Northpinellas: Arrested mayor receives support

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Arrested mayor receives support

As Belleair Beach's longtime mayor faces federal fraud charges, many residents show support and disbelief.

By AMELIA DAVIS

BELLEAIR BEACH -- Word was spreading fast through this tiny beach community Wednesday. Bill Atteberry, mayor of the city for 10 years, had been arrested by FBI agents and U.S. marshals on charges of wire fraud and money laundering.

Neighbors and others who have known Atteberry for years said they were shocked. Residents said they considered him an honest man, someone they would trust above most others.

"This is unbelievable," said Belleair Beach council president Chris Demaio. "I don't believe a word of it."

Even Cherie Parker, who ran for vice mayor on an opposing ticket in this year's election, had kind words for Atteberry on Wednesday.

"I find him to be an excellent mayor," Parker said. "He is dedicated, humble and unassuming."

Parker said she agreed to run against the Atteberry ticket only because "I thought the city needed someone new. He'd been mayor for 10 years."

Most people contacted had learned of Atteberry's arrest on local television news. Others had received telephone calls from neighbors. Parker, who like Atteberry, is a lawyer, knew nothing of the arrest until a reporter contacted her late Wednesday. "I'm in shock," she said. "I had no idea."

Belleair Beach, a city of 2,070 people, sits between Clearwater's Sand Key and Indian Rocks Beach. Some residents, such as Atteberry and his family, live in single-family homes on the east side of Gulf Boulevard. Others live in condos on the gulf. The price of an average Belleair Beach home is about $200,000. Many of the residents are retired, and a number are retired military officers. Atteberry receives no salary for serving as mayor. He supervises all city employees including the police chief and is responsible for the annual budget.

According to the City Charter, Atteberry does not have to resign as mayor unless he is convicted of a felony.

"Nothing is going to change," said Vice Mayor Roy Cougle, who was in Tallahassee at a conference for representatives of small cities when he heard the news. "He is still the mayor." Cougle said he expects Atteberry to attend Monday night's council meeting.

Council member Elisabeth Schroeder is a neighbor of Atteberry's. She described him as "a gentle, laid-back person for whom I have the greatest respect."

"I don't want him to resign," Schroeder said. "I believe he has the support of the majority of the people."

Atteberry, 59, became mayor in December 1989 after Mayor John Blank, now deceased, resigned. In an election the previous February, Atteberry had run against Blank. The two candidates received the same number of votes: 334. To settle the issue, Atteberry's and Blank's names were placed in a coffee cup and Blank's name was drawn. When Blank resigned, the council voted 4-2 to name Atteberry as his replacement.

Atteberry works in Tampa as an executive vice president for Atlantic International, a company that deals in real estate finance. He has a law degree from the University of Baltimore. He and his wife, Judy, have three children. They have lived in Belleair Beach for 25 years. According to a campaign flier, he is the author of eight textbooks on real estate finance and real estate law. He is a past president of the Pinellas Mayors Council.

Indian Rocks Beach Mayor Bob DiNicola said his contacts with Atteberry throughout the years have been cordial. The two have worked on a number of projects that have benefited their coastal communities, DiNicola said.

"He's a fun guy to be around," DiNicola said. "This is very sad. Maybe it's a mistake."

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