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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 writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 6, 2002
Oct. 21, 1970: Commissioners push for bird sanctuary
CLEARWATER -- Most of Pinellas County will be declared a bird sanctuary if the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission goes along with a resolution adopted by the County Commission on Tuesday.
The original proposal was to ask the state agency to declare the entire county a sanctuary. It followed the annual flurry of complaints from residents about falling birdshot and the rattle of muskets in rapidly diminishing areas still attracting dove hunters.
The suggestion was opposed last week by a game and fish representative who said the hunters should have an area for their sport.
Capt. David Starling and Sheriff Don Genung appeared before the commission Tuesday to ask that certain areas be left open. They included a large tract in the extreme northeast corner of the county, smaller areas to the west and southwest of there and another larger area just north of St. Petersburg on Tampa Bay.
The commission eventually voted to exclude a northeastern area extending from State Road 584 north to the Pinellas-Pasco line.
Other commissioners did not seem inclined to exclude any part of the county from the proposed bird sanctuary, but Commissioner George Brumfield, who said he is a hunter, argued strongly and effectively for an area to be left open for hunting.
The commission has received complaints about hunters from residents in the Oakhurst section of Seminole and other more recently developed parts of the county.
Genung said last week that he couldn't keep up with the complaints that "poured in" during the first nine days of the dove season, which goes from Oct. 3 to Jan. 11. He said there have been complaints of hunters shooting at Florida Power linemen, cattle and horses.
CLEARWATER -- A peculiar accident happened to F.J. Bennett on Saturday morning, when part of his shoe was blown from his foot as he was walking on E Cleveland Street. Happily, Bennett's foot was not injured, although the toe of one shoe was entirely destroyed.
Investigation of the circumstances led to finding of a small piece of metal which appeared to have been part of a dynamite cap. Authorities believe the cap was dropped from a passing railroad car or was placed on the track as a signal but was unexploded by the wheels.
That appears to be the only logical explanation, as the accident occurred near the Seaboard railway crossing.
LARGO -- The third annual Florida sale of thoroughbred Guernsey cattle will be held at the county fairgrounds in Largo next April 13. The 1939 and 1940 Florida sales were held at Largo and attracted big crowds. John H. Logan, county agricultural agent, and C.E. Donegan, Largo, a leader in the Florida Guernsey Cattle club, are making arrangements for the 1941 sale.
-- Theresa Blackwell compiles the history column. She can be reached at (727) 445-4229 or blackwell@sptimes.com.