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Gabber May 29 - June 4, 2014 31
Overheard at the May 27
St. Pete Beach City Commission Meeting
Public Comment & Council Quotes
“I’m here tonight to say how proud we are tonight of the mayor and the mayor’s team.” – Heyward Chapman
“I think that’s something we should continue to do.” – Mayor Maria Lowe, on holding workshops separate from the commission meetings
“But by then, everyone’s already gone and voted.” – Rosemary Manning, about the second opportunity for public comment after the meeting
“I’m not just talking to talk; this is actual information.” – Deborah Edney, about board of adjustment chair Paul Skipper
“There’s like, eight pages of crooks.” – Deborah Edney, about Paul Skipper. She ran out her three-minute limit and the commission gave her permission to speak another three minutes.
“I think your point is received … [but] there is no one here to defend that individual.” – Mayor Maria Lowe, to Edney
“You can’t pick and choose who’s local and who’s not … If we want to use local, we need to be able to reach out to those who have that talent and skill.” – Mayor Maria Lowe, about using local businesses for city work
“It can’t be that hard to come up with a temporary use process … I think we need to be sensitive to addressing this … It seems like an easy fix.” – Vice Mayor Melinda Pletcher, at the proposed 90 day time period to create a temporary use permit application process
“I don’t think it’s that easy.” – City Attorney Susan Churuti, to the
vice mayor
“It’s not really this commission or current city staff that’s created this condition.” – Vice Mayor Melinda Pletcher, about the lack of a clear process for getting a temporary use permit
“No government bought that land for that man … That man bought that land with money out of his own pocket.” – John Michael, about the plot of property the Sirata uses for parking
“Compared with Nebraska, this is heaven.” – Chad Nelson
“We are in this situation because our comprehensive plan is under challenge.” – Mayor Maria Lowe, about the hesitancy of businesses to develop land until the litigation swirling around the city’s comprehensive plan draws to a close. In the interim, some property owners have started using their undeveloped land for parking.
“We should have had more preparation legally before tonight.” – Deborah Schechner, about the temporary use permit process and what some in the audience perceived as the city attorney’s lack or preparation to speak on the issue
“I hope those who are litigating … that they recognize what they are doing to our city. This should not be occurring. … This entire conversation is ludicrous. There’s an injustice greater than any discussion occurring right now. … This is every resident in our city being affected by this.” – Mayor Maria Lowe, about the people with lawsuits against the city and how those lawsuits impact businesses and the residents.
“President Nixon got pardoned,
too.” – Harry Metz, about the attorney currently representing St. Pete Beach, Susan Churuti. Churuti left Pinellas County amid a 2007 controversy over a land deal involving the property appraiser. Churuti represented both the county and the property appraiser as the county negotiated a land purchase of the appraiser’s private property. She appeared before a grand jury and was cleared.
“I’m tired. I’m getting crabby.” – Vice Mayor Melinda Pletcher, at 10:30 p.m., five hours and 15 minutes after the commission called to order a series of three meetings. The mayor adjourned the meeting at 12:07 a.m.
“I would appreciate for decorum’s sake that we not use derogatory language … like ‘stupid’ … or a negative tone.” – Mayor Maria Lowe, to a resident
“It’s the place to be on a Tuesday night!” – Mayor Maria Lowe, about the commission meeting
“A lot of people are smiling because we have a nice commission now.” – Michael Lehman
“None of our money whatsoever will go towards a hotel lobby.” – Mayor Maria Lowe, about the Community Redevelopment Area funding and how the tax money will get spent
“We need to get more trash cans in that vicinity. … Today [Tuesday] was the worst. Today it looked like a dump.” – District Two Interim Commissioner Rick Falkenstein, about the north end of the beach. He says he’d like to talk to the management of the PCI and other hotels to see what they can offer so the city doesn’t need to spend its own money.
32 Gabber May 29 - June 4, 2014
Gabber May 29 - June 4, 2014 33
34 Gabber May 29 - June 4, 2014
Local ObituariesANNIS, MARILyN J. "MARgo," age 81, of South Pasadena, passed away on May 14, 2014. Born in Warren, OH. Marilyn was an award-winning artist, beloved mother, sister and aunt. She is survived by her daughters, Nicola and Kim; her sister, Kathy Nugent; and niece and nephew, Lisa and Patrick Nugent. We will miss her. She will join her husband, William G. Annis at Bay Pines National Cemetery. A Life Tribute Funeral Home Gulfport.
•••LAURAIN, VALERIE, 72, of Gulfport, passed away May 22, 2014. She is survived by her children, Lynda (Don) Glassman, John Campbell, and Joe; grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Kassie, Shane, Stacy, and Scarlett; and great-grand children, Casey, Sapphire, Autumn, and Lucious. Services will be held at 2 p.m. on June 8, 2014 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 5843 4th Ave. S., St. Petersburg. For more information, call Lynda at 727-642-9770. Online guestbook
at davidcgross.com. David C. Gross Funeral Homes, 6366 Central Ave. 727-381-4911.
•••oNoFRIo, MICHAEL, 70, of Gulfport, died May 18, 2014, at Bayfront Medical Center. No survivors have come forward. A Life Tribute, Gulfport, 727-347-5521.
•••VoSLER, JANET R., 92, of Gulfport, passed away May 22, 2014. She is survived by her loving family and friends.
•••In Memory of
DAVID M. MEARESIt's hard to believe it has been two years since God called you home. Your dad and brother are with you, so we know you're not alone. You are truly missed and loved to this day. We know we will all be together someday.
Your Loving Family•••
Save Our Strays Seeks Foster Families Save Our Strays needs help immediately to temporarily care for kittens and senior felines in need. Save Our Strays is a no-kill, non-profit organization dedicated to rehoming abandoned cats and kittens. With no shelter facility, it relies on individuals to take on the role of a foster parent for one or more kitties. Can you temporarily help foster one cat or a litter of kittens for Save Our Strays? Foster applicants must be able to drive, have their own transportation and be available for a home visit from a current volunteer prior to fostering. If you are interested and willing to aid adult cats or kittens in need, north county residents please call 727- 481-5262; south county pet lovers may call 727-871-0888 for details or email us at [email protected]. They are currently unable to accept any more kittens without community support.
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Gabber May 29 - June 4, 2014 35
Public Meeting on Beach Nourishment Pinellas County Coastal Management and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host a public meeting to provide information about an upcoming beach nourishment project on Treasure Island and Long Key (St. Pete Beach). The meeting takes place Tuesday, June 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the auditorium at Treasure Island City Hall, located at 120 108th Ave. The beach nourishment project is tentatively set to place sand on select beaches from July through September, starting with Sunshine Beach, and followed by Sunset Beach, Upham Beach and Pass-A-Grille Beach. An estimated total of 555,000 cubic yards of sand will be used for the project. The active beach construction areas will extend about 500 to 800 feet in length and will be closed to the public. Sand ramps over pipes will provide safe access for visitors to the shoreline north and south of active work areas. Beach nourishment helps to preserve Pinellas County beaches, which are important for storm protection, tourism and nesting sea turtles and shorebirds. For more information about beach nourishment in the county, and for updates on this project, visit pinellascounty.org/environment/coastalMngmt/nourishment.htm.
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Stetson Seeks Pro Bono Services to Military Stetson University College of Law is seeking attorneys to volunteer civil legal services to military members, veterans and their families as part of its Veterans Pro Bono Initiative Team. With more than a million veterans, Florida is home to one of the largest populations of veterans in the country. Stetson’s new Veterans Pro Bono Initiative Team will serve Tampa Bay area veterans through its Veterans Law Institute. “We are looking for volunteer attorneys with a passion to serve the veterans, members of our military and their families,” said Trista Miller, assistant director of clinical education
and Veterans Law Institute pro bono supervisor at Stetson. Volunteer attorneys will receive a weekly email message containing current case digests outlining pro bono opportunities in their geographical and legal practice areas. After selecting a case, attorneys will be provided with client and student volunteer contact information. Volunteers will also gain access to future Stetson CLE workshops focused on veterans law. Attorneys interested in volunteering may apply with no obligation at stetson.edu/veteransprobono. For more information about volunteering with Stetson’s Veterans Pro Bono Initiative Team, contact [email protected] or call 727- 562-7333.
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Lakewood United Offers Outdoor Market Lakewood United Church of Christ has launched The Skyway Community Market at 2601 54th Ave. S. in St. Petersburg. This is an outdoor market featuring reasonably priced fresh produce, food, food products, plants, and crafts to be held on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the hopes of continuing year round. In addition to offering these items for sale, the hope is that the market will create a gathering space for neighbors to get to know each other, build community, and have a good time in a safe environment. The market is free and open to the public. Call Christy Martin at 727-867-7961. Additional vendors are also welcome!
•••
36 Gabber May 29 - June 4, 2014
Somethin’ on my mindSomethin’ on my mindBy Bill Northrop [email protected]
The Killings and Treatment for Mental Illness
Well, another shooting. No, not a shooting: A stabbing, shooting and mayhem by
automobile. Ban cars and knives? Only kidding on a no-kidding subject. Carried a knife with me since I was nine. Not sure why nine, or even if it was nine, but we all carried pocket knives in those days. But we never thought of using it to stab anyone. It was for whittling, certain throwing games in the dirt, and other more useful tasks like cutting ropes and cords or sharpening your pencil at school. Yeah, they had pencil sharpeners, but we used knives or sometimes just gnawed on the ends. Anyway, this kooky guy, son of a film director, well-to-do, one of the so-called privileged, a playboy with out any playmates, decided he hated just about everyone, but particularly blonde women, went and killed four guys, two girls and himself, wounded eight others and injured four more with his car. He claimed he had no friends but did have two roommates – he was 22 – one of whom he killed. I guess they weren't friends either. Police got a one-day warning when he posted suicide-murder interpreted stuff on Facebook, but they only talked to him. Didn't search his room and find his arsenal because he was polite and calm. Parents got in on it, apparently too late, although it appears he's been under psychiatric care a long time. If you want to know more, check it out on the Internet. His whole disturbed, sad and screaming-for-help life is there to read in a 141 page day-before-massacre-written auto-biography. And, don't pass up reading the sicko comments by women who think the killer was "hot." I know this sounds flip, but mental illness is not a flippant subject. It's real and guys like this Elliot Rodgers are real and are real dangers. He, and guys like him, are the root of
the psycho-murders that seemingly plague this country. Yes, guns present problems, but so do knives and cars and anything else that is handy. At the root of the problem, however, is the person using the weapons. But, mental illness isn't all potential killers and that presents a problem which is reflected in two pieces of legislation now going head-to-head in the House of Representatives. One comes from Rep. Tim Murphy, a Republican representative in a Democratic district in Western Pennsylvania. He is a practicing psychologist who has headed up a committee addressing the issue for the past year. He has had bipartisan support, but some backed off when Democrats presented their own bill. He favors changes in the laws, specifically, a mental health court, to address the problems with the severely mentally ill as well as easing up medical disclosure laws relating to family members. An opposing view comes from Rep. Ron Barber, an Arizona Democrat wounded in the Gabrielle Gifford shooting, and Gifford's successor when she couldn't remain in office due to her injuries. He proposes no changes in the law, but more funding to provide broader and earlier care for the mentally ill including funds to address bullying. Rep. Murphy wants to move dollars from programs that he believes haven't worked into funding for programs dealing with the more severely ill. He points out that in the 1970s, in Pennsylvania there were 20 mental institutions and eight prisons. Now there are 20 prisons and eight mental institutions. This generated a vehement and virulent response in the groups that have worked for years to keep people out of institutions, generally by relying on advances in medicines and early treatment. This was all before the recent killings. It is a debate worth having, but while the advances in medicines and early treatment have helped millions, it is difficult to refute the empirical
evidence presented not only by the apparent increase in mass homicidal attacks by mentally ill people but also the concurrent increase in the number of homeless–many of whom, 30 years ago, would have been part of an institutional program.
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Gabber May 29 - June 4, 2014 37
THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY
Lunch Served11am-3pmEuchre 1pmBingo 6pm
Kitchen Open for Bingo
Lunch 11-3
Ron's Karaoke 7pmNo Lunch Served
Breakfast Buffet 8:30-11am
S.A.L. hamburgers and hot dogs 12-3pm
Steakums 1-3pm
Southern Knights Band
7-11pm
Dinner 4:30-6:30pm
Kitchen Open11-2pm
Dinner 4:30-6:30pmSouthern Knights
Band7-11pm
Lunch Served11am-3pm
Ron’s Karaoke 7pm
Post 305 6999 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach 367-1596
THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY
Bar Bingo7pm
Food Served
Fish & Shrimp6-8pm
Music by Geno6:30-9:30pm
Steak Dinner6-8pm
Lee Jay Nelson6:30-9:30pm
Sports & Pizza12-6pm
Bucky Burgers5-8pm
Karaoke6:30-9:30pm
email [email protected] / www.post305.orgAll you can eat Spaghetti & Meatballs every Wed., plus another special.
Hot dogs every day for $1.
Ladies Auxiliary meet 1st Sunday each month at 11:30amSons of AmVets meet 1st Monday each month at 7pm
AmVets meet 2nd Sunday each month at 11:30amSteak-O every Saturday at 4pm
House Com. Mtg.-6pm
Pizza Available All Day
Dinner Special 6-8pm
Trivia
Bar Bingo7pm
Karaoke9pm-12am
Legion Riders meet 7 p.m., 1st Monday each monthJunior Auxiliary meets 10:30 a.m., 1st Saturday each monthAuxiliary No meeting in June will resume 2nd Tuesday in July
Legionnaires meet 7 p.m., 3rd Monday each monthS.A.L. meets 7 p.m., last Monday each month Service Officer Bob Cannon is available at the Post Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon to offer assistance.
Sunday-Friday 12pm, Saturday 11am til. Electronic bar games every day. Fish fry last Friday of the month, 5-7pm.
We’re always looking for new members to join our family, $30 yearly or $250 Lifetime. Gil Davis 1st VC
Happy Hour 9-11am & 4-7pm
Jam Session 6-10pmFood available 6-8pm
Tiki open 4pmDinner 5-7:30pmKaraoke 7-11pm
Breakfast 8-10:30amTiki open 12noon Grill open 1-5pmLive Music 1-5pm
Tiki open 12noonGrill open 1-5pmLive Music 1-5pmSteak-O 4-6pm
Euchre 1pmHappy Hour 9-11am &
4-7pmDrink specials
8pm-Close
Happy Hour 9-11am & 4-7pm
Karaoke 7-11pmDrink specials
8pm-Close
Tiki open 5pmKaraoke 7-11pm
Bingo 7pmFood Available
38 Gabber May 29 - June 4, 2014
Following are some of the calls that Gulfport Police responded to during the past week.Friday 5/16Drug Call- 5400 Blk Shore Blvd. S.Burglary- 5700 Blk 23rd Ave. S.Disorderly Conduct- 5400 Blk Shore Blvd. S.Domestic- 700 Blk 58th St. S.Assault/Battery- 2400 Blk 53rd St. S.Animal Call- 1100 Blk 58th St. S.Saturday 5/17Trespass- 5400 Blk Shore Blvd. S.Gun Shot (Heard)- 2600 Blk 45th St. S.Noise- 2600 Blk Miriam St. S.Disorderly Conduct- 5000 Blk 27th Ave. S.Noise- 27th Ave. & 54th St. S.DUI- 61st St & 17th Ave. S.
Burglary- 1800 Blk 58th St. S.Accident- 49th St. & 15th Ave. S.Noise- 5200 Blk 12th Ave. S.Noise- 5500 Blk Gulfport Blvd. S.Vandalism- 1800 Blk 60th St. S.Animal Call- 31st St. & 49th St. S.Sunday 5/18Theft- 3100 Blk 59th St. S.Animal Call- Shore Blvd. & Clinton St. S.Armed Person- 3000 Blk 49th St. S.Domestic- 2600 Blk 53rd St. S.Assault/Battery- 64th St. & Pelican Dr. S.Noise- 4600 Blk 27th Ave. S.Disorderly Conduct- 1700 Blk 53rd St. S.Domestic- 5200 Blk 18th Ave. S.Monday 5/19Drug Call- 500 Blk 34th St. S.Burglary- 6200 Blk Kipps Colony Ct.Theft- 6000 Blk Shore Blvd. S.Theft- 5900 Blk Shore Blvd. S.Vandalism- 2700 Blk 54th St. S.Burglary- 4900 Blk 14th Ave. S.Trash Dump- 5300 Blk 26th Ave. S.Tuesday 5/20Disorderly Conduct- 51st St. & Tangerine Ave. S.Theft- 5000 Blk Gulfport Blvd. S.
Trespass- 900 Blk 58th St. S.Domestic- 5800 Blk 26th Ave. S.Animal Call- 52nd St. & 19th Ave. S.Person Under Influence- 5100 Blk 27th Ave. S.Burglary- 5900 Blk Shore Blvd. S.Wednesday 5/21Keep the Peace- 4900 Blk 13th Ave. S.Animal Call(s)- Several Locations.Stolen Vehicle- 5200 Blk 14th Ave. S.Theft- 900 Blk 58th St. S.Accident- 5100 Blk Gulfport Blvd. S.Thursday 5/22Stolen Vehicle- 5200 Blk 14th Ave. S.Animal Call- 6100 Blk 10th Ave. S.Theft- 900 Blk 58th St. S.Trespass- 58th St. & 11th Ave. S.Burglary- 5700 Blk 21st St. S.Gun Shots (Heard)- 5000 Blk 23rd Ave. S.Burglary- 1100 Blk Gray St. S.Gun Shots (Heard)- 5200 Blk 25th Ave. S.Burglary- 5700 Blk 21st Ave. S.Theft- 5500 Blk 28th Ave. S.Theft- 56th St. & Shore Blvd. S.Animal Call- 1100 Blk 63rd St. S.Drug Call- 58th St. & 9th Ave. S.
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Gabber May 29 - June 4, 2014 39
Try your hand at SudokuSolution on Page 18
Swing into Summer Tennis Party Kids of all ages are invited to come out and celebrate the end of the school year and the newly resurfaced courts at this year’s Swing into Summer Tennis Party on May 31 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Lazarillo Park. They will provide snack, refreshments, equipment and a lot of tennis fun! Proper tennis attire and sunscreen are recommended. Lazarillo Park is located at 224 DeBazen Ave., just east of the Loew’s Don CeSar. For more information contact the St. Pete Beach Recreation Department at 727-363-9245.
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The City of Gulfport Celebrates Flag Day Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. To the original members of the Continental Congress, red stood for hardiness and valor, white for purity and innocence, and blue for vigilance, perseverance and justice for the American flag. This special and moving event is held Friday, June 13 at 10 a.m. at Veterans Park on the corner of 54th St. S. and Shore Blvd. S. in Gulfport. This event is free and open to the public. The City of Gulfport and the American Legion Post 125 will host a very moving Flag Day ceremony as they retire old American flags by proper ceremonial burn. Ward 4 Councilmember Fridovich will perform opening ceremonies and Vice Mayor Christine Brown will close this special event. Special guest vocalist and former Broadway singer and author Victor Helou will perform. For more information, please contact City of Gulfport Technical Events Specialist Gail Biron at 727-893-1118.
•••
Many Thanks from Unit #125 Juniors
Thank you to all who came out and supported the troops on May 24 at Walmart Neighborhood Store. The Juniors were able to make a donation to the veterans at Bay Pines from the proceeds collected from the drive.
40 Gabber May 29 - June 4, 2014
The City of Gulfport Little Free Library You may already be aware that
in addition to the Gulfport Public Library our city has three other libraries: Little Free Libraries. You can find their locations as well as all the locations of Little Free Libraries all over the world by going to the official Little Free Library site LittleFreeLibrary.org.
A very special fourth Little Free Library will soon have its “grand opening,” but you can visit it right now for a sneak preview at the Gulfport Public Library.
This LFL is the first to be owned by the City of Gulfport and was sponsored by the Gulfport Public Library and the Circle of Friends of the Gulfport Library.
It was built by woodworking craftsman John Kellogg who
donated his talents to create the structure which is topped with a charming shake roof. Then local artist Jane Buck donated her combined artistry and her knowledge of local history to paint and embellish the LFL. Don’t forget to visit the library and unravel the history behind some of Jane’s artwork. The Gulfport Library and Circle of Friends will be keeping the LFL stocked with books for residents and visitors to “borrow,” we also encourage you to drop off a book for someone else to enjoy when it is placed in its official spot outside the Gulfport Casino.
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Lithuanian-American Club Lunch
The Lithuanian-American Club at 4880 46th Ave. N. in St. Petersburg is serving lunch every Thursday at 1 p.m. The summer schedule of luncheons is one week koldunai and the other week cepelinai. The cost is $7 for entree, side, dessert and coffee. This Thursday’s menu is koldunai (meat dumplings) served with bacon and/or sour cream, dessert and coffee. As usual, they have Lithuanian beer and fresh baked bread to buy every Thursday. Call Vida at 866-7936 for more information. Everyone is welcome.
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Gulfport Rec Summer Program Get ready to splash into summer as registrations for Sthe 2014 Summer Program began Thursday, May 1 for Gulfport residents. Registration is for children who have completed kindergarten through age 14. Hours of registration are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registrations for non-residents not enrolled in the School Year Child Care Program will begin Monday, May 19 for 30 children maximum. Annual registration fees are $17 for residents and $22 for non-residents. The eight-week program (June 16 to August 8) cost is $275 for residents and $550 for non-residents, which does not include field trips. Pre-Camp (June 9 to 13) and Post-Camp (August 11 to 15) cost is $77 for each week, which includes field trips. Pre- and Post-Camps are limited to 60 Gulfport residents only. Summer camp hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with extended hours available until 6 p.m. for an extra charge. Detailed pricing is currently available at the Recreation Center, 5730 Shore Blvd. S. or on-line (mygulfport.us and follow the links: City Departments, Leisure Services, Rec Center). Packets now available. Call 727-893-1068 for any questions.
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