Timelier health care for vets Jolly meets with veterans, talks about their concerns June 17 ... Page 6A Make your music plans with the July local concert lineup Also, find local performances going on this weekend in Tampa Bay ... Page 1B. Volume XXXVI, No. 49 www.TBNweekly.com June 26, 2014 INSIDE Neighbors protest annexations As Largo cleans up its borders, would-be city residents object By JULIANA A. TORRES ers Association. “I really feel I’ve been taken advantage become part of Largo as soon as the city boundary of and that I’ve had something taken away from me that abutted the land. LARGO – In an effort to clean up pending annexa- is a right of mine.” Now it has. In January, commissioners questioned tions along the jagged city boundaries, Largo commis- The problem is, the properties within the Long why city staff hadn’t finalized 342 annexation agree- sioners approved the first reading to annex 181 Branch Creek and Arbor Trace subdivisions, along with ments and 14 sewer indenture agreements that were el- properties, representing $14.5 million in taxable value. those in the Brookstone Subdivision and Brookstone igible to be included in the city. The problem was The residents of three subdivisions, representing the Addition, all had previous agreements with the city of reduced manpower and the sheer number of ordi- vast majority of the nearly 40 acres of land, were not Largo, some going back as far as 1987. The city agreed nances the commissioners had to approve to make happy to soon be included within the city. to extend one of its sewer lines to provide sewer service those annexations a reality, they said. “I wanted a home in Clearwater. If I wanted one in to the subdivision as it was being built. It was an ex- Commissioners asked the community development Largo, I would have bought in Largo,” said JoAnn Ja- pensive investment, but the developer agreed to what cobson, secretary of the Long Branch Creek Homeown- was called a sewer indenture, allowing the properties to See ANNEXATIONS, page 4A LARGO and Ten qualify to run for Latvala’s seat By SUZETTE PORTER Three Pinellas County Commission seats are up for Business expo grabs in the upcoming November election. The qualifying period ended at noon June 20 with 15 candidates fulfilling all the requirements. deemed a success Ten of the 15 are running for the seat left vacant after Crowds were steady throughout the longtime commissioner Susan Latvala announced she three-hour Central Pinellas Chamber of would not run again. Commerce’s 2014 Business Showcase at Largo Community Center June 18. District 2 ... Page 3A. Incumbent Norm Roche, a Republican, who holds the at-large, District 2, seat is challenged by fellow Republi- can Ed Hooper, currently serving in the state House of BUSINESS Representatives. Roche and Hooper will square off in the Aug. 26 primary. Largo Mayor Pat Gerard, the only Democrat running Unemployment for the District 2 seat, will vie against the winner of the rises in Pinellas Republican primary during the Nov. 4 election. Pinellas County’s not-seasonally-ad- District 4 justed unemployment rate is up to 5.9 Latvala has represented citizens in the northern por- percent in May compared to 5.7 percent tion of the county since 2000. When she decided to re- Photos by JULIANA A. TORRES in April. tire, 15 candidates announced intentions to run for her Above, Gaby Dean, 8, a lifelong animal lover, decided to raise money for the SPCA Tampa Bay by selling ... Page 9A. job. Of the 15, 10 qualified, including Republican Dave lemonade and cupcakes in front of her home in Largo June 21. Her first customer was a neighbor Jamie Hanlin, Eggers, currently Dunedin mayor, and former Oldsmar who brought along her pet opossum, pictured with Gaby below. The lettering at top and the heart below, both of mayor Republican Jim Roenecker. which both graced the lemonade stand, is Gaby’s own work. SCHOOLS Five additional Republican candidates qualified: Johnny Johnson of Tarpon Springs, Tim Keffalas of Tarpon Springs, Wanda Kimsey of Tarpon Springs, Largo girl raises money for SPCA Macho Liberti of Palm Harbor, and former state repre- sentative Peter Nehr of Palm Harbor. By JULIANA A. TORRES Republicans will decide which candidate will be on the November ballot during the Aug. 26 primary elec- LARGO – On the first day of summer, 8-year-old tion. Gaby Dean of Largo sat behind a yellow and white Two Democrats announced intentions to run but lemonade stand that she had paint- only Mark Weinkrantz of Palm Harbor qualified. He will ed and decorated with sunburst- move on to the November election. shape cutouts, encouraging her Two no-party-affiliation candidates also qualified – customers to donate to a good Carl Folkman of Crystal Beach and Marcus Harrison of A lesson on safety cause. Palm Harbor. Officer Anthony Citrano from the Largo “Abandoned neglected un- Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit vis- wanted animals,” the colorful ited students in a STEAM program at sign read in the girl’s handwriting District 6 Largo Middle School June 16. said. “Theres no way they can make it Only two qualified to run for the District 6 seat. Re- ... Page 13A. without u.” publican Tom Rask of Seminole is taking on the incum- Gaby hoped to raise $300 to donate to SPCA bent John Morroni, who also is a Republican. Tampa Bay. Libertarian Jack Harris had announced his intention to VIEWPOINTS “I always loved animals, and I wanted to help run, but did not qualify. them,” Gaby said. Because the only candidates are from the same politi- Three of her cats came from the local SPCA: Scotty, cal party, a “universal” primary will decide who will Tom Michalski serve the next term. All registered voters in District 6, See LEMONADE, page 4A Listen to the veter- ans at VA facilities. See ELECTION, page 4A … Page 12A. Up, up and away PIE airport officials celebrate record-setting May Features By SUZETTE PORTER monthly passenger counts are well out- pacing last year. Lagos expects passen- Business . .9-10A CLEARWATER – Passenger travel is ger travel will reach as high as 1.2 Classifieds . .5-7B setting records at St. Pete-Clearwater In- million by the end of the year. Community . .14A ternational Airport. St. Pete-Clearwater International, aka County . .5-7A Airport officials are celebrating the PIE, added a new charter service June 8 Entertainment . .1-4, 8B biggest May in history with a 27 percent with Sun Country Airlines providing Health . .11A increase in passengers and a 21 percent flights to Beau Rivage Resort & Casino on Just for fun . .2B increase so far in 2014. the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Allegiant Air, Largo . .3-4A “May was a month of history. It out- the airport’s primary carrier, now flies Outdoors . .15A paced any other May,” Airport Director non-stop from PIE to 32 destinations. Pets of the week . .14A Noah Lagos told Pinellas County Com- Sunwing Airlines offers two international Police beat . .5A missioners during a June 10 budget flights, bringing the number of non-stop Schools . .13A work session. flights originating from PIE to 35. Viewpoints . .12A The past record for May was set in Allegiant Air carries nearly 95 percent 2004, with 34 fewer passengers than of the airport’s passengers, with Sun Call 397-5563 2014. Country adding another 5 percent. Sun- Photo courtesy of PIE For News & Advertising More than a million passengers used wing provides seasonal service to Toronto St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport served the largest number of passengers in its Pinellas County’s airport last year, up 21 history in May. Officials estimate as many as 1.2 million will fly in or out of the local percent from 2012. Thus far, this year’s See AIRPORT, page 4A airport this year. AUTO ACCIDENT INJURY? 12046 Indian Rocks Road, Largo Diagnosis • Treatment • Rehab 727-595-1222 • www.VONailsAndSpa.com 060514 SPA MANICURE & Attorney and Specialist Referrals FACIALS • SPA THERAPY • WAXING • NAILS AND MORE 060514 SHAMPOO/CUT/STYLE 25 7-15-14 Exp. Greg Hollstrom II, DC, Brian Rebori, DC PEDICURE W/SHELLAC 39 Exp. 7-15-14 Basic Pedicure & SWEET 11444 Seminole Blvd., Largo 20% OFF Manicure w/ Shellac FULL SET 25% OFF NEW NAILS CLIENTS All Services $ PEDICURE 7-15-14 BROW TINT & WAX 19 7-15-14 42 $5 OFF CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. 727-393-6100 • drgreghollstrom.com 010214 for New Clients. $3 OFF Exp. Exp. Not available with other offers. Exp. 7/15/14 Not available with other offers. Exp. 7/15/14 Not available with other offers. Exp. 7/15/14 Not available with other offers. Exp. 7/15/14 Tampa Bay Newspapers, Inc e-edition.tbnweekly.com 2A Leader, June 26, 2014 Seminole Largo Mall S. Pasadena 7501 Seminole Blvd. 10500 Ulmerton Rd., Ste. 740 1155 Pasadena Ave. 1/2 Block North of Park Blvd. Near Albertsons Next to Horse & Jockey British Pub next to SunTrust Facing Ulmerton Rd. Across from Blockbuster Video (727) 391-6642 (727) 586-5553 (727) 347-2938 Palm Harbor Clearwater St Petersburg 062614 35208 U.S. 19 N. 1932 Drew Street 1598 62nd Ave. N. Alderman Plaza Professional Plaza SE corner of 16th St. Corner of Alderman Rd. & U.S. 19 1 1/2 blocks West of Hercules & 62nd Ave. N. (727) 787-1866 (727) 441-3591 (727) 522-3692 Tampa Bay Newspapers, Inc e-edition.tbnweekly.com Leader, June 26, 2014 Largo 3A City news Business expo deemed a success Dog Bone Run to open Center for summer youth theater LARGO – Members of the com- programs munity are invited to join in the • $250 as co-sponsorship of grand opening ceremony of the July 4th city event in Largo Largo’s new Dog Bone Run Dog Central Park Park Monday, June 30 at noon, • $150 to the Largo Communi- at 375 Seminole Blvd.