Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Six questions for Andrew Calcutt
Andrew Calcutt is making his first stop on the tour. The 26-year old is from Traverse City. After graduation from Colgate University, he spent two years as a New York City teacher before entering UDM Law.
ON THE ROAD: WHY VETERANS LAW AND THE MOBILE LAW OFFICE?
Andrew Calcutt: I wanted to be part of the movement to help veterans secure benefits they deserve. I love to travel and help people.
ON THE ROAD: DID YOU PICK ORLANDO, OR DID THEY PICK YOU? ANY PERSONAL CONNECTION TO THE AREA?
Andrew Calcutt: No connection to the area. I went where I was needed.
ON THE ROAD: WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO MEETING YOUR FIRST VETERAN?
Andrew Calcutt: The lack of assistance angers a great many veterans. I have yet to hear a story from an undeserving veteran.
ON THE ROAD: HAVE YOU SERVED IN THE MILITARY, OR EVER THOUGHT ABOUT SERVING? HAS THIS EXPERIENCE CHANGED YOUR OPINION ABOUT THE MILITARY?
Andrew Calcutt: I was planning to join the Marines after college. I decided against it because I did not understand the purpose of going to Iraq. I have great respect for those who serve and have served.
ON THE ROAD: WHAT WOULD YOU TELL A BROTHER/SISTER WHO WAS CONSIDERING ENLISTING?
Andrew Calcutt: I would ask them to consider their philosophy on foreign policy. If they agree with America’s current policies, then consider it. Otherwise, stick with school. There are many ways to serve your country.
ON THE ROAD: WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL GOALS, HOPES, AND THOUGHTS ABOUT THE TRIP?
Andrew Calcutt: My goal is to help build a network of attorneys who want to help in the movement to secure veterans the Federal benefits they deserve for serving America.
ON THE ROAD: ORLANDO AND WALT DISNEY WORLD IS LOCATED IN ORANGE COUNTY. THE MAILING ADDRESS FOR DISNEY WORLD IS LAKE BUENA VISTA. BUT THE PRINCIPLE GOVERNING JURISDICTION IS WHAT?
Andrew Calcutt: Florida?
Closer, but was looking for the local jurisdiction.
According to Wikipedia, the Reedy Creek Improvement District in Florida is the immediate governing jurisdiction for the land on the Walt Disney World Resort. As of the late 1990s, it comprised an area of 38.6 sq. mi. (100 km²) within the outer limits of Orange and Osceola counties in Florida. Disney knew that their plans for the land would be easier to carry out with more independence, and they petitioned the Florida State Legislature for the creation of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which would have almost total autonomy within its borders. Chapter 67-764 of the Laws of Florida was signed into law by Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. on May 12, 1967, creating the District. On the same day, Governor Kirk also signed the incorporation acts for two cities inside the District: Bay Lake (Chapter 67-1104) and Reedy Creek (Chapter 67-1965). (The City of Reedy Creek was renamed to the City of Lake Buena Vista around 1970.) The District’s own website says it encompasses 25,000 acres in the heart of Central Florida and is the home of Walt Disney World. The goal of the District is to provide effective and efficient services to the public and our taxpayers.
The Reedy Creek Improvement District was created by the Florida Legislature in 1967 to provide a full range of governmental services to an undeveloped Central Florida site nearly twice the size of Manhattan. The enabling legislation for the District provided it with many of the responsibilities of a city or county, including emergency services, water control, public utilities, land use, building codes and financial responsibility for the issuance of general obligation and revenue bonds.