Editor’s Note – Well, well, the dastardly Alan Grayson wants his name up in lights!  Anyone surprised? 

And, of course, it has nothing to do with the upcoming election and his almost complete reliance on name recognition to carry the day for him at the polls.

Also, it appears that from a very early age, Grayson has always wanted his name up in lights.  After an extensive investigation, OPP has found footage showing Grayson expressing this over-riding desire <sic>.  Enjoy!

G-R-A-Y-S-O-N spells frustration for congressman

By David Damron
Orlando Sentinel

The Central Florida congressman known for his sharp attacks on Republicans wants his name up in lights — specifically, 4-foot-high red neon letters that would spell out “G-R-A-Y-S-O-N” from inside his fourth-floor office windows in the Lynx headquarters building facing Interstate 4.

U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, said this is no ego trip, or a not-so-subtle political ad in an election year. It’s just his latest attempt to find a sign that Lynx officials can agree to — and one that constituents can spot from I-4 to find his office for help with federal services.

Lynx’s rejection of more-modest illuminated displays outside or on top of its building led to this indoor option, which will cost an estimated $4,000, Grayson said.

“People need to know where we are to get our help. I can’t do that in secret,” Grayson said.

Grayson’s spokesman said the congressman’s office proposed several more-traditional signs — with a congressional seal and his full name — for the side or top of the building. Each was turned down.

Lynx officials say that Grayson’s lease restricts him to two signs — a small one outside the building, and one inside. Bigger signs, said Lynx spokesman Matt Friedman, are considered “political advertising.”

The agency’s lawyers also say that Lynx has the right to block any display it objects to “on or near the exterior” of the Garland Avenue building, including the neon letters, if it would alter the “image” of the building.

Lynx Chief Executive Officer Linda Watson wrote in an e-mail that these concerns justified the agency’s decision.

Grayson, however, said he told Lynx officials even before he moved in that he needed a prominent sign. He said he chose the Lynx building because bus traffic through there made for easy constituent access and because the office would be visible to thousands of I-4 drivers who might need federal help.

Grayson also questioned why, if Lynx regards its building facade as sacrosanct, an Orlando Magic banner has been hanging from the roof, covering several of his office windows, since NBA playoffs began last month.

“They have shot down every proposal we’ve put to them in the last 17 months,” said Grayson spokesman Todd Jurkowski. “When you look at the board, it’s not hard to see why.”

He was referring to the two Republicans on the five-member Lynx board: Chairman Carlton Henley and County Mayor Rich Crotty. Crotty backs former state Sen. Dan Webster in a GOP primary contest to take on Grayson and once toyed with entering the race himself.

Another key player, agency attorney Pat Christiansen, is a big GOP fundraiser who flirted with a run for the Orange County Commission.

Henley and Christiansen declined comment. Crotty said he was unaware of any political opposition to the signs, only staff-level concerns.

“Congressman Grayson sees everything as a partisan conspiracy,” Crotty said.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/grayson-neon-sign-lynx-20100526,0,304831.story

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Tom Tillison

Senior Staff Writer
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The longest-tenured writer at BizPac Review, Tom grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills.

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