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Letter to the editor

Comments from citizens prompt ex-mayor to run against Hibbard

By Times Staff Writers
Published November 21, 2007

CLEARWATER - Former Mayor Rita Garvey will challenge incumbent Frank Hibbard in the city's first mayoral race since 1999.

Garvey, who served as mayor from 1987 to 1998, said she's pursuing the office because she hears from city residents who are frustrated with a lack of progress. She said she'd like to see residents become more involved in city government.

Hibbard said he's established credibility among residents of Clearwater and throughout the Tampa Bay area, through his leadership roles with regional groups like the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Mayor's Council of Pinellas County.

The election is Jan. 29. The two City Council incumbents up for re-election - John Doran and George Cretekos - drew no opposition and have been automatically re-elected.

Rita Farlow, Times staff writer

SEMINOLE

Neighbors opposing road-widening plan

Opponents to the proposed widening of 102nd Avenue N say engineers have ignored the unique needs and character of the surrounding neighborhoods when drafting their preliminary plans.

"It's a $33-million project for a dead-end road," said Marjorie Bulone, who has helped to gather hundreds of signatures protesting the conceptual proposal to widen 102nd to four lanes, from two, with a median and bike paths.

The project would extend from Seminole Boulevard to Antilles Drive (137th Street) and would be done in three phases starting in 2010. The finished road would have sidewalks on both sides of the street.

The Pinellas County Commission will decide, probably in early 2008, whether to go ahead with the project.

Anne Lindberg, Times staff writer

CLEARWATER

More cutbacks could be unavoidable, Horne says

City Manager Bill Horne said he expects cities across Florida will again be forced some time next year to cut down on the amount of property tax revenues they can collect.

This year, the city cut close to $4-million from its budget, eliminated some jobs and services, consolidated the beach library and recreation center, reduced library operating hours and eliminated some landscaping initiatives.

But more cutbacks could be "unavoidable" if, on Jan. 29, Florida voters approve proposed expansions of the Save Our Homes tax cap and the state's property tax exemption for homesteads, he warned.

Mike Donila, Times staff writer

Jury recommends death for Timothy Permenter

A jury last week voted 7-5 to recommend the death penalty for Timothy Permenter of Clearwater in the 2003 murder of his girlfriend, Karen Pannell, 39, of Oldsmar.

Pinellas-Pasco County Circuit Judge R. Timothy Peters is expected to sentence Permenter, 40, at a future date.

Permenter was convicted of stabbing Pannell 16 times, mostly around her neck and heart.

She was conscious during the attack and aware of her impending death, prosecutors said.

"She was looking up into the eyes of her murderer," said Assistant State Attorney Bill Loughery. "There's no question it was atrocious, heinous and cruel."

Jose Cardenas, Times staff writer

Fewer complaints filed over Ironman event

The Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3 has a permanent home in Clearwater as long as people welcome it, said Dr. Pit Gills, a co-owner of World Triathlon Corp., which owns the Ironman brand.

While the event brought thousands of visitors from out of town, some locals are still disgruntled about the way it snarled traffic on east-west roads crossing the bike course, especially in North Pinellas. Last year, the city received 224 calls from angry residents on race day. This year, that number dropped to 84.

Immediately following the Nov. 10 race, the city and Ironman began looking for ways to resolve the problem, Gills said.

Demorris A. Lee, Times staff writer

PINELLAS PARK

County, cats' owners are looking for dogs

Three pit bullterriers - one white, one brown and one brown and black - are suspected of killing at least two cats in the neighborhood around Shoecraft Park, at 7900 54th St. N, residents and officials say.

The dogs were never found and the cats' owners are hoping someone can locate them. They are afraid the dogs, described as pit bullterriers, might return and hurt a child at the park, .

Linda Britland, a field enforcement manager with Pinellas County Animal Control, said she'd like to know more about the dogs and the owner. If they can be located, it will be determined if they are dangerous dogs.

Anne Lindberg, Times staff writer

KENNETH CITY

You can't feed animals on private property, too

Residents of this small town might want to take down their bird feeders and stop throwing the occasional peanut to the neighborhood squirrel or risk violating a new Kenneth City ordinance.

The new rule expands an ordinance that prohibits the feeding of wild animals on public property. The change makes it a violation to feed wild animals on private property as well. Before the vote, the debate focused on the feeding of Muscovy ducks.

Anne Lindberg, Times staff writer

[Last modified November 20, 2007, 21:42:11]