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Woman should get new dentures soon

By TIMES STAFF
Published April 12, 2007

PORT RICHEY

Betty Eldridge won't have to wait much longer for a new set of dentures.

She is getting a complete set at no charge, thanks to New Port Richey dentist Don Cadle, who read about her plight in Wednesday's Times.

"Oh, it's absolutely wonderful," said Eldridge, 71. "I can go out and eat a salad."

Eldridge, whose low income qualifies her for Medicaid coverage, mailed her dentures to the state Department of Health to complain about their workmanship in February 2006.

CLEARWATER

Poynter, Rutenberg join Hall of Honor

The Pinellas Education Foundation inducted Nelson Poynter and another businessman into its Free Enterprise Hall of Honor Wednesday in a ceremony at the Harborview Center in Clearwater.

Poynter, who owned the St. Petersburg Times for many years until he died in 1978, and Charles Rutenberg, a developer and home-builder, were honored as "leaders who grew their businesses" and serve as examples to future entrepreneurs.

Former inductees include philanthropist and businessman Jack Eckerd, Kane's Furniture founder Maurice A. Rothman, and J. Eugene Danzey, former owner of radio station WRXB-AM 1590

WEEKI WACHEE

Vandalism, overuse close swimming spot

A popular swimming spot on the Weeki Wachee River has been closed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission because of overuse and vandalism.

The area, located inside the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area, is known as "the sandbox" and "the bluffs." Anyone caught entering the swimming area faces a possible $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail.

TAMPA

Iorio braces City Hall for cuts in services

With property tax reform proposals bouncing around Tallahassee, Mayor Pam Iorio on Wednesday told her staff to prepare no-growth budgets for next year.

That means cutting services and personnel, because it costs more to provide the same services each year, she said.

Iorio also instituted a hiring freeze, said she will cut or eliminate funding to all nonprofit groups next year and will withdraw a state bill to increase pension benefits for city employees.

She had planned to eventually increase the city employee pension benefits to match those of the state retirement system.

The mayor also warned that depending on what happens in Tallahassee, departments might need to prepare budgets with even greater cuts.

[Last modified April 12, 2007, 01:17:08]