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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.

Aug. 19, 1949: Tucker issues early warning to gamblers

CLEARWATER - Sheriff Todd Tucker today issued his annual "stay out of Pinellas" bulletin to racketeers, gamblers and any other underworld big shots planning to move into the county during the 1949-50 tourist season.

These orders usually come a bit later in the autumn, but Sheriff Tucker decided to "beat the gun" this year in celebration of his 24th year in Pinellas law enforcement.

"Maybe we should say something in August instead of October," said the county's top crime-smasher. "Perhaps some of the boys may be getting ideas."

Looking back over a lifetime spent tracking down law violators, the sheriff gave his statement in his office at the courthouse as workmen toiled across the street on the new county jail.

"I'm proud of that jail," said the sheriff. "It's going to be Florida's finest and there will always be room in it for racketeers, whether big shots or small fry."

If Sheriff Tucker wished to do so, he could tell a few stories about attempts that have been made to "muscle" into Pinellas County by certain gentry claiming to have "influence."

A slow grin wrinkled the sheriff's weather-beaten cheeks as he recalled some of those experiences.

"There was a fellow one time who tried to impress me with his "connections,' " mused the veteran officer. "I told him I wasn't interested in who he knew and that my only interest in him was what he knew and that my only interest in him was what he tried to pull off in Pinellas County. He never came back."

CLEARWATER - Lists of persons who have had city library books out beyond the time limit will be given to the local Police Department Sept. 1, according to notices sent out by Librarian Annie Owens.

Police officers will make a canvass with the list in an effort to place a number of books back on the library shelves.

BELLEAIR - Belleair town commissioner George Gillespie said last night that he will demand that the commission allow reporters to attend "all public meetings" of that town in the future.

It was his answer when asked if he will support an edict of Mayor Z.H. Patterson that public meetings will not be open to reporters unless they agree to accept a censorship of town attorneys set up by the commission.

Dr. E.E. Reed, another commissioner and one who supported Patterson in his dictatorial stand that prevented reporters from attending a "public meeting" at Belleair town hall Wednesday night, said he and the other board members will "get together sometime soon and talk over" a protest against the ruling supported by Patterson and Reed.

Gillespie did not endorse the action at Wednesday night's meeting.

CLEARWATER - As the Pinellas County Commission talked of city and county taxes and benefits Tuesday, Commissioner Charles E. Rainey asked his colleagues to consider "poor little Oldsmar."

Rainey said residents must call long distance to reach the county courthouse, Florida Power Corp.'s huge Higgins plant is in their backyards but they get power from Tampa Electric, and they buy license tags in Hillsborough County but "pay taxes to Pinellas County."

Rainey likened the community - in northeastern Pinellas County along the Hillsborough County border - to an "orphan."

A General Telephone Co. operator had one piece of good news about Oldsmar, however. She said it is now a "local call" from Oldsmar to Clearwater.

Theresa Blackwell compiles the history column. She can be reached at 727 771-4305 or blackwell@sptimes.com