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Letter to the editor

Clearwater bar honors community service

The association inducted officers and recognized a nonlawyer and a community police officer.

By Times Staff Writer
Published May 11, 2005

CLEARWATER - A local health leader, a community policing officer and a lawyer who gave up his practice to fight in Iraq were among those honored at a luncheon last week by the Clearwater Bar Association.

Dr. Deborah French, the medical director of Eckerd Youth Alternative and an assistant pediatrics professor at the University of South Florida, won the bar's Liberty Bell Award, which recognizes a nonlawyer for contributions to the community.

French has also been a mentor to students at St. Petersburg College, said F. Wallace Pope Jr., chairman of the bar association's awards committee.

"Dr. French is a strong advocate for children's health," said Pope.

Pinellas County sheriff's Deputy Richard Cantelmo received the Allen Moore Gold Badge Award, which is presented to a law enforcement officer for dedication to the rule of law.

Cantelmo has been Oldsmar's community police officer for years. Pope said he is "known for a proactive style and solving small problems before they become more serious."

Charles Lykes, a Clearwater lawyer, was awarded the Ralph Richards Award for professional excellence. He closed his practice to serve in Iraq.

While overseas, Lykes, an Army reservist, helped solve property disputes in Kirkut. His company came under fire several times, Pope said.

"He has set the highest standard for all of us in the local bar," Pope said.

During the luncheon, which celebrated the association's 75th anniversary, lawyers also debuted the George W. Greer Judicial Independence Award, which honored Greer's resolve as judge during the Terri Schiavo case. That award was then given to W. Douglas Baird.

Other highlights from the luncheon:

Susan S. Demers, director of the Legal Assisting Program at St. Petersburg College, was inducted as president.

The bar honored more than 25 past presidents, including 1951 president Howard Rives, the oldest living past president.

Outgoing president Shelly Johnson honored Judge Nancy Ley and lawyers Demers, Rep DeLoach and Ky Koch with President's Awards for their contributions to the bar in the past year.

Sarah Pemberton and Michelle Sherwood, Osceola High School students, earned first place in the annual Great Debate. They were coached by Helene Adler. Ciara Palumbo and Jaclyn Palazzolo from Pinellas Park High were runners-up. They were coached by Tom Taylor.

The following north Pinellas County lawyers were inducted as officers and directors: president-elect, Jewel White Cole; secretary, Kimberly A. Campbell; treasurer, Peter J. Rivellini; and directors, Jeffrey A. Albinson, Joseph A. Corsmeier, Donald S. Crowell, John Davis Fernandez, L. Keith Meyer, Kinnear Smith, Cheryl Smith-Khan and Shelly Johnson, immediate past president.

Donna K. Rose was inducted as the newsletter editor and Peter A. Sartes as the Young Lawyers Division president.

[Last modified May 11, 2005, 00:46:18]