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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.

By Times Staff Writer
Published September 11, 2005

Sept. 13, 1977: County wants to limit water sales to Oldsmar

Imagine tiny Oldsmar mushrooming from a town of 2,500 into a city of 120,000 that includes all the land east of Lake Tarpon from the tip of Tampa Bay north to Pasco County.

That is the tune of Pinellas County officials who are disturbed that Oldsmar is moving into its unincorporated-area turf. And they sang the blues Monday to St. Petersburg officials.

County officials, led by Commission Chairwoman Jeanne Malchon, say they fear that Oldsmar's growth will be rampant, environmental safeguards will be shot and regional water battles will escalate. The result could also be duplication of services and higher water bills for all, they say.

To the County Commission's horror, Oldsmar recently annexed a subdivision that was having problems with county government, and the town now is dangling the idea before other developers. As a result, the county and Oldsmar are already in the middle of legal battles.

To Oldsmar, the issue is a simple one, said Mayor Robert L. Williams.

"We can supply (nearby developers) with city services," he said. "The county is in no position to provide water to any of these areas."

The city of St. Petersburg plays an important part in this battle because it sells water wholesale to Oldsmar. Extra water is key to Oldsmar's expansion plans.

County officials asked the city to consider limiting additional sales of water to Oldsmar. St. Petersburg officials, unsure if their Oldsmar contract would allow that, agreed to meet next week with Oldsmar and county officials.

"We've got a tiger by the tail that's going to backfire on all of us," Malchon warned.

"If this succeeds, every potential area up there is going to get themselves annexed to Oldsmar or Safety Harbor or East Podunk" to get better zoning densities or less environmental regulation, she said.

St. Petersburg Mayor Corinne Freeman said after the meeting, "I'll have to go over this very carefully. I don't want to start a water war. I don't want to cause any environmental problems."

SAFETY HARBOR - The Safety Harbor City Commission passed a resolution Tuesday strongly urging the Pinellas County School Board to provide bus service for pupils who must walk to Safety Harbor Elementary School until "hazardous walking conditions are corrected."

The School Board decided in August to eliminate the busing of nearly 120 children who live within the two-mile busing limit the board recognizes.

After several parents protested, the board relented and said it will provide buses for the youngsters until Nov. 25. In the meantime, school officials will re-evaluate the route.

The route suggested by school officials includes a half-mile hike along a dirt road in an undeveloped area.

Mrs. Lynne Jensen, who has two children at the school, said it took her and her husband 40 minutes to walk the 1.7 miles from their home in the Harbor Heights subdivision to the school. High weeds grow along the sides of the road and the pupils are out of sight of any adult. Older students who attend Safety Harbor Middle School use the same route, crossing a 75-foot-long bridge that spans a 25-foot-wide drainage ditch.

CLEARWATER - Things are looking up for the laboring class in Pinellas County, thanks principally to the citrus season and projects sponsored by county commissioners.

Clearwater shipper and citrus commission member Barnard Kilgore said today that 21 shipping plants will employ about 5,000 men and women at the peak of the season.

A half-dozen plants already have their wheels turning and men on ladders picking ripening grapefruit. Before the end of October, more than one-half the plants will be in regular operation.

Prices averaging better than last year are expected for citrus purchased from the grower this year. Increases in wages of citrus workers at some plants also are expected.

On the county administration side of the picture, WPA projects will take care of many of the unemployed. The general upward trend in business with approach of an anticipated good winter tourist season, coupled with heavy construction activities on islands of the county, indicate unemployment will be at a low ebb during the winter.

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

[Last modified September 11, 2005, 01:12:29]