New director leads regional VA office

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 27, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG

Nevin M. Weaver has taken the helm as the director of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs St. Petersburg regional office, which includes Florida.

Weaver, who was appointed in October, began his duties last week. He replaced George "Buzz" Gray, who worked as director for about three years before moving to Jackson, Miss., to head another VA regional office.

The regional office Weaver now heads covers 1.8-million veterans living in Florida, southeast Georgia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

TALLAHASSEE

Cabinet puts ranch on preservation list

Gov. Charlie Crist and the Cabinet put the vast Cross Bar Ranch on Florida's priority list for preservation Tuesday. But the money to buy it remains elusive.

The Cabinet's 4-0 vote should intensify efforts to find ways to pay for Cross Bar, which is valued at $176-million, according to property appraiser records.

The 12,500-acre ranch in central Pasco was bought in pieces by Pinellas County in the 1970s and '80s when area communities fought "water wars" to control drinking water. Tampa Bay Water now manages the wells.

[Last modified February 26, 2008, 23:20:30]