Paige Rausch

Today, while reviewing the latest news stories I came upon this version of the story of the Father and son who were swept out to sea over the weekend, and thanfully safely rescued.

Read it, and I hope it gives you pause to realize that if you have faith and courage....you can get through almost anything!

Disney motto saved dad, son in sea ‘To infinity ... and beyond' is one of the few phrases 12-year-old autistic child responds to

By Michael Inbar TODAYShow.com

Lost at sea with nothing to hold onto amid a dreadful darkness, Florida resident Walter Marino continually called out some of the few words his 12-year-old autistic son Christopher responds to. The pair, swept out in a late-afternoon current near Daytona Beach, had been treading water in shark- and jellyfish-infested waters throughout the night, slowly floating apart.

"I'd be screaming, ‘To infinity ... and beyond!' " Marino said, referring to the Disney character Buzz Lightyear's catchphrase in "Toy Story," one of Christopher's favorite movies. "Then I would hear him and it would be more and more and more distant, until finally I couldn't hear anything."

Happily - perhaps miraculously - both father and son survived the night, thanks to good Samaritans and the U.S. Coast Guard. Walter and Christopher Marino, along with Walter's daughter Angela and the children's mother, Robin Bishop, beamed their way through a joyous interview with Matt Lauer on TODAY Wednesday.

Walter, Christopher and Angela were enjoying a family day at the beach at the Ponce Inlet south of Daytona Sept. 6. Late in the afternoon, Christopher was swimming near his father when he got caught in a current, and his dad paddled rapidly to retrieve him.

"We were both just sucked out," Marino told Lauer. "The forces just took us out so quickly, it totally took me by surprise."

Darkness falls
On the beach, Angela could no longer see her father and brother and quickly called 911. The Coast Guard and the Volusia County Beach Patrol launched a search-and-rescue effort, but were unable to locate the pair and called off the search when darkness set in.

Meanwhile, Walter and Christopher treaded water while looking at each other face to face. Christopher, who is largely nonverbal, "watches a lot of Disney movies," explained his father, and Walter kept calling out Christopher's favorite Disney lines, including the "Infinity" phrase.

But as the hours ticked off in the dark night, Walter could no longer hear his son. He tried to reconcile himself to the worst.

"I knew in my mind he was gone," Marino told Lauer. "The only thing that got me through was I could not lose my daughter. I could not let my daughter lose her brother and her father on the same day."

Around 7:30 a.m. the next morning, fishermen spotted a glint in the water from Walter's necklace and rescued him. With the fate of Christopher still unknown at the time, Walter had little hope of finding his son alive.

Three long steps
"The Coast Guard asked me if I wanted to be evacuated to a helicopter to go to the hospital, or stay on the boat and continue the search," he said. "I stayed on the search. They asked me if I wanted to be above or below - I chose to be below, because I knew in my mind that Christopher was gone and I didn't want to see my son floating facedown."

After nearly two hours, the Coast Guard asked Marino to come on deck. "That was my Green Mile," he told Lauer. "I thought they wanted me to come up and identify the body. Those three steps, I just needed help to get to the top.

"I got up there and they pointed to the helicopter and said, ‘See that helicopter over there? That has your son, and he's fine.'

"I never kissed so many Coast Guard men in my life!"

Christopher was picked up some 3 miles from where his father was found, and some 8 miles from shore.

While an animated Marino showered his rescuers with thanks, appreciation - and yes, kisses - he also cited plucky Christopher as a hero, saying the boy actually helped his father get through the nightmare ordeal.

"His lack of fear was calming to me," Marino said. "He was on an adventure - I mean, he was laughing. It was just a day in the ocean to him. It wasn't until the jellyfish started stinging that he started to freak out a little bit."

Marino also offered a shout-out to the animated superhero who helped him communicate with his son. "Buzz Lightyear got us through," he said.

Rescue team member David Birky said he was awed at Christopher's resolve. "That kid is an amazing kid," Birky said. "To tread water for almost 14 hours - I don't know about you, but I don't think I could do that. They have amazing willpower to be able to do it."

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26639098/

Ever wonder how Florida Compares to other states?

Here are some basic facts on Florida's tax system and how it compares to other states:

1. Tax Freedom Day Arrives on April 26 in Florida

Tax Freedom Day is the day when Americans finally have earned enough money to pay off their total tax bill for the year. In 2008, Florida taxpayers had to work until April 26 to pay their total tax bill, ranking it 9th highest in the nation. That's three days later than national Tax Freedom Day (April 23). The Tax Freedom Days of neighboring states are: Georgia, April 19 (ranked 23rd nationally) and Alabama, April 9 (ranked 46th nationally).

Tax Freedom Day has been projected using the most up-to-date economic and budget projections from official government agencies. However, Tax Foundation estimates of average state and local tax rates for 2008 will not be released until later this spring as we await more up-to-date data from various government agencies.

Full study of Tax Freedom Day, nationwide and in each state

2. Florida's State/Local Tax Burden Among Nation's Lowest

Over the past three decades, Florida's state and local tax burden has been among the nation's lowest. Estimated at 7.4% of income, Florida's state/local tax burden percentage is ranked 47th nationally, well below the national average of 9.7%. Floridians pay $3,441 per capita in state and local taxes.

Florida's State and Local Tax Burden, 1977-present

Other States' State/Local Tax Burdens

Historical Chart Comparing All States' State/Local Tax Burdens from 1977 to 2008

3. Florida's 2008 Business Tax Climate Ranks 5th
Florida ranks 5th in the Tax Foundation's State Business Tax Climate Index. The Index compares the states in five areas of taxation that impact business: corporate taxes; individual income taxes; sales taxes; unemployment insurance taxes; and taxes on property, including residential and commercial property. Neighboring states ranked as follows: Georgia (20th) and Alabama (21st).

50-State Comparison of Business Tax Climates (data only)

2008 State Business Tax Climate Index, Fifth Edition (full study)

4. Florida Levies No Individual Income Tax
Florida is among seven states in the country that collect no individual income taxes. Since most small businesses are either S Corporations or partnerships or sole proprietorships, they pay their business taxes at the rates for individuals. This makes the tax environment for small businesses in Florida very competitive compared to other states.

50-State Table of Individual Income Tax Rates

50-State Table of State Individual Income Tax Collections

50-State Table of State and Local Individual Income Tax Collections Per Capita

5. Florida's Corporate Income Tax System
Florida's corporate tax structure consists of a flat rate of 5.5 percent on all corporate income, which ranks 40th highest among states that tax corporate income. In 2006, state-level corporate tax collections (excluding local taxes) were $132.99 per capita and ranked 31st highest nationally.

50-State Table of Corporate Income Tax Rates, 2000-2008

50-State Table of State and Local Corporate Income Tax Collections Per Capita and Per Household, 2005

50-State Table of State Corporate Income Tax Collections Per Capita, 2006

6. Florida Levies Sales Tax above National Median; Statewide Gasoline Tax Among the Lowest Nationally
Florida levies a 6% general sales or use tax on consumers, above the national median of 5.4%. In 2005, state and local governments combined collected $1,679 per person in general sales taxes, which ranked 5th highest nationally. Florida's statewide gasoline tax stands at 33.2 cents per gallon (ranked 7th lowest nationally), while its cigarette tax stands at 33.9 cents per pack of twenty (ranked 45th nationally). Additionally, counties in Florida have the authority to levy their own "local option" taxes on gasoline. The sales tax was adopted in 1949, the gasoline tax in 1921 and the cigarette tax in 1943.

50-State Table of Sales and Excise Tax Rates

50-State Table of State and Local General Sales and Gross Receipts Tax Collections Per Household and Per Capita, Fiscal Year 2005

7. Florida Property Taxes: Middle of the Pack
Florida is one of the 37 states that collect property taxes at both the state and local levels. As in most states, local governments collect far more. Florida's localities collected $18,223,505,000 in property taxes in fiscal year 2004, the latest year for which the Census Bureau has published state-by-state data. At the state level, Florida collected $276,786,000 in property taxes during FY 2004, making its combined state/local property taxes $18,500,291,000. That brings its per capita collection to $1,064 (ranked 19th highest nationally).

State property tax collections per capita by state

8. Federal Tax Burdens and Expenditures -- Florida is a Beneficiary State
Florida taxpayers receive just slightly less in federal funding than they send to Washington. Per dollar of Federal tax collected in 2005, Florida citizens received approximately 97 cents in the way of federal spending. This ratio is 34th highest among the 50 states, down from 24th in 1995 when Florida received $1.07 in federal spending per dollar of federal taxes paid. Neighboring states and the amount of federal spending they received per dollar of federal taxation paid were as follows: Georgia ($1.01) and Alabama ($1.66).

Comparing the amount of federal taxes sent to Washington with the amount of federal spending coming back to the state

Name: Paige Rausch

Email: Contact Paige Rausch

Office Phone:(239) 443-2500

Cell Phone:(239) 691-4321

Fax: (239) 425-8653

Gulf Gateway Realty Inc.

1326 S.E. 47th St. Cape Coral, FL 33904
Tel: 239.425.2500 Fax: 239.425.8653

CS/HB 643 - Foreclosure Fraud

Foreclosure Fraud: Provides legislative findings & intent relating to need to protect homeowners who enter into agreements designed to save homes from foreclosure; prohibits foreclosure consultants from engaging in specified acts or failing to perform contracted services; requires all agreements for foreclosure-related services & foreclosure-rescue services to be in writing; specifies required information in written agreements; requires statements in written agreements to be in uppercase letters of specified size; provides homeowners with right to cancel agreement for specified period & specifies right may not be waived; provides homeowner has specified period during which to cure defaults; requires equity purchasers to verify homeowner's ability to make payments under repurchase agreement; provides for rebuttable presumption of specified transactions being unconscionable; provides that foreclosure-rescue transactions involving lease option or other repurchase agreement create rebuttable presumption that transaction is loan transaction & conveyance from homeowner to equity purchaser is mortgage; provides for limited application of presumptions & for exclusions; provides that persons who violate specified provisions commits unfair & deceptive trade practice; repeals provision relating to violations involving individual homeowners during course of residential foreclosure proceedings.
Effective Date: October 1, 2008
Last Event: 05/28/08 Approved by Governor; Chapter No. 2008-79 on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 2:58 PM
Related Bills:
	Bill # Subject Relationship CS/CS/SB 992 Foreclosure Fraud [EPCC] Identical HB 835 Mortgage Rescue Fraud Compare SB 2214 Mortgage Rescue Fraud Act [EPCC] Compare Florida Senate Senator Mike Fasano, District 11 Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 28, 2008 CONTACT: Greg Giordano (727) 848-5885 Senator Fasano Announces that Governor Crist Has Signed Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Legislation Into Law Senator Mike Fasano announces that Governor Crist signed HB 643/ SB 992 into law today which places into statute many protections for individuals facing foreclosure. The legislation was a top priority of both Senator Fasano and Attorney General Bill McCollum. In 2007 alone there were over 245,000 mortgage foreclosures in Florida. Additionally, Florida ranks second in the Nation only to California in the number of foreclosures in 2007. A common practice of scam artists who pray on those facing foreclosure target homeowners trying to avoid closure by presenting themselves as foreclosure rescue counselors. The schemes perpetrated by these individuals include charging high fees for work the homeowner could do themselves; and a false bailout (where the homeowner is lead to believe that they can sell their home, rent it short-term and eventually repurchase the home). The legislation protects consumers by informing them of their rights when they are entering into a contract with a foreclosure rescue entity and by including further protections for those who face foreclosure. It requires that foreclosure rescuers include in large bold font notification to homeowners of this right of cancellation on the contract and a recommendation that the homeowner contact the lender or mortgage holder prior to the signing of the agreement. It further informs the homeowner the consultant is prohibited from accepting any form of payment until all services are completed. Most importantly the bill creates a three-day right of cancellation for homeowners who sign a contract for foreclosure rescue services. "The threat and fear of losing one's home has driven many people to unknowingly seek the services of unscrupulous foreclosure consultants," Senator Fasano states. "Passage of this legislation will ensure that those who decide to seek the help of a professional are given as many protections as the law will now allow to ensure that their rights as a homeowner are not infringed upon." "Florida homeowners now have an important tool to protect their most valuable possession - their homes," said Attorney General McCollum. "By protecting our citizens who face the threat of foreclosure from those individuals who would prey on them, this law will ensure that homeowners will not be further victimized at a time of personal financial crisis." The new law covers two categories of individuals/entities: 1. “Foreclosure-rescue Consultants” 2. “Equity Purchaser” Foreclosure-rescue Consultant is defined as anyone “who directly or indirectly makes a solicitation, representation, or offer to a homeowner to perform, in return for payment of money or other valuable consideration, foreclosure-related rescue services.” Equity Purchaser is defined as anyone “who acquires a legal, equitable, or beneficial ownership interest in any residential real property as a result of a foreclosure-rescue transaction.” If you deal with any homeowners in foreclosure to purchase their home, or offer any foreclosure related services, you are breaking the law if you don’t have the required Disclosure Documents signed by the homeowner. Federal legislation is currently being drafted called the “Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Act of 2008” (S. 2888) which has one very onerous clause that sums up the intent of the legislation – “A Foreclosure Consultant is ANYONE who delays or helps a homeowner avoid a foreclosure, whether the Consultant charges a fee or not”. *****NOTES******* One requirement is that the homeowner must sign the receipt the day before they sign any contract with you and you must leave all the documents they will be signing with them to read overnight. The homeowner also has a 3 day “Right of Rescission” from the day they sign the documents and, if the homeowner cancels, any monies collected MUST be returned within ten days if the homeowner cancels. Final change you might want to be aware of ...... the legislation states that "Foreclosure-Rescue Consultants" can no longer charge an up-front fee for any “rescue-services” including short sales, loss mitigation negotiations, loan modifications, etc. Charging any up-front fee is totally 100% illegal! There is a site that has all the documents to protect you....I think it would be well worth the investment to get into compliance. Check it out, and please no matter what.... PROTECT YOURSELF! Each violation is subject to a fine of up to $15,000. Required Florida Documents: http://www.requiredfldocs.com/

All real estate is local. That is the mantra for most real estate professionals. Indeed, the majority of buyers – whether they purchase a home as a primary residence, a vacation home, or an investment property – take location into account when making that home buying decision. And they rely on a real estate professional who is well-versed in local real estate market conditions. But not all buyers are local.

Canadian buyers are heading for the Sunbelt!

The NAR Report of their buying habits in Florida indicates a third of all of their purchases are in the Sunshine State. The National Association of Realtors estimates there were 7,200 Canadian buyers of Florida homes in the period covered by a recent report, more than double the 3,500 a year earlier. In some Florida resort communities, so many Quebec residents have bought second homes that French is now commonly spoken.

Condominiums were most popular among those foreign buyers from Canada: nearly half of all properties purchased by Canadian buyers were condominium/apartments. Thankfully, maybe they can help absorb the tremendous number of units avalible.

The top four states for completed international residential transactions were Florida, California, Arizona and Texas. New York, Washington and Nevada were also popular. The top four states were also the top destinations in last year's survey, and likely for the same reasons. Florida, California and Texas are major gateways into the U.S. In addition, the climate in most areas of the top four states is relatively mild, certainly compared with that of Canada and most European countries.

The value of the dollar as compared to foreign – especially European and Canadian –
currencies has dropped over the last several years. The effect (when combined with lower U.S. home prices) means that the true cost for a U.S. property is actually less in foreign monetary terms than in previous years. So Folks...I'd say it's time to learn the words to "Oh Canada!"

Name: Paige Rausch

Email: Contact Paige Rausch

Office Phone:(239) 443-2500

Cell Phone:(239) 691-4321

Fax: (239) 425-8653

Gulf Gateway Realty Inc.

1326 S.E. 47th St. Cape Coral, FL 33904
Tel: 239.425.2500 Fax: 239.425.8653

Initially, I was sorry to see the report about the closing of Shell's Seafood Resturant in Ft. Myers, we've lost Bennegans and Steak and Ale too in the past couple months in Ft. Myers. However, after reading today's press I've discovered that Shells Seafood Restaurants, Inc. jumped ^ in heavy trading on the news it has filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Bankruptcy reorganization might end up being a good things for them?

Shells Seafood Restaurants Inc (SHLL) SHLL quote Real-time quotes 0.01 +0.00 +14.29%

Shells owns eighteen restaurants with a partial interest in two additional restaurants. Four other "Shells" locations managed and operated by the company, as well as the partially owned and managed "Rock Beach Grill" restaurant, which were not included in the Chapter 11 petition. The closing Shells restaurants are located in Orlando, Winter Park, Kissimmee, Ocala, Winter Haven, St. Petersburg, Holmes Beach and Fort Myers. The ten remaining restaurants have the strongest historical performance or the greatest potential for the future. Shells lost $12 million in the past two years. New management that arrived three months ago says it hopes to nurse the chain back to health with a new menu and maybe even a NEW NAME! My gut say's it's gonna be Rock Beach Grill.....anyone have other guesses?

I'm going to miss having my favorite Shell's dish, Lobster Baby Pasta, and the artery clogger of all the fabled (and deep-fried) Monte Cristo sandwich from Bennegan's! Maybe the diet gods are eliminating all temptations?

But without a doubt.....The worst part about this is the loss of additional JOBS!

Name: Paige Rausch

Email: Contact Paige Rausch

Office Phone:(239) 443-2500

Cell Phone:(239) 691-4321

Fax: (239) 425-8653

Gulf Gateway Realty Inc.

1326 S.E. 47th St. Cape Coral, FL 33904
Tel: 239.425.2500 Fax: 239.425.8653