Beaches notebook

© St. Petersburg Times,
published November 7, 2001

Residents learn about fire station

TIERRA VERDE -- Construction on a new fire station is expected to begin in November 2002, with a completion date of October 2003.

Tierra Verde residents gathered Thursday to hear the county's plans for the intersection of the Pinellas Bayway and Sands Point Drive, where the new fire station will be constructed. County General Services Director Carl Barron said the county invites residents to offer suggestions for how the building should look to blend in with other architecture.

The station is financed with Penny for Pinellas revenues. The existing station is actually a double-wide mobile home, which recently replaced a single-wide that was installed 20 years ago.

"In those days, we were told it would be there 24 months, max," said Pass-a-Grille resident Ralph Lickton, who helped install the single-wide trailer that served as a fire station. "And that was, what, 20 years ago?"

The existing station also includes a prefabricated metal building that will be relocated when the new station is built.

The new building is expected to reduce response times slightly to many of the 2,400 homes in Tierra Verde because it will be more centrally located.

"If you're having a heart attack, that minute means a lot," said Dwaine Booth, the county's assistant director of Emergency Medical Services and Fire Administration.

Belleair Beach

An audit discovered no discrepancies in the handling of city finances during the tenure of former Mayor Bill Atteberry, who was convicted of non-city-related money laundering.

The audit was commissioned after the City Council realized that previous accounting procedures prevented them from knowing exactly how much money was in various city funds.

"(The audit) brings us up to speed on some things we need to do," Presiding Officer Chuck Pollick said Monday.

Although no improprieties were found in the handling of cash receipts, bank accounts, bank statements, purchasing and cash disbursements or payroll, the auditing firm noted that it was unable to find or examine all meeting minutes or bank statements for the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 fiscal years.

The auditor's report included recommendations to improve the city's financial reporting procedures, including creating written accounting procedures and policies; council oversight of opening, closing and reconciliation of bank accounts; and security procedures for the city's checkbook.

Beginning Dec. 1, Belleair Beach once again will provide police protection for Belleair Shore.

For the past three years, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office patrolled the 51-home beachfront community on the west side of Gulf Boulevard.

"This is a great neighborly step to take," said council member Mary Jo Henderson. Council members Larry Rudolph and Lynn Rives opposed the policing contract, arguing that it provided little benefit for Belleair Beach residents.

Belleair Beach is charging Belleair Shore $17,500 a year, compared with the $20,000 charged by the Sheriff. The one-year agreement between the two towns also ensures that Belleair Shore will have no liability for potential lawsuits resulting from law enforcement actions.

Gulfport

The city's sixth annual "Brush Up Gulfport" campaign is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday.

The city is looking for volunteers to help paint homes of owners who meet certain income requirements and do not have alternate ways of having their homes painted.

Anyone interested in volunteering or receiving information on the project should call Tamara Harte at 893-1024.

Participants will receive a free T-shirt and McDonald's lunch.

Madeira Beach

The fifth annual Veterans Day Boat Parade will take place Saturday in Madeira Beach and Treasure Island.

The event is sponsored by American Legion posts in both cities and the Elks Lodge in Madeira Beach.

Boaters will line up for the parade, which will begin at 10:30 a.m., behind the Elks Lodge 1912, 14111 E Parsley Drive in Madeira Beach. It will travel to John's Pass and into the Isle of Palms neighborhood in Treasure Island.

Good spots for viewing the parade include John's Pass, American Legion Post 273 in Madeira Beach, Elks Lodge 1912 in Madeira Beach and the channel between Isle of Palms and Isle of Capri in Treasure Island.

For information, contact Don Graham at 360-9899 or Leroy White at 392-1991. Entry forms can be picked up at the sponsoring American Legion posts or Elks Lodge, or at the Madeira Beach Publix.

Prize money is available.

Indian Rocks Beach

Antique automobile owners are invited to show their cars at Indian Rocks Beach's 24th annual Fall Festival.

The festival awards will include trophies and dash plaques. The registration fee is $5.

The Fall Festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 17 in Kolb Park in Indian Rocks Beach. The park is next door to Indian Rocks Beach City Hall.

The antique car show is a new event for the Fall Festival. The festival is host to a fine arts and crafts show; pancake breakfast; bake, book and plant sale; Chalk Walk 2001; local bands; and food and drinks.

For information call the Beach Art Center, 596-4331.

Treasure Island

The Sunset Beach Civic Association will host a flagpole dedication at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Beach Pavilion in Treasure Island, 8000 W Gulf Blvd.

Mayor Leon Atkinson will speak, and American Legion Post 158 will present the colors.

The patriotic event will include cannon firings, music and refreshments. For information call B.C. Acton, civic association president, at (727) 367-6082.

-- Compiled by Times staff writer Amy Wimmer. To submit an item for the Beaches Notebook, e-mail wimmer@sptimes.com.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright