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
Published October 24, 2004
Oct. 28, 1938: Clearwater official fights voting machines
CLEARWATER - The No. 1 opponent of voting machines in upper Pinellas, City Commissioner D.O. Batchelor of Clearwater, yesterday launched his single-handed campaign to defeat the machine referendum to be held in connection with the general election Nov. 8.
In a lengthy publication directed against the machines, Batchelor said purchasing and caring for 100 voting machines would cost the county more than $20,000 annually, as compared to $4,000 for elections as now held. He also declared that taxes must be raised if machines are adopted. Batchelor closed his first article be stating that in another, he will discuss voting machines' relation to honest elections.
Oct. 20, 1938: County voter registration sets record
CLEARWATER - Official registration figures for the general election of Nov. 8 announced today by Supervisor of Registration W.C. Reid placed at 37,225 the total number of persons qualified to vote in that election in Pinellas County. That set a record for Pinellas.
The total for the general election represented an increase of 5,347 over the number registered for the primaries during the past spring.
For the primaries this year, 26,259 Democrats and 5,619 Republicans or a total of 31,878 were registered. The majority of those who have registered since this year's primaries did not show a party preference as that is not required by law, but Democrats will dominate in registrations for the general election in about the same ratio as in the primaries.
Oct. 12, 1938: Heavy minority vote likely in November
CLEARWATER - An ever-increasing number of black registrants at the polls indicated today that their vote in St. Petersburg and Pinellas County may become a potent factor in future elections.
Total black electors in St. Petersburg increased by almost 100 percent during the last registration period, ending last Saturday night, according to figures released today by W.C. Reid, county supervisor of registration.
In seven precincts in which black residents hold voting franchises in St. Petersburg, a total of 415 registered between Sept. 5 and Oct. 8, swelling the total to 874 eligible to cast ballots in the general election, Tuesday, Nov. 8.
In comparison, the three precincts in Clearwater containing black votes did not add a single black voter to the rolls during the period St. Petersburg's vote was being doubled, showing the beginning of a "get-out-the-vote" drive on the part of one or more groups.
Oct. 8, 1938: Largo to stage Halloween festival
LARGO - Representatives of Largo Lions Club and Largo PTA met one evening this week and made plans for a Halloween carnival to be held at the fair grounds the evening of Oct. 28.
Plans as outlined in the committee Tuesday evening call for a costume carnival, including a queen contest, refreshment booth, minstrel show, bingo, ice cream and cold drink stand, masks and Halloween novelties, ball throw, dance, fortune teller, house of horrors, and fish pond.
Theresa Blackwell compiles the history column. She can be reached at 727 771-4305 or blackwell@sptimes.com
