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Financial lists show two faces of debate

Details on contributions to the opposing citizen groups in the development battle reveal who is backing each group.

By PAUL SWIDER
Published July 17, 2005

ST. PETE BEACH - Financial reports filed last week by opposing St. Pete Beach political groups are revealing the character of the dispute over the city's future development.

"I guess they've shown us the money," said Terry Gannon, head of Citizens for Responsible Growth, the group opposed to the city's plan to bolster hotel development and encourage a more attractive tourist economy instead of condominiums. Gannon was referring to the filings from Support Your City's Future, a political committee that endorses the city's plans.

In the recent filings, the prodevelopment group showed $17,000 in net contributions from 46 donors, while Gannon's group collected $11,000 from 150 contributors. The difference in per capita donations reflects the nature of the donors, as Gannon said he had expected.

"We're a grass roots effort," Gannon said. "We meet in our homes, not in hotel rooms, nor do we have banquets hosted for us. We are just residents of St. Pete Beach who want to protect our home from overdevelopment and have nothing to gain financially."

Among a series of $2,000 prodevelopment contributions from hotels and resorts was a $1,965 in-kind donation from the Tradewinds Resort that represented a 100-person organizing dinner. That group's representatives have never been shy about their business backing, but say supporting the city's protourist plan is in keeping with the community's expressed interests and desire for a growing economy.

"I'm surprised they had so few businesses contributing," said Mike Cohen with the prodevelopment group. "We're inclusive. We've got lots of different contributors because we need the whole city to work together."

Cohen said his group had fewer contributors because it formed later. He said they are gaining a lot more donations from residential supporters. He said he has even seen support from people who had signed the opponents group's petitions seeking a referendum on development. Some of those people said they were misinformed about the city's plans and are switching to support them now that they've learned more.

Cohen also noted that the opponents group has spent $4,500 on legal expenses, while the supporters group has not. The supporters' largest expenses are $6,700 for advertising and to refund a $2,000 contribution from the Sirata Beach Resort because Commissioner Deborah Nicklaus is a part owner of that business.

"I was surprised to see they're already paying (attorney) Ken Weiss," Cohen said. "We don't have legal expenses. As far as we're concerned, there's going to be a referendum."

The opponents group gathered signatures to force a referendum that would change the city's charter so development plans would have to win direct public support instead of being decided by elected officials as in most communities. The city is testing the constitutionality of the referendum to make sure it is legal, officials have said. Development opponents say the city is trying to block a vote.

"Our goal is to allow the citizens the right to vote on this issue and to protect our city from overdevelopment," Gannon said. "After all, what's wrong with keeping a small town small? That's why we came here."

[Last modified July 17, 2005, 01:05:20]