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

Could 90 each day be here to stay?

May 09, 2002

Our May CONA Meeting

Bob Jeffrey, Development Services, Urban Design and Historic Preservation for the City, is our featured speaker. Bob headed
2020 up the St. Petersburg 2020 Vision project. He has been instrumental in developing the flyer that was mailed to all the Associations and in working with CONA and the different organizations that have concerns for the future of the City. Bob is coming Wednesday the 15th to give us insight into how the proposal that we heard last month could or could not work with the long term vision that was developed at Vision 2020.

Lead Exposure Pinellas County Health Services is coming to tell CONA about the level of lead in our Community and what can and should be done
about it. They are making themselves available for presentations to any of our neighborhoods that are at risk.

CONA has Moved
Every month on the 3RD Wednesday
We will be meeting at All Children's Hospital
Conference Center - 701 4th St. South
Social at 6:00 PM - Meeting starts at 7:00PM


President's Report

Dear Neighbors,

We just graduated the largest CONA Leadership class in our ten year history of the program. The most exciting part was that many of the members of the class were fairly new residents of the City. Many of the new graduates are anxious to get more involved in their neighborhoods. I would like you to contact them and encourage them to come to your next meeting. (See the separate article of CONA Leadership Graduation)

The attendance at our new meeting location last month was terrific. We are NOT moving again in 2002. I want to thank Clifford Holensworth, President of Crescent Lake for arranging this fantastic location. The social time before the meeting was a success. We are in need of neighborhoods to volunteer to provide refreshments for the monthly meetings. Give any of the Executive Board a call to set up a time that you can help.

Bob Jeffrey has been great in having the Vision 2020 status report ready the last two months. We have run out of time each month. Be sure and come this month because Bob will not be silent anymore.

There were two items on the agenda when Jim Biggerstaff and I met with Sheriff Rice the end of January. First was the loss of officers to his department from the City's Police department and second was the lack of response to the growing perception of problems in our community. At that time his response was that if the Chief asked, his deputies would be available to help. Since that time the Police Department and Administration have come to terms with the PBA and a new contract was signed. After four months of meetings with the 13 member CONA task force, the Chief has now said that working with the Sheriff on drug issues in the City will come about soon. Thank you to the committee task force for being so persistent.

A smaller committee has met with Mike Connors and Mike Fredrick's regarding traffic calming and how to prioritize the request. (See the article) It is still a work in progress and if you have any special concerns, please contact someone on the Traffic committee.

We are in need of volunteers. First priority is an Editor or Coordinator for this newsletter. Second need is articles for this newsletter. We are also in need of volunteers to attend meetings in the City about issues that affect CONA and our neighborhoods. If there is an interest please convey it to anyone on the Executive Board.

June 8th is an important Day. We have the ability to put 10,000 people in Tropicana Field to show our support for the Devil Rays. This is also a good time to meet other concerned citizens from our town and our region of the state to share ideas on making West Florida even better. If you are a currently paid member of your neighborhood organization, be sure and get your two free tickets. If you are not a paid member of your association, join now and come support the Rays at the Trop.

Sincerely,

Brent



NEIGHBORHOODS DAY
AT THE TROP!
SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2002 @ 6:05 p.m.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays vs. San Diego Padres

The St. Petersburg
Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA),
the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and
SouthTrust Bank
invite you to

JOIN NEIGHBORHOODS FROM THROUGHOUT THE TAMPA BAY AREA at the 1st Annual Tailgate at the Trop

Associations members get 2 free tickets
(lower outfield seats - $28.00 value)with current membership*

Submit your name to your neighborhood association president if interested in attending the June 8th Devil Rays game.

Gates open at 4:15 p.m.
Game starts @ 6:15 p.m.

* Membership must be current on or before Wednesday, May 15, 2002. After this date, tickets are $5.00 each. Additional tickets may also be purchased for $5.00/each.


Contact CONA President Brent Fisher at 727-504-5180 (or St. Petersburg Neighborhood Partnership Director Susie Ajoc at 727-892-5141 for more information).

THIS EVENT WAS DEVELOPED TO ATTRACT MORE MEMBERS FOR YOUR ASSOCIATION, PLEASE GET YOUR MEMBERS OUT WE HAVE 10,000 TICKETS.
Editors: Use this if you have an early deadline for June or late May printing.

Ahoy Mates; the Tall Ships Are on the Way!

St. Petersburg, Fl., May 2, 2002-A flotilla of international tall ships will sail into St. Petersburg in June in what promises to be the largest ever display of these magnificent sailing vessels on Florida's Gulf Coast.

When the tall ships anchor in Tampa Bay on June 26, they will have completed the victory leg of an international Americas' Sail competition from Curacao to Jamaica. The City of St. Petersburg's first Maritime Festival will include presentation of the winner's trophy at the Captains' Ball on Saturday, June 29.

The four-day Maritime Festival starts with a Parade of Sail along St. Petersburg's downtown waterfront, beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 27. The festival site at the Port of St. Petersburg and the University of South Florida (USF) St. Petersburg campus will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., from Friday, June 28, through Sunday, June 30. The festival grounds will feature maritime exhibits, arts and crafts booths, entertainment, an international food court, close-up views and tours of the tall ships, and educational programs for all ages.

The Parade of Sail on June 27 is free. However, reserved VIP tickets for viewing the parade from a special area of The Pier are available for purchase. Tickets are also available for a reception at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club on June 26 and for the black tie Captain's Ball Gala at the TradeWinds Sirata Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach on June 29. General admission festival passes are $10 each day at the festival site; seniors and students $8; age 16 and under free when accompanied by an adult. Special Patron Passports include boarding passes to tour the tall ships. They are priced at $20 general admission; $18 for seniors and students; and $5 for age 16 and under when accompanied by an adult Patron Passport holder. All advance purchase orders receive an additional $2 discount.

A portion of the proceeds from Americas' Sail St. Petersburg-2002 will go to USF St. Petersburg for scholarships in environmental sciences and to the USF College of Marine Science for endowed fellowships for graduate students.

Major sponsors include The St. Petersburg Times, Florida Power, TradeWinds Beach Resorts, the City of St. Petersburg, and the StarShip Dining Yacht.

For information on Americas' Sail St. Petersburg-2002 or to order tickets, visit the website www.stpetetallships.com or call St. Petersburg Events at 727-825-3797.

NEWSLETTER EDITORS: YOU MAY USE THIS IN YOUR INDIVIDUAL NEWSLETTERS TO GET THE WORD OUT FOR THIS FANTASTIC EVENT.

Last month when we went to press nine paid members were inadvertently dropped from the list when other members were added. We apologize for the mistake and note that everyone that has paid, as of press time this month, is included on the list.

1. Central Oak Park
2. Isla del Sol Owners
3. Eagle Crest
4. Greater Pinellas Point
5. Barclay Estates
6. North Downtown
7. Bayway Isles
8. Disston Heights
9. Jungle Prada
10. Old Southeast
11. Lake Maggiore Shores
12. Meadowlawn
13. Fossil Park
14. Causeway Isles
15. Euclid Heights
16. Shore Acres
17. Mel-Tan Heights
18. Bayou Highlands
19. Albert Whitted Airport Advisory Committee
20. Jungle Terrace
21. Crescent Heights
22. Tropical Shores
23. Garden Manor
24. Placido Bayou
25. Snell Isle Property Owners
26. Greater Woodlawn
27. Central Oak Park
28. Holiday Park
29. Childs Park
30. Historic Roser Park
31. North Kenwood
32. North Shore
33. Lakewood Civic
34. Winston Park
35. Woodlawn Oaks
36. Grand Central
37. Maximo Moorings
38. Old Pasadena
39. Eden Isle Civic
40. Asian F.A.C.E.
41. Ponce de Leon
42. Bahama Shores
43. Harbordale
44. Historic Kenwood
45. Yacht Club Estates

CONA Leadership Graduates for 2002

Alicia Addeo, Gateway Area; Jim Belcher, Snell Isle; David & Margaret Briggs, Snell Isle; Mary Bryant, Snell Isle; Mary Darling, Bayou Highlands; David Dusseault, Euclid-St. Paul; Andy Fanguiare, Crescent Heights; Hal Freedman, Snell Isle; Ken Garliepp, Central Oak Park; Cheryl Elver Garnes, Harbordale; Ruby Grant, Coquina Key; Audrey Inglesby, Greater Pinellas Point; Maria Kadau, Central Oak Park; Tom Killian, Jungle Terrace; Bill King, 4th ST. Business; Tim Lewis, Ponce deLeon; Jeff Lynass, Broadwater; James E. Martin, Jr., Greater Pinellas Point; Debora McFarlane, Greater Pinellas Point; Joanne Murray, Northshore; Joyce North, Euclid Heights; Carolyn Quintin, Barclay Estates; Lucy Raulerson-Fink, Greater Pinellas Point; William Shaffer, Five Points; Roger Sheahen, Broadwater; Victoria Stout, Uptown, Phillip Whysong, North Kenwood; and Cathryn Wilson, Greater Woodlawn.

Be sure and get them involved if they aren't already. A lot of you that are getting the newsletter have gone through the CONA Leadership class, we have already started planning for next year and we would like your involvement to make the classes and the experience even better in 2003. Please give us a call if you have a class that you want to work on.

This is what some of the students had to say about the program.

"For someone that wants to learn about our City and city government, there can't be a better program.. You will also gain an appreciation for our city's diversity, its rich heritage and its bright future." Margaret Briggs

"Great exposure to the operations of our City and to the key people who are in charge. The CONA Leadership program prepares citizens to protect our beautiful city in the future." Tom Killian

"It has given me a different perspective, an understanding of how our City works. Neighborhood Presidents & VP's should take the course. The opportunity to network with fellow neighborhood associations and officials of different city depts.. is outstanding." Joyce North

"Participation in the 2002 CONA Leadership Program has enabled our (Business) association to better interface with city government. The bus tour was great!" Bill King

"The program was better than expected. Having access to community leaders (Mayor, Police Chief, etc.) was an important part of putting a face on the City. Hal Freedman

"This program presented a comprehensive overview of how our City & City government operate. Probably no place else a citizen could obtain this information. If you take this course you will have an opportunity to meet City officials, and other City leaders. With the knowledge you gain you will be in a better position to understand City/Community problems and goals and, if you choose, contribute to solving the problems and achieving the goals." David Briggs

We already have the CONA Leadership Class recruiter for 2003, he is making the rounds now to all the associations when he comes to your meeting please let him tell your members of his experience in the class.


AGENDA FOR CONA MEETING ON MAY15, 2002

PLEDGE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
TREASURER'S REPORT
COMMITTEE REPORTS
MAYOR/CHIEF - JIM BIGGERSTAFF
NEIGHBORHOOD OFFICE - SUSAN AJOC
OLD BUSINESS
TAILGATE AT THE "TROP"
TALL SHIPS
NEW BUSINESS

SPEAKERS - BOB JEFFREY,


ENVIROMENTAL SPECIALISTS - STAN STOUDENMIRE
PINELLAS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT


"Tee it up for Homeownership"
Friday, June 14th at Mangrove Bay Golf Course
1:00 PM Shot Gun start - 4 Player Scramble
$75 per player
Putting contest, hole in one prizes, silent auction, 50/50 opportunity
Tickets ( Min. $500.00 winnings) There will be celebrity players from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers & Dick Crippen will emcee the banquet.

The event is being hosted by Former Mayor, Dave Fischer and the St. Petersburg chapter of the Women's Council of Realtors.
This years TITLE SPONSOR is ALLSTATE INSURANCE.

All proceeds benefit: St. Petersburg Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc.

S.P.N.H.S. is committed to neighborhood revitalization and community housing development. Financial and technical assistance to first - time homebuyers has benefited many of our CONA neighborhoods. S.P.N.H.S. is a city-wide program that has helped over 130 families become homeowners during the past 18 months.

For more information call these CONA Leadership graduates - April Gausman @ 577-9002 ext. 217 or Theresa McEachern @ 823-6390



QUOTE OF THE MONTH

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead


Report STREET LIGHT "Outages" and repairs to Florida Power @ 895-8711


Why be a Neighborhood Volunteer
By Theresa McEachern

* Your skills, assistance and knowledge will enhance the neighborhood,
* Lead the way,
* Contribute to the community,
* Meet new people; make lifelong friends,
* Teach tolerance, share in neighborhood diversity,
* Help diminish gang activity,
* Help beautify your surroundings you can help shape future leaders,
* Stay Active - stay Fit - Use your Hands - Use your Heart
The benefits are endless


* Harbordale's Crowning Jewel *
By Theresa McEachern
At last, a "dream come true" for Harbordale and surrounding neighborhoods! After many years of dreaming and planning, the HARBORDALE YMCA opened its doors in April to the Y- Achievers program. Y-Achievers are an after school mentoring program. Participants receive home-work assistance, nutritional snacks and recreation. The program helps to build self-esteem and discipline to help guide these children on to "higher education."

Future use of the facility include computer classes, Adult GED classes, Field trips
And weekend activities, life skills, literacy classes for adults and senior recreation and socialization activities.

Many thanks to the City of St. Petersburg, the YMCA Board of Directors and our special neighborhood angles, Lisa Naylor and John Cannon for making the "dream" a reality.


This map and description are copied from Murok Realty Corporation's circa 1927 marketing brochure.

PINELLAS POINT

The map or plat printed above includes the entire scope of all that has been planned for Pinellas Point Addition, and provides space for less than a thousand homes. The area is limited.

The portion that is tinted shows the extent of' the "uplands," viz: from Pinellas Point Boulevard down to the present "water's edge."

Below the tinted portion, it is proposed, by dredging and filling, to construct approximately 140 acres of new land, surrounded by deep canals and lagoons.

This "new land" would, of course, be protected by suitable retaining walls and would be landscaped and beautified in harmony with the rest of the property.

In the meantime, no home sites are for sale at Pinellas Point below the tinted section or beyond the present water line.

Of the tinted portion, viz., the "upland" section, about six-sevenths were bought by our present lot owners within ninety days after the property was first opened to the public.

Including lots that are offered for resale on behalf of some who, unfortunately, cannot afford to pay for them, there remain as of, January 1, 1927, about 120 available residence sites.

Many of these superb home sites are at the present water's edge and will continue to have actual water frontage, even after all of the proposed "new land" is constructed. Every lot sold as a waterfront home site either is or will be directly on the water.

It is proposed, by dredging, to deepen the water approximately along the present shore line, cutting away the land in some places and fill in others, to conform to the contour of the first canal. This will bring deep, clear water to the edge of all waterfront lots now available, while the "new land," when it is made, will protect this deep water and water frontage from the effect of wind and wave, thus creating a safe and convenient harbor for boats. In this respect the home site fronting on canals or lagoons will have a distinct advantage over those fronting directly on the sea.

The width of the canals and lagoons indicated in the above map will be from 60 feet to 250 feet and the depth will be sufficient to accommodate craft drawing four to eight feet of water, at low tide.

Although Pinellas Point Addition offers the most desirable waterfront and near-waterfront home sites in St Petersburg, prices are lower than for other waterfront property in the vicinity. This is because the Murok Realty Corporation owns the property free and clear of any encumbrances and is selling only such land as is ready for occupancy. The proposed "new land" will be priced much higher because it will cost more and the cost to make it has not been figured into the price of the home sites on the "uplands."

So far as we know. Pinellas Point has the finest waterfront on the West Coast; it is said to be the "healthiest spot on earth," and has all of the advantages usually accredited to Florida in the highest possible degree.

It is hardly possible to estimate what price such property will bring when these facts become known and those who have sacrificed health for wealth begin to compete for the right to participate in this extremely limited monopoly.

Instead of this happening in the late 20's & 30's the Greater Pinellas Point area has the most natural shoreline and greatest amount of unobstructed view of Tampa Bay and the Sunshine Skyway in the City.