00008-12-2010 ( Pdf )
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Official gives advice on hurricanes Busiest months of the year for major storms begin ... Page 4A. Opening this week – ‘The Expendables,’ action, adventure Also in theaters is ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,’ romance, comedy, adventure ... Page 1B. Volume XXXIII, No. 3 www.TBNweekly.com August 12, 2010 INSIDE Manager Lifeguards test their skills gets high marks on evaluation LARGO By TOM GERMOND City OKs charter “Mac (Craig) has LARGO – City Manager Mac Craig has received assembled an proposal for ballot mostly high marks on his excellent team of City commissioners gave final ap- annual evaluation con- administrators proval Aug. 4 to include a charter ducted by city commis- amendment on the Nov. 2 ballot that sioners. and analysts. provides for municipal elections to be The combined score for The city is on held in conjunction with countywide Craig based on the evalu- elections. ations conducted by all sound financial ... Page 2A. six commissioners and the mayor is 4.295 on a footing.” PET CONNECTION five point scale. Commis- sioners will review his evaluation at their meet- – Pat Gerard Speaking of pets ing Tuesday, Aug. 17. Largo mayor Kim Donovan D.V.M. of Craig scored his highest Oakhurst Veterinary Hos- marks in the category in- pital explains that your tegrity and fairness. Six commissioners gave him a score pet’s veterinary team is of five or excellent in this category. Three commissioners providing quality and also gave him fives in the categories of administrative convenience that can’t management, technical competence, effort/industry, liai- be found in the son/coordination, leadership/direction and summary. human health care He received a two or needs improvement from one com- field. missioner, Mary Black, in a single category, work pro- ... Page 11A. gram. She gave him a three or satisfactory on other categories. Here are some of the commissioners’ comments from COUNTY their evaluations: “Mac has assembled an excellent team of administrators Flag program gets and analysts. The city is on sound financial footing,” Mayor Pat Photo by BRANDEN BELL Gerard wrote. Eddie Tapanes of Lakeland prepares to jump into the water in the active victim rescue event during the BIG-C’s support She said that professionalism, integrity and leadership skills third annual Pinellas Aquatics Council Lifeguard Games held Aug. 8 at Southwest Pool. Four teams are his strengths. from Lakeland, two from Largo and two from St. Petersburg competed in the games. More photos on Members of the Barrier Islands Gov- page 5A. ernmental Council voted unanimously See MANAGER, page 4A July 28 to pass a resolution supporting a new pedestrian flag program along Gulf Boulevard. The flags, which will be in a container Attorneys answer questions on oil claims at all crosswalks, are to be deposited in another container once pedestrians cross By BOB McCLURE what people can expect to recover in damages. the street. State law says no oil, no real claim.” By passing the resolution, the BIG-C TREASURE ISLAND – Two attorneys who liti- She also said be careful when it comes to fil- supports restocking of the containers by gated cases surrounding the 1993 oil spill in ing a claim with BP. beach communities when the flags dis- Pinellas County told a group of business owners “If you collect 200 bucks now when you’re en- appear. There will be no cost to the mu- Aug. 5 to investigate the claims process through titled to $250,000 later is not smart,” Dreyfus nicipalities. BP but be careful. said. “Also, if you go through the (claims) pro- The flags will be installed within the Clearwater attorneys Andra Dreyfus and cess and get some money, don’t sign (waivers on next two weeks by Pinellas County and Wally Pope answered questions surrounding the future damages) because you don’t know what’s Florida Department of Transportation claims process during an oil forum at the Bilmar out there (in the Gulf of Mexico and what its im- workers. Beach Resort organized by the Tampa Bay pact will have in the future on Pinellas beach- ... Page 8A. Beaches Chamber of Commerce. es).” Both said the process is just beginning and She said it could be that next year is worse VIEWPOINTS litigation could be a long, tedious journey lasting than this year. many years before results will be seen. Dreyfus said business owners should start Hiaasen not thrilled “First, investigate the claims process and keeping track of where losses are coming from make an individual decision as to what you and documenting those facts. She said to be want to do,” said Pope. “It’s a long, drawn out prepared for a long battle with BP when it comes with Bill and Rick process if you go the litigation process. But at- to proving the losses. Columnist takes tack it on both fronts.” “BP is going to argue that a good reason (for issues with two Pope said BP is under no legal obligation to the losses) is because the economy is slow,” pay claims and Dreyfus said any payouts at this Dreyfus said. “Month by month, (hotel owners) candidates for gov- Photo by BOB McCLURE ernor, Bill McCol- point should be considered a public relations should keep track of what people are telling you when they call up to cancel.” Clearwater attorney Wally Pope answers questions from business lum and Rick Scott. move by BP. owners during an oil forum Aug. 5 at the Bilmar Beach Resort in “You have to keep in mind we have no oil ... Page 6A. Treasure Island. here,” said Dreyfus. “That forms a limitation on See OIL CLAIMS, page 4A State officials move to BUSINESS Chamber events ‘fill the gap’ on U.S. 19 The Largo/Mid-Pinellas Chamber of By LESTER R. DAILEY pected to be finished in the fall of Commerce is accepting nominations for 2014. its esteemed Citizen of the Year and Mac CLEARWATER – Imagine driving “Basically, this will fill in a missing Norcross Small Business Person of the U.S. 19 from 49th Street to Sunset gap” of signal-free travel between 49th Year awards. Point Road and back without ever Street and Sunset Point Road and ex- The presentations will take place at stopping for a red light. A few years pedite the movement of the 92,000 ve- the chamber’s 58th annual meeting Fri- from now that dream will become a hicles that travel that stretch of road day, Sept. 17, at the Sheraton Sand Key reality, not because the lights will be each day, said FDOT official Jason Resort, 1160 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater. timed better, but because there won’t Dahlvik. Overpasses will be built at Meanwhile, registration has begun for be any lights. the Belleair Road and Seville Boule- the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Chamber of “U.S. 19 has long been an integral vard intersections with U.S. 19, and Commerce seventh annual Chamber part of our transportation system in the existing 200-foot-long overpass at Cup Golf Tournament. Pinellas County” and traffic planners State Road 60 (Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard) ... Page 10A. are constantly trying to improve it, will be replaced with one nearly 600 said Douglas Gaska, vice president of feet long that has four northbound UBS Financial Services. Gaska’s firm lanes, three southbound lanes, and Features hosted an Aug. 4 seminar at Bright turn lanes on both sides. House Networks Field about the proj- The project is starting a year ahead Business . .10A ect. He then turned the microphone of schedule, thanks to stimulus Classifieds . .4-7B over to Florida Department of Trans- money received from the federal gov- County . .8-9A Photo by ALEXANDRA CALDWELL portation officials to explain the 2.7- ernment. It is expected to take 700 Entertainment . .1-3B Construction machinery, traffic cones and barriers are commonplace on U.S. 19 as it mile “U.S. Highway 19 corridor Health & fitness . .14A undergoes a major construction project. project” that is starting now and is ex- See U.S. 19, page 4A Just for fun . .13A Largo . .1-3,5A Pet connection . .11A August Special Sports . .12A Mon.-Wed. only Lolly’s Wigs Viewpoints . .6A Come see Sleek & Sassy’s New Line of Wigs Call 397-5563 12046 Indian Rocks Road, Largo 20% OFF 81210 They Are Amazing!! For News & Advertising 727-595-1222 • www.VONailsAndSpa.com All Services All cut & fitted, Petite sizes available. FACIALS • SPA THERAPY • WAXING • NAILS AND MORE Expires 8/31/10 727-723-5255 • 9148 Seminole Blvd., Seminole 81210 2A Largo Leader, August 12, 2010 Briefs Commission OKs charter The Richman group is asking city officials to Aspiring aviator amendment for ballot approve the allocation of a long-term, low-interest loan of $1.2 million for the project. The annual LARGO – City commissioners gave final ap- income compliance reporting for the loan will be proval Aug. 4 to include a charter amendment on handled by county officials and the developers’ the Nov. 2 ballot that provides for municipal elec- expense. tions to be held in conjunction with countywide Commissioner Mary Black said the Richman elections. Group has done an excellent job on the first Under the amendment, four-year terms for phase of Belleair Place. commissioners who are elected to Seats 5 and 6 “It’s something they haven’t built and let go. will begin in November 2010; Seats 3 and 4 and They maintain it, and it’s a very nice area,” she the mayor, November 2012; and Seats 1 and 2, said. November 2014. The amendment will require an The occupancy rate of the Belleair Place I units election in 2011 to elect Seats 1 and 2 to three is 96 percent, Anderson said.