Seminole man charged in mother’s death Son charged with first-degree murder ... Page 5A. Model train exhibit showcases elaborate 3-dimensional art The display is at the Tampa Bay Toy Train Museum in St. Petersburg ... Page 7A. Volume XXXIII, No. 4 www.TBNweekly.com August 19, 2010 City OKs extended drinking hours By TOM GERMOND said, since the county has amended its ordinance, second public hearing will be held on Sept. 7. it “would create greater uniformity in the city of In other matters, at City Manager Mac Craig’s re- LARGO – Stemming from action recently taken Largo considering the number of enclaves we have quest, city commissioners decided against giving by Pinellas County commissioners, city commis- to move to the 3 o’clock time frame.” him a raise. sioners agreed Aug. 17 to allow alcoholic beverages Though there was only a brief discussion of the Craig, who makes $145,600 annually, received to be sold until 3 a.m. issue Aug. 17, commissioners have talked about high marks from city commissioners on his annual Assistant City Attorney Mary Hale said that the issue at a previous meeting. evaluation conducted by city commissioners. county commissioners on July 27 approved an or- Among the concerns they have expressed if they “I will remind people that Mr. Craig was the only dinance amending its codes to extend the hours don’t allow the extra hour for alcohol to be sold is person in the city that didn’t get an increase last that alcoholic beverages can be sold to 3 a.m. that people will drive to Hillsborough County and year,” Mayor Pat Gerard said. A number of cities are still discussing whether to take advantage of the extra hours bars are open. Though he doesn’t wish to get a raise, he de- amend their codes. Some of the same motorists may travel through serves one, she said. “Clearwater is still on the fence,” Hale said. “St. Largo impaired as they make their way home from “I’ll add my thanks for your (Craig’s) professionalism Petersburg has amended their code to 3 a.m.” Hillsborough. See CITY, page 4A LARGO In speaking with Police Chief John Carroll, Hale No members of the public spoke on the issue. A Dalí on tour exhibit coming to library How it’s done The 31-piece Giclee collection of Sal- vador Dalí’s most noted works, plus a rare book exhibit from the museum’s archives, will be displayed in the Gallery of the Largo Public Library dur- ing the foundation’s fourth annual Art Hop and Taste Fest, and for several weeks following the March 19 event. ... Page 3A. COUNTY Time’s running out on primary voting Registered Pinellas County voters have until 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24, to cast a ballot in a variety of primary and non- partisan races. The polls open at 7 a.m. Florida is a closed primary state. Vot- ers must register as a Republican, Democrat or Independent, and in pri- mary elections can only cast ballots for races within their party affiliation. Voters will cast ballots in nonpartisan races for five circuit judge positions, one county judge and four school board races. ... Page 6A. Newsletter offers Hurricane advice Pinellas County’s Hurricane and Safe- ty News: E-Lert arrives once a month in subscribers’ e-mail boxes to provide in- Photos by BRANDEN BELL formation on what’s happening, plus In the photo above, Dom Carapellucci, 8, of Largo, center, preparedness tips, important phone enjoys a day at Indian Rocks Beach Aug. 7, sharpening his numbers and website addresses and more. skimboard skills. In the photo righ, Brent Cole, 13, of One of the most dominant features is Clearwater, gets a nice ride. Skimboarding originated in Sally Says, written by Sally Bishop, Laguna Beach, Calif., in the late 1920s and has emerged as a Pinellas County’s Emergency Manage- popular water sport internationally. ment director. ... Page 8A. VIEWPOINTS Tax collector files Airborne South Florida full claim against BP of Medicare cheats By SUZETTE PORTER The lack of oil from BP’s spill on Pinellas County’s beaches Carl Hiassen really hasn’t helped the local tourism industry. says the federal Pinellas County Tax Collector Diane Nelson is sending BP a program pays bill for more than $256,000 – the estimated loss of revenue first then asks from tourist development tax from April 20 through June 30. questions later. Sam McClelland, deputy tax collector, said discussion at a ... Page 15A. recent tourist development conference revealed that tax collec- tors could file a claim against BP for any losses of revenue from tourist development taxes attributed to the oil spill. Nelson’s office released figures Aug. 12 showing the calcula- tions for Pinellas County’s claim amount. Bed tax collections SPORTS from the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 were totaled and divided by three to come up with an average amount. Those figures WPLL registering were compared against actual collection amounts for April 20- 30, May and June 2010. The difference was more than a $250,000. for fall baseball McClelland said any loss in bed tax revenue was a bad thing. Fall Ball is back at West Pinellas Little “There’s less resources for advertising and renourishment of League. Registration will be at Southwest our beaches,” he said. “It’s a legit claim.” Rec Center, 13120 Vonn Road, Satur- The county’s convention and visitor’s bureau has been bat Photos by WAYNE CATHEL day, Aug. 21, 10 a.m. to noon; Wednes- tling the misconception that the oil spill off the coast of Mason Munoz, 6, of Belleair takes a dive in the bounce house at Gracie’s Big Splash 4 Aug. 13. More day, Aug. 25, 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, than $500 was raised to benefit children facing life-threatening illnesses. Aug. 28, 10 a.m. to noon. See CLAIM, page 4A Players in Division AAA and up will need a current Largo Recreation card, which can be obtained at time of regis- Largo Fire Rescue gets improved protection rating tration. Players will need a copy of their birth certificate and proof of residency. By TOM GERMOND The ISO, an independent company, conducts evalua- related to the risk of fire. Call Mike Kelley at 735-4574. tions every eight to 10 years. ISO rates more than 48,000 fire departments nation- LARGO – Fire insurance premium rates for areas Seminole is the only other municipality in the county wide. Features served by Largo Fire Rescue should decrease as a result with a Class 2 fire department, city officials said. The rating scale is 1-10 with 1 being the highest level of a recent evaluation. The change in rating will take effect Oct. 1. City offi- of fire protection available and 10 being no fire protec- Business . .11A The Insurance Services Office recently awarded the cials expect that both commercial and residential struc- tion at all. Classifieds . .4-7B department a public protection classification rating of tures in the Largo Fire District, the Belleair Bluffs Fire Of the 48,000 departments, only 585 departments in Community . .13A Class 2. The city historically has been rated as a Class District, the Highpoint Fire District and the Town of the country have achieved a public protection classifica- County . .5-8A 3 department. Belleair should see relief in insurance premium rates tion of 2, city officials said. Entertainment . .1-3B Health & fitness . .12A Just for fun . .17A August Special Good Hair Day? Military news . .9A Outdoors . .14A Mon.-Wed. only Every Day with Pets of the week . .13A Viewpoints . .15-16A 12046 Indian Rocks Road, Largo 20% OFF 81210 727-595-1222 • www.VONailsAndSpa.com Lolly’s Wigs 81910 Call 397-5563 All Services All cut & fitted, Petite sizes available. For News & Advertising FACIALS • SPA THERAPY • WAXING • NAILS AND MORE Expires 8/31/10 727-723-5255 • 9148 Seminole Blvd., Seminole 2A Leader, August 19, 2010 City education specialist recognized for her work By TOM GERMOND Since then, she has touched getting up there. They like that many lives in many ways through thrill.” LARGO – One day she may see her job and community involve- Such experience also inspire the faces of children light up as ment, such as the Pinellas Fall children to pursue a career in they approach a big red fire Prevention Coalition. firefighting, she said. truck. There’s a whole page on the Asked if she had a wish list, The next day she may be back of a home inspection form Green said she would like to do checking out a home smoke de- on ways people can prevent falls, more to promote water safety. tector. said Green. She is a member of a water safety Jeanine Green’s job includes “If we are going to send one of committee under the Suncoast fire station tours, billboard con- our paramedics or EMTs out, Safe Kids Coalition. tests, home inspections, summer then we want to correct whatever She said a grant was obtained camps and numerous other pro- caused that to happen. We want to put door alarms up for people grams to educate people about to change that behavior before it who have swimming pools; chil- fire and life safety. happens,” she said. dren fall in the water and parents Her tireless efforts were recent- Home inspections are among don’t hear them drowning. ly recognized. Green was present- her favorites duties. Four-hun- “What happens is water can be ed a huge trophy, which her dred seventy homes were a silent killer,” she said.