Pinellas unemployment down County unemployment was down to 6.3 percent in August ... Page 9A. Animated adventure ‘The Boxtrolls’ opens in local theaters Also, check out Music in the Park and a West Coast Players production ... Page 1B. Volume XXXVII, No. 10 www.TBNweekly.com September 25, 2014 INSIDE Commissioners to censure Holmes Largo schedules meeting to reprimand official for inappropriate use of iPad By JULIANA A. TORRES Holmes said his fellow commissioners could “do as you policy, its email policy and the technology and Internet see fit.” ethics policy, the resolution states. LARGO – A special meeting has been scheduled for “Kangaroo court continues,” he wrote in all caps. “I During their last meeting Sept. 16, commissioners Tuesday, Sept. 30, 6 p.m., to censure, or officially repri- have been advised to say nothing … and I will comply had urged Holmes to resign over the “reprehensible” im- mand, Largo Commissioner Curtis Holmes for the inap- with that ‘suggestion.’” ages and YouTube links, which would have been cause propriate content discovered on his city-issued iPad. As he promised in the last meeting, Holmes has hired to immediately fire a city employee. However, the viola- The Largo Commission will vote on a resolution that an attorney. The special meeting was originally set for tion of city policy was not enough to force the dismissal “expresses its strong disapproval of the improper use of Sept. 23, but was rescheduled for the following week at of a commissioner, City Attorney Alan Zimmet said. He the city’s iPad and email account.” The resolution also the request of Holmes’ attorney. said the commission could only censure Holmes and will demand Holmes return the iPad by 5 p.m. the next The content discovered on the iPad, via another city take away his iPad. day, Oct. 1. iPad set up with the same Gmail account, violates sev- In an email responding to the scheduled meeting, eral city policies: the harassment and discrimination See CENSURE, page 4A LARGO Defying gravity Group honors State delegates The Heisler-Johnson American Legion Post 119 in Largo honored this year’s participants at Boys and Girls State in a ceremony Sept. 15. Participating from Largo this year were Shane Stockings, Aileen Jarvis, Madzid Coric, Matthew Eyer and Dalilia Kolar. ... Page 3A. POLICE BEAT Photos by JIM LAYFIELD Above, Deonte Berrian, 15, of Largo, rides the edge of the bowl Sept. 21. Skateboarders, bikers and those on scooters can hone their skills in the bowl, half pike and on the rails in Largo’s Bayhead Action Park, at 375 Seminole Blvd. At right, Angel Demeza, 12, of Largo catches air on his kick Truck-RV combo scooter. For more photos, see page 4A. crashes on E. Bay A pickup truck pulling a fifth-wheel Largo High math teacher wins Yale award recreation vehicle trailer crashed into a car and then a building on East Bay By JULIANA A. TORRES “I knew he needed to be challenged in Drive Sept. 23. class. I knew I got bored easily in school ... Page 5A. LARGO – Largo High School math if I wasn’t challenged,” he explained. teacher Mike Pease didn’t know what to Brockwell took Pease’s Advanced expect when he received a package from Placement statistics class his junior year OUTDOORS Yale University this fall. and earned a 5 out of 5 on the AP test. He was surprised to find the Yale Uni- Pease also coached him in tennis for two Super boat race is versity Educator Recognition Award in- years and witnessed the star student side, honoring him for positively and choral performer tackle an activity at influencing a member of the university’s which he did not excel. this weekend freshmen class. “He never made the top starting five, The sixth annual Bright House Clear- “I just thought they gave me fliers or but he worked so hard,” Pease said. water Super Boat National Champi- something to pass out,” he said. “You Once, Brockwell filled in for an injured onship and Seafood Festival is zooming don’t hear about stuff like this out of the student during a regional tournament. into the area on Friday through Sunday, blue.” “I knew it was not probably going to be Sept. 26-28. Pease, 48, was one of 54 teachers and his day on the court, but it was so excit- ... Page 13A. 30 counselors selected from 306 nomi- ing. He went out there and played like a nations this year. The nominations rep- warrior,” Pease said. resented educators from 39 states and Always the competitor himself, Pease VIEWPOINTS 20 countries. said he hoped that Brockwell would be Pease was nominated by last year’s the third valedictorian to give him a Debra Saunders valedictorian Tristan Brockwell, whom shout out in his Tampa Bay Times pro- he met as a freshman in Algebra II class. file. He was not disappointed but didn’t Maintain the no- “He stood out from the crowd. He defi- expect the Yale award to follow. ransom policy, nitely was one of the brightest students I Pease is a teacher who prides himself columnist says. ever taught,” Pease said. “I related to for thinking outside the box and helping … Page 10A. him well.” his students to do the same. He recognized Brockwell’s intelligence “I like to be creative. I like to push cre- Photo by JULIANA A. TORRES right away, he said, and understood his ativity,” he said. Largo High School teacher Mike Pease poses with his Yale University Educator experience. Pease himself was in ad- Before the soon-to-be-renovated Recognition Award in front of a collage of current and former students entitled “Why I vanced classes and graduated from high Teach.” Last year’s valedictorian and current Yale student Tristan Brockwell, pictured in school young. See TEACHER, page 4A a photo second to the left of the letter “I” on the wall, nominated Pease for the award. Features Business . .8-9A Prescription drug deaths no longer setting records Classifieds . .5-7B By SUZETTE PORTER “Prescription drug deaths are mostly Community . .12A drug-related cases than those from gone,” he said. “It’s quite wonderful.” deadly car crashes. County . .5-6A CLEARWATER – Record levels of Asked if heroin deaths were on the The trend continued. In 2010, pre- Entertainment . .1-4, 8B deaths from prescription drug deaths are rise, Thogmartin said “not really.” scription drugs in Pinellas County alone Health . .11A no more in Pinellas County. “After prescription drugs go away, it accounted for 22 percent more deaths Just for fun . .2B District 6 Medical Examiner Dr. Jon looks like a lot, but it is not really up or than all fatal vehicle crashes reported in Largo . .3-4A Thogmartin conveyed the good news to maybe a little bit,” he said. “We’re back both Pasco and Pinellas counties. Outdoors . .13A Pinellas County Commissioners, who ap- to traffic accidents and the usual stuff.” Pinellas County was No. 1 in the state Police beat . .5A proved the contract with the medical ex- The medical examiner’s office first no- for the number of deaths due to an over- Viewpoints . .10A aminer’s office for another year during ticed a dramatic increase in drug-related dose from prescription drugs. The county their Sept. 11 meeting. deaths in 2006. The numbers spiked 28 also was No. 1 in the number of babies Call 397-5563 Thogmartin said regulations the County percent that year – from 169 deaths born with an addiction to opiates. TBN GRAPHIC For News & Advertising Commission put in place and enforcement caused by drugs or toxins in 2005 to Pill mills – places where doctors handed Pinellas County Commissioner Susan efforts by the Sheriff’s Office to combat 216 in 2006. That year also was when Latvala says the battle against prescription drug abuse had worked. the office noticed that there were more See DRUGS, page 4A prescription drug abuse is not over. AUTO ACCIDENT INJURY? 12046 Indian Rocks Road, Largo Diagnosis • Treatment • Rehab 727-595-1222 • www.VONailsAndSpa.com 090414 090414 SPA MANICURE & Attorney and Specialist Referrals FACIALS • SPA THERAPY • WAXING • NAILS AND MORE PEDICURE W/SHELLAC 39 SHAMPOO/CUT/STYLE 25 10-15-14 Greg Hollstrom II, DC, Brian Rebori, DC Exp. 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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 080714 Tampa Bay Newspapers, Inc e-edition.tbnweekly.com Leader, September 25, 2014 Largo 3A American Legion celebrates Boys and Girls State delegates Thanking first responders LARGO – The Heisler-Johnson American Legion Post 119 in Largo honored this year’s participants at Boys and Girls State in a ceremony Sept.