ARGO EADER LVolume XXXII, No. 40 L April 29, 2010 www.TBNweekly.com City mulls over architects for project LarqqLargo By TOM GERMOND make,” she said. “I think I’m kind of looking for something differ- Gerard said she knows that Recreation, Parks ent,” she said. “I don’t want to be driving around ‘Moon over Buffalo’ LARGO – City commissioners plan to decide at and Arts Director Joan Byrne is focused on that town looking at virtually the same building.” The Eight O’Clock Theatre pre- their next meeting which firm will be their top issue because it’s her job. Commissioner Woody Brown said he is looking sents “Moon Over Buffalo,” Friday, choice to provide design services for the proposed “But as a commission when we set our budget, for a “unique and attractive building that is very May 7 through Sunday, May 16. $15.5 million Highland Recreation Center project. we make those kinds of decisions on a broader functional and efficient.” Times are Thursday through Sat- Commissioners heard presentations from three scale about what are we going to provide for our He said he wants it to be efficient from the urday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 firms April 27. They are Ohlson Lavoie Collabora- community,” she said. “Sure it’s great to have standpoints of staffing and utilities. p.m., Largo Cultural Center, 105 tive of Orlando; Gould Evans of Tampa, and Wan- money coming back in, but I wouldn’t want to ex- Commissioners, basically, said they need more Central Park Drive. See Around nemacher Jensen Architects Inc. of St. clude some activities just because they don’t bring time to mull over the presentations before giving Largo for more details and list of Petersburg. in any money.” their final rankings. Once commissioners have upcoming events. Noting that one of the firms was “overly em- She also said the fact that a firm has been in- announced their rankings, staff will negotiate the ... Page 3. pathic” about helping the city recoup costs, Mayor volved in the design of 37 recreation centers in scope of work and fee with the top-ranked firm. Pat Gerard said she thinks that “cost recovery is Pinellas County concerns her. She said she didn’t All three firms have extensive experience in great but I don’t think it’s the only criteria.” want Highland Recreation Center to look the same County “I think that’s a philosophical decision that we as the others. See PROJECT, page 4 Pain management clinics under scrutiny Hopes high for It takes all kinds Pinellas County Commissioner Susan Latvala asked fellow com- missioners on April 20 to consider an ordinance establishing a tem- more downtown porary moratorium on pain man- agement clinics. Experts contend that some pain management clinics are nothing redevelopment more than a place for pushers and By TOM GERMOND sion’s approval “following many those with drug addictions to get steps through this long process their pills. Latvala said Florida LARGO – Recent approval of very satisfying.” was the capital for the “illegal bad the West Bay redevelopment “With increased densities now ones” (pain management clinics). plan is being hailed as the start allowed along the corridor, and ... Page 10. of an opportunity to create a vi- with the medical arts district brant downtown business dis- designation, I’m confident we will trict. see activity begin to unfold in the Entertainment City commissioners voted upcoming year as our region Opening this week unanimously April 20 to approve continues its rebound from the “Furry Vengeance” is a family the community redevelopment recession,” Morrissette said. comedy about clever critters that district plan, which includes Joseph Stefko, owner of the bedevil a developer. Brendan Fras- planning tools er and Brooke Shields star in the and regula- film. tions, such as “The Chamber has been very ... Page 12. increased den- sities, to pro- supportive of the West Bay Drive vide a plan since discussions by the city framework for new develop- began more than three years ago.” ment and – Tom Morrissette, president growth along Largo Mid-Pinellas Chamber the corridor. The plan also of Commerce establishes four “charac- ter” districts: mixed-use, medical Hair Jungle off West Bay Drive, arts, city home and neighbor- said at the April 20 commission Brendan Fraser stars in ‘Furry hood residential. meeting he has been in business Vengeance.” Among the leading advocates for 25 years downtown and of the plan is the Largo Mid- thinks the plan will be a real im- Outdoors Pinellas Chamber of Commerce. provement for downtown. “The Chamber has been very “I’d like to see the density a lit- Fish Tales supportive of the West Bay Drive tle bit smaller, but yet we can Columnist Tyler Wallerstein plan since discussions by the still make it new and fresh and gives the latest report on saltwater city began more than three years everything like that ... I’m all for fishing. ago,” said Chamber President it,” he said. “It’s time for us to Photo by JIM LAYFIELD It would appear that the tide Tom Morrissette, in an e-mail. “It move on; it’s time for us to do Emily Kugler models her outfit designed by the Largo High School National Art may have turned on what has provides great opportunities for and quit talking about it.” Honor Society from 15 old magazines, a couple of dozen peacock feathers found in been a tough spring, he says. The economic development and job The West Bay district, someone’s back yard, and an old piece of cloth torn into strips. She was participating near-shore mackerel fishing ex- creation.” in the 2010 Trashy Fashion Show in the Largo Cultural Center April 22. ploded last weekend. He called the City Commis- See REDEVELOPMENT, page 4 ... Page 17. Changes proposed to animal service ordinance Tom By SUZETTE PORTER ter, who sponsored an anti-tethering to be tethered. He said the ordinance However, he said, determining what Germond ordinance passed by the Seminole was meant as a tool to help with the is a “short period of time” is a gray CLEARWATER – Pinellas County City Council on Dec. 22, 2009. problem of animal owners who chain area and probably would be consid- commissioners will take public com- He said unlike Seminole’s ordi- their dogs in the yard for long peri- ered less than three hours. Columnist can’t part company ment at their May 4 meeting on pro- nance, which he said was much ods of time. Pinellas County Commission with his bumperless Altima. posed changes to the animal services stricter, Pinellas County’s would The ordinance gives specific con- Chair Karen Seel asked how staff ... Page 7. ordinance. allow people to tether their animals ditions for the tethering of animals could afford to add another regula- The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. for short periods of time. Taylor said and does not allow the tethering of tion in light of budget cuts that have Features in the fifth floor Assembly Room of people can be responsible with the puppies, sick or injured animals. reduced the numbers of employees. Business ..................................20 the County Courthouse, 315 Court use of tethering and had legitimate The dog also must be given access to Taylor said animal services was a Classified ............................23-27 St. in Clearwater. reasons to use it. water, adequate shelter and dry “responsive organization” that re- Community .........................14,16 Dr. Dewayne Taylor, assistant di- “People have reasons to put their ground. sponds to calls. He said with the County..................................8-10 rector of Pinellas County Animal dogs on a tether while they’re doing Taylor admitted that unlike Semi- amendment, tethering would be con- Faith & Family .........................21 Services, told the commissioners at something inside,” he said. nole’s ordinance that does not allow sidered animal abuse and staff could Gardening ................................17 their April 20 meeting that one of the He gave examples of bringing in any tethering, enforcement would be take action when needed. proposed changes was initiated by the groceries or taking care of chil- a problem. He said staff believed the Health & Fitness ......................19 See ORDINANCE, page 4 former Seminole Councilor Dan Hes- dren as times an animal might need ordinance would stand up in court. 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For News & Advertising 727-723-5255 • 9148 Seminole Blvd., Seminole Expires 5/30/10 2 Largo Leader, April 29, 2010 It’s a wrap * Please Join us for our live broadcast over our Web site www.flmedicaid.com FREE Medicaid Seminars Monday, May 3, 2010, at 2 pm *Seminole Library 9200 113th Street North, Seminole (St. Petersburg College, Seminole Campus) Tuesday, May 4, 2010, at 2pm *Palm Harbor Library 2330 Nebraska Avenue, Palm Harbor (One block West of 19 North) Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at 2pm *New Port Richey Main Library 5939 Main Street, New Port Richey (Located near City Hall) Thursday, May 6, 2010, at 2pm *Arbor Oaks Assisted Living 1701 68th Street North, St. Petersburg (Near Tyrone Mall behind Chili’s) Friday, May 7, 2010, at 2pm *Largo Library 120 Central Park Drive, Largo, Jenkins Room (Just across from The Largo Cultural Arts Center) Tuesday, May 18, 2010, at 2pm South Shore Regional Library 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin (Off 19th Avenue, NE) 813-273-3652 Friday, May 21, 2010, at 2pm *The Villages Public Library 325 Belvedere Boulevard, The Villages 352-259-5739 42910 VOTED THE BEST OF TAMPA BAY Photo by JIM LAYFIELD 2009 Cindy Linville models a fashion designed by Claudia Villanueva in the 2010 Trashy Fashion Show in the Largo Cultural Center April 22.