EMINOLE EACON SVolume XXXII, No. 9 B July 1, 2010 www.TBNweekly.com Zach Boetje of Largo caught this kingfish recently off Clearwater Pass. See page 21A. Edmunds unveils tentative budget Business City revenue is down $369,402 for FY 2011 but services will be unaffected By BOB McCLURE position has been eliminated. In addition, a fire TBN wins 11 awards inspector position has been switched to part time. Tampa Bay Newspapers won 11 SEMINOLE – City Manager Frank Edmunds “There will not be a millage rate Overall, the fire budget is down 3 percent at awards in the recent Florida Press released a tentative budget for fiscal year 2011 $8.09 million with a 27 percent decrease in fire Association 2009 Better Weekly on June 22 that cuts spending slightly but increase and residents will pay less administration. The biggest part of that cut comes Newspaper Contest. doesn’t cut city services. for services in fiscal year 2011.” in operational costs, which are down $219,308, or “This is by far TBN’s best show- The proposed $15.2 million budget is 47 percent. Capital outlay within fire administra- ing in the FPA’s contest,” said $369,402 less than the current budget, or 2.3 tion is down $16,100 or 87 percent following the TBN Executive Editor Tom Ger- percent less. – Frank Edmunds, city manager completion this year of the firefighter memorial at mond. “Florida is known for hav- “There will not be a millage rate increase,” said the fire station on 113th Street. ing many of the finest community Edmunds, “and residents will pay less for ser- As an indication of the city’s cutbacks due to newspapers in the country; it is vices in fiscal year 2011.” Some of that will be offset by a projected economic conditions, Edmunds said the proposed an honor to be recognized by our Edmunds said the budget is balanced and will $73,000 increase in franchise fees. budget is $3.5 million less than the city’s 2007 peers. The competition is tough discuss details with the City Council at a work- The largest cut by a department will be 19.1 budget ($18.74 million). and the standards for winning are shop Tuesday, July 20, at 5 p.m. percent in Community Development where the se- In other action: high.” The city’s largest drop in funding is $285,543 nior planner position has been downgraded to • Bill Law, a former resident of Seminole, was ... Page 3B. in ad valorem revenue and another $95,230 in part time. introduced as the new president of St. Petersburg intergovernmental revenue such as sales tax, Another cut will come in the Public Works See BUDGET, page 4A Police fuel tax and cuts in the library cooperative. Transportation division where a Maintenance I Mini-van crashes into bank building Hands Across the Sand A Kia mini-van smashes into an area Suntrust Bank, causing a 6- foot hole in the bank’s wall. ... Page 5A. County Gas prices on the rise Gas prices are on the rise as travelers get set for the Fourth of July weekend. ... Page 2A. Entertainment New movies open A number of new movies open Photo by JIM LAYFIELD this week in the area, including Hundreds of anti-oil supporters gathered at Indian Shores and other Pinellas beaches June 26 for a protest called Hands Across the Sand. The event was the drama “Love Ranch.” organized nationwide to protest offshore oil drilling and to emphasize support for major investments in clean energy alternatives. ... Page 13A Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart star in “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.” Sports Soccer camp set at SYAA The Seminole Youth Athletic As- sociation plans a Challenger British soccer camp for boys and girls ages 3-16 the week of July 12-16 at the SYAA complex. Photos by BOB McCLURE ... Page 22A. From left, Pat D’Andrea of Clearwater, Judy McMahill of Largo and George Cortwright Indian Shores Vice Mayor Joan Herndon speaks of Largo show their feelings toward green initiatives prior to the Indian Rocks Beach prior to the rally at Indian Rocks Beach. Dolphin event. Watch Ann Weaver Columnist Ann Weaver says the Left, Tracy Montgomery-Block of Gainesville harsh winter did not affect resi- sells T-shirts. Right, Volunteers Diana Leben of dent dolphins. See page 20A. Indian Rocks Beach and Bruce Roggenka got participants to sign a petition against pro-oil Features efforts. Business . .3-4B Classified . .7-11B Community . .5B Entertainment . .12-17A Just for fun . .2B Pets of the week . .23A Schools . .18-19A Sports . .21-22A The beaches . .8-9A Viewpoints . .6-7A Lolly’s Wigs Let me restyle your old wigs Call 397-5563 And Make It Look New Again! 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In Florida, more visit family and friends, AAA 430 Morton Plant St. - Suite 210 • Clearwater, FL 33756 than 1.5 million are expect- said. 727-441-8213 ed to travel this year – a 6.2 “Overall, travel sentiment for Independence Day week- end is very high compared to last year, when the U.S. MAKE GOOD ORAL HYGIENE A FAMILY TRADITION! economy was in a very dif- ferent place and Americans felt the strain of the reces- sion,” Brady said. “Opti- mism is high this year for Independence Day travel, as more Americans report they plan to travel this year since they stayed home last year, mainly for financial rea- sons.” Travel safety The Florida Highway Pa- trol is urging everyone to stay safe this Fourth of July. According to statistics, July 4 is the deadliest traf- fic day. Local and state law $ enforcement will be out in FREE 00 force again this year. Mo- SAVE $450 $ 00 89 torists are urged to wear 98 their seat belts, obey the speed limits and to not LIMITED OFFER 2 FOR 1 drink and drive. 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