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Union local joins budget discussion

By TIMES WIRES
Published April 4, 2007

CLEARWATER

City leaders and residents have spent months talking about how Clearwater needs to cut back on its spending. Now those who say they will be most affected if services are cut want to have their side heard. Members of the Communications Workers of America Local 3179, which represents more than 400 city employees, will hold a public meet and greet at 5 p.m. today at City Hall, 112 S Osceola Ave. The meeting comes an hour before city leaders talk about suggestions made by an 11-member budget review task force. The board suggests capping general fund expenditures, limiting raises, making employees pay more for health care, cutting services and consolidating some operations.

LARGO

Death of ill inmate being investigated

Pinellas County sheriff's detectives were investigating Tuesday the death of a 49-year-old inmate who was taken to a hospital after suffering a seizure at the county jail. William Gilbert Bracey of Largo was arrested March 27 on charges of disorderly conduct and battery on a law enforcement officer. Once booked, he was put in the facility's medical wing after being uncooperative, officials said. Bracey was monitored by video camera and checked on every 15 minutes. But on Monday afternoon, he suffered the seizure and was taken to Northside Hospital. At 1:40 a.m. Tuesday, he went into cardiac arrest and died. Sheriff's investigators said his death did not appear suspicious. But an autopsy will be conducted.

Film to air about transgender adults

A free screening of Sarasota filmmaker Tom Murray's award-winning documentary, Almost Myself, a film about the struggles of transgender adults, is at 7:30 p.m. today at the Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive. After the screening, Murray will answer questions. The event is open to the public first-come, first-served. Friends of the Festival, the sponsors of the event, expect a capacity crowd. Call (813) 879-4220.

Science fair held for adults

Does music affect plant growth? What is the sound of one hand clapping? Help solve unanswered mysteries at the Adult Science Fair from 9 a.m. to noon April 14 at Southwest Recreation Complex, 13120 Vonn Road. There is a $10 entry fee. For rules and criteria call 518-3021.

COUNTYWIDE

Grants program to help artists

Pinellas County's Cultural Affairs Department is offering professional development grants of up to $1,000 for local artists, and will hold a workshop this week so artists can learn more about the grants and how to write a successful grant proposal. The workshop will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the EpiCenter building off Ulmerton Road in the ICOT Business Park. Call the cultural affairs office at (727) 453-7860 to reserve a spot or request a copy of the grant application and guidelines. The application is also available at www.pinellasarts.org. For information, call special projects coordinator Michele Tuegel at (727) 453-7883. The deadline to receive grant applications is April 24 for projects taking place between June 1 and Sept. 30.

[Last modified April 3, 2007, 20:50:49]