Headlines through the years

A look back at the events, people and places that made North Pinellas the unique place that it is. The information is compiled from past editions of the St. Petersburg Times.

By Times staff writers
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 11, 2002

Aug. 15, 1972

Official wants money to build skybus now

CLEARWATER -- Pinellas County Commissioner George Brumfield wants the money now to build a rapid transit system that regional planners say will take at least eight years to design.

Brumfield believes that a skybus -- an electric-powered, rubber-tired vehicle running along an elevated, 22-mile track between St. Petersburg and Clearwater -- should be the first link in a regional rapid transit network. An election year is the time to get 100 percent federal funds to build it, he contends.

But the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, which approves applications for such grants when they go through normal channels, has laid out an eight-year planning program to design a regional system.

While Brumfield was in Washington Monday, lobbying for a multimillion-dollar grant to finance rapid transit in Pinellas, a top federal transportation official was in Tampa, stressing the need for adequate planning.

"Your problems are not going to be solved overnight," said James M. Beggs, undersecretary of the Department of Transportation. Mass transit systems take over 10 years to construct, and up to 20 years including planning, he added.

"Without planning, 10 years from now you'll simply have a hodgepodge," Beggs said at a get-acquainted session for federal and state transportation officials, to which Brumfield had been invited.

Aug. 5, 1924

Changes ordered at city park

CLEARWATER -- A large portion of Clearwater's park property, which until now has been somewhat neglected, is to be beautified immediately.

The property, which the city holds under lease from the Jeffords and Smoyer company, adjoins the main park of the city on the south. City Manager Charles F. Mason received instructions from city commissioners to begin immediate construction of an up-to-date tennis court on the western part of this tract and to sow grass upon the remaining portion, this part to be devoted entirely to amusements for children such as swings, slides, etc.

Clearwater has already the most perfect lawn bowling courts anywhere in the South, and this, with the improvements planned, will make Clearwater's park system one she may well be proud of for years to come.

Aug. 29, 1960

Safety Harbor praises vehicle

SAFETY HARBOR -- This city's experimental operation of a fully equipped emergency vehicle in place of a conventional police cruiser is paying off, according to officials.

Heart attack victims have had oxygen, which is carried in the vehicle, administered at the scene in a number of cases, police Chief Claude Rigsby said.

Two weeks ago police were able to extinguish a chemical fire in a garage before firemen arrived, thanks to fire extinguishers carried in the vehicle.

City Manager John L. Young said he has received requests from municipalities throughout the county for information on how the vehicle is working out.

Young said the vehicle is ideal for small communities, especially those that depend upon volunteer firemen for the bulk of their firefighting force.

Safety Harbor purchased the station wagon-type emergency vehicle in June.

Since then it has been equipped with fire axes, resuscitator, carbon dioxide and water fire extinguishers, rubber boots and gloves, blanket, stretcher, first aid kit, gas mask and wrecking tools.

Rigsby said a shotgun will be mounted in the vehicle soon and other equipment is expected to be added as needed.

-- Theresa Blackwell compiles the history column. She can be reached at (727) 445-4229 or blackwell@sptimes.com.

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