CONA NEWSLETTER
APRIL 2000
Where to Turn for Help
By Eric Deggans The Old Southeast Gazette
For homeowners, it can be an experience more frustration than
clueless telemarketing calls or that neighbor who thinks every-
one will enjoy the latest Metallica CD blasting from his stereo
at 11pm. It's the search for information and municipal action.
Faced with indifferent office clerks and long waits, what's a
citizen to do if they need a pothole filled or want to learn how
high their backyard fence must rise above the new swimming
pool? Fortunately, there are a few telephone numbers and
Internet web sites that can make the search a little easier,
offering quick access to government services and information.
Perhaps the simplest and most direct option is the Mayor's
Action Line, 893-7111. Calls are routed to one of four cities
Public Service Representatives who will investigate any
problem or request for city services. Afterwards, you will
receive a call with information on when (or if) your request
More help can be found at www.stpete.com/chamber/welcome/,
the site for the St. Petersburg area Chamber of Commerce.
Though much of the information is geared toward visitors or
those who are considering a move here, the site boasts
information on employment, transportation and restaurants that
even some longtime residents might not know.
Reach government officials at www.wwcol.com/centfl/Govern
ment/cfgovt, a site offering email links to U.S. Senator Bob
Graham and Connie Mack, Congressman Bill Young and Michael
Bilirakis and more. There's also links to other web pages, such as
the Florida Legislature On-line and the Florida Government
For information closer to home there are three links to important
Pinellas County information sources. At www.tblc.org/sppl/ , users
can peruse the Pinellas County Library's web site, featuring an
online catalog and location information on branch offices.
To review information on county offices such as the property
appraiser, tax collector and board of commissioners, click to
www.co.pinellas.fl.us. There, links allow users to search by the
office you'd like to contact or the subject you're interested in with
subjects ranging from child support rules to Bay Area Commuter
Services. Those without a web browser can call the general
information line, at 464-3000, for help over a telephone.
The Pinellas County school system offers information online,at
www.pinellas.k12.fl.us/default. Here, you can search for information
on the county's schools, view a "Hot News" page with quick blurbs
on school information and school menus, hours and a calendar of
events. For the online impaired, there's also and Emergency
Information Line, 588-6424, with updates on school closings, and
Here's a few more useful web sites: www.dos.state.fl.us/ -The
Florida Department of State page, www.leg.statelfl.us/ - Florida State
COMPUTERS FOR OUR COMMUNITY
CONA, in partnership with an impressive list of other organiza-
tions throughout our city, has developed a project to collect and
recycle used computers. COMPUTERS FOR OUR
COMMUNITY (CFOC) has collected hundreds of donated used
computers and is currently refurbishing these machines. The
machines will be distributed to individuals and organizations who
otherwise would not have access to a computer. As part of the
distribution process, we are providing training so that recipients
of these machines will be able to use them effectively. This is a
growing and exciting project that will produce very tangible
benefits for St. Petersburg. If you would like to get involved
in this project as a Donor, a recipient or a volunteer,
Neighborhood Link
Build a Strong Neighborhood! Neighborhood Link - an Internet-
based community network that offers every neighborhood
a free, interactive Web site, where you can share ideas and
information with your neighbors, city officials, local police and
schools. Neighborhood Web Sites are Free! Entirely underwritten
by corporate sponsors, Neighborhood Link will save you time,
while increasing neighborhood participationand communication.
CONA Board Meeting
April 19 - 7:00P.M.
St. Petersburg Times Building 490 1st Avenue South
Presidents Report
Dear Neighbors,
April is getting to be a pretty busy month. The Vision-1 Committee held it?’s monthly meeting on April 4th. The committee members meet with Mike Dove and it was a very productive meeting. Our next meeting is May 2nd at 5:30P.M. and we meet in City Hall, anyone interested should contact me. Tim Clemmons has been appointed as chair of the new Vision-2 committee. They have met once and will be reporting to you before to long.
As most of you know by now, Joann Walker will no longer be writing the weekly Neighborhood Notebook in the Neighborhood Times section of the St. Petersburg Times. Her new replacement is Andy Meacham. Andy can be reached at 865-3885 (Pager 508-9532) or Email - ameacham@mindspring.com. I have asked him to attend our next board meeting so you all can meet him. Joann will be truly missed and we can only hope Andy will as helpful to the neighborhood as Joann was. Good Luck Joann!
On April 15th Crescent Lake Neighborhood is having it?’s annual clean up at Crescent Lake Park, which is one of the focal spots in our city. They can use some rowboats and all of the help we can give them. Anyone who would like to volunteer please contact Crescent Lake President Clifford Holenworth.
We are planning a Town Meeting for May 2nd. The Town Meeting will be held at the Sunshine Center 330 5th Street North. We are inviting all the St. Petersburg City Council Members for what we are going to call An Evening with City Council. We hope to have more information for you at the board meeting.
The organization that lobbies the Florida Legislature for neighborhood organization will be meeting in St. Petersburg on the 29th. I will keep everyone posted.
The Police Department has informed us that last month there was an increase in auto theft through out the entire city. In a ?¼ of the cases the keys had been left in the cars and most of the thieves were young kids out for a joy ride. If you see a kid behind the wheel of a car get the license plate number and call the police. They need our help.
During my travels through your neighborhoods I have seen the many accomplishments you have been making. You are all doing a great job, keep it up. See you on the April 19th at the Times Building!
Your neighbor, Jim Biggerstaff
Time to Renew Your Membership for 2000!
Just fill out the C.O.N.A. 2000 Membership Renewal Application Mail it and membership fee to
PO Box 3529, St. Petersburg, FL 33731 or bring it to the March Board Meeting
Please Include $25 for Annual Membership Fee
Also all member who use CONA?’s Bulk Mail Permit Number are asked to pay an extra $10.00,
which covers the cost of the permit
2000
Officers
President - Jim Biggerstaff
Disston Heights
327-7355 jjbigger99@aol.com
First Vice President - Brent Fisher
Pinellas Point
867-2026 abfgte@gte.net
Second Vice President - Theresa McEachern
Harbordale
823-6390
Secretary - Conrad Weiser
Edgemoor
522-5008 sfqmzf7u@scfn.thpl.lib.fl.us
Treasurer - Libby Steele
Lakewood Estates
867-6916
Committees
Budget
Brent Fisher - 867-2026 & Charles Payne - 827-9183
Computers for Our Community
Brent Fisher - 867-2026 abfgte@gte.net
Neighborhood Conference
Brent Fisher - 867-2026 & Jan Brami - 827-0011
Newsletter
Jan Brami - 827-0011 jan@sunworks.com
Bob Funari - 894-3881 bayside2@gtefcu.net
Citizens Police Council
David McEachern - 823-6390
Parliamentarian
Dale MacKenzie Gross - 323-2730
Stormwater Issues - Rosemary Grasso - 321-7299
Internet Webmaster - Conrad Weiser - 522-5008
Council Liaison - Jim Biggerstaff - 327-7355
Membership - Charles Miller - 576-6867
Green Thumb Festival
April 29 & 30
The Green thumb Festival is the City of St. Petersburg's Earth
Day celebration and Environmental Fair. During the festival
there will be live entertainment, informational speakers, and a
variety of vendors selling plants and outdoor-related items.
There will be a Children's Plant Contest, a plant auction, free
soil and water sample testing, lawn and garden tool sharping,
and much more. The Green Thumb Festival is held at Walter
Fuller Park 7891 26th Ave. North from 10A.M. to 5:00P.M.
For more information please call 893-7335.
Xeriscape University
Sponsored By:
Pinells-Anclote River Basin Board of the Southwest Florida
Water Management District, Pinellas Technical Education
Center, Pinellas County Cooperative Extension Service,
City of St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Tampa Bay Water
This year Pinellas Technical Education Center (PTEC) will
conduct Xeriscape University on May 13th at the St. Petersburg
campus. Course topics will include the principles of Xeriscaping
and "hands-on" instruction in landscape design, irrigation design
and plant identification. Following the course, students will be
able to purchase plants from the school's nursery; and free
recycled mulch will also be available. Space is limited. Please
call 893-2500 ext. 1101 for more information or to pre-register.