Saturday, May 18, 2013
A military flag plaza, repairs and a new entry sign are part of renovations for Pier 60 Park were unanimously approved by city leaders Thursday.
A pricey playground is not part of renovation plans for Pier 60 Park. But a military flag plaza, repairs and a new entry sign still will be part of the project at the park after city leaders unanimously approved the $500,000 plan Thursday. The more than $300,000, concrete sandcastle playground structure was removed from the project after city leaders heard opposition from resident and business groups. The Clearwater Neighborhoods Coalition, Clearwater Beach Association, Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Beach Chamber all were opposed to the plan. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board also was against it. A handful of residents wearing homemade paper buttons with the words “Beach Friends Library, Pool, Rec Center” written …
Friday, May 17, 2013
As news about possible abuses of power on the federal level continues to break, we’d like to get your take about what’s been going on Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay residents who keep up with the headlines coming out of Washington, D.C., have likely found themselves scratching their heads more than a few times this past week. Allegations of wrongdoing seem to be coming at the speed of light as the Obama Administration fends off bad press about inappropriate targeting of Tea Party organizations by the Internal Revenue Service and possible wrongdoing in the handling of a national security leak. The IRS’ targeting of Tea Party groups centers around hassles these groups report experiencing while trying to apply for tax-exempt status prior to the 2012 election. The controversy even hit home as Bay area groups are now reporting that they were targeted, according to The Tampa Tribune. The kerfuffle…
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
The city of Sarasota just enacted a law aimed at getting motorists to turn down the volume. Now, other local governments are following suit. Should they?
Most of us have been in the car when a great tune comes on the radio. The urge to turn up that volume just a little bit is often too strong to resist. But, how loud is too loud? When is cranking it up going too far? When should authorities be able to step in and say enough is enough? Those are questions some local governments in the Tampa Bay area are now wrestling with. Since the Florida Legislature shot down a measure that would have regulated just how loud car stereos can be, some local authorities have decided to take matters into their own hands. The City of Sarasota just put its new ordinance into effect that makes it against the law for car stereos and portable electronic devices to emit sounds at a level that are considered “…
City leaders discussed the wording of an ordinance and referendum, that if approved by city voters, would reshape part of the downtown waterfront. They are expected to vote on the revised wording at a June meeting.
City leaders discussed some changes to the 73-words of a referendum, that if approved by city voters, would reshape part of the downtown waterfront where City Hall is Monday. The revised terms and conditions of the possible 60-year lease on City Hall property in order to develop a $160 million Clearwater Marine Aquarium facility will come back to the City Council to be voted on June 3, said Pam Akin, city attorney. The ordinance, which contains the referendum, must be approved by Aug. 27 in order to meet the Supervisor of Elections deadline to be on the Nov. 5 special elections ballot. The expected cost of the special election is $100,000. Aquarium officials have said they will pay costs associated with creating the referendum. The …
The City of Clearwater and Clearwater Public Utilities are part of a job fair highlighting career opportunities in public utilities, May 14 from 6 until 8 p.m. at St. Petersburg College in Seminole.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
City leaders will discuss the referendum that, if passed by residents in a special election Nov. 5, would allow up to a 60-year lease on City Hall land in order to develop a $160 million Clearwater Marine Aquarium facility.
The 75 words are in. For the last couple months, the language that determines the future use of prime waterfront property downtown has been crafted. City leaders will discuss at a Monday work session the referendum that, if passed by residents in a special election Nov. 5, would allow an up to 60-year lease on City Hall property in order to develop a $160 million Clearwater Marine Aquarium facility. It is in the best interests of the public to allow the lease, according to the ordinance that includes the referendum language that city leaders would have to approve before it is sent to the elections office. The city charter, which requires resident approval of waterfront development on public land, does not allow a lease to extend more than…
Friday, May 10, 2013
The interactive U.S. voting map shows who the Florida voters were in the 2012 presidential election. You may be surprised by the results.
A slightly greater percerntage of eligible Hispanic voters – 62.2 percent – cast ballots in the 2012 presidential election in Florida than white, non-Hispanic voters. And more eligible female voters went to the polls than men. The results are among several demographic mesaurements released by the U.S. Census showing the make-up of voters in Florida and across the United States. Just click on Florida on the map above to see the results. Darker green states had a higher percentage of turnout. If you click on an individual state, you will see percentages of eligible U.S. citizens who voted in that state broken down by gender, race and ethnic group. This information was released from from the US Census Bureau on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. Florida…
The Florida House and Senate recently approved a measure that would make driving slow in the fast lane punishable by a fine. Do you think this is a good idea?
Can’t handle traveling at the Interstate’s 70 mph pace or a local four-lane road’s legal top speed? You might want to get in the practice of moving over. The Florida House and Senate recently approved a measure that makes it illegal to drive more than 10 mph under the speed limit if your vehicle is riding in the fast lane. The proposal will become the law of the land in Florida if Gov. Rick Scott signs on the dotted line. Dubbed the “road rage” bill, according to ABC News, the measure would give law enforcement the right to fine drivers $60 for moving at a snail’s pace in the far left lane of any road that has two or more lanes. That means slow drivers who refuse to move over – often causing other motorists to lose their cool – would be …
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Clearwater already has filed a lawsuit over the Deepwater oil spill in 2010.
Pinellas County is suing BP Oil for economic losses in tourism related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The city of Clearwater already is seeking damages from BP Oil and its contractor, Halliburton. In making its claim, Clearwater described tourism as the "primary economic driver for the city," according to the Tampa Bay Times. The Pinellas County suit does not seek a specific amount in damages. But it alleges "negligence and willful misconduct" on the part of BP, according to the Times article. Other Tampa Bay municipalities to file suit against BP over economic damages include Dunedin, Indian Rocks Beach, Madeira Beach, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Tampa and …
Drivers who want to appeal a ticket might have to pay up to $250 in additional fees if Gov. Rick Scott signs a new bill into law. Do you think that’s right?
Hate red light cameras? If so, you might hate them even more if Gov. Rick Scott signs a bill recently passed by the Florida Legislature into law. The bill sets a new process for appeals that enables local government bodies – cities and counties – to tack on an additional $250 in court fees for those who try to appeal tickets generated by red light cameras and fail. It also puts the new appeals process into the hands of those very same local governments that would benefit from the additional fees. That means motorists who appeal and lose will no longer be subject to just a $158 penalty – they might have to fork over $408. The new law, according to The Tampa Tribune, was designed to streamline the appeals process and put more control in the …
ClearwaterCitizen
10:21 am on Saturday, May 18, 2013
Shame these leaders did NOT listen to it's citizen related to the restroom at Crest Lake Park.... more ›