Unemployment continues to drop Local MSA leads state in job creation. ... Page 4A. ‘The Hangover Part III,’ ‘Epic’ open this weekend in Pinellas Get the scoop about all the new movies opening in theaters. See Diversions. ... Page 1B. Volume XXXV, No. 7 www.TBNweekly.com May 23, 2013 INSIDE SHS principal follows his faith 2013 Walter Weller to leave Seminole for Indian Rocks Christian School as of June 6 By BRAD RICHARDSON In addition to Weller leaving, Sam Roper will step moves to the private school system. down as head football coach after 28 seasons and “I have always looked at my job at Seminole High SEMINOLE – Walter Weller, principal of Seminole band director Daniel Wood will leave to pursue his School as an extension of what I believe in and that is High School, will leave the public school system for the master’s degree after 14 years with the music program. first and foremost helping kids, parents and teachers,” private school sector at the end of the school year. “It will definitely be a new era for Seminole and it said Weller. The announcement came on May 15 during the has been kind of coming for some time,” said Weller. Weller has roots in Pinellas County. He grew up in morning announcements at SHS, when he publically “Last year it was [track coach] Bruce Calhoun and two Clearwater and graduated from Clearwater Central acknowledged his departure to the school’s students years before that it was [math teacher] Robin Ladd. It Catholic High School in 1981. and faculty. is that time. With all the peaks and valleys, some have After graduation, he attended the University of After seven years with the Warhawks, Weller will join gone on to do other things within the school system, South Florida where he received his bachelor’s degree the Golden Eagles at Indian Rocks Christian School as while others decided to retire.” in social science education and later his masters in the new superintendent, a decision he’d made three But for Weller, faith and lessons learned have always months ago, but waited to share. been a guiding force in his decisions, especially as he See PRINCIPAL, page 4B ENTERTAINMENT Celtic FC Florida Day At the May 14 Seminole City Council meeting, the U12 Celtic FC Florida team was honored for its success as Region C winners in the Florida Youth Soccer Association tournament. The region extends north to Sevendust to perform at the State Theatre Gainesville, south to Naples May 26. ... Page 2B. and as far east as Lakeland. In front, from left, are John Myers (assistant coach) SEMINOLE Conner Mann, Tanner Zellmer, Anthony Montrone, Chamber seeks Robbie Ovalle, Harley Myers, Noah Urie, Jackson Howard, Cory Sunderman and Charlie Kids Day donations Hales (assistant coach). In the Seminole Chamber of Commerce will second row are Ray Hales host its annual Kids Appreciation Day on (head coach) Diego Wallace, Wednesday, June 5, 3 to 5:30 p.m., at Kobe Hepburn, Alex Seminole City Park, 7464 Ridge Road. Armstrong and Max Steele. ... Page 3A. The team is holding tryouts for the upcoming season. Visit www.celticfc.org for COMMUNITY more information. Mom 2 Mom Photo courtesy of CELTIC FC FLORIDA This will be my first summer where I need to figure out what I am going to do with my two daughters, ages 7 and 8, City Council discusses while I am working. I have been a stay-at- home mom since my girls were born, but recently I started back working part time. I seven-year goals at workshop haven’t had to worry about them while they’ve been in school, but in just a few By TIFFANY RAZZANO said, and likely Penny money wouldn’t be weeks they will be out of school, and I will used, but rather a year-end fund balance. have to find someone to watch them or a SEMINOLE – City Manager Frank Edmunds “We’re one of the few communities that have camp to put them in. presented the City Council with a list of poten- not implemented, not gone through this pro- ... Page 5A. tial seven-year goals at the May 14 workshop cess,” Edmunds said. “All you have to do is that immediately followed its regular meeting. visit virtually any community in Pinellas Edmunds compiled the list of 10 goals based County and there is a brand.” Bay Pines sets on the councilors’ individual goals discussed He added that there was significant interest at the annual workshop session held April 20. from the Chamber of Commerce regarding this Memorial Day event The goals are to be completed over a seven- project. year time period from 2013 through 2019 and “It might help the business community if we The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System coincide with the timing of Penny for Pinellas, were to develop a brand,” he said. will commemorate Memorial Day with a a 1 percent sales tax dedicated to funding cap- Also on the list of potential seven-year goals Photo courtesy of U.S. COAST GUARD ceremony on Monday, May 27, 10 a.m., ital improvement projects in Pinellas County. presented by Edmunds: A lifejacket for everyone in the boat is the most important safety at the Bay Pines National Cemetery. Edmunds said a conservative estimate of • A thorough annexation policy practice recommended by the U.S. Coast Guard. This is the only National Cemetery in funds available to Seminole for projects during • The development of a city government Citi- Pinellas and Hillsborough counties and this timeframe is around $3.5 million. In addi- zens Academy the largest observance of Memorial Day tion to Penny for Pinellas, he said, some proj- • The implementation of a Community Gar- Campaign focuses with more than 3,000 expected to attend. ects also can be funded by grants, year-end den program ... Page 6A. fund balances and money raised by civic • A program to encourage more public art in groups. the community on boating safety “These are 10 items of all the items dis- • An expanded recycling program for both VIEWPOINTS cussed that Saturday [April 20] that I feel can residents and commercial businesses By SUZETTE PORTER be achieved with council support and staff in- • A program to encourage solar power devel- Tom volvement over a period of time,” Edmunds opment The first day of summer, June 21, is still weeks away. But, for said. “ … It takes patience, takes planning, but • Better use of technology, including an en- many, the Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial beginning of Germond there’s no reason we wouldn’t be able to hanced, interactive website that would allow the season. achieve these items.” residents to apply for permits, register for One of the preferred holiday activities around Pinellas is boating. Dack had better After the presentation of the complete list, events and make various payments to the city. Local waterways likely will be crowded, as people take advantage of win the duck derby. Mayor Leslie Waters said to Edmunds, “You’ve Most of the cost associated with these proj- three days off and what looks like good weather ahead. … Page 11A. done an excellent job summarizing everything ects would be for operating and maintaining National Safe Boating Week is May 18-25, and the Florida discussed [on April 20]. You really hit the high- the programs, Edmunds said. Wildlife Commission and U.S. Coast Guard are out on area water- lights of what was on our mind.” Edmunds said that a formal resolution ways making sure everyone remembers safety rules. Features Two of the suggested goals are already un- could be drafted so that the goals may be dis- “Florida is a great place to enjoy boating year-round,” said Col. derway: the renovation of the former City Hall cussed and approved at a later date. Calvin Adams, director of the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement. Business . .13A into a multi-use facility that will include rental In action taken at the council’s regular May “And even more people will be out on the water for the holiday Classifieds . .6-9B space, a home for the Seminole Historical Soci- 14 meeting, prior to the workshop, councilors: weekend. Both the holiday and National Safe Boating Week (May Community . .5-6A ety, and storage, and the creation of a Water- • In separate items, authorized Mayor Wa- 18-24) present an opportunity to emphasize the importance of re- County . .7A front Park on eight acres of land on Park ters to sign two plats: one for the proposed maining safe while boating.” Entertainment . .1-5, 10B Boulevard. waterfront park site; the other for the mixed- Sixty-seven people lost their lives in Florida last year in boating These are two of the more costly projects on use commercial and hotel portion of the Bay Health & fitness . .12A accidents, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation the list, Edmunds said. The projected cost for Pines project. Commission’s 2011 Boating Accident Statistical Report. Just for Fun . .2B the former City Hall project is $2.25 million. • Approved the expenditure of Capital Im- Pinellas County ranked No. 6 among the top 10 counties report- Real Estate . .9A He didn’t have a projected cost available for provement Project funds for a keyless elec- ing accidents in 2011. Pinellas ranked No. 4 in 2010. In 2011, three Schools . .14A the park project, but pointed to a similar proj- tronic access control system for Seminole City fatality accidents were reported, 13 accidents with injury and 20 Seminole . .3, 8A ect in Lakeland that cost $1 million and was Hall.