Northpinellas: Pinellas digest

Pinellas County commissioners agreed Tuesday to give more authority to Steve Spratt, now in his second week as county administrator. Now, if Spratt fires a manager or high-level employee, the worker can't appeal his decision to commissioners. Spratt's authority over his workers should be clear, said Commissioner Karen Seel. Allowing the appeals "causes us to go from a policymaking board to a micro-managing basis," she said. Commissioner John Morroni said he had doubts about the change at first, but Spratt eased his worries. "He assured me he would not go on a firing frenzy," Morroni said. Five commissioners approved the measure, but Commissioners Barbara Sheen Todd and Bob Stewart voted against it. Stewart voted no because the resolution wasn't on the commission's regular agenda Tuesday. Todd said she couldn't support a commission vote to change the county charter, which was approved by voters in 1980. The resolution doesn't carry the same weight as asking voters to amend the county's charter, said County Attorney Susan Churuti, but still makes commissioners' intent clear.

Water main work begins today

TARPON SPRINGS -- City work crews are scheduled to spend the next 90 days replacing a water main on Riverside Drive between Beckett Bridge and Bayshore Drive. The project started this week and is expected to cause little interruption to traffic. Most work will be done on the shoulder of the road, and traffic will be allowed to go in both directions. No work will take place on weekends or holidays. Call the city engineering department at (727) 942-5608 or (727) 938-3711, ext. 225.

Police begin gift drive for kids

TARPON SPRINGS -- The Tarpon Springs Police Department is holding its annual gift drive for the Cops & Kids holiday program. Police are asking for cash donations to purchase items from children's wish lists, as well as unwrapped gifts for babies through teenagers. Checks can be made payable to the Tarpon Springs Police Department Cops & Kids program. Donations can be brought to the Public Safety Facility, 444 S Huey Ave. Call (727) 938-2849.

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