Slick Aguilar, friends to perform locally Clearwater concerts set July 20-21 ... See page 2B. Final edition of ‘Dark Knight’ trilogy opens this weekend Christopher Nolan’s “Dark Knight Rises’ hits area movie theaters ... See page 3B. Volume XXXIV, No. 15 www.TBNweekly.com July 19, 2012 COUNTY Local flag flap forces adjustments Seminole Fire Department takes measures to properly fly the U.S. flag By BOB McCLURE Fire Chief George Bessler said the firefighters fly- Bessler said he instituted a policy about eight ing the flag had good intentions but it violated the months ago that banned incorrect flying of a U.S. SEMINOLE – The city will soon be installing U.S. Code for flying a United States flag. flag from the rear of a fire engine. At the same time brackets on its fire department vehicles, which will “It’s unfortunate,” said Bessler. “The majority of he requested proposals for flying a flag from fire- allow the proper flying of the U.S. flag. Americans don’t understand the U.S. Code, which is fighters that would be in compliance with the U.S. Vets housing The issue came to a head July 13 when the city borne out of the U.S. Constitution.” code. received a complaint that a fire engine from Station According to Title 36, Chapter 10, Section 175, Bessler said he never received a proposal from the 29, located at 113th Street and 70th Avenue, was paragraph (b) of the U.S. Code, Bessler said, a flag firefighters or any employee of the fire department. initiative offered going to a call with a flag flying incorrectly on a can be flown on a vehicle only if it is attached to the The new stainless steel brackets are being de- Pinellas County is introducing a new small pole out of a side window. chassis or on the right front fender. signed and forged by city workers. homebuyer initiative designed for Pinel- las County veterans and active service personnel. For a limited time, a grant of up to $10,000 is available to assist with ‘DO NOT BLOCK’ closing costs. ... Page 2A. County tax increase looms County Administrator Bob LaSala’s budget for fiscal year 2013, includes pro- posed millage rate increases for the gen- City officials had “DO NOT eral fund as well as Emergency Medical BLOCK” lettering painted on Services, six fire districts and Palm Har- eastbound 102nd Avenue at bor Recreation and Library District. 119th Street and at the ... Page 3A. westbound entrance to Thurston Groves July 12 to remind motorists to leave an Annexation talks opening at both side streets during peak hours. The work move forward was done by Traffic Control Products of Florida at a cost Pinellas County Commissioners asked of $1,718. staff July 10 to continue negotiations with municipalities on an interlocal serv- ice boundary agreement on annexation within enclaves. Commissioners rejected draft language, continuing to insist that unincorporated residents have a choice under the proposed changes. ... Page 3A. Term limits put on hold Photo by BOB McCLURE Pinellas County Commissioners voted unanimously July 10 to take no action toward a November referendum on char- ter-based term limits. The vote negated a Local pride Council OKs minor June 26 request by commissioners to the county attorney’s office to develop ballot language to allow residents to have Seminole’s Cusmano set for development change a vote on the matter. Earlier, County At- By BOB McCLURE Homes will be required to have torney Jim Bennett said three citizens first year as Bucs cheerleader a minimum 1,400 square feet of had filed a lawsuit June 26 against SEMINOLE – Homeowners in a living area. county officials. By BRAD RICHARDSON and so surreal.” proposed 20-home subdivision The unnamed subdivision ... Page 6A. For the 20-year-old Cus- east of Lake Seminole may end would feature a single north- SEMINOLE – Tricia Cus- mano, cheerleading has been up a little closer to one another south street with 10 homes on POLICE mano of Seminole fulfilled a an ever-going part of her life. than originally planned. each side. The end of the street longtime dream recently when Although she participated in The City Council preliminarily would feature a T-turnaround, as she was named one of the 34 soccer and swimming in her approved a proposed develop- opposed to a cul-de-sac, and a Drowning appears talented women to join the youth, she felt most comfort- ment agreement amendment July wall would be constructed Tampa Buccaneers cheerlead- able when she was holding a 10 that would allow Frain Enter- around the development to give to be accidental ing squad this season. pair of pompoms, dancing and prises Inc. of Seminole and Outer nearby homeowners more priva- This was her second tryout cheering on the home team. Ring LLC of Phoenix to build sin- cy. A Palm Harbor woman was pro- for the team. It was three “I just enjoy being in front of gle-family homes on the site with Plans call for the street to be nounced dead July 13 after her husband rounds of auditions within a a crowd and I’m just a very a 5-foot side setback. landscaped with oaks and crepe found her floating face down in their month long process and with positive person,” said Cus- A second public hearing and myrtles with sidewalks on both pool. each round came more and mano. “I always have a smile vote on the change is scheduled sides. ... Page 5A. more cuts. After dancing in on my face and I really enjoy for July 24. In other action, councilors: front of a judges panel and expressing that in front of the Photo courtesy of TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS The development agreement • Authorized Edmunds to enter making it into the final round fans. I just really like the sport Tricia Cusmano was recently was originally approved Nov. 8 into an agreement with Science VIEWPOINTS with just the two coaches mak- of cheerleading.” named to the Tampa Bay with 6-foot side setbacks on each Applications International Corp. ing the final decision, she said This is not her first time get- Buccaneers cheerleading lot but the builders need the ad- of Maitland for emergency disas- it was great to know that the ting the experience of what its Carl Hiaasen squad. She is a 2010 graduate ditional foot on each side to con- ter debris monitoring services. hard work and many years had like to be a part of the Bucca- Lawmakers have set pa- of Seminole High School. struct the models planned for the The agreement would only come finally paid off. neers organization. She first got 4.9-acre site at 9075 82nd Ave. into play during an emergency thetic record for uncon- “I just jumped up and down what it was like at age 10 when stitutional bills, that’s what I wanted to do,” Tri- N. and does not require the city to screaming,” said Cusmano. “I her mom, Rhonda Cusmano, cia said. “My coach now, “Are we creating problems for pay SAIC until its services are columnist says.. was at home when I found out. enrolled her in the Junior Buc- ... Page 11A. Catherine Boyd, was one of the ourselves in the future (with set- rendered. Debris monitoring and My name was the last one post- caneer cheerleaders. She said Bucs cheerleaders back then, backs) if we pass this?” asked management are required by ed online, so I had to go the first time cheering next to and in one of the group pic- Councilor Jim Quinn. FEMA for the city to be reim- through every one’s names to them was an experience she tures that was taken, I’m right City Manager Frank Edmunds bursed for its cleanup costs by get to mine at the bottom. I would never forget. said no because the vote is proj- can’t really explain the moment “They were role models to me ect specific. Features other than it was very exciting and I knew then and there, See CUSMANO, page 4A See COUNCIL, page 4A Business . .10A Classifieds . .6-9B Community . .13-14A Tougher standards take a toll on school grading County . .2-3, 6A By ALEXANDRA LUNDAHL Entertainment . .1-5B er of Education, Gerard Robinson. “Florida’s economic schools that decreased in grades, five that increased, future depends on preparing our students for success. and 27 that stayed the same. Of those that stayed the Health & fitness . .12A The Florida Department of Education released ele- The high standards we have in place today will help our same, 21 of those were maintaining A grades. Of all of Just for fun . .2B mentary and middle school grades on July 11. As ex- students prepare for college, the workforce and life. I am these 54 schools, 25 of these were A grades and eight Pinellas Centennial . .9A pected, numerous schools declined in grades, due to confident that we are on the right path to prepare our were D’s. Police beat . .5A the calculations using more rigorous standards and students to compete with the best in the nation and Florida has raised its expectations for school grades Seminole . .7A new achievement levels. around the world.” five times in the last 10 years. The Beaches . .8A According to a FDOE press release, statewide, 89 per- In Pinellas County, grades overall dropped or stayed “The results show that after an initial drop, school Viewpoints . .11A cent of elementary and middle schools earned an A, B the same. In the Tampa Bay Newspapers readership grades improved consistently in the years that fol- or C grade, and 11 percent earned a D or F grade.