020713 Largo Leader
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County sides with the Rays Commission supports organization’s exploration of stadium options ... Page 4A. Jazz vocalist Jane Monheit to perform at Largo Cultural Center Cultural Center also will host an Interactive Beatles Experience Feb. 8 ... Page 1B. Volume XXXV, No. 29 www.TBNweekly.com February 7, 2013 LARGO Briarwood project restarted Plans for apartment complex on Seminole Boulevard to be renegotiated By JULIANA A. TORRES mission also approved in November a new land use would be sufficient and whether the estimated traffic Runners in the 5K Play Dirty obstacle designation for the property, termed “residential high,” increase of 140 cars was a realistic projection for 260 LARGO – Largo city commissioners agreed Feb. 5 to a change that had to be approved at the county level by apartments. The residents of the adjacent properties, course push up the mud pit created in the the parameters of a renegotiated agreement with the the Pinellas Planning Council. who live in townhomes and mobile homes, have spoke Largo Central Park Nature Preserve Feb. current owners of the Briarwood RV Park, who want to Residents of the nearby Coastal Ridge townhomes out against the proposed height of the buildings as well. 2. See page 3A. develop the 13.8-acre property into a 260-unit apart- and Palm Hill Mobile Home Park have protested against “How would you … like to have a four-story apart- ment complex. the proposed complex at both the city and county level. ment building staring down at your backyard with your The property at 2098 Seminole Blvd. was annexed The presentation to the commission Feb. 5 was not a kids out there playing or your wife in the back?” Chase Truck, Clown Day into the city in August, after the commission approved public hearing, but Barry Chase, president of Coastal asked the commission. an annexation agreement that would cap development Ridge Homeowners Association, raised several concerns However, Tom Morrissette, president of the Central is this weekend of the land at 19 units per acre, allowing the exact during general public comment. amount of apartments the owners intended. The com- Chase questioned whether the planned drainage See BRIARWOOD, page 4A Bring the whole family to enjoy the fun of Touch-a-Truck and Florida Clown Day on Saturday, Feb. 9, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Largo Central Park. ... Page 2B. Chinese New Year celebrated in Largo park POLICE BEAT By JULIANA A. TORRES LARGO – More than Man jailed for 2,000 people attended Tampa Bay’s first Chi- nese New Year celebra- attempted murder tion in Largo Central Pinellas County Park Feb, 2, organized sheriff’s deputies ar- by Suncoast Association rested a Largo man of Chinese Americans Feb. 1 in connection and the Chinese-Ameri- with a shooting in can Association of the Coral Way neigh- Tampa Bay. borhood. “It was considered very Around 7:10 p.m. successful,” said Jessica Friday, a deputy pa- Tien, spokeswoman for trolling the Coral Trevon Griffin the organizations. Way neighborhood “We received a lot of heard what sounded like a gunshot, then congratulation. A lot of a woman’s scream for help. praises.” ... Page 6A. The four-hour pro- gram featured the drag- on and lion dances, folk BUSINESS dances, kung fu demon- strations and Chinese music as well as games, food and arts. The Chinese New Year officially begins Sunday, Feb. 10. In Chinese tra- dition, 2013 is the year of the snake, which sym- bolizes wisdom and good To celebrate the opening of a new business. People born in outdoor dining patio, the Central Pinellas a year of the snake Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a which happens every 12 ribbon-cutting ceremony at Village Inn. years, are said to be in- Students from the See page 9A. telligent, insightful and Tampa Chinese School influential. perform a lion dance, The year also marks above, and a dragon the first time the local SCHOOLS dance, at left, during Chinese organizations the Chinese New Year tried to host an outdoor Teachers earn celebration at Largo event. The groups are al- Central Park Feb. 2. Foundation grants ready negotiating with For more photos, see page 4A. The Pinellas Education Foundation re- Largo for use of the park cently announced the teacher grant re- next year, Tien said. cipients for the 2012-13 Teach for “We really love the Excellence Grant, WorkNet Career venue,” she added. Photos by JIM LAYFIELD Grant, Achieva Credit Union Grant, and Progress Energy Grant. ... Page 12A. A simple message County begins VIEWPOINTS Coach teaches kids about fitness, foods and fun Bob Driver veterans services By JULIANA A. TORRES “Raise your hand if you had a two minutes of running in Party talk: what to soda last night,” McIntosh said, place. But after only a few mo- do about guns. See LARGO – On the day after the adding about chicken wings to ments, he cut in. action plan Bob Driver’s column. Super Bowl, Brandon McIntosh the poll. “Raise your hand if you “Stop, stop, stop. Guys, what’s … Page 11A. had his work cut out for him. had over four pieces of pizza the deal today?” he asked, de- By SUZETTE PORTER The participants of the Fit last night.” manding better form from his Kids program, children and “I had three!” one child vol- sluggish and talkative class. “I CLEARWATER – Pinellas County Administrator Bob LaSala pre- their parents alike, were slow to unteered. want to see the knees up. Now sented a Veterans Services action plan Feb. 5. circle around their coach as McIntosh, a recreation pro- you got three minutes. Ready? The plan was presented at the end of an advertised work session they gathered on the Southwest gram supervisor for the city of on the budget forecast for the years 2014-2023. Recreation Complex field Feb. 4. Largo, started the class with See FIT KIDS, page 4A The county came under fire at the Jan. 29 commission meeting Features when many veterans and veterans’ advocates crowded the room to speak on inadequate staffing of the county’s Veterans Services Unit Business . .8-9A and a lack of response to people needing assistance with claims. Classifieds . .7-9B Three of the five Veterans Services Officers positions are currently Community . .7A unfilled. Two new hires are expected to begin work within three County . .4-6A weeks, but will need to be trained, tested and certified, which could Entertainment . .1-6B take up to six months. The senior VSO position also is vacant. Faith & family . .14A LaSala said staff expects to fill that position within 60 days. Just for fun . .2B The consensus from the Jan. 29 discussion was that two VSOs Largo . .2-3A could not handle the need. LaSala was asked to take immediate steps to fix the situation. Outdoors . .15A He announced Feb. 5 that Hillsborough County was offering imme- Pet connection . .10A diate assistance by providing a VSO three days a week. Another VSO Police beat . .6A provided by Florida Department of Veterans Affairs will begin work Schools . .12-13A three days a week on Feb. 7. A retired former Health and Human Serv- Viewpoints . .11A ices VSO has agreed to volunteer 20 hours a week beginning Feb. 11 to help with the backlog of phone calls and assist walks-ins and veter- Call 397-5563 Photo by JULIANA A. TORRES ans who schedule appointments. The VSO assigned to the St. For News & Advertising Largo recreation program supervisor and coach Brandon McIntosh, in the blue sneakers, leads the Fit Kids group on a run at Southwest Recreation Complex Feb. 4. 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Expires 3/15/13 OFF © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved www.tbnweekly.com 2A Largo Leader, February 7, 2013 CityCity calendarcalendar day, Feb. 9, starting at 8 a.m. 11 a.m. to noon, at the Southwest Recreation Center. Largo Central Park Sharon DeBartolo Carmack will be the guest speaker. She is an au- Wear red to help celebrate. The participation of a parent, grandpar- The Largo Central Park is at 101 Central Park Drive. Within the park thor of several books and articles and is widely recognized as an excel- ent or caregiver is required. are Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive, and the Largo Public lent genealogist. The cost is $5 in advance or $8 on the day of the event. Library, at 120 Central Park Drive. For information about special events, Registration will be accepted the morning of the seminar at the li- call 587-6740, ext. 5014 or visit LargoEvents.com brary. The cost is $50 and includes breakfast and lunch. Kids Only Saturday Night Fun LARGO –The Southwest Complex will open the game lounge and Touch-a-Truck and Florida Clown Day Largo Community Center gymnasium just for children to play games and activities on Saturday, LARGO – Bring the whole family to enjoy the fun of Touch-a-Truck Feb.