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Beaches get a seat on tourism council
By AMY WIMMER
© St. Petersburg Times, Beginning in October, the Pinellas beaches will have a representative on the county Tourist Development Council. The beach communities have long lobbied for a seat on the nine-member board, which includes elected officials and representatives from the tourism industry. But because the makeup of the TDC is outlined in state statutes, local beach officials needed help from the Legislature. Rep. John Carassas, R-Belleair, and state Sen. Don Sullivan, R-Largo, sponsored legislation that Gov. Jeb Bush signed last week. Carassas and beach officials also urged Bush to appear locally for a ceremonial signing of the bill. As of Oct. 1, the TDC will be an 11-member board composed of: The chairman of the County Commission or another county commissioner appointed by the chairman. An elected official from Pinellas County's largest municipality, currently St. Petersburg. Two other elected officials from a Pinellas municipality, including one from any of the following cities: Belleair Beach, Belleair Shore, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Madeira Beach, North Redington Beach, Redington Beach, Redington Shores, St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island. Seven members of the TDC must be involved in the tourism industry. No fewer than three and no more than four should be from the tourist accommodations industry and, therefore, subject to the tourist tax. The Barrier Island Governmental Council, composed of the beach cities and towns mentioned in the law, on Wednesday nominated Redington Shores Mayor J.J. Beyrouti as their representative to the TDC. The County Commission will approve the final appointments. The beach towns lobbied for representation on the TDC as part of their ongoing complaint that the county does not fully recognize the contributions Pinellas beaches make to the county. Among other criticisms the Big-C has levied against the TDC, the beaches group complained about a $619,000 sand sculpture the TDC authorized for Sand Key while a less expensive sand sculpture, paid for by the Gulf Beaches Chamber of Commerce, was competing with it in St. Pete Beach. "J.J. is not only a member of our group here," said Treasure Island Mayor and Big-C Chairman Leon Atkinson, "but he also owns a motel and has a real interest in this thing."
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From the Times South Pinellas desks |
