112813 Largo Leader
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Unemployment continues to fall Pinellas County’s rate dropped to 6.2 percent in October ... Page 7A. Disney’s animated film ‘Frozen’ hits theaters this week Also, the Chinese Golden Acrobats come to Largo Cultural Center Dec. 1 ... Page 1B. Volume XXXVI, No. 19 www.TBNweekly.com November 28, 2013 LARGO Hearing for PSTA referendum set County hashes out ballot language to change transporation funding By SUZETTE PORTER tional money would be used to improve the county’s surtax to fund Greenlight Pinellas Plan for public tran- transportation system, including the addition of rail sit.” CLEARWATER – What should come first – the levy of service. The words as well as the order of words between the the tax or the purpose for the levy? County Attorney Jim Bennett prefers ballot language two versions differs more in the summary, which also Pinellas County Commissioners spent a portion of based on what has been used in the past for Penny for must adhere to a state-set 36-word count. their Nov. 19 meeting working on the ballot language Pinellas referendums. PSTA prefers language closer to The county’s preferred wording is “Shall Pinellas Largo dance group for a Nov. 4, 2014 referendum. The county’s legal team what has been used in Hillsborough County. County levy a countywide one-percent sales tax from and attorney for Pinellas County Transit Authority have The ballot title, which is restricted by state statute to Jan. 1, 2016, until repealed or reduced by county ordi- takes top score been negotiating for weeks on how best to ask voters to 16 words, is close in both versions. nance to plan, develop, construct, operate, maintain Largo’s Dance Central took top honors approve a change in the funding source for transporta- The county’s states, “Levy of one-percent sales surtax and finance public transit countywide with regional for highest overall score for a junior tion needs. to fund Greenlight Pinellas Plan for countywide-public connections, including expanded bus service, bus rapid Plans call for changing the funding method from an transit.” dance group at the recent Dancemaker See REFERENDUM, page 4A Regional Competition in Daytona Beach ad valorem tax to a 1 percent sales surtax. The addi- PSTA’s reads, “Levy of countywide one-percent sales November 15-17. The dancers, ages 8 to 11 years old, performed “Take Off With Us” from Bob Largo dancers perform in Thanksgiving parade Fosse’s “All That Jazz,” qualifying for na- tionals in June. By JULIANA A. TORRES ... Page 3A. LARGO – The eight girls from Tutterow Dance Academy have danced in Disneyland Paris, for COUNTY American troops stationed in Germany and are scheduled to dance on a cruise ship in March, but 2014 legislative this week they’ll have a chance at an undeniably iconic experience. “We’re dancing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day program adopted parade,” dancer Amanda Vaughan told the camera Top of the legislative program is un- as she was interviewed for a local story on the ABC funded mandates that “negatively im- show The List. pact local government budgets and The academy submitted a video of the girls danc- control.” Unfunded mandates by the ing to Spirit of American Productions, which organ- state are usually imposed without dis- izes the trip and choreography for dancers around cussion or consensus from local govern- the country to participate in the 87th annual pa- ments about the impacts they might rade. The Tutterow dancers, which are based in the have on available resources. Largo Community Center, were selected for the ... Page 5A. trip. “We have really good stage presence,” Vaughan explained. “Our technique is really solid.” COMMUNITY Vaughan, 16, of Seminole will be joined by her fellow dancers including: Brielle Kennedy, 15, of Share the Spirit Largo; Emily Paul, 14, of Clearwater; Emily Schulz, 15, of Largo; Shannon Flaharty, 14, of The holiday spirit burns bright in Belleair; Katie Verrastro, 18, of Largo; Landon Tampa Bay. Share the Spirit serves as a McFee, 16, of Largo and Madison Aho, 14, of clearinghouse of information received Seminole. from businesses, churches and organiza- Tutterow director Debbie Kennedy said she was tions who are working to make the holi- excited to offer the experience to her students be- Above, the Tutterow days a good time for all. cause it is so iconic. dancers performing in the ... Page 13A. “These kids will be watching it one day with their Macy’s Thanksgiving Day children or grandchildren and be able to say, ‘I was Parade this year are, front in that! I danced in that parade,’” she said. row, from left, Brielle OUTDOORS Seven of the eight girls will be dancing in the Kennedy, 15, of Largo; same group, though Aho was selected for the sec- Emily Paul, 14, Clearwater; ond group. Emily Schulz, 15, of Largo “We think it’s because she’s so tall,” Kennedy and Shannon Flaharty, 14, said. of Belleair; back row: Katie Along with the parade experience itself, the trip Verrastro, 18, of Largo; includes a Statue of Liberty Harbor Cruise, admis- Landon McFee, 16, of sion to the Empire State Building and tickets to see Largo; Madison Aho, 14, of the Broadway musical “Newsies” and the Rockettes Seminole and Amanda in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Vaughan, 16, of Seminole. “For five of the eight of them, it will be their very At left, from left, Landon, Dolphins’ wild ride first trip to New York City. What a way to experi- Emily and Shannon ence it,” Kennedy said. perform the number they An unforgettable brightness recently The girls have been fundraising to afford the trip will be dancing in New pierced a thickly overcast day the way since finding out they were accepted in April. The York City from their home Christmas lights infuse a dusky snowfall routine itself took only a weekend to learn, they dance studio in Largo with cheer. And, as dolphins do so well, said, but the trip will include more rehearsals and Community Center Nov. their bright escapade raised questions more dance numbers. about what actually goes on at sea. 20. “We’re excited. I mean, I’ve never seen snow, and ... Page 16A. See PARADE, page 4A Photos by JULIANA A. TORRES VIEWPOINTS Tom Germond On to the semifinals Mother, daughter Store’s sign makes the stop worthwhile. … Page 10A. Indian Rocks Christian win Hunger Games sophomore running back Theo Anderson (4) shoots past First Baptist sweepstakes in NYC Academy defenders Nick Ariztizabal (43) By JULIANA A. TORRES and Zach Williams (36) for a third-quarter LARGO – Brianna McGowan touchdown in the Nov. was smiling but played it cool Features 22 home game against as she walked to the front of the Naples First Baptist set for LIVE with Kelly and Business . .7-9A Academy. The Golden Michael and had her picture Classifieds . .5-7B Eagles rolled to a 28-14 taken with Hunger Games heartthrob Josh Hutcherson Community . .13A victory in the Class 2A County . .5-6A Nov. 19. regional finals game, The 12-year-old from Largo Crime report . .6A advancing their win Entertainment . .1-4, 8B and her mother, Stephanie Mc- streak to nine games. Gowan, knew they were flying to Faith & family . .15A IRCS hosts Hialeah New York City only four days Health . .12A Champagnat Catholic before that moment, which was Just for fun . .2B Friday, Nov. 29, 7 p.m., captured on the show’s Insta- Largo . .3-4A in the state semifinals. gram account in a video liked Outdoors . .16A The game marks the by more than 1,700 people. Mc- Sports . .14A first time the Golden Gowan was the winner of LIVE’s Viewpoints . .10A Eagles have advanced “The Hunger Games: Catching Photo courtesy of to the state semifinals. Fire” Special Access Sweep- STEPHANIE MCGOWAN Call 397-5563 See page 14A. stakes, which included not only Brianna McGowan of Largo For News & Advertising the four-day trip to New York, poses with Hunger Games star Photo by BRAD RICHARDSON Josh Hutcherson on the set of See SWEEPSTAKES, page 4A LIVE with Kelly and Michael. AUTO ACCIDENT 110713 INJURY? 12046 Indian Rocks Road, Largo Diagnosis • Treatment • Rehab 727-595-1222 • www.VONailsAndSpa.com SPA MANICURE & Attorney and Specialist Referrals FACIALS • SPA THERAPY • WAXING • NAILS AND MORE 103113 PEDICURE W/SHELLAC 39 SHAMPOO/CUT/STYLE 25 Greg Hollstrom II, DC, Brian Rebori, DC Exp. 12-15-13 Exp. 12-15-13 Basic Pedicure & SWEET 20% OFF Manicure w/ Shellac FULL SET 11444 Seminole Blvd., Largo All Services PEDICURE 25% OFF NEW NAILS CLIENTS BROW TINT & WAX 19 $42 $5 OFF CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. 727-393-6100 • drgreghollstrom.com 032113 for New Clients. $3 OFF Exp. 12-15-13 Exp. 12-15-13 Not available with other offers. Exp. 12/15/13 Not available with other offers. Exp. 12/15/13 Not available with other offers. Exp. 12/15/13 Not available with other offers. Exp. 12/15/13 © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved www.tbnweekly.com 2A Leader, November 28, 2013 BUILT ON THE SAME IDEALS THAT MAKE FAMILIES STRONG THE ALL ® Why Do People NEW Delay Addressing 100% DIGITAL AND COMPUTER PROGRAMMABLE Hearing Loss? All Audibel Models Most patients that visit Audibel for a free hearing test leave hearing better 30-50% and did not need to purchase a new OFF MSRP hearing aid. Fact is, hearing aids are Behind The Ear not always the answer. Haven’t you waited long enough? BTE INTRODUCTORYINTROO SPECIAL STOP Custom Canal O M F S R ignoring the 50% P F Exclusively on ARIES BTE.