ARGO EADER LVolume XXXII, No. 50 L July 8, 2010 www.TBNweekly.com Opening this week, “Despicable Me.” See Entertainment, page 13. Bar hours may be extended County By TOM GERMOND Commissioner Gigi Arntzen had a different view. Dual vote provision LARGO – Most city commissioners said July 6 “I don’t think it’s fair to the business “We tell people we don’t want you drinking and will not be changed they are in favor of extending the hour that alco- owners if the county enacts it, and driving and now we’re giving you an extra hour to The Charter Review Commis- holic beverages can be sold to 3 a.m. if Pinellas we don’t move it to 3 o’clock.” drink and drive,” she said. sion will not recommend that the County commissioners decide to do so. Commissioner Woody Brown said a Largo busi- state Legislature pass a special Currently, alcoholic beverages can be sold up – Robert Murray, ness owner told him that his business was down act to allow voters to authorize the until 2 a.m. in Largo; same goes for the county. Largo commissioner significantly for a couple of weekends immediately repeal and replacement of the cur- Assistant City Attorney Mary Hale said the after St. Petersburg extended its drinking hours. rent charter. change would be in keeping with action taken by “I think it would help our establishments here, Representatives from the coun- Tampa, Hillsborough and St. Petersburg. around any farther than they need to.” and if the county is doing it, I don’t see any reason ty’s cities turned out for public Mayor Pat Gerard said if the county allows alco- Commissioner Harriet Crozier also said the city to not do it here,” Brown said. hearings on June 14 and June 28 holic beverages to be sold until 3 a.m., she would should be in tune with what the county does. Commissioner Robert Murray agreed that the to express their concerns about be in favor of Largo doing likewise. “I don’t want people from the beach drinking city should take action if the county does. He said any repeal and replacement of the She agreed with written comments from Police until 2 and going through Largo to Tampa and he read an article about a bar in St. Petersburg county’s charter, fearing possible Chief John Carroll that people will get in their ve- coming back through Largo to go (to the beach),” being open until 3 a.m. A bar across the street elimination of the dual vote provi- hicles and drive to Hillsborough County to take she said. that was in the unincorporated area had to close sion. Pinellas County’s charter re- advantage of the extra hour the bars are open. Commissioner Curtis Holmes said “it’s repre- at 2 a.m., creating all types of enforcement quires that charter changes be “In the day, long time ago, I might have done hensive behavior” to hang out at a bar until 3 problems, he said. approved by county voters as well the same thing myself,” she said. “It behooves us a.m., “but to each his own.” However, he had no See HOURS, page 4 as by voters in municipalities that not having those people on our streets, driving objection to the change. would be affected. ... Page 9. Soggy saga Entertainment Former Beatle to perform locally Ringo Starr and his band will play at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Tuesday July 13. ... Page 11. Largo Family moves into historic house Through a city program, the Gonzalez family bought a historic two-story rehabilitated house in downtown Largo. ... Page 5. Photos by JIM LAYFIELD A little bit of rain wasn’t going to keep Ayden Stoefen, 12, Largo, above, from having fun at the 4th of July Celebration in Largo Central Park. He and several other children took advantage of standing water from steady rainfall that fell in the area over the weekend. Short of the record. A fireworks show, right, followed an attempt to break the world record for the most people doing the twist at the same time. Because rain fell The Perkins House was built in until minutes before the starting time, a smaller crowd than anticipated turned out. 1926. About 500 dancers were counted, far short of the record. A Largo official said that the city will make another atempt at the record. Outdoors An active time of year for fishing BP gets many claims Popular English pub Tarpon fishing should get good again this week, as long as the beaches stay nice and calm. Many at Clearwater location to be closed July 30 of the fish will be migrating back By ALEXANDRA CALDWELL alone since the Deepwater Horizon By TOM GERMOND inspectors, ice sculptors. They wear north through the area along all of oil spill began, the company felt T-shirts and jerseys, dresses, caps our beaches. See Fish Tales. CLEARWATER – Fishermen came there was a need for an office in the LARGO – The regulars at the Rose and sweaters, jeans and kilts. ... Page 17. who can’t sell their fish, who are area, said Chuck Newton, office and Crown like their soccer, their “I’ve seen a whole generation pushed out of waters they used to manager of the Clearwater claims of- Guinness, their fish and chips and grow,” Anderson said. “People who fish, and who are seeing anomalies fice. Shepherd’s pie were just having babies when we Bob in the ecosystem that they have “We’re here in a visible location so They also like their football, base- opened who are now in college.” never seen in their decades of fish- that you can come in and have face- ball, hockey, chicken wings, Bud- Like so many restaurants in the McClure ing. Charter boat captains came who to-face contact with someone and weiser and auto racing. area, the Rose and Crown has fallen are losing their boats and business develop a relationship with that per- For 20 years, the Rose and Crown on tough times; the crippled econo- from so many people canceling son so they can answer questions for has served people of varying nation- my is to blame for the pub’s closing, Columnist Bob McClure re- reservations out of fear. Restaurant you and help process your claim,” alities, cultural backgrounds and in- Anderson said. calls the antics of a baseball owners, hotel owners, vacation Newton said. “It’s just frustrating to terests. On July 30th, the popular “We tried to stay open as long as icon. rental landlords. deal with an 800 number. You talk pub at 12850 Walsingham Road will we could,” Anderson said. ... Page 6. More than 150 people with claims to a different person each time and be closed. The couple, who have two chil- Features flocked to Clearwater’s new BP you feel like you’re telling the same “I’m sorry we have to do it,” said dren and live in Largo, opened the claims center in just the first three story over and over again.” Lori Anderson, co-owner along with pub in 1990 on Seminole Boulevard. Business...................................20 and a half days since it opened. People should first get a claim her husband Alistair. The former location was rented and Classified.............................23-27 Before the Clearwater claims office number by calling 1-800-440-0858 Irish, English, Scottish, Welsh, parking was insufficient for their Community...............................21 opened on June 28, the nearest or visiting www.bp.com/claims. After Canadian, Americans – patrons of needs. The current location is larger County ....................................8-9 claims offices were in Naples and people get a number then they all walks of life frequent the pub. and the Andersons were able to buy Entertainment.....................11-15 Apalachicola. But with more than They are contractors, mechanics, 1,800 claims filed in Central Florida See CLAIMS, page 4 business owners, police officers, fire See PUB, page 3 Health & fitness........................19 Just for fun...............................22 Military .....................................18 Facials Full Set 20% OFF Outdoors...................................17 or Spa 42210 Not valid with Pets of the week........................16 Lolly’s Wigs any other offer. Mani-Pedi Expires 8/15/10 Viewpoints...............................6-7 Donate your old wig to American Cancer Society $ 00 Call 397-5563 Receive $20 credit on a new wig. 12046 Indian Rocks Road, Largo • 727-595-1222 • www.VONailsAndSpa.com 5 OFF Not valid with any other offer. For News & Advertising 727-723-5255 • 9148 Seminole Blvd., Seminole FACIALS • SPA THERAPY • WAXING • NAILS AND MORE Expires 8/15/10 2 Largo Leader, July 8, 2010 Do you know a Police seek bank robbery suspects Hidden Hero? LARGO – Investigators guns and a box designed to suspect had a flat top hair from the Largo Police De- be a hoax bomb. The box style with brown hair. He had There are so many partment are seeking assis- was placed in the middle of no facial hair and was wear- amazing people in tance from the public in the lobby floor. The suspects ing dark sunglasses, baggy our midst. Help us locating two suspects in- fled from the bank on foot in blue jeans, a dark colored T- share their stories by volved in an armed robbery a southeasterly direction. shirt and a light colored jack- nominating a Hidden July 1. They fled with an undis- et, which is possibly yellow. Hero. Call us at 397- On July 1 at 10:51 a.m., closed amount of money. The second suspect is de- two suspects entered the Wa- The first suspect is de- scribed as an unknown race 5563, or e-mail us at chovia Bank at 801 West Bay scribed as a white male, male about 6 foot, weighing editorial@TBNweek Drive.