C.O.N.A. of South Pinellas County

The price of liberty is eternal vigilance!

Jul 11, 2002

`Tis the Season to Learn About Your Candidates

Elections are coming up this fall. Candidates can be elected from the Primary Ballot Vote on September 10. The General Election is November 5.

To become acquainted with the candidates, we have invited all Pinellas County School Board Candidates to come to the July 17th meeting. They represent different Districts or At Large Seats but are elected by everyone in the County. With all the changes taking place in the next 2-3 years we need to have a strong and focused School Board.

The following Candidates have confirmed that they will be at the July meeting:
District 2 -- Richard L. Bennett, Linda Lerner, Michael A. Smith, Marc B. Wilson;
District 4 -- Matthew P. Sullivan;
District 5 -- Nancy Bostock, Moses D. Holmes, Jr.;
At Large --Dr. Max R. Gessner, Mike Pachik, and Mary L. Russell

Helen Levine, Advisor on School & Public Affairs for the City, is coming to discuss the Schools in St. Petersburg, the Bright Future Scholarships, and mentoring students in our neighborhoods.

We just finished the school year, but now is the time to plan for fall. School starts early for the 2002-3 school year: August 7.


The Next C.O.N.A. Meeting is Wednesday, July 17th.

Agenda for General Board Meeting on 7/17/02

Pledge

Approval of the Minutes

Treasurer's Report

Mentoring Students in Our Neighborhoods
Guest Speaker:
Helen Levine, Advisor on School & Public
Affairs City of St. Petersburg

Grand Central District
Gary Jones, City of St. Petersburg
Suzanne LaBere, Grand Central Business

Introduction of School Board Candidates
- Intro by each Candidate
- Questions from the Audience
- Close by the Candidates

Committee Reports
Police/Mayor Committee
Codes
Traffic Committee
Neighborhood Partnership Office

Old Business

New Business
CONA Leadership Chairman


Dear Neighbors,

The Tall Ships have come and gone. What a tremendous experience! The Coast Guard cutter "Eagle" and the Brazilian ship "Cisne Branco" were magnificent. The crews of all the ships had a fantastic time in the City. The America's Sail people indicated that if we (the City) wanted them back they would come. This is the only location on Florida's West Coast for such an event. What amazed everyone was that the festival was organized and held in less than 5 months. The people that I spoke with came from all over the area and around the country and EVERYONE was impressed with the beauty of OUR great City and plan to come back.

We (CONA) had great representation with the event. Cheryl Garnes (Harbordale) arranged all the entertainment for three locations for all three days. Jim Belcher (Snell Isle) was involved with security, both on land and at sea. Hal Freeman (Snell Isle) was involved with the accounting and ticket sales. Clifford Holensworth (Crescent Lakes) was involved with the Civil Air Patrol and getting over 350 kids free flights out of Albert Witted Airfield. Ruby Grant (Coquina Key) held a soccer match and party for the crews on Saturday at Coquina Key Apartments South. Theresa and David McEachern (Harbordale) were there as usual volunteering for whatever people needed for as long as people needed. I'm sure there were more neighborhood people involved that I did not see and I'm sorry that I missed you.

There are great things happening in our City. A consultant has been hired to work on a new Comprehensive Plan. Zoning changes will be made that follow the Comp Plan so that there are less variances. Public hearings will be announced as this progresses. We need to attend. Ideas and concerns of the Vision 2020 will also be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan.

I need volunteers to go to Lakeland on August 17th to work with neighborhood activist in Polk County to develop neighborhood organizations and help them get started. If you are interested in going, please let me know so that we can car pool.

TASCO is having a City neighborhood cleanup on July 23rd. If you have an area in your community that needs special attention please call Terese Hilliard at 551-3249. TASCO is made up of older youth that are team leaders at the different City park recreation complexes in St. Petersburg. This is one of the many community projects that they do each year.

At the July and August meetings we are inviting the balance of the local and state candidates that can be decided either in the Primary Election in September or the General Election in November. Please bring as many people as you can to these meetings to see the full array of candidates. Those elected will be our contacts for the next 2 to 4 years with the school board, the State Legislature, and our judicial system.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Brent


Dear Mr. Brent Fisher, July 2, 2002

Water Wise Awards Approaching

You or someone in your neighborhood could be deserving of an award and not even know it. The fourth annual Water Wise Awards are fast approaching and we want to be sure that everyone will have an opportunity to receive recognition. The deadline for entries is August 31, 2002, so it is important to act quickly.

What is the award?

Tampa Bay residents have been working hard to create beautiful water-efficient landscapes for many years. We believe that those who make an effort to preserve Florida's natural environment deserve to be recognized. The Water Wise Award is one of the ways we are doing this.

What are the criteria?

These are some of the things that will be looked at:
* Landscape designed for conservation
* Plant and lawn selection for drought tolerance
* Efficient watering methods
* Use of mulches and other pervious materials

How can I be a part?

To find out if your landscape deserves a Water Wise Award visit www.stpete.org and print up an entry form, fill it out, and then mail it in. A Florida Yards & Neighborhood representative will contact you shortly to view your landscape. We also strongly encourage you to share this information with others so that they too may have an opportunity to receive recognition. If you have any questions you can reach Joan Bradshaw, water conservation coordinator, at 892-5688.

Your community appreciates the efforts you are making to conserve water. With your help we will maintain and improve the beauty of Florida living.

Sincerely,
Joan Bradshaw
City of St. Petersburg Public Utilities Department

This project is sponsored by Tampa Bay Water, Florida Yards & Neighborhoods and the city of St. Petersburg Public Utilities Department.


June Board of Director's Meeting Minutes

The June C.O.N.A. meeting was held on June 19, 2002, at All Children's Hospital Conference Center.

President Brent Fisher called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with our pledge of allegiance to the flag.

- Brent introduced Paula Engel the recently appointed Editor of our monthly CONA Newsletter. He explained that we will begin to include our draft Minutes in the following month's newsletter. The President called for any corrections or additions to the May Minutes as distributed; hearing none, he requested a verbal consensus to accept the Minutes. [Approved]
- Libby Steele gave her Treasurer's Report quoting our current balance of $2,940. She noted that our records no longer reflect a deficit for our CONA Leadership Program.
- Steve Plice, (Jungle Terrace), provided an update on the efforts of our Historic Preservation Committee and the Pinellas County School properties. The Committee includes Barbara Heck and Tim Baker.
- Karl Nurse, (Old Southeast), reported a current County School Board policy that dictates the demolition of old structures that would involve renovation costs that exceed 60% of the cost to build a new structure.
- Susan Ajoc, (Neighborhood Partnership Office), offered copies of the catalog prepared for our upcoming statewide neighborhood conference, (9/6-9/7/02).
-Susan also reported that 9/27/02 was the deadline for submitting neighborhood partnership grants for which $200,000 will be available. Submission of grant requests may be via e-mail.
-We also heard of a new program called "Flux" that will concentrate on developing an appreciation of local artists at the neighborhood level.
-Susan solicited ideas for the development of a project, perhaps similar to our former Neighborhood's Block Party, which will be hosted by The Pier.
- Cathy Wilson, (Greater Woodlawn), reported on her meetings with City Engineering staffers, (Mike Connors & Mike Fredericks), to establish the status, schedule and funding for the Traffic Calming Projects in our neighborhoods.
- President Fisher then opened the floor to several of our local elected state officials: Senator Jim Sebesta, Representative Charles Justice and Representative Frank Farkas, inviting each to recap their work in the legislature this session.
- Kai Warren, (Historic Roser Park), spoke of work to improve city codes enforcement. A meeting to discuss possible legislative remedies will convene at 5:30 p.m. on 7/16/02 at St. Petersburg College, Fifth Avenue Campus. Karl Nurse elaborated on his committee work with Sally Eichler and Mike Dove.
- Brent Fisher solicited newsletter articles that can be e-mailed to Paula Engel.
-Stories and pictures from our neighborhood
newsletters.
-Status of city efforts to eliminate
abandoned grocery carts in neighborhoods.
-It was suggested we initiate a newsletter
feature of "Unfinished Business".
- Brent Fisher announced that Tom Killian will head the CONA Leadership 2003 Program for Recruitment. He urged our member neighborhoods to invite Tom to address their neighborhood meetings to acquaint their residents with this fine program. The Chairman for CONA Leadership will be announced next month.
- Brent solicited verbal approval to invite Dr. Bill Heller, retiring head of USF Bayboro Campus, to attend our July meeting. [Approved]
- Steve Plice was applauded for his work in soliciting neighborhood participation at the Planning Commission hearing that defeated the city staff efforts to emasculate the current zoning ordinances
- We heard of tentative plans to establish an organization similar to our CONA but which would draw its membership from the entire County or the region.
Our meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By:
Conrad Weiser, Secretary


St. Petersburg Police Dept. Sponsors
"National Night Out" on August 6

The St. Petersburg Police Department invites you to attend the annual "National Night Out" on Tuesday, August 6. This free event will take place at the Woodlawn Park at 13th Ave. North and 16th Street North from 5 - 8 p.m. "National Night Out" is a neighborhood watch, crime prevention event, sponsored by the St. Petersburg Police Department.

"National Night Out" is designed to:

1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
2) Generate support for, and anticipation in,
local anti-crime efforts;
3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police
community partnerships;
4) Send a message to criminals to let them know
neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Tell a neighbor and join the fun!

A bike safety clinic will start at 5 p.m. with free bike helmets for children who participate. Helmets are limited so get there early. There will be free hot dogs, chips, popcorn and sodas.

The police auto theft unit will be there giving out clubs to the city?•s high theft vehicles: Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Saturn, Dodge Chrysler and 1980's General Motors vehicles. You must provide your Florida driver's license, your vehicle registration and you must live in St. Petersburg. There is a limited amount of clubs available, also. Police and fire vehicles will be there to view; there will be a K-9 demo, displays and entertainment.

Additional information and pictures from last year's event can be found by going to the police web page @ www.stpete.org/sppd and clicking on "National Night Out".



Poll Worker Recruitment
adapted from an article by Ginny Stewart,
Pinellas County Election Service Coordinator

With many new precincts this year, the Election Services Center will need many more poll workers. There are ongoing recruitment efforts, but the most successful method of recruiting is word-of-mouth. If you are out in the community and able to spread the word to friends and neighbors, it will help with this very important process.

The elections are just around the corner with a primary on September 10th and the General Election on November 5th. Your help is truly needed. This is an historic event for Pinellas County, as the new touch screen voting machines will be used Countywide. It will be a good time for new workers to join the Elections team.

Workers must be available to work a full day without leaving the precinct. They must attend a part-day orientation during the month of August. Workers are paid $15 for attendance at classes and between $80 - $100 for election day duties depending on the assignment.

If you know someone whom you think would be interested and is easy to work with, please call the Outreach Department, Elections Service
Center, at 464-6110.

Mark Your Calendars!

2002 Election Dates

PRIMARY ELECTION: September 10

GENERAL ELECTION: November 5



VISION 2020?
by Steve Plice, Jungle Terrace

Last year, the City led a broad community based effort to create a "Visioning Element" for our Comprehensive Plan. Many CONA members, along with many other residents, participated in a series of lectures and workshops to create a Vision Statement.

In order for the Vision Statement to become part of our Comprehensive Plan, it needs to be adopted by City Council as an official Plan Amendment. City Council cannot even consider the Plan Amendment until the Planning Commission considers it and adopts recommendations for City Council. Today, more than a year after the community completed its work on a vision statement, the formal adoption process has not even begun. It we are not careful, the year 2020 will be upon us and the vision will still be languishing in some City Staff office.

Instead of moving the visioning process forward, it appears that the Staff is pursuing an entirely different course. Currently, Staff attention is directed toward rewriting our entire Development Code. The Development Code must be consistent with our Comprehensive Plan. Apparently, the City would prefer to adopt a new Development Code BEFORE the Vision Statement becomes part of the Comprehensive Plan.

In my view, the City is going about the process of revising our Development Code backwards. We need to adopt the Vision first and then create a Development Code that is consistent with the Vision.

City Staff has not taken the Vision Statement to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission, however, is not powerless in this matter. They could set the agenda themselves. If they so choose, the Planning Commission could schedule a Visioning Workshop and begin the process of considering and adopting a Visioning Element.

I have asked for time on the July 17th agenda to discuss this matter with the CONA Board. I will propose that CONA should submit a request to the Planning Commission asking that the Commission move the Visioning process forward by scheduling a workshop to consider the Visioning Statement.



"Partnership Notes"
from the Neighborhood Partnership Program of St. Petersburg

Florida Neighborhood Conference 2002
The Florida Neighborhood Conference will be held at the Tampa Convention Center on September 6 & 7. The Conference brochures are now available at the Neighborhood Partnership Office and can be viewed on the city's website www.stpete.org.

Conference Scholarships are Available
Approximately 50 registration scholarships will be available. There is a limit of 2 scholarships per neighborhood. Previous scholarship recipients are ineligible.

Neighborhood Partnership Grants 2003
The Neighborhood Partnership Grant applications will be available in mid to late July for the 2003 year. An estimated $200,000 of grant dollars will be available. The maximum grant award is $25,000, and any proposed projects must be a public benefit. There must also be a neighborhood match (volunteer hours, inkind services, cash and/or materials). The application deadline to submit your grant is September 27, 2002 at 5:00 p.m.

Neighborhood Block Party Returns?
There have been recent discussions with The Pier about hosting the potential return of the Neighborhood Block Party in Spring 2003. A possible theme would be the 100 years of St. Petersburg's neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Partnership Office is interested in your thoughts and/or interest in participating in a neighborhood block party. You can send your comments to nghdpart@stpete.org

FLUX
Arts in Neighborhoods? First Night St. Petersburg is bringing a new event to the city called FLUX. FLUX is a multidisciplinary arts series that travels from neighborhood to neighborhood, celebrating the region's greatest, but often overlooked attributes -- artists and neighborhoods.

The intent of Flux is to engage the community in unique ways -- by providing an alternative forum for artists to perform, interact and promote themselves in non-traditional settings, and raising awareness about positive urban development happening within our regional neighborhoods.

The organizing group is interested in hosting the first event on November 2 at the Shuffleboard Court and Mirror Lake Park in the North Downtown ("No Do") Neighborhood.

Watch for more information in future C.O.N.A. newsletter issues.

Susan P. Ajoc, AICP
Neighborhood Partnership Director
Neighborhood Partnership Program
City of St. Petersburg
P.O. Box 2842
St. Petersburg, FL 33731
(727) 892-5141 (phone)
(727) 892-5323 (fax)
spajoc@stpete.org


Attend the 6th Annual
Florida Neighborhoods Conference 2002:
Tampa Convention Center, September 6-7

Conference Registration
You must Register by August 1 to receive preregistration conference rates. The preregistration rate for the entire 2-day conference is $40; the on-site rate $90 (includes workshops for both days plus the Saturday morning mobile tour w/ a continental breakfast). Preregistration rates are $20 per day, $45 on-site; or $35 for both days before 8/1 and $75 on-site; mobile tour only $5 before 81/; $15 on-site. Registration fees are not
refundable.

Hotel Registration
The Tampa Marriott Waterside is the official conference hotel site. Reserve your room directly with the Marriott which is adjacent to the Convention Center. Rooms are limited so make your reservation early.

The conference room rate is $99 for both single or double occupancy. Rates are guaranteed through July 15. Call Marriott at 1-800-228-9290 or (813) 221-4900.

Questions? Call the Florida Neighborhoods Conference Hotline at (813) 274-8340.

This Annual Conference is sponsored by The Florida Aquarium, HARTline, and the Tampa Convention Center.

Workshops & Events Offered at the
Florida Neighborhoods Conference

Go and Learn! Here is a list of the workshops and events being offered at the 6th Annual Florida Neighborhoods Conference, September 6 & 7, at the Tampa Convention Center.

Workshops-at-a-Glance

Session I Topics
Community Planning -- Guiding Your Future
When Code Enforcement is not Enough
Working with Banks and Community Development Corporations
Establishing and Maintaining Websites
Special Events/Celebrations/Fundraising
Making Neighborhoods Legal - Meetings, Incorporating and Sunshine
Effective Lobbying (How to be A Squeaky Wheel)
Working Effectively with Boards and Commissions
Healthy Alternatives in the 'Hood Court Watch

Session II Topics
Preserving Your Neighborhood Through Historic Preservation
Engaging Absentee Landlords
Preventing Crime in Your Community
Marketing Your Neighborhood
Effective Grant Writing
Neighborhood Communications and Association Newsletters
What's in an Association Name? Neighborhood, Homeowner or Civic?
The Power of Neighborhood Partnerships: Everyone Wins!
Understanding Annexation
All Eyes on You -- Community Youth Crime Watch Program

Session III Topics
Neighborhoods Preparing for Emergencies & Anti-Terrorism
Community Redevelopment Agencies
Accessing City Services at the Touch of a Button (Phone & Internet)
Sustaining & Building Membership
Negotiation, Power and Influence
Growth Management Made Simple
HOT TIPS -- Hot News about Tobacco Intervention and Prevention Services
Developing a Voice for Youth in an Organization
Public Arts

Round Table with Local Elected Officials
Round Table with Local Media

Conference Schedule-at-a-Glance

Thursday, September 5
5 - 7:30 p.m. Early Registration at
Tampa Convention Center
5 - 7:30 p.m. Informal Reception on the
Riverwalk
7 - 10 p.m. Continuous Shuttle to
Ybor City

Friday, September 6
7 a.m. - 3 p.m. Registration Open
8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open
8 a.m. - 9 a.m. Welcome Breakfast with
Mayor Dick Greco
9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Workshops: Session I
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Workshops: Session II
12:45 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Luncheon: Keynote Address
2:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m Workshops: Session III
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Tropical Reception at The
Florida Aquarium

Saturday, September 7
7 a.m. - 10 a.m. Registration Open
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Neighborhood Mobile
Workshops
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Popular Workshop Sessions
12:30 p.m. Closing Luncheon: Keynote
Address



Closing Azalea Branch Library
by Steve Plice, Jungle Terrace Civic Association

Closing a library is never a good thing. As a city, we should be expanding library resources and providing more facilities. Instead of expanding, however, the City plans to close the Azalea Branch Library and reduce library services available to our residents.

The City's plan is to spend $2 million to help St. Petersburg College build a new library at the 66th Street North and 5th Avenue campus. After the new college library is built, the City would give the College approximately $300,000 each year toward the operating cost of the College Library. These operating costs would primarily come from the $240,000 the City currently spends on the Azalea Library. The Azalea Library would be closed and the College Library would then be designated as a community library.

Residents May Use the St. Petersburg College Library Currently, the St. Petersburg College has a 36,000 square foot library on its campus. This library already functions as a community library. Through an inter-library cooperative agreement, anyone with a public library card may use all of the College library facilities and services. For example, the public may borrow books from the College library and, if they wish, return them to the Azalea Branch Library (or any other library that participates in the cooperative agreement). Before the City got involved, the College planned to build a new 43,000 square foot library. With the $2 million subsidy from the City, the College has added 7,000 square feet to its plan and now proposes to build a 50,000 square foot library.

Between Azalea and the College, there is currently 53,000 square feet of library space. If the College were to go forward with its original plan to build a new 43,000 square foot library, we would have 60,000 square feet of library space serving the West Side of the City in two convenient locations. By closing the Azalea library, we would have one less library than we have today. The total library space available to the public would decrease and library children's services would be substantially curtailed. Under this plan, the City would spend millions of dollars and receive less than we have now.

Jointly operated libraries have a poor track record. Many of these experiments fail. The Azalea Library was one of the first jointly operated libraries in Florida, and it is unique because of its enormous success. Azalea has emerged as a center for children's reading and library activities, and does better with these programs than even the main library. Ph.D. students and other experts have studied the Azalea Library to determine why this library has succeeded where others have failed. There is substantial documentation concerning what works at the Azalea Library. Much of this information also suggests that the same activities would not succeed on a college campus.

Unfortunately, the decision to close the Azalea Library was announced at a press conference before public input had been obtained. Over the past year, numerous public hearings were proposed and then canceled on the library matter. While the public was ignored, City and College officials finalized plans for their joint adventure. In May 2002, these officials decided to schedule a public forum about the library for the summer of 2003.

As a result of actions by residents and library patrons, the City has now agreed to hold a public forum about the plan to close the Azalea Library in the year 2002 instead of waiting until 2003. City Council has also agreed to hold a Public Hearing on the matter. This is important because first installment of the $2 million capital expense is included in the budget currently before City Council.

The Public Forum will be held at 7:00 PM, July 18th at the St. Petersburg College Music Center located at 6605 - 5th Avenue N. This will be a presentation given by individuals who advocate closing the Azalea Library. People who advocate keeping the library open have not been invited to present their point of view.

The Public Hearing with City Council will be held in early August. The specific date has not yet been announced.

The Jungle Terrace Civic Association is strongly opposed to the Plan to close the Azalea Library. We believe it is terribly irresponsible for the City to spend millions of dollars to reduce the quantity and quality of library services.



Neighborhood Spotlight

Impressions and Memories
by Jim Tomlinson, Crescent Heights Neighborhood Association

The June C.O.N.A meeting was a first for me. I was representing Crescent Heights Neighborhood Association as an alternate for President Stephanie Pitts.
It was interesting to hear our State Legislative Representatives speak. I was impressed with the involvement of the other neighborhood associations with the various ongoing projects in our city. These impressions reinforced my pride in the community and reminded me of why St. Petersburg is ?’home?“ for me.
My family moved to St. Petersburg in 1950. We were amazed at the relatively wide streets, the many parks, and the beaches. Initially we lived just east of Lake Maggorie, on 36th Ave South. At that time, it was mostly woods all around. We had great times going to the Million Dollar Pier, Spa Pool and Beach, and taking the Bee Line Ferry to Anna Maria or Sanibel Islands. During 1954 we moved to 46th Ave. and 10th Street North. At that time 9th Street ended at 62nd Ave North and most everything else in the area was citrus groves or dairy farms. Some of my best memories were of playing around Hood's Dairy and at Crescent Lake.
Over the years there have been many changes, and I have traveled extensively. Yet, the memories of the sunny weather, views of Tampa Bay and the Gulf, Fort Desoto and many of the other area parks, in addition to a very clean city by comparison to any other I?•ve seen, has always brought me back home!
St. Petersburg is a great place to live and it is gratifying to see so many others working to keep it that way.



Letters to the Editor
This letter was received via E-Mail.

Dear Paula, June 26, 2002

Please express my most sincere thanks to the CONA members who attended the last meeting for their warm welcome and insightful comments and suggestions. As mentioned, folks like you are really my eyes and ears in the community. Many good ideas come from individuals and groups like CONA.

Thanks again.

Senator Jim Sebesta
State of Florida, District 20



QUOTE OF THE MONTH:

"What's right about Tampa Bay? Everything! Enjoy it. We do."
.......Reginald Roundtree
News Anchor, Channel 10
WTSP-TV