Dockery Sponsored_Legislation-Major_Issues.pdf

Mail to:

Paula Dockery for Governor
P.O. Box 1527
Lakeland, Florida 33802-1527

As I want to be true to my philosophy of you doing your research, read about Paula below:

TBO.com: Competition good for Republicans

Dockery a Convincing Leader

I will post more links later. Please fill out the petition. We need more people like Senator Dockery in office.

James Louis Howell, 87, loving husband and father, decorated war veteran of the United States Army, and ordained preacher, went to be with the Lord on April 29 due to heart failure.

His family will receive friends on Saturday, May 2 at the Lakeland Funeral Home with an 11 a.m. visitation, followed by an interment at the Oak Hill Burial Park.

Born in Savannah, Georgia, on May 16, 1921, Rev. Howell moved to Lakeland, Florida, at the age of 3. In 10th grade a bright young James had to leave school, and a potential college scholarship, in order to care for his ailing mother.

Rev. Howell proudly served in the 89th signal Company of the US. Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. He was one of the first troops to tour the concentration camps in Germany after they were liberated. He said that he would never forget the atrocities that he saw there. The photographs and experiences he obtained there stayed with him for a lifetime and deeply affected his faith. Among his many memories of the war was a rare visit to the private estate of Adolf Hitler, after the dictator’s death, where he viewed the many countries Hitler could see from a picture window of the home and had vowed one day to conquer. Rev. Howell’s war medals include the Victory Metal and the Bronze Star. It was during his time in the service that he first felt the call to go into the ministry.

Upon returning from the war, he married his lovely wife, Madge, a resident of Maud, Texas; on his birthday in 1948. He then settled into the position of Postmaster in Eaton Park, Florida. He held the position for 38 years. During that time he began courses through the Baptist Bible Institute. The couple had five children and celebrated nearly 61 years together.

In January, 1958, Rev. Howell was ordained a Baptist minister, serving mainly as an interim minister for 50 years, including positions at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Polk City and Dixieland Baptist Church in Lakeland. Highlights of serving the Lord in this capacity include a missionary trip to India where he traveled from village to village preaching the word of the Lord and baptized 125 people. He also had the opportunity to twice open sessions of the Florida Senate in prayer.

Horticulture was a big part of Rev. Howell’s life and became a lifelong hobby.

Rev. Howell was preceded in death by his parents, Robert & Francis Howell, his brother, Robert C Howell and his daughter-in-law, Kathy Howell. He is survived by his wife, Madge Howell of Lakeland, his children James Louis Howell (Cindy), Robert B. Howell, William David Howell, Cynthia Bates (Virgil), and Deborah K. Howell, all of Lakeland; his sister, Mary Black of Lakeland; his brother Frank Howell of Auburndale; nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to: First Baptist Church School, #1251 Fector -44B, Chan-digarh, India 160047.

Its an interesting idea for a local election.� Though I wonder what the actual impact on the campaign is. If anything, I definitely think it serves as a great reminder that the City of Lakeland Election is tomorrow. | GO VOTE! | Back to my question, What is the impact of electronic advertising in the Lakeland election. As much as I am engaged online, I have to question the impact it makes to the voters.� Don�t get me wrong, I would love to say that web advertising (weather ad or social) make or break your local election, but I highly doubt that is the case.� If it were, would we see less of those yard signs littering the roadways? I doubt it.

I wonder if it would even be possible to run an entire campaign completely off of just personal and electronic communication. Would someone even have a chance? Do road signs really make or break a campaign?� I hope not, but I have been told that I hope to much. That I believe the people (read: voting electorate) are not that smart.

Though I disagree. I believe The People collectively are smarter than most give them credit. That is why our government was designed as it was. I believe that when we move away from the mind of the people, we move away from our founding principles.

Who knows maybe I am wrong. What do you think?

*Disclaimer* I am neither advocating for or against Howard Wiggs. He just happens to be the progressive politician using online advertising. */Disclaimer*

USF Poly eNews Sept. 28, 2009

USF’s Daniels ready to make first start News Chief Sept. 25, 2009 USF quarterback B.J. Daniels insists it won’t be a big deal when he returns to his hometown of Tallahassee to face No. 18 Florida State in his first college start. http://www.newschief.com/article/20090925/NEWS/909255050#

USF quarterback B.J. Daniels hyped to face FSU in his hometown of Tallahassee Orlando Sentinel Sept. 25, 2009 Redshirt freshman B.J. Daniels didn’t truly accept that he was USF’s new starting quarterback until Matt Grothe showed up at practice Monday on crutches. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/college/orl-sportsusf-daniels-25092509sep25,0,3242473.story

Florida’s Big 4? USF’s Dream Requires a Win The Ledger Sept. 26, 2009 USF’s main goal is to capture the school’s first Big East championship. But a victory today against No. 18 FSU would do a lot for the program. http://www.theledger.com/article/20090926/NEWS/909265014#

QB Daniels, Strong Defense Lead USF past FSU The Ledger Sept. 27, 2009 Perhaps no win put USF on the college football map like the 2007 victory at No. 2 Auburn. But on Saturday, the Bulls officially arrived. http://www.theledger.com/article/20090926/NEWS/909265052

USF Bulls break into Florida elite with victory over Florida State Seminoles Tampa Tribune Sept. 27, 2009 What was the most incredible part of the Bulls’ 17-7 upset of No. 18 Florida State? http://www.tampabay.com/sports/college/usf-bulls-break-into-florida-elite-with-victory-over-florida-state/1039485

Florida State ‘whupped’ in first meeting with South Florida News Chief Sept. 27, 2009 Most of the more than 12,000 sun-drenched, green-clad boosters remained in their end zone seats chanting “USF, USF,” for some 20 minutes after the Bulls defeated No. 18 Florida State 17-7 Saturday. http://www.newschief.com/article/20090927/NEWS/909275043#

USF knocks Florida State from Big 3 status in the Sunshine State Orlando Sentinel Sept. 27, 2009 Now, after USF’s monumental manhandling of Florida State at the Doak Campbell Memorial Mortuary, it’s time for everybody to admit it: Leavitt was right. We were wrong. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-sportsbianchi-new-column-fsu-usf-2092709sep27,0,4929065.column

USF’s historic win should boost recruiting Tampa Tribune Sept. 28, 2009 USFâ��s 17-7 victory against Florida State “will have lasting shockwaves through the state of Florida.” http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/sep/28/280919/sp-historic-win-should-boost-recruiting/

Big Three? Big deal. Bulls bounce FSU Tampa Tribune Sept. 26, 2009 After USF defeated No. 18 Florida State 17-7 Saturday, there should be no debate anymore: USF is unequivocally a member of the state�s elite programs. http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/sports/story/big-three-big-deal.-bulls-bounce-fsu/

With this victory, USF Bulls prove they’ve caught up to the FSU Seminoles St. Petersburg Times Sept. 27, 2009 There have been bigger upsets for USF. And there have been more highly ranked opponents. But for a school that has grown up in the shadow of someone else’s glory, there has never been a moment quite like this. http://www.tampabay.com/sports/college/with-this-victory-usf-bulls-prove-theyve-caught-up-to-the-fsu-seminoles/1039543

USF’s Daniels Shows He’s Ready The Ledger Sept. 27, 2009 The future is now at quarterback for USF and it certainly looks bright with big-play B.J. Daniels leading the way. http://www.theledger.com/article/20090926/COLUMNISTS/909265054

It’s a day Daniels – and USF fans – won’t forget Tampa Tribune Sept. 27, 2009 B.J. Daniels did it. On a day when no one gave him or his team a real chance, with everyone watching, with everyone doubting, he ran and passed USF to history, real history. http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/sep/27/cb-its-a-day-daniels—and-usf-fans—wont-forget/

The Odd & Tragic Road Tampa Tribune Sept. 26, 2009 How USF quarterback B.J. Daniels got to this point is complicated, a journey intertwined with tragedy, pain, heartbreak and trust. http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/sep/26/260016/sp-the-odd-tragic-road/

Bulls’ Defense Gives QB an Assist The Ledger Sept. 28, 2009 USF quarterback B.J. Daniels verbally applauded his defense after it helped him win his first-career start at Florida State on Saturday. http://www.theledger.com/article/20090928/NEWS/909285028

DeLand’s Mark Joyce, a USF commitment, was at FSU to witness the Bulls’ big victory Orlando Sentinel Sept.Â� 27, 2009 Mark Joyce was in the stands to watch USF beat FSU, and he said the landmark victory made him even more certain he made the right choice in committing to sign with USF. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/recruiting/orl-recruiting-mark-joyce-deland-usf-09,0,6724057.story

South Florida Bulls head into October, a tough month of late St. Petersburg Times Sept.Â� 28, 2009 For the third year in a row, the Bulls enter October undefeated, but after Saturday’s 17-7 win at Florida State, USF’s challenge is to improve on a 3-5 October record over the past two seasons. http://www.tampabay.com/sports/college/article1039672.ece