Beaches notebook

By AMY WIMMER, ANDREW MEACHAM and SHEILA ESTRADA

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 19, 2001

Building official switches towns

REDINGTON SHORES -- The town is negotiating to hire Mike Nadeau, recently retired as Indian Shores' building official.

Redington Shores has been without a building official since it fired Bill Kropik last month because he lacked proper state licensing. The firing came after the town received a letter from Nadeau urging the town to stop using Kropik as a building inspector.

Several weeks later, Nadeau got into trouble with the Indian Shores Commission for his alleged belligerence with the town staff and announced he would retire from his job Aug. 24. The Town Commission then canceled a scheduled disciplinary hearing against Nadeau, who had been disciplined the previous year for sexual harassment.

The Redington Shores Commission on Tuesday unanimously voted to hire Nadeau, described by Commissioner Clell Miller as "one of the best building officials in Pinellas County and probably the best in the state."

Nadeau is scheduled to begin his new duties in Redington Shores on Aug. 27.

Redington Shores

At the urging of Mayor J.J. Beyrouti, the commission changed its policy Tuesday. "We are finding damage. It's costing the town money," Beyrouti said

Also, the commission made it easier Tuesday to replace members of its Board of Adjustment and Planning and Zoning Board. Two new ordinances allow members of the two boards to be "removed from time to time" by the commission. In the past, members could be removed only "for cause."

South Pasadena

The Florida Commission on Ethics has dismissed a complaint filed against City Clerk Diane Orloff by resident Al Friend, who alleged the clerk misused her position when she allowed Mayor Fred Held to run in March for another term in office.

Friend, who has complained to the state attorney's office several times about city employees and Held, said that Orloff, who reports directly to the mayor, allowed Held to run even though he had exhausted his term limit.

Held's candidacy was the subject of much debate during election season. One opponent ran on the platform that Held should not be allowed to run, and the other ran as a "backup" candidate in case Held was disqualified.

The controversy dealt with whether Held is currently serving his third or fourth term. The city charter prohibits elected officials from serving more than three consecutive three-year terms.

But Held's situation is unusual. He first took the mayor's seat in 1994, when the previous mayor resigned and commissioners selected Held to take her place.

He was re-elected to three-year terms in 1995 and 1998. Except for 1983-1985, as well as a few days before his appointment as mayor, Held has continuously held a city office since 1981.

The ethics commission report states: "Although it can be argued that (Orloff's) refusal or failure to disqualify the mayor as a candidate for re-election benefited the mayor and possibly herself, there is no indication that (Orloff) acted in a manner inconsistent with the proper performance of her public duties."

Gulfport

The "Clam Bayou Cleanup" will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon Sept. 15.

The group Keep Gulfport Beautiful, working with the city, is trying to clean the shoreline, grounds and waters of the Clam Bayou nature preserve.

Because of the heavy runoff caused by recent storms, the bayou contains a large amount of litter, and many volunteers are necessary. People with small flat-bottom boats and canoes also are needed. T-shirts will be given to the first 100 volunteers who sign up. For more information or to volunteer, contact Charlie Alaimo at 321-5745.

Indian Rocks Beach

The center will break in new studio space for pottery classes taught by Gwen Gutwein and Bob Apholz. Starting Sept. 10, separate pottery classes will meet on Mondays from 1 to 4 p.m. or 6 to 9 p.m.; and on Tuesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. or 6 to 9 p.m. Pottery classes cost $60 for four weeks. All classes currently have openings

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