Florida Matters Takes A Look At 2019
2019 was a year full of politics, historic anniversaries and ever changing industries here in Florida. This week on Florida Matters we take a look back at a few stories that helped shape our area.
Florida Matters · Robin Sussingham, Robert Stone, Bill Nelson, Jane Castor, Christy Oshana, Rick Dantlzer, Mike Sparks, Kevin Bouffard, Stephanie Columbini, Ed CHiles
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Show Notes
There were so many great stories we feature on Florida Matters it was hard to choose which ones to highlight in our year in review.
Our Host, Robin Sussingham talked with then newly elected Tampa Mayor, Jane Castor. Mayor Castor served on Tampa's police force for 31 years, and became the first female police chief in 2009. In 2019 Tampa voters chose her to to become their mayor in a run-off election against the late David Straz. In our conversation with Mayor, she talks about the issues facing Tampa.
Back in March we learned about the eve changing seafood industry in Florida. We sat down with Ed Chiles the son of the late Governor, Lawton Chiles. Ed owns several seafood restaurants in the area and is the founder of the Gulf Shellfish Institute in Manatee County. Ed talked about the water quality surrounding Tampa Bay and the ideal conditions for raising clams.
It was the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon lading this past July. We had a chance to talk with Robert Stone, the writer, producer, and director of a 6 hour documentary, "Chasing the Moon," which aired on PBS. The documentary chronicled America's space race leading up to the first Lunar Landing and beyond.
Citrus has shaped our states identity for 100 years. But it has been a tough ten years with freezes, hurricanes, developmental pressure and greening. We caught up with Mike Sparks the CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual and Kevin Bouffard, a senior reporter at the Ledger. In this segment, Kevin talks about the Citrus Research and Filed Trials better know as CRAFT.
Lastly, we listen to former Senator Bill Nelson. In a rear appearance, Nelson recently spoke at Southeastern University in Lakeland. Where he was presented with an award for his long public service by the American Center for Political Leadership.