ARGO EADER LVolume XXXII, No. 43 L May 20, 2010 www.TBNweekly.com Opening this week – ‘Shrek Forever After,’ voices of Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy. See page 15. Down-to-earth topic County officials Largo Using their heads Local businessman Shawn Mc- consider park Nary joins others in a fundraising effort to benefit Pediatric Care Foundation. Each year pediatric cancer is di- admission fees agnosed in nearly 12,500 children. ... Page 3. By SUZETTE PORTER cle to enter Fort De Soto County Park and to offer a $75 annual pass. CLEARWATER – In the not-too- Bicyclists and pedestrians would County distant future, residents and visitors still get in free. The plan called for alike may have to pay to visit Pinel- using the Florida Department of On the alert las County’s parks, preserves and Transportation tollbooth or con- Local officials continue to moni- attractions. structing a new one. tor the oil spill and prepare for the Pinellas County commissioners For regional parks, preserves and worst, though Pinellas beaches re- discussed charging admission fees special attractions, staff recom- main clean. to some of its facilities during a May mended an admission fee of $3 with U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Tim 11 work session that included a staff an annual pass available for $75. Close, commander, Sector St. Pe- proposal on charging admission fees This annual pass would be separate tersburg, said the threat to Flori- to Fort De Soto County Park, as well from the one proposed for Fort De da’s west coast from the oil spill as the county’s regional parks, pre- Soto County Park. remained low as of May 14, serves and special attractions, such The idea was to use pay and dis- Officials continue to voice con- as Heritage Village and the Florida play collection stations located on cerns about oil getting into the Botanical Gardens. pull out lanes and other convenient loop current and traveling According to Paul Cozzie, director locations. Staff estimated the need through the Keys to the state’s of Pinellas County’s Culture, Educa- for a one-time capital expense of east coast. tion and Leisure Department, more $750,000 for equipment and Meanwhile, several local organi- than 15 million people visit the $500,000 for modifications. zations are seeking volunteers or county’s parks, preserves and spe- Cozzie’s report was not well re- donations to help support the oil cial attractions each year. He said ceived, although some commission- spill response. entrance fees at county facilities ers said there might be no choice ... Page 8. could generate in excess of $3.5 mil- but to follow staff’s recommendation. lion annually. “Parks are not mandatory, so Heather Joyce is one of the Fuguitt Elementary students from Suzanne Staff proposed charging $8 a vehi- they’re hit hard (in budget cuts) and Schools Byer’s 3rd grade classroom who explored the impact that worms have on will continue to be hit hard,” our environment. See the readers’ poll at 50th anniversary TBNweekly.com See FEES, page 4 Students, teachers and faculty from throughout Belcher Elemen- tary School’s 50 years helped cele- brate its anniversary May 14 and Revisiting the underworld 15. ... Page 19. Author explores theories about mobster’s alleged role in Kennedy’s shooting By TOM GERMOND about the association between Traf- ficante and the Kennedy assassina- LARGO – The author of several tion. books on organized crime said “I don’t think you are ever going there’s “a real possibility” that mob- to find a smoking gun as to exactly ster Santo Trafficante Jr. was in- was there a conspiracy or was there volved in the assassination of not a conspiracy,” he said. President John F. Kennedy. Speaking to the Largo Area Historical In Miami, when Santo Trafficante Assistant Principal Pamela Easley Society May 10 at the was being followed, a couple of hands a plaque to Ed Purdy. Largo Cultural Center, Scott Deitche said in times he would get in the agents’ his second book, “The car “and have them drive him on Entertainment Silent Don,” he lays errands,” author Scott Deitche out what he thinks is Reel Time some “pretty interest- said. Robin Hood’s many strengths ing circumstantial evi- compensate for its few flaws, critic dence.” says. Trafficante, who was born in He said Trafficante Jr. had a lot of “Robin Hood” chronicles the life Tampa and was the son of Sicilian- interesting relationships with key of Robin Hood before he becomes born mobster Santo Trafficante Sr., CIA officials “as well as people that an outlaw, providing an en- was one of the last of the Mafia were implicated in attempting to kill thralling back-story to the legend. bosses in the United States. He al- the president” when he was here in ... Page 14. legedly controlled organized criminal Tampa shortly before he was killed operations in Florida and Cuba. Scott Deitche discusses mob activities in Tampa with the Largo Area Deitche said he has been asked See UNDERWORLD, page 4 Historical Society. Bob McClure City attorney gets slight increase in retainer Columnist takes you out to the By TOM GERMOND approved for employees for the That’s why I said did he ask for it said. ballfields. next fiscal year. or was it offered to him.” Craig said that Zimmet does not ... Page 7. LARGO – City commissioners He said Zimmet, who was not at Zimmet asked for the 1 percent intend to raise his hourly rates. voted 5-2 May 18 to approve a 1 the meeting, is seeking a raise that increase to help him offset the cost Craig said in a memo that Zim- percent increase in City Attorney comes out to “little over $20 bucks of his insurance, City Manager met provides excellent legal ser- Features Alan Zimmet’s $117,837 annual a week.” Mac Craig said. vices to the city and continues to Business...................................22 retainer. “It doesn’t make much sense to Although Zimmet knows there is work closely with the city’s annexa- Classified.............................27-31 Commissioner Curtis Holmes me,” he said. “Mr. Zimmet is a not going to be any pay increases tion efforts, planning issues and li- questioned whether Zimmet asked highly competent lawyer. I have no for city employees, the cost for the ability claims. Community ...................11-12, 25 for the small raise or was offered it. problem with that at all. But a little city’s insurance “has gone up and He said that Zimmet, who has County ..............................5, 8-10 Holmes said city officials have over $20 bucks a week for a man the cost for insurance at his firm Entertainmnt ................13-15, 18 mandated that no pay raises be of that caliber, it’s almost insulting. has gone up significantly,” Craig See ATTORNEY, page 4 Health & Fitness.......................24 Just for fun...............................26 Pets of the week........................32 Facials Full Set 20% OFF Schools .....................................19 Yes ... it’s a wig. 42210 Not valid with or Spa Sports .......................................21 any other offer. 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