Northpinellas: Pinellas digest

DUNEDIN -- The city has signed a 10-year contract with Florida Power, officially ending an effort to develop its own municipal utility. Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve the contract Dec. 20 after several of the commissioners voiced concerns about going it alone. The current contract is scheduled to expire Jan. 1. Mayor Tom Anderson said it would have proven very expensive to buy the distribution center and other equipment from Florida Power and may have resulted in legal costs and taken years to resolve. "I'm not sure it's a good idea for the city to get into the electric business at this time," he said. Anderson also said there were benefits to signing the contract, including an additional $130,000 each year in franchise fees on top of the $1.4-million the city already receives from Florida Power. The contract also calls for new poles to have electrical outlets, which could be used during community events, and the installation of underground wires in the downtown area. Vice mayor Deborah Kynes also expressed concerns that Dunedin would have trouble purchasing electricity on the open market and have trouble restoring power after an emergency such as a hurricane. Commissioner John Doglione, the lone dissenter, could not be reached for comment.

Duquesne performances sold out

TARPON SPRINGS -- Two performances by the Duquesne University Tamburitzans, a multicultural song and dance company, are sold out. The Jan. 2 and 3 shows at the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center feature music and Eastern European dance.

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