092911 Largo Leader
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City likes plans for mixed-use development Walmart, residental project proposed ... Page 2A. Opening this week – ‘50/50,’ a story about friendship, survival Also in theaters is ‘Dream House’ and ‘What’s Your Number?’ ... Page 1B. Volume XXXIV, No. 11 www.TBNweekly.com September 29, 2011 ENTERTAINMENT Catch me if you can County, cities at odds over permitting By SUZETTE PORTER month now.” He added it was “important to CLEARWATER – A second work this out with everyone and public hearing on an ordinance be at peace.” regarding proposed countywide Jewel White with the county authority to operate, maintain, attorney’s office explained the in- develop and control certain coun- tent of the “preemptive ordi- Music scene ty-owned property is now sched- nance” specifying authority to Peter Framptom performs Saturday, uled for Oct. 25. review, permit and develop coun- Oct. 7 at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Kenny That’s two weeks after the pre- ty-owned property used for the Rogers, the Steve Miller Band also will be viously scheduled date of Oct. “furtherance of special powers” in concert in upcoing weeks. 11. as enacted by county charter. ... Page 1B. Pinellas County commission- Examples of “special-power” ers bowed to requests from citi- functions are countywide parks zens and officials from Largo, and animal control. LARGO Pinellas Park and St. Petersburg White said the county would to give them more time to study continue to pay permitting and First Friday has the revised ordinance released on other fees – just not to the cities. Sept. 23. After the 6-1 vote Sept. The ordinance presented Tues- Oktoberfest theme Photo by TOM GERMOND 27, county officials invited the day night differed from the origi- A green iguana frequents the George C. McGough Nature Park in Largo. Unknown at this time cities “to get in touch.” nal due to changes made after First Friday will have an Oktoberfest was how the reptile made its way into the park; it may have been an unwanted pet. Iguanas are “I don’t want to get a letter the the county received negative theme next month. mainly plant eaters. They live in tropical rainforest areas and inhabit Central and South America day of the commission meeting,” feedback from cities and citizens. A 13-piece Bavarian band named as well as the Caribbean Islands. They also have spread throughout South Florida, which is not said Commissioner John Mor- Deutschmeister Blas Band will perform their native habitat. This iguana was between 2 and 3 feet long. roni, who made the motion to at First Friday, Oct. 7, 6 to 11 p.m. The move the meeting. “You have a See PERMITTING, page 4A street party will be held on First Avenue Southwest between Clearwater-Largo Road and Ridge Road. Ending the evening will be Cathy’s Palms of Largo executive Lorelei Band. The event will feature 10 food vendors cooking authentic German dishes. named citizen of the year Guests also can enjoy more than 15 types of German Oktoberfest and sea- By TOM GERMOND potential is evident around was created in 1986 to promote sonal beers. Dancing will be featured Largo, Morrissette said. tolerance and ethnic diversity under the beer tent also. CLEARWATER – John Good- His company donated more through numerous charities. The event will have many street per- man, whose community contri- than seven acres of land to the He is also a founding member formers, art vendors, and contests, such butions have touched city for ballfields and related and former director of Business as a beer-holding contest. thousands of lives, is the Largo amenities. The land for the for Social Responsibility, a na- People are encouraged to dress up Mid-Pinellas Chamber of Com- city’s new Community Center, tional trade association of busi- and bring their own stein to enter our merce’s Citizen of the Year. more than eight acres located nesses committed to “who has the best stein contest” for a Goodman, chief executive of- off Alternate Keene Road, was responsible business practices $50 cash prize and also receive beer dis- ficer of the Goodman Group, “is also donated by the Goodman and social issues. He is an ac- counts. a man of few words but tremen- Group. tive member and contributor to O’Shy’s Irish tap house will carry the dous actions,” said Chamber “Through their Caregivers the American Cancer Society event to Saturday, 6 p.m. to 3 a.m., with President Tom Morrissette, at Support Network, hundreds of and American Health Care As- food, live music, and dancing. the chamber’s annual meeting scholarships to area students sociation. Sept. 22. have been awarded in addition He established the Johnny B. The Goodman Group owns to financial and in-kind dona- Good Foundation to sponsor St. Patrick school the Palms of Largo, one of the tions to literally dozens of or- programs and services that en- community’s largest private em- ganizations and community courage individuals to accept plans Fun Fair ployers. programs,” Morrissette said. responsibility for their lives. With the “intergenerational” Morrissette said Citizen of the Among the many awards he The 46th annual Fun Fair will take aspect of the Palms of Largo al- Year is the chamber’s big has received, Goodman is the place Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 6- ways being important to Good- award, drawing numerous ap- recipient of the “nationally pres- Photo courtesy of the MID–PINELLAS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 9, at St. Patrick Catholic School, 1501 man, he created the Children’s plications from the community. tigious Ellis Island Medal of Trotter Road. Chamber President Tom Morrissette, left, presents John Goodman Center, which Morrissette said “We have been doing busi- Honor, awarded to people who with the chamber’s Citizen of the Year Award. Fair hours will be Thursday, 6 to 10 is the first long-term care pro- ness in the wonderful city of exemplify themselves as hu- p.m.; Friday, 6 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 11 gram and environment in Flori- Largo about 35 years or more,” manitarians,” Morrissette said. a 74-unit apartment communi- Small Business a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 6 da for children 8 weeks of age to Goodman said. “It’s really been The Palms hosts luncheons ty, Silver Palms. Other develop- p.m. 21. Since 1994 it has served our pleasure to work here, to for the chamber, supports its ments followed. Leader of the Year The event is a fundraiser for St. children needing specialized work with the city, to work with annual membership campaigns The Palms, a 95-acre cam- The Mac Norcross Small Patrick Catholic School and will feature care, many with ventilators and all the folks. We have been with a kickoff breakfasts and pus, offers housing, programs Business Leader of the Year rides, games, live entertainment, bingo special needs equipment. blessed, we have been fortu- provides gift baskets for cham- and services to about 2,000 res- award, recognizing an individu- and a flea market. Entertainment will in- “The endeavors of John nate, but we have always oper- ber fundraising events. idents. It provides jobs for more al who has shown outstanding clude performances by Jack Hartman, Goodman are distinguished by ated with the same philosophy: The Palms campus started than 850 people. It paid about achievement in both business Thursday, 7 p.m.; Suite Caroline, Friday, an unwavering commitment to Just do the right thing.” more than 30 years ago when $1.25 million in property taxes and community efforts, was 7 p.m.; and Island Boys, Saturday, 8 helping people become the best Among his many community Goodman and his father, Sid- this past year, and it works with presented to Jim England of p.m. they can be whether young or services, Goodman serves on ney, bought Imperial Palms, a some 445 vendors in the area, England Brothers Construction. Call 742-9056. old,” Morrissette said. the board of directors of the Na- 638-residential apartment com- creating $13 million dollars in Goodman’s dedication to tional Ethnic Coalition of Or- munity. the purchase of goods and serv- VIEWPOINTS helping people maximize their ganizations Foundation, which A short time later, they added ices, the chamber said. See CITIZEN, page 4A Heart of the matter Columnist fondly re- Retiring PE teacher enjoys interaction with kids members a woman who By AMANDA SEBASTIANO guidance from the University of can change my voices, making it was one of a kind. South Florida, but decided his really high or low, or sometimes … Page 9A. LARGO – Physical Education heart was on the field with his talk with an accent, and they love instructor David Affleck, 58, will students. it. They really think it’s funny. I’m retire Sept. 30 after a 34-year ca- His first physical education not a comedian and wouldn’t reer at Anona Elementary in jobs were at various schools in make much money as one, but I Largo. St. Petersburg, which he enjoyed, like to make these kids laugh.” Features Affleck has been a physical ed- but wanted something more sta- There has been construction ucation teacher for 35 years, 34 ble. The neighborhood feel of going on near the basketball Business . .11A of which were at Anona. Anona Elementary attracted him, court, so instead of shooting Classifieds . .5-7B Affleck is a life-long sports en- and he decided to take a chance hoops, a boom box was set up County . .5-7A thusiast. He was inspired and en- there. When he was 23 years old and the entire school learned a Entertainment .