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Pinellas Park firefighters may sell beer on city property at the annual fundraising chili fest.
By ANNE LINDBERG
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 15, 2001
PINELLAS PARK -- In a departure from tradition, the council has agreed to allow firefighters to sell beer on city property at next year's chili fest.
The spring event, held the night before Country in the Park for the past two years, has been a solid fundraiser for the firefighters who donate proceeds to the Muscular Dystrophy Association summer camp to help local disabled children. This year, 2001: A Chili Odyssey collected more than $12,000 for the charity.
Much of that came from beer that was sold off city property on land next door that is owned by Joto's restaurant. The beer is then brought onto city property at the site of the festival, in the park immediately north of City Hall, 5141 78th Ave. N.
Next year, the firefighters want the beer booth at the park, next to the other booths. It's a matter of convenience and security, said Nick del Grosso, the Pinellas Park firefighter in charge of the event.
"I don't have a problem," Mayor Bill Mischler said. "That's unusual for me to say."
Council members Rick Butler, Ed Taylor and Chuck Williams were likewise supportive.
Less so was Patricia Bailey-Snook, who said beer sales on city property would offend many residents.
"I don't want anybody doing it," Bailey-Snook said. "I just think that it's not a proper thing to do."
Bailey-Snook has objected to beer sales before.
Last year, after the first chili blaze, she objected to the beer sales on Joto's property.
Earlier, she and others objected to a decision by City Manager Jerry Mudd to allow beer sales at the first Fall Harvest Festival. While there were no incidents, the Harvest Festival has not served beer since.