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Talk of the bay

Tough for local merchants to get Katrina offers heard

By SCOTT BARANCIK
Published September 19, 2005

A Pinellas Park lawn mower store is offering a special incentive to Hurricane Katrina evacuees it hires as sales clerks or mechanics: relocation assistance.

"We'd be willing to pay first month's rent, last month's rent and security deposit for somebody that wanted to relocate here," said Debra Linger, office administrator at Royal Edger and Mower. "Our thought was, "There had to have been a lawn mower shop in that area that was destroyed.' "

Getting her message through to Katrina's far-flung victims may be the hardest part.

Dave Dickson, president of Clearwater's Ice Cold Air-Discount Auto Repair, received a spot of publicity through the St. Petersburg Times this month after he offered to donate the franchise for his newest store to a hurricane victim. He also sent news releases to newspapers in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Houston and San Antonio, Texas. The response has been underwhelming.

"I've had one person contact me about the franchise, and he's a (house) painter, so I don't know if it's going to be a good fit," Dickson said. "I'm going to have my director of operations get in touch with him next week."

Linger said Royal Edger considered running ads in Louisiana and Mississippi newspapers but wasn't sure they were being published. She also told officials at WorkNet Pinellas, a nonprofit career center, about the relocation offer, but no one from the disaster areas has applied.

Anyone who applies will have to provide a driver's license and other proof that they're a hurricane victim, Linger said. "A lot of people would jump on that offer for a free ride."

[Last modified September 16, 2005, 22:11:02]