Neighbors want to help generous couple
By Times Staff Writers
Published December 19, 2007
CLEARWATER - Community activists Duke and Geni Tieman have always helped their South Greenwood neighbors.
Now their neighbors want to return the favor.
At 1:30 a.m. Friday, smoke detectors awakened the Tiemans in their home at 1120 Kingsley St. Flames were shooting through the roof when firefighters arrived and the home was declared a total loss from fire, smoke and water damage.
The Tiemans were taken to Morton Plant Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. Several pets, including a small dog, a parrot and five other birds, died. Three other dogs and a cat survived.
Officials said the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction in the attic. The home's smoke detectors probably saved the Tiemans' lives, she said.
Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard, who has known the couple for about seven years, was at the hospital before 9 a.m., offering to take the Tiemans into his home when they leave the hospital.
Duke Tieman was Clearwater's 2007 nominee in the Florida League of Cities Citizen of the Year contest. The mayor called the couple incredible advocates for the community and "very passionate, yet realistic."
Theresa Blackwell and Mike Donila, Times staff writers
DUNEDIN
Newsmaker Francis Loren 'Gus' Cooper dies
News might be a little slow in Dunedin today. Francis Loren "Gus" Cooper, town know-it-all, mentor to city leaders and civic activist, died of cancer Saturday (Dec. 15, 2007). He was 88.
When Mr. Cooper wasn't making news through his involvement in numerous city committees and civic organizations, he was tipping off reporters to the latest goings on in town.
The production studio for the city's government access cable TV channel is named in his honor. Vice Mayor Deborah Kynes praised Mr. Cooper for spearheading city efforts to communicate with residents.
"That goes back to the idea of the framers of the Constitution that the best citizens are the informed citizens," she said.
Tamara El-Khoury, Times staff writer
SAFETY HARBOR
Peace message spreads one flag at a time
Using a YouTube video, a few dozen e-mails and some strong envelopes, two low-tech artists have transformed their Safety Harbor home into a holiday tribute to peace on Earth.
Todd Ramquist and Kiaralinda, both 47, put out their call less than two months ago:
Take an old Tyvek envelope, cut it in half and create your own homage to peace inside. Tape the envelope back up, drop it in the mailbox and, voila, a piece of mail art is born.
Word spread quickly as messages went out over electronic list serves, and their YouTube video racked up hits. Then the flags started to arrive. They came slowly at first, then by the dozen, sometimes filling their mailbox with more than 50 a day.
Each flag will become part of an outdoor holiday installation called "Peace on Earth, Peace by Piece." With more than 2,500 donated peace signs, the installation opened Monday night at the house at 1206 Third St. N and will run until the new year. Grounds are open all day; lights are on from 6 to 10 p.m. daily.
Catriona Stuart, Times staff writer
TARPON SPRINGS
City manager mum about trips out of town
City Manager Ellen Posivach's use of time off has sparked a lot of discussion around City Hall in recent months.
While some commissioners have insisted that Posivach tell them when she's going out of town, the city manager said Monday she isn't convinced such notification is necessary.
"I work for the whole board, not any individual," said Posivach, who makes $122,910 annually. "I need to figure out what the whole board wants."
Commissioner Peter Dalacos - who said he searched City Hall for Posivach in October, only to find that she had left for a conference in New Orleans - said he thinks the city manager doesn't fully understand her obligations.
"I feel sometimes like Ellen doesn't realize that we're her bosses," he said, "and she has to report to us."
Elena Lesley, Times staff writer
COUNTY
Grant running out on at-risk youth program
The YMCA's Yes Program, an initiative that targets at-risk youths who need extra attention to succeed academically, has helped hundreds of students since 2001.
But now the program faces its own troubles. A federal juvenile justice grant, which provides more than half of the program's funding, expires at the end of the school year, and YMCA officials are unsure if the grant will be extended.
The program operates at Meadowlawn, Pinellas Park Middle School, Dunedin Highland Middle School, Kennedy Middle School, Riviera Middle School and Bay Point Middle School.
Schools are outfitted with mediators who help break up fights and listen to students' problems. The YMCA also equips the schools with instructors who teach a Life Skills class that focuses on self-esteem, conflict resolution, peer pressure, communication and the consequences of drug and alcohol use.
Students who enter the school year with low attendance records, high suspension rates and poor grade point averages are able to improve their grades and behavior after one semester of the course, according to YMCA records.
Cristina Silva, Times staff writer