Bonita Springs Florida Real Estate: Owen's Blog of Housing, Politics & More!

It's Not Your Money?

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:44:50 -0600

Neil Cavuto interviews Republican congressman Joe Knollenberg of Michigan.

After the less than stellar system set up for the original bailout, the auto industry and Detroit are asking for another bailout with taxpayer dollars to prop up the ailing industry.

My opinion of the auto bailout is that it is outrageous. It is unacceptable and we should NOT use taxpayer funds to an industry who along with the unions promised employees wages, benefits and pensions that can't be met.

The party is over! And the workers in the auto industry ought to consider themselves lucky that for the past 3-4 decades they have been able to continue down the path of destructive policies without noticing the future devastation that would be caused and they are now living it. It has now caught up to the companies, workers and union bosses.

The current structures and policies have failed because they aren't competitive with the other manufacturers within the same industry. The unions should have a seat at the table and should restructure their workforce pay, compensation and benefits package to save the employees which they claim to be looking out for.

The interview below causes me great pains to hear a congressman state that the funding bailout is NOT OUR MONEY. I suppose this is one of the reasons that this congressman won't be back in the next congress as he wasn't reelected.

Best regards,

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI, Realtor, e-Pro

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

23421 Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

239-269-3077 Cell 800-547-3019 Toll Free Office

www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

Fat Cat Stuck In A Box!

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:42:08 -0600

Let me start by saying that my wife Rose and I absolutely have a soft side for cats. We love them and have 3 of our own. Pictures of our newest and greatest little one "Laser" to come shortly. He is our first male and he is now 7 months old. Our other 2 females are Lucky 14 years & Anna 16 years.

As all of our family understands our adoration for cats so my wonderful sister sent us this comical "funny" of a "fat cat" of which a family memeber of ours has one very similar. But this video below is definately funny!

Cat Stuck in a Box @ Yahoo! Video

Best regards,

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI, Realtor, e-Pro

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

23421 Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

239-269-3077 Cell 800-547-3019 Toll Free Office

www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

Southwest Florida Showing Improvements!

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:35:40 -0600

Some very interesting numbers are occurring year over year from one of the country's hot spots during the real estate boom. The numbers below are getting better. We are having continual declines in months of inventories or absorption rate.

Absorption rate generally means that these are the amount of months it would take to sell each and every available home on the market if not another home was put on the market for sale.

Obviously, that makes these numbers very fluid but this gives a very good general snapshot of the marketplace in Southwest Florida's Bonita Springs & Estero communities.

Our winter months are coming and that is the seasonal strong time for Southwest Florida as the snowbirds begin to migrate for up to 6 months. We love the snowbirds! They bring with them a great deal of charm, good qualities, diverse personalities, enjoyment, golf clubs & quite often their checkbooks to make real estate purchases.

That is a great thing for our local economy, state taxes and certainly the real estate market. I have much higher anticipation of business for this coming winter than I did last. While the graph below doesn't show my following data, we are up nearly 80% in transacted sales year over year. That is remarkable with all of the economic & housing struggles of today and a long & drawn out Presidential campaign.

The biggest reason for this upward tick is that the home seller's, agents and brokers in Southwest Florida have finally begun to realize the proper pricing for a home in a declining market. We are now at a 2 for 1 pricing formula based on peek pricing. What I'm saying is that the sold homes are selling at 50% off of their peek values of November 2005.

That is translating into great buyer opportunities and long term appreciation likelihood. We have great values in whatever style community you desire whether for retirement, 2nd home pleasure, corporate retreats or good old fashion long term home investment!

The availability of a broad selection of housing that is priced for long term success is all over Southwest Florida including gated & golfing communities, waterfront & boating communities, Gulf of Mexico access homes, acreage & equestrian properties & condos, villas, coach & carriage homes of all styles are NOW on sale.

The Bonita Springs/Estero Real Estate Market, October 2008

	Oct. Inventory	Total Inventory	Pending	%	Sold	%	# of months of inventory
Single Family	193	1364	23	1.7%	47	3.4%	29.0
Multi Family	185	1589	29	1.8%	45	2.8%	35.3

Single Family (By Price Range)
$0 - $300,000	68	411	10	2.4%	14	3.4%	29.4
$300,001 - $400,000	35	223	4	1.8%	11	4.9%	20.3
$400,001 - $500,000	26	173	6	3.5%	4	2.3%	43.3
$500,001 - $700,000	17	210	1	0.5%	11	5.2%	19.1
$700,001 - $1,000,000	20	144	2	1.4%	6	4.2%	24.0
$1,000,001 & Up	27	203	0	0.0%	1	0.5%	203.0

Multi Family/Condo (By Price Range)
$0 - $300,000	117	861	21	2.4%	25	2.9%	34.4
$300,001 - $400,000	33	299	5	1.7%	11	3.7%	27.2
$400,001 - $500,000	10	138	1	0.7%	2	1.4%	69.0
$500,001 - $700,000	12	128	2	1.6%	3	2.3%	42.7
$700,001 - $1,000,000	7	78	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	UNAVAILABLE
$1,000,001 & Up	6	85	0	0.0%	2	2.4%	0.0

Best regards,

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI, Realtor, e-Pro

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

23421 Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

239-269-3077 Cell 800-547-3019 Toll Free Office

www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

Churchill Says It Best!

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:06:57 -0600

Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.
Winston Churchill

Tomorrow is Election Day 2008. We Must get out and vote! Please Southwest Florida & America, we must maintain our hopes and optimism. We must maintain our entreprenurism in not just feelings and manners of optimism but as provided through pro-growth, free market capitalist ideals of smaller government, lower taxes and less spending.

We must preserve our way of life and NOT yield to surrender from the battlefields or our economic and social complexes of free market capitalism.

We have a brutal enemy out there that is unrelentingly conspiring to bring death and destruction to our interests and our shores. They wish to bring this upon us with the worlds most deadliest weapons of mass destruction.

While our economy has been front and center as of late and with good reason.... We must not forget and get complacent as to the threats from Islamic Fascist terrorists who are being sponsored and conspiring with Iran & Saudi Arabia from Pakistan.

Please remember that without SECURITY we have NO LIBERTY(or economy).

This is a huge election and could have decades of reverberations and consequences not understood on the surface if we elect the wrong person to be our Commander-in-Chief.

America stand with me and Vote for McCain/Palin in 2008 on November 4th so we can bring Victory & Capital & Economic Growth back to Washington along with the continued entrepreneurial opportunities and spirit that America deserves and was built on instead of suppressing it through socialized policies of failure and trickle up poverty!

Best regards,

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI, Realtor, e-Pro

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

23421 Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

239-269-3077 Cell 800-547-3019 Toll Free Office

Obama Shoots McCain The Bird?

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:12:50 -0600

Another display of arrogance and over confidence! Senator Obama should be ashamed of himself again.

Does America want to elect a man who just recently taunted the majority of our electric companies and energy sources used by this country by espousing the collapse of an entire industry? Senator Obama gleefully stated that he'll allow new coal plants to be built but wouldn't advise it because he'll bankrupt them with his ill-advised cap-n-trade policies to offset the yet to be proven global warming issue.

Now we've got Senator Obama in Jacksonville, Florida today again so gleeful, elite and arrogant as he claims to thank Senator McCain for a hard fought race and in a tone of "it's over"! While giving his condolence speech to Senator McCain he indeed flipped Senator McCain off with the middle finger. This is not the first time Senator Obama has flipped off his opponent as you'll recall him doing the same thing during the primaries to Senator Clinton.

Wake Up America! And get out and vote tomorrow to keep America the free, capitalist and melting pot of a country that we have grown and built over the last 200+ years and which has and is providing us with the greatest quality of life mankind has ever seen.

View this short video below and get out and VOTE FOR the MCCAIN/PALIN 2008 Ticket!

Best regards,

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI, Realtor, e-Pro

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

23421 Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

239-269-3077 Cell 800-547-3019 Toll Free Office

Engery Prices Going Up, Up & Away?

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 20:49:46 -0600

Another ridiculous & unnecessary policy toward America's need to be energy independent! We have a whole industry of workers and some of the biggest percentage of our energy use comes from coal. We also have more available coal in the United States than Saudi Arabia has oil.

This would be another terrible policy implemented by the left wing environmental democrats like the RePO team of Reid, Pelosi & Obama.

Wake up America and let's make sure to send Senator Obama back to Chicago in disbelief! It can be done!

Best regards,

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI, Realtor, e-Pro

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

23421Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

239-269-3077 Cell 800-547-3019 Toll Free

McCain/Palin Close In! Latest Polls Encouraging!

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:16:36 -0500

Just breaking and hot off the presses it appears that Zogby polling that will be released tomorrow Saturday November 1, 2008 is going to show the McCain/Palin ticket leading the Obama/Biden ticket 48%-47%

Zogby states it like this:

ZOGBY SATURDAY: McCain out polled Obama 48% to 47% in Friday, one day, polling. He is beginning to cut into Obama's lead among independents, is now leading among blue collar voters, has strengthened his lead among investors and among men, and is walloping Obama among NASCAR voters. Joe the Plumber may get his license after all...

It appears that America might be waking upbut let's not get complacent with still a few days to go. We need all of the voting public who has not yet voted to join us in casting your vote for a "Country First" President. Be encouraged! And vote for McCain/Palin! We must NOT allow Senator Obama to become President. There is way too much at stake and an awful lot of unanswered questions and associations which seem to be over the top and not in line with American ideals.

Barney Frank Says Spend.... Deficit To Take Back Seat!

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:45:30 -0500

Are you kidding me?

This is unbelievable yet not surprising. The Democrats spending plans and tax plans to spread the wealth or put another way to take from one person and GIVE it to another is reckless and never before seen in our capitalist country. This is socialism over free market capitalism. This is Marxism and scary!

Winston Churchill said it best "To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years. To destroy can be the thoughtless act of a single day."

My fellow colleagues, Southwest Floridians and Americans, Please make sure that you greatly consider with more thought than we've ever given to who has earned and will receive your vote on November 4th.

The emotional instinct for "change" and new direction in this country is a noble one. And coming off of the last 8 years there is a lot to reflect upon and certainly some Monday morning quarterbacking to be done but we must not let a desire for something historical and movement oriented to reflect our decisions on which party and people can move us forward.

We have very big challenges on our plate to consider but we have become who we are not from the last decade but the last more than 200 years and we MUST not allow a change from free market capitalism that has given us the greatest opportunities and quality of life to a culture and market built on socialism.

We can NOT allow the Democrats a no-check and filibuster free House of Representatives, Senate & White House!

Best regards,

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI, Realtor, e-Pro

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

23421 Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

239-269-3077 Cell 800-547-3019 Toll Free Office

www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

Obama Supporter Get's Ticketed!

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:51:32 -0500

The other day I went downtown to run a few errands. I went into the local coffee shop for a snack. I was only there for about 5 minutes, and when I came out, there was this cop writing out a parking ticket. I said to him, 'Come on, man, how about giving a retired person a break'? He ignored me and continued writing the ticket. His insensitivity annoyed me, so I called him a 'Nazi.' He glared at me and then wrote out another ticket for having worn tires. So I proceeded to call him a 'doughnut eating Gestapo.' He finished the second ticket and put it on the windshield with the first. Then he wrote a third ticket when I called him a moron in blue. This went on for about 20 minutes. The more I talked back to him the more tickets he wrote.

Personally, I didn't really care. I came downtown on the bus, and the car that he was putting the tickets on had one of those bumper stickers that said, 'Obama in '08.' I try to have a little fun each day now that I'm retired. The doctor tells me that it's important to my health!

I thought this was a classic when emailed to me by a friend the other day. Just wanted to share a laugh!

Best regards,

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI, Realtor, e-Pro

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

23421 Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

239-269-3077 Cell 800-547-3019 Toll Free Office

www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

Churchill and our upcoming election!

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:59:33 -0500

To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years. To destroy can be the thoughtless act of a single day.

Winston Churchill was a wonderful and brilliant man offering the courage and strength necessary for real leadership.

We must not allow the destruction of our success & ingenuity for over 200 years which has brought us to where we are today. Senator Obama is undoubtedly of the socialist mindset. The wheels are already spinning and we as a nation MUST NOT ALLOW the destruction of our free markets and capitalist country. An Obama/Biden victory along with a filibuster proof Senate and House will rev up the engines of socialism and head into Marxism more quickly than even many of the moderate Democrats understand.

I was a long holdout against Senator McCain and quite simply, I'm still not a big supporter. But please join me in keeping our country and continuing to grow our future within the original ideas and documents of the Constitution and the capitalist marketplace which has provided me and us with the greatest quality of life mankind has ever seen.

Best regards,

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI, Realtor, e-Pro

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

23421Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

239-269-3077 Cell 800-547-3019 Toll Free Office

www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

Bonita Springs & Estero Market Statistics!

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:41:02 -0500

The latest numbers for the Southwest Florida marketplace. Specifically tailored for the Bonita Springs & Estero communities. Our inventories are shrinking and for the investor driven purchaser; there are certain price ranges which would be good entry points for the long term. Let us not forget that Southwest Florida is a leading resort styled area with some of the worlds most beautiful beaches and amenities. We also have some of the greatest year round weather. Couple all of this with the fact that Florida will still be a future destination and retirement point many of the millions of baby boomers.



The Bonita Springs/Estero Real Estate Market, September 2008

	Sept. Inventory	Total Inventory	Pending	%	Sold	%	# of months of inventory
Single Family	158	1318	17	1.3%	62	4.7%	21.3
Multi Family	142	1583	32	2.0%	34	2.1%	46.6

Single Family (By Price Range)
$0 - $300,000	60	397	6	1.5%	20	5.0%	19.9
$300,001 - $400,000	28	210	4	1.9%	17	8.1%	12.4
$400,001 - $500,000	15	164	1	0.6%	9	5.5%	18.2
$500,001 - $700,000	24	220	1	0.5%	10	4.5%	22.0
$700,001 - $1,000,000	14	138	2	1.4%	5	3.6%	27.6
$1,000,001 & Up	17	189	3	1.6%	1	0.5%	189.0

Multi Family/Condo (By Price Range)
$0 - $300,000	88	845	18	2.1%	19	2.2%	44.5
$300,001 - $400,000	23	285	7	2.5%	7	2.5%	40.7
$400,001 - $500,000	5	144	2	1.4%	6	4.2%	24.0
$500,001 - $700,000	8	138	2	1.4%	0	0.0%	Unavailable
$700,001 - $1,000,000	8	75	3	4.0%	2	2.7%	37.5
$1,000,001 & Up	10	96	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	Unavailable

Best regards,

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI, Realtor, e-Pro

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

23421 Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

239-269-3077 Cell 800-547-3019 Toll Free Office

www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

Promises Made! Promises Kept!

Recognized! Respected! Recommended!

A Bailout? No, Pro-Growth Policies With Reform!

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:25:41 -0500

I have been very busy this week calling congress people and Senators to voice my displeasure with the nearly Trillion dollar bailout bill.

From the very beginning I was in the camp that felt that we had to have an alternative to the initial plan. There was absolutely NO way that the pinheads up in DC that claim they represent USare clever enough to prepare a plan within a 24 hour period as they attempted. They not only asked us to believe that they can succeed in a correct plan of action in a short time frame but included in that request is a blank check for nearly a Trillion dollars of our money which in translation was to give the Treasury Secretary a nearly "defacto dictatorship" over our tax dollars.

There wasn't even an equation or strategy used to determine the unbelievable $770 Billion. They claim that they needed a "big number". This whole give away of our tax dollars is a terrible idea. The fact that the bill was defeated in the House of Representative was a success and victory for capitalism. The current plan is a shredding of our capitalist markets and an assault on our free market culture that our great country has been built on. Another very important thing to keep in mind in a free and capitalist market is that failure IS an option.

There have been a number of well stated opposition ideas that have been presented. I believe that pro-growth policies are the best way to provide the economic stimulus that this country and our economy needs. A well stated pro-growth plan has been presented today by South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint.

I ask that everyone calls there Congress and Senate Representative and ask them to vote NO on the bailout bill. Tell them that you support and ask them to support the Jim DeMint offered legislation which employs pro-growth policies to strengthen our depressed economy.

As a side note: I am a firm believer that the FANNIE MAE/FREDDIE MAC organizations are the root cause of our problem. Furthermore I am in strong favor of privatizing those taxpayer funded companies and getting OUR government out of the mortgage guarantee business. See below.

My Source: http://www.jimdemint.com/blog/2008/09/demint-outlines-economic-growth-plan/

DeMint Outlines Economic Growth Plan

September 25th, 2008

Today, U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) outlined a plan to stimulate real economic growth for American businesses and families through lowering taxes, reforming government failures, and immediately expanding domestic energy production.

"The proposed bailout is a trillion dollar band-aid that does not contain a single item that will stimulate our economy," said Senator DeMint. "Now is the time to cut taxes on American investment, reform government failures, and expedite energy exploration so we can grow our economy. We must enact pro-growth economic solutions that will create jobs, open up our vast energy resources, encourage investment, and pave the way for long-term prosperity. Instead of giving government more power after its past failures, this plan provides our economy the tools it needs to work through this crisis and gives Americans the freedom to succeed. Given the serious problems we now face, we should all agree that a bold pro-growth economic plan is urgently needed with or without a bailout."

REFORM A TAX CODE THAT DISCOURAGES CAPITAL FORMATION

• Suspend Capital Gains Tax for 2 Years, Index it for Inflation: Immediately suspend the capital gains rate from 15% for individuals and 35% for corporations on assets, including stocks, homes, and commercial real estate investments. This provision would unleash funds and materials to create jobs and grow the economy. After the two-year suspension, capital gains rates would return to present levels but assets would be indexed permanently for any inflationary gains.

• Reduce the Corporate Income Tax Rate: Reduce the corporate income tax rate, which discourages job creation and investment in the U.S., from 35% to 25%. For over a decade, the U.S. corporate tax rate has been 50% higher than the average among our counterparts in the industrialized world and nine key trading partners cut their rates during 2007. According to the Tax Foundation, the corporate tax quietly taps family pocketbooks for nearly $370 billion per year, over $3,000 per household, in the form of higher prices, lower wages and poorer return on investment.

REFORM FAILED GOVERNMENT REGULATION

• Suspend "Mark to Market" Accounting: Suspend the mark-to-market regulatory rules for long-term assets. These rules require financial firms to mark assets at current market levels, even where no market exists and any immediate transactions would result in fire-sale prices. Instead of allowing firms to mark these assets to their true economic value, these rules contribute to a downward spiral as firms have to evaluate their assets not on the basis of their long-term investment but rather on a short-term panic.

• Reform Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley:Make voluntary the duplicative reporting requirements under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, allowing companies to comply with standards that better fit their size while still insuring that they protect their investors. The average compliance cost for a business under Section 404 is $3.8 million, with smaller businesses paying over twice as much in percentage of revenue as large businesses. Relieving this burden will reverse a policy that is chasing capital offshore and encourage more companies to go public in the United States.

• Repeal federal mandates for risky loans: Repeal the Carter-era Community Reinvestment Act, which requires banks to make loans available to borrowers who would otherwise be deemed as too high a credit risk, and who often cannot afford to repay the loans. Under this law that contributed to our current crisis, if banks don't make enough risky loans, community organizers can take financial institutions hostage during regulatory proceedings when banks try to merge, acquire or otherwise alter their status.

EXPAND ENERGY EXPLORATION

• Repeal Bans on Energy Exploration and Expedite Production:Expedite offshore and oil shale exploration, ensure states share in energy revenues, and prevent endless litigation from frivolous environmental lawsuits. American reserves offshore are estimated to hold over 20 billion barrels of oil and 97 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. In the West, oil shale is estimated to be between 800 billion and 2 trillion barrels of oil - that is more than three times the proven oil reserves in Saudi Arabia alone. Permanently ending these bans on American energy will help fuel our economy and stop sending billions of dollars overseas for foreign oil.

REFORM FAILED GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS

• Schedule the GSEs for Privatization:Transition Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac over a reasonable time period to truly private companies without special government privileges and expose them to real market competition. This reform would 1) establish commonsense limits for their capital requirements and portfolio holdings relative to their size, 2) focus their mission on affordable housing only, not profit making, 3) require them to pay an appropriate risk-based amount for the government guarantee they enjoy, 4) subject them to state and local taxes and accurate SEC filings like every other private for-profit corporation, and 5) ultimately provide for the phase out of their GSE charters once their conservatorship has ended.

• Stabilize the Dollar:Repeal the Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment Act, which diverts the Federal Reserve's attention from long-term price stability to short-term economic growth. In an effort to fuel the economy, this additional mandate has encouraged the Fed to keep rates artificially low, leading to economic booms and busts, a rise in inflation and the decline of the dollar. This reform would require the Fed to establish a numerical definition for price stability and maintain a policy that promotes it over the long-term.

Best regards,

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI, Realtor, e-Pro

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

23421 Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

239-269-3077 Cell

www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

Another Missed Debate.. Another Diss to Southwest Floridians!

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:19:50 -0500

Another forum for debate and once again another missing debater. This is someone who has grown to Washington DC culture of elitism. This is someone who professes to work for the people of Southwest Florida yet makes every effort to engage more closely with the people of Southern California. This person is Connie Mack!

The Cape Coral Civic Association had a debate with the candidates for the District 14 Congressional seat in Southwest Florida. Once again Congressman Mack had to be tried in absentia. He has stated that he will debate when he has an opponent who's he claims is "viable"!

Well let me state for the record that when you are running for a seat in political office a candidate whether an incumbent or challenger OWES it to the voting constituents to be visible and vocal.

We are in a very serious time in our nations history. We have wars to execute, an economy on life support, a devaluation of the dollar, high energy and commodity prices, a social and familial breakdown, failing schools, credit & housing issues, high taxes and a host of other high priorities which need attention.

That is why I would ask you to consider someone who has attended the debate forums. Someone who has made the rounds to speak to the constituents of Southwest Florida. Someone who has a sense of how to bring a non partisan approach to partisan & tough issues. Someone who has and is "going to bat" for the good people of Southwest Florida. He is currently our State Senator. He is Burt Saunders.

Burt Saunders is the right man to consider for the job. This job entails more than just talking but acting. We haven't seen much action from our current congressman but I assure you that if you help elect Burt Saunders to congress, he'll go to Washington DC to act. He will caucus with the GOP as he is a registered Republican but he is not afraid to "call out" the people in the Republican caucus when necessary and fight the good fight for the people even if that means going up against his own party.

Burt Saunders believes that the best way to prosper for a strong economic future is:

1. Cut Spending

2. Lower and/or transform the tax code to a more simplified system

3. Expand the opportunity for health care for all

4. Secure our borders & eliminate illegal immigration

5. Work toward a market based approach for economic policies

6. Work toward a new future for American energy production

For more information on candidate Burt Saunders please comment and/or visit his website at www.burtsaunders.com

We are fast approaching this election and this is the time to implement new strategies and employ people who have had success in passing legislation, working on bipartisan approaches and always keeping in mind that it's the good people of Florida who he works for.

Let's all head to the polls on November 4, 2008 and make a real statement to the country that politics as usual is no more here in Southwest Florida. We will hire State Senator Burt Saunders to work for us... the good people of Southwest Florida.

We can help Burt Saunders by voting for him and appealing to our friends and family and co-workers that it's time to investigate and vote for a friend of Southwest Floridians and that friend is Burt Saunders.

Best regards,

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI, Realtor, e-Pro

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

23421 Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

239-269-3077 Cell

www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

Is Warren Buffet an Economical Genius?

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:05:32 -0500

Let me start by stating that this post is a bit of a venting time for me. As we have moved carelessly forward through the tragic times in our financial markets, everyone has opinions and interests in this debate.

Over the last year or so I have heard the use of the name Warren Buffet more than we have ever heard or used it before. I am very much beginning to question why he is so much of a so-called "Expert"!

We've heard and seen him in alignment with Senator Barack Obama. His name has been used and invoked very often by Senator Obama. We heard Senator McCain invoke his name just the other day when discussing the financial crisis. He stated that along with a few other people that he would employ Warren Buffet to help in some sort of oversight committee or some garbage like that. I've read more than a few comments on AR where people fling his name around like he's so special.

I am questioning what is so economically special about Warren Buffet?

This is a man who decades ago found success in buying and holding large companies that are staples to American society. Coca-Cola, Dairy Queen, etc..... I actually believe that the method of long term investment strategies like buying and holding is the best way to go for the long term investor.

This in and of itself in my opinion does NOT make Warren Buffet a genius to be counted on for all kinds of economical turmoil and challenges.

This is the same man who is handing over much of his rightly earned wealth to the Gates Foundation as well as setting up his trusts and financial future with a direct priority of eliminating many of his tax consequences.

He's also the same person who is offering advise to Senator Obama on tax policy and how the capital gains tax as well as many other investment taxes should be raised.

My main mission of this blog is to get feedback from the many folks out there and there opinions on Warren Buffet and the politician and media running to him and invoking his name like he is some economical savior.

I think the Warren Buffet phenomenon is heavily oversold. What say you?

Best regards

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI, Realtor, e-Pro

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

23421 Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

239-269-3077 Cell

www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

Market statistics for Bonita Springs & Estero, Southwest Florida

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:48:14 -0500

The numbers are out and hot off the press for the most recent housing numbers in the Southwest Florida marketplace. While we still have a large amount of inventory; the numbers are down from the beginning of the year. We are coming out of our summer slow season and back into our fall and winter months which offer a wide range of opportunities for home buyers and sellers. Below are the latest numbers!



The Bonita Springs/Estero Real Estate Market, August 2008

	August Inventory	Total Inventory	Pending	%	Sold	%	# of months of inventory
Single Family	149	1291	40	3.1%	44	3.4%	29.3
Multi Family	139	1569	29	1.8%	53	3.4%	29.6

Single Family (By Price Range)
$0 - $300,000	51	381	10	2.6%	12	3.1%	31.8
$300,001 - $400,000	30	211	9	4.3%	9	4.3%	23.4
$400,001 - $500,000	20	170	8	4.7%	4	2.4%	42.5
$500,001 - $700,000	16	209	6	2.9%	8	3.8%	26.1
$700,001 - $1,000,000	11	130	7	5.4%	4	3.1%	32.5
$1,000,001 & Up	21	190	0	0.0%	7	3.7%	27.1

Multi Family/Condo (By Price Range)
$0 - $300,000	85	814	16	2.0%	38	4.7%	21.4
$300,001 - $400,000	23	288	8	2.8%	8	2.8%	36.0
$400,001 - $500,000	14	151	4	2.6%	3	2.0%	50.3
$500,001 - $700,000	9	144	1	0.7%	1	0.7%	144.0
$700,001 - $1,000,000	3	75	0	0.0%	2	2.7%	37.5
$1,000,001 & Up	5	97	0	0.0%	1	1.0%	97.0

Best regards,

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI, Realtor, e-Pro

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

23421 Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

239-269-3077 Cell

800-547-3019 Toll Free Office

owen.zweiback@floridamoves.com www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

Promises Made! Promises Kept!

Recognized! Respected! Recommended!

Meet & Greet! Burt Saunders Itinerary for Realtors... For All!

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:06:43 -0500

Please join in for a meet and greet of State Senator Burt Saunders.

The campaign has a meet & greet established for a campaign discussion at the following locations.

Today: Tuesday September 2nd at the Cape Coral Association of Realtors

918 SE 46th Street Cape Coral

Wednesday September 3rd at the Realtor Association of the Greater Fort Myers & Fort Myers Beach

2840 Winkler Ave Fort Myers

Thursday September 4th at the Pinchers Crab Shack Tin City, Naples

All events are scheduled for 5:30pm - 7:30pm

State Senator Burt Saunders is very open and approachable. This is a wonderful no obligation opportunity to meet and listen to Burt Saunders up close and personal. He is very approachable and will spend a great deal of time interacting with the guests. He is a wonderful listener. That is something that most politicians don't really do much of any more.

I encourage everyone to attend one of the events so that you can expand your knowledge and interest in the person who I believe is best suited and prepared for victory on November 4, 2008 for District 14 Hose seat in Washington DC and that is

Burt Saunders www.burtsaunders.com

Best regards,

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI, Realtor, e-Pro

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

23421 Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

239-269-3077 Cell

www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

Everyone's asking... Where's Connie Mack?

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 13:01:49 -0500

This is the question that is coming across loud and clear..... "Where's Congressman Connie Mack?

I have been speaking of this issue for some time now. Connie Mack has proven over and over again that he not only doesn't deserve to be re-elected by his constituents; he seemingly has very little interest or care about what the people of Southwest Florida are asking for in their elected officials.

During his time in office, Connie Mack has repeatedly let down the good people of Southwest Florida. He has done little more than do his best to "bring home the bacon"!

Maybe congressman Mack should have been spending his time helping to prevent or curtail the big issues that need to be solved in Southwest Florida and the nation. Congressman Mack has little achievements during his terms that we have elected him to serve our needs.

Congressman Mack seems to spend most of his time in sunny Southern California with his new wife, congresswoman Mary Bono. When not in Washington DC; Congressman Mack belongs reaching out to the people of sunny Southwest Florida instead of sunny Southern California. Congressman Mack now only has a small condo in South Lee County to hold his residence but otherwise spends all of his time in DC & California.

With that being said, I invite you all to take a good look at the Florida State Senator who is running to unseat Congressman Mack on November 4th for House seat in District 14, Burt Saunders. www.burtsaunders.com

Southwest Floridians deserve an active voice in Washington DC! On election day, we will have the opportunity to vote for many different elected officials for a wide range of positions, all with the hope of improving Southwest Florida. I believe we should all consider state Senator Burt Saunders for US House seat for District 14.

Burt Saunders will offer an active voice in Washington for Southwest Floridians. He has been a resident and elected official from Southwest Florida for more than 2 decades. He understands the needs and priorities for America to expand our domestic energy resources. He supports expanded offshore drilling for oil/natural gas and expanding our alternative fuels like nuclear and solar. He is for major simplification of the tax code, earmark & spending reductions, immigration reform and assisting in solutions on health care.

The campaign for Burt Saunders is made up of a grassroots effort. The campaign manager is Daphnie Ricobene and she has a long history of experience in working with political candidates. Daphnie's daughters are a big part of and a great asset to the campaign.

Challenges are ahead of us as we are unbelievably outfunded. The incumbent has large sums of money and will likely be using that to offer a television and radio negative ad blitz only a few weeks before the election against Burt Saunders.

Because this is a grassroots campaign; I am asking everyone who reads my blog to:

1. Consider viewing the candidates website for more information at www.burtsaunders.com

2. Support is encouraged. Get involved in the campaign. Write letters to the editor for local newspapers. Tell your friends and family to consider exploring and supporting State Senator Burt Saunders in November. Ask for marketing materials offered through the campaign like a yard sign, bumper sticker, t-shirt etc..

3. Consider a financial donation to help the campaign promote more meet & greet offerings and to help counter any negative ad blitz by our opponent.

4. On November 4, 2008.... Vote for Burt Saunders.

Below is the article recently written in the NewsPress

My Source: http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080823/COLUMNISTS01/808230442/1009/NEWS0107

By Betty Parker
Fort Myers News-Press
08/23/08

U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV, R-Fort Myers, isn't on the ballot until Nov. 4, but his absence at candidate forums and other community events involving federal issues - like the foreclosure crisis - has been noted by voters.

Given the economic unrest, in particular, many congressmen spend the August break working at home, where many are up for re-election, or at least seeking to keep in touch with residents.

What effect this might have on Mack is hard to tell now, but a straw poll taken with 145 people at a recent Cape Coral candidate forum - which Mack did not attend - showed Mack's Republican challenger, Sen. Burt Saunders, trouncing the congressman by a 2-to-1 margin.

Saunders, who's on the ballot as a nonpartisan candidate, also grabbed the endorsement of the Realtors' Association of Fort Myers and the beaches.

And the e-mails keep rolling in, asking "where's Mack?"

His spokesman, Jeff Cohen, says Mack has in fact spent time here, citing a recent event on Marco Island and an appearance at Collier emergency operation center during this week's storm, with other local events planned soon.

News reports show Mack also has been in California, where his wife, U.S. Rep. Mary Bono, has a re-election challenger.

Mack said when the two married they'd split time between Washington, her California home, and his Southwest Florida base; he still maintains a condo in south Lee County.

Saunders, a longtime Naples resident who's represented various parts of Southwest Florida in elected office for about 20 years, reminded listeners at a Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce forum this week Mack doesn't really live here. "You deserve someone who is committed to this area," Saunders said.

Best regards,

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI, Realtor, e-Pro

Coldwell Banker Florida

23421 Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

239-269-3077 Cell

www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

Bonita Springs & Estero Market Statistics!

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 11:44:33 -0500

I'm about 2 weeks behind so please forgive me but below are the latest data for the Bonita Springs & Estero market area! The number of homes sold has increased as has the pendings in many different pricing categories. Our available inventory is still quite high at 28 months for single family homes and 21.5 months for multi-family homes. These numbers are vastly higher than the current national average of 11 months but down by 50% from the beginning of the year.

The Bonita Springs/Estero Real Estate Market, July 2008

	July Inventory	Total Inventory	Pending	%	Sold	%	# of months of inventory
Single Family	132	1289	40	3.1%	46	3.6%	28.0
Multi Family	180	1615	29	1.8%	75	4.6%	21.5

Single Family (By Price Range)
$0 - $300,000	47	344	18	5.2%	13	3.8%	26.5
$300,001 - $400,000	22	227	6	2.6%	6	2.6%	37.8
$400,001 - $500,000	16	170	3	1.8%	10	5.9%	17.0
$500,001 - $700,000	23	223	6	2.7%	8	3.6%	27.9
$700,001 - $1,000,000	12	141	5	3.5%	2	1.4%	70.5
$1,000,001 & Up	12	184	2	1.1%	7	3.8%	26.3

Multi Family/Condo (By Price Range)
$0 - $300,000	106	812	19	2.3%	41	5.0%	19.8
$300,001 - $400,000	42	318	7	2.2%	18	5.7%	17.7
$400,001 - $500,000	15	164	1	0.6%	7	4.3%	23.4
$500,001 - $700,000	6	144	0	0.0%	6	4.2%	24.0
$700,001 - $1,000,000	6	77	1	1.3%	0	0.0%	N/A
$1,000,001 & Up	5	100	1	1.0%	3	3.0%	33.3

Best regards,

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI, Realtor, e-Pro

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

23421 Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

239-269-3077 Cell

www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

Senator McCain......On his way to Ohio!

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:28:09 -0500

The time has come and it's only a matter of hours before Senator McCain finally unveils his running mate for Vice President. The names have been bandied around for months and the final days are another frenzy for the media.

The media always provides us with the less than stellar NEWS and sometimes rumors. We've been hearing for day's now that it's down to a so-called short list of possibilities to include Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Tom Ridge and Joe Lieberman.

I haven't begun to try to figure out Senator McCain. I am far from an ardent supporter and was a longtime holdout for support. I do hope that he picks a suitable and qualified individual who offers conservative values on policy.

Senator McCain the so-called "Maverick" is now as we speak on his way to Dayton, Ohio where he and his running mate will have an introduction press conference before heading off to campaign. I believe that there is a strong possibility for Senator McCain to pick a "wildcard"

As a longshot possibility for Vice President selection by Senator McCain, I predict

Former Ohio Congressman John Kasich

We'll all be watching and listening the rest of tonight and tomorrow to see who the big selection will be.

Until then, I look forward to comments on my long shot possibility.

Best regards,

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI, Realtor, e-Pro

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

23421 Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

239-269-3077 Cell

www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

The VP roll out...... The carbon footprint!

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:01:20 -0500

What a VP roll out!

I just have 1 question for Senator Obama, the Obama campaign, the Democrat party.....

How much of a carbon footprint did you create to transport Senator Biden from his mother's home in Delaware to Springfield, Illinois and back again to Delaware all within a 6 hour period?

You had to send all the vehicles, motorcycles & motorcades all over the place back and forth from homes to airports and then of course had to fly using that jet from state to state and again all within a 6 hour or so time frame.

So of course this shows the priority of the choreographed Obama campaign to present the VP at a place of what Senator Obama sees as important to his success or rock star personality rather than a conviction for "saving the planet"

I wonder if the Democrats and/or the Obama campaign purchased any of the Al Gore carbon offsets?

If our planet was in such peril as the environmentalists and their liberal allies claim; they would take the so-called carbon footprint from travel more seriously.

And they say the care about the planet.

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI Realtor, e-Pro Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

23421 Walden Center Drive Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

239-269-3077 Cell 800-547-3019 Toll Free www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

The Ant & the Grasshopper in 2008! 2 different versions... 2 different morals!

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:48:20 -0500

Some may have seen this before but I just received it from a friend. I usually don't make these kinds of posts but this one was appropriate with the upcoming election.

Old version: The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house & laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances the summer away. Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter; so he dies out in the cold.

Moral of the story: Be responsible for yourself!

Modern version: The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances the summer away. Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving.

CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN & ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. America is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?

Kermit the frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper and everybody cries when the sing, 'It's Not Easy Being Green.'

Jesse Jackson stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film the group singing, 'We shall overcome.' Jesse Jackson then has the group kneel down to pray for the grasshopper's sake.

Nancy Pelosi & John Kerry exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.

Hillaray & Barack go on national TV agreeing that the plight of the grasshopper is the fault of George W. Bush. Finally the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer. The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes; his home is confiscated by the government.

Obama gets his old law firm to represent the grasshopper in a defamation suit against the ant and the case is tried before a panel of federal judges that Bill Clinton appointed from a list of single-parent welfare recipients. The ant loses the case. The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last bits of the ant's food while the government house he is in; which just happens to be the ant's old house; crumbles around him because he doesn't maintain it. The ant has disappeared in the snow. The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the once peaceful neighborhood.

Moral of the story: Be careful how you vote in 2008

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI, Realtor, e-Pro

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

23421 Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

239-269-3077

www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

Tune in to Wink News Radio 1240/1270 Southwest Florida Friday

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:39:48 -0500

Update: Unfortunately the date & time had to be rescheduled on a short notice. Apparently, the host of the show Mandy Connell a good friend and host to Southwest Florida wants to have the Senator on the show after the Florida Primaries are over. Burt Saunders is running with a npa(no party affiliation) as I've stated before and therefore isn't running in the current primary. She is only allotting the limited time slots at the moment to the candidates currently running in the primary.

I understand the reasoning behind the format, however, Burt Saunders is currently still YOUR State Senator which leaves open the possibility that it would still serve the people of Southwest Florida to hear from the Senator. This isn't a condemnation of the show or Mandy Connell so you make your own call. If Congressman Connie Mack also won't be on the show until after the primaries than that would be acceptable and fair to me.

I will keep you posted as to the rescheduled time and date of the appearance

This year's election is quickly approaching. As I've been speaking with many folks around Southwest Florida about politics and the upcoming election; what I'm learning is a great desire for a Southwest Florida leadership role from our elected officials.

I am in agreement and have been stating so for a couple of years now. The fact of the matter is Congressman Connie Mack has NOT shown the type of leadership that the people are demanding. Connie Mack and his campaign folks don't even return a somewhat original correspondence when contacted. He has become more of an elitist. I could list a litany of areas where congressman Connie Mack has let down his constituents in Southwest Florida but I'm not going to hear.

What I ask is that you please consider his opponent for the District 14 House seat, State Senator Burt Saunders. He has a long history of dedication and results for Southwest Florida. He is very approachable, successful and caring but most importantly he uses his 2 God given ears to LISTEN!

Please tune in this Friday August 22, 2008 at 8:30AM to Wink News Radio 1240/1270AM in Southwest Florida! State Senator Burt Saunders will be the guest of Mandy Connell and this gives all of the people of Southwest Florida an opportunity to hear the Senator directly.

Check back to my blog as I will be updating campaign events for Senator Burt Saunders all around Southwest Florida during the months of September & October.

Burt Saunders is a good man. He's a qualified man for the position. He's a family man dedicated to the people of Southwest Florida. I urge all of you to greatly consider State Senator Burt Saunders for the House of Representatives seat District 14 of Southwest Florida and cast your vote on November 4, 2008 for quality representation and successful leadership!

www.burtsaunders.com

Best regards,

Owen Zweiback PA, GRI, Realtor, e-Pro

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

23421 Walden Center Drive

Bonita Springs, Florida 34134

239-269-3077 Cell

www.floridamoves.com/owen.zweiback

Southwest Florida market statistics for Bonita Springs & Estero

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 17:36:16 -0500

Hot off the press! The latest statistics on the Bonita Springs & Estero, Florida housing market. Things are getting better in many price ranges. We have now reduced inventories by half from the beginning of the year. I believe we are about another 18-24 months away from returning to modest appreciation in housing.

The window is still open for home buying but don't get to caught up with thinking the market might continue to slide or you very likely will miss the absolute bottom and end up purchasing after the turn around begins.

The following chart is for the and through July 2008



The Bonita Springs/Estero Real Estate Market, July 2008

	July Inventory	Total Inventory	Pending	%	Sold	%	months of inventory
Single Family	132	1289	40	3.1%	46	3.6%	28.0
Multi Family	180	1615	29	1.8%	75	4.6%	21.5

Single Family (By Price Range)
$0 - $300,000	47	344	18	5.2%	13	3.8%	26.5
$300,001 - $400,000	22	227	6	2.6%	6	2.6%	37.8
$400,001 - $500,000	16	170	3	1.8%	10	5.9%	17.0
$500,001 - $700,000	23	223	6	2.7%	8	3.6%	27.9
$700,001 - $1,000,000	12	141	5	3.5%	2	1.4%	70.5
$1,000,001 & Up	12	184	2	1.1%	7	3.8%	26.3

Multi Family/Condo (By Price Range)
$0 - $300,000	106	812	19	2.3%	41	5.0%	19.8
$300,001 - $400,000	42	318	7	2.2%	18	5.7%	17.7
$400,001 - $500,000	15	164	1	0.6%	7	4.3%	23.4
$500,001 - $700,000	6	144	0	0.0%	6	4.2%	24.0
$700,001 - $1,000,000	6	77	1	1.3%	0	0.0%	N/A
$1,000,001 & Up	5	100	1	1.0%	3	3.0%	33.3

Senator Burt Saunders wins Cape Coral straw poll

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 16:59:44 -0500

The grassroots efforts are working. Evidence this by the recent straw poll taken the other day at the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce. Most of the candidates showed up and spoke directly with the people. Of course one noticeable missing face is current incumbent congressman Connie Mack. I guess he felt it not necessary to show his face to the public and participate in the poll. I guess his time was better spent elsewhere instead of of direct contact with his best challenger, Senator Burt Saunders. Connie Mack hasn't been a participant in the Republicans efforts to re-convene the House of Representatives and has been less than outspoken on the energy issue and the people's demand for domestic supplies.

Folks in District 14 of Southwest Florida should greatly explore candidate Burt Saunders for House of Representatives. Burt Saunders will provide that much needed representation that the people of Southwest Florida deserve. The tone will change. The empty rhetoric will be a thing of the past. Showing up late for the party when it comes to the pertinent issues affecting Southwest Floridians will be history!

You can count of being heard. You can count on a representative who will speak clearly and loudly for the people of Southwest Florida. I ask you to take a good look at Senator Burt Saunders for Congress. www.burtsaunders.com. Feel free to comment on my blog, send me an email or make a direct contact to the Senator. He is very approachable and will respond to your concerns.

SENATOR BURT SAUNDERS WINS EMBARQ STRAW POLL
HOSTED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF CAPE CORAL

Cape Coral- Senator Burt L. Saunders won the Embarq Candidate Straw Poll held last night with 62% of the votes in the race for United States House of Representatives in an event hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral.

"Candidate forums are attended by people who are involved in the community and are educated voters. The results of this straw poll are indicative of what I've been hearing throughout the district. The people of southwest Florida want a congressional representative that lives in the district, and knows the needs of the voters" said Senator Saunders.

The Embarq Candidates Hobnob, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral was held last night at the Gulf Coast Village in Cape Coral. Many candidates in the August Primary and November General election were present to meet and speak with residents.

Senator Saunders has earned the endorsements of the state Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the local and state Police Benevolent Association (PBA), the state and local firefighters associations, the American Nurses and the Florida Nurses Associations, the Realtors Association of Greater Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach and several other unions representing our school teachers and public school employees.

Senator Burt Saunders has served the Southwest Florida community for the past twenty-five years as the Collier County Attorney, a member of the Collier County Commission, the Florida House of Representatives and currently the Florida Senate.

More information about the Burt Saunders for U.S. Congress Campaign can be found by visiting www.burtsaunders.com.

GOP Takes A Stand---But Where's Congressman Connie Mack?

Owen Zweiback (Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:26:55 -0500

An excellent letter written to Speaker Pelosi. She is obstructing the will of the people as stated in her own words she is trying to "save the planet"! Really Speaker Pelosi? Well you go off and do whatever it is that you feel is saving the world but I promise you that while you and Harry Reid and the rest of the far left thought not long ago that you were going to win a super majority of seats on the backs of the troops and Iraq; it's the GOP & Senator McCain that's going to win on the back of your obstruction. I say keep up the good work Speaker Pelosi! Keep it up!

I have a larger question which relates locally to the District where I live. I ask, during the GOP floor protests which have now taken place over a number of day's, where is Congressman Connie Mack? I'm quite sure I haven't read or viewed that he has taken any part in this critical moment and time for the American public and quite importantly, Southwest Floridians who support a responsible leasing in the currently off-limits Eastern Gulf of Mexico. The price of oil has gone down to date 20% or $30.00 per barrel since President Bush lifted the executive moratorium on offshore drilling.

Congressman Mack..... Where are you? What has your attention during this summer break? What is it that is more important than an anxious public whose looking for real solutions to the gas prices? What could be a better way of spending your time than to support the GOP in there demand for a return to the House floor for debate and votes on energy?

If you're out there Congressman Mack.... Please take a stand and provide your full support behind a real energy plan which must include opening up the Eastern Gulf to offshore drilling in a responsible way. Listen to the American people.. Listen to the majority of your constituents and support the GOP and their energy efforts.

Furthermore I ask the viewers and readers of my blog to investigate someone who will openly stand up and support the will of Southwest Floridians and Americans. Take a good look at State Senator Burt Saunders. www.burtsaunders.com. He's running for District 14 in Southwest Florida against Congressman Mack.

You can count on Burt Saunders to stand up for responsible offshore energy production. Burt Saunders will provide leadership on the energy issue and understands that this is a defining & fluid issue in this election and our future. In addition, Burt Saunders is an advocate to expanding other alternatives which we have the immediate understanding, technology and opportunity to implement. Those alternatives are to greatly expand the use of nuclear power as an affordable and environmentally safe addition to the energy supplies. We must also expand the use of natural gas. As a longer term concept Burt Saunders understands the need to expand our options in the energy line which is why he supports the use of hydrogen and solar. And importantly, Burt Saunders understands that we should NEVER use food for fuel and he would work to rescind the corn to ethanol mandate. That mandate has assisted in a great run-up in food prices across the country and the world.

An Open Letter to Speaker Pelosi

On Friday August 1, 2008, at 11:23 a.m., your Democrat majority in the House of Representatives adjourned the House for five full weeks.

House Republicans believe that Congress should not go on vacation until we take action to lower gas and energy prices for struggling American families.

For the last two months we and our House Republican colleagues have used every tool at our disposal to try and get you and your Democrat majority to vote on legislation to lower gas and energy prices by expanding environmentally sound domestic production of oil and natural gas, improving energy efficiency, and encouraging the development of alternative energy technologies.

Many of the proposals we have asked you and your Democrat majority to allow us to vote on are bipartisan proposals that we believe would enjoy the support of a majority of the Members of the Congress. Yet because you and your Democrat Leadership personally oppose these proposals, you are not allowing them to come up for a vote. This past Sunday, you even told George Stephanopoulos that you will never allow this vote to occur ....

In protest of you and your Democrat majority not allowing an up or down vote on producing more American energy, we and our House Republican colleagues were prepared to take to the floor on Friday, August 1, 2008, and speak to the nation. Rather than allowing that to happen you and your Democrat majority adjourned the House, turned off the television cameras, shut off the microphones and turned out the lights. Nearly 50 House Republicans remained on the floor of the House in defiance speaking to those citizens gathered in the galleries and to the media.

Today we have again returned to the Capitol to continue speaking to the thousands of Americans from all across our country who are visiting the Capitol. We would have preferred if instead we were joined by our colleagues to have a true debate on this issue that ended in an up or down vote.

We think it is unconscionable that Congress has gone on vacation before we have addressed the high gas prices that are crippling our economy and hurting millions of families. We are asking that you reconvene the House from your five-week vacation and schedule a vote on legislation to increase American energy production. Let us be clear, we are not asking for a guaranteed outcome, just the chance to vote.

Signed by: John Boehner, Republican Leader; Roy Blunt, Republican Whip; Adam Putnam, Republican Conference Chairman; Eric Cantor, Chief Deputy Whip; and Members of the House Republican Conference