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Slowly, East Lake works to find voice© St. Petersburg Times published April 25, 2002 For many years the unincorporated northeast corner of Pinellas County, an area known as East Lake, was populated largely by retirees from other places. Drawn here by the climate and low taxes, many of them just wanted to be left alone. They rose up en masse against any young whippersnapper who suggested the area ought to incorporate into a city. That smacked of too much government and too many taxes. They didn't even seem to mind that they were largely ignored by their elected representatives on the Pinellas County Commission. But today, East Lake is a much bigger place, with a more diverse population. And although people there still hesitate to broach the subject of incorporation for fear of a backlash, some residents have realized that East Lake needs a voice and more influence so it can get some of the goodies going to other areas of the county. To that end, Doug Jacke, a 50-year-old who has lived in East Lake for about five years, is working to organize an umbrella group for the area's homeowner associations. The East Lake Homeowners Coalition would have representatives from each association and could act as a powerful lobbying group for East Lake residents and their interests. One of Jacke's top concerns is traffic congestion, which he says is rapidly worsening in East Lake despite road improvements. At the group's organizational meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at the Lansbrook Golf Club, 4605 Village Center Drive, Jacke hopes residents will not only endorse the idea of the coalition but bring up other concerns for the group to work on. Jacke's idea is a good one. Clearwater has a similar organization, the Coalition of Clearwater Homeowner Associations, that keeps a close eye on city government and brings neighborhood issues before the Clearwater City Commission. One of its former presidents was elected to the City Commission last year. Because East Lake is affluent and has little crime and few of the infrastructure and social problems found elsewhere in Pinellas, it has been easy for the county government to spend most of its time dealing with other areas. The East Lake Homeowners Coalition could speak with one voice of the area's needs and preferences and establish a relationship with individual county commissioners and county staff members. Another East Lake group, East Lake 2020 (for years known as East Lake 2000) was formed to represent businesses in the greater East Lake area. In fact, organizers originally referred to it as the "unofficial Chamber of Commerce." That group recently sought to broaden its base to include representatives from homeowner and condominium associations -- to become a "super group" that would represent all East Lake interests. That move could ultimately dilute East Lake 2020's effectiveness, since it is not unusual for the needs and interests of homeowners to clash with those of businesses. It would probably be more effective for East Lake 2020 to continue to represent business interests but work with the new homeowners coalition on any concerns the two groups share. The new interest in organizing and making sure that East Lake's voice is heard is good news. It indicates that the area is growing up and that its residents are putting down roots. It proves that people who populate East Lake care about making it an even better place to live. And it sends a message to county government: "We're here, we're staying, listen to us."
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From the Times North Pinellas desks |
