Edgemoor

PREMIERE EDGEMOOR NEWSLETTER

Oct 11, 2000

President?’s Corner
TRACY SALOMONE, PRESIDENT

This year has seen a number of things happening in our neighborhood. There was a vote early in the year to work with the city on installing traffic calming devices on 55th Ave. NE, 58th Ave. NE and Hampton Ave. NE. The vote passed and the installation is finally in progress. I had hoped that it would be complete before school opened, but it shouldn?’t be too much later than that. These roads are becoming very dangerous to both our children and our pets.
While I?’m on that subject please remember that this is a neighborhood. Our children, friends and animals would like to feel secure here. Please keep in mind when you are traveling on our roads to watch out for your neighbors. I know at times we are distracted or in a hurry but it just takes a second and something tragic could happen.
Our association has applied for a grant this year. If it is accepted we hope to put an additional neighborhood sign at the southeast corner of 4th St. N and 62nd Ave. N and some other enhancements at some of the triangles. We?’ll keep you informed as more develops on this.
The fall will be starting our membership renewal/registration for the coming fiscal year. Dues are only $10.00 per family per year. Our meetings are held every third Thursday of the month from September through May with June, July and August off. The meetings are held at Faith Covenant Church with the board meeting at 7:00 p.m. and the general meeting starting at 7:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend and we look forward to your input.

I guess that?’s all for this month. I hope to see you Sept. 21st. Until then keep safe and watch out for your neighbors.

Welcome Neighbors

I?’d like to take this opportunity to welcome all of our neighbors both new and old to the Edgemoor Association?’s new newsletter. As many of you know we used to have a newsletter that was mailed monthly to the residents in the Edgemoor Neighboorhood, but due to budget cuts we had to suspend this.
This is YOUR neighborhood newsletter. If you would like to submit any articles to this newsletter please give me a call at 527-9400 in the evenings, drop any information off at 201 Hampton Ave NE or you may send any information to P.O. Box 7924 St. Petersburg FL, 33734-7924. Also I would like to let you know that any residents who have their own business and would like to advertise in this newsletter will get a reduced price. Any resident who would like to advertise a yard sale, or the sale of anything in particular will get free classifieds but please remember that we do have a deadline to meet when submitting them to the publisher.
Please note that all articles, ads etc. must be submitted before the 1st week of any month in order to make printing production schedules. Also, please support our advertisers, without their support we would not be able to do this so support their businesses whenever you can.
Thanks to all and I welcome any and all comments.
-Tracy Salomone


Minutes from Meeting May 18, 2000

Meeting called to order by President Tracy at 7:30
Old business: Cheryl gave the Treasurer?’s Report. Balance for March was $619.31 with two disbursements since then the new balance in $563.23?…..moved and seconded.
Minutes were read by Deanne, Secretary and approved.
Conrad read CONA report and concluded with a motion that Edgemoor pay their $25.00 dues to CONA?….seconded and approved.
Neighbors asked about Traffic Calming Devices for Foch Street NE. I (Deanne) told them to get with me and I will give their name and number to Jeff Ritter.
Officer Taylor is our CPO, while Glaskow is acting as Sergeant on Patrol. Officer Taylor has been an officer for 17 years. He is understanding of our situations with the Puryear Park and how it is a big problem for the neighborhood. He said ?“Be sure to call if you see a problem. If you don?’t call he doesn?’t know there is a problem.?” You can continue to call Keith Glaskow?’s audix, Officer Taylor can be reached there. Tickets are being given for TRESPASSERS in the park after 11:00 p.m. In essence the park is being vandalized, we need help from neighbors, the city and also we need more lights.
Officer Truong, the CPO for the Fossil Park, has been an officer for 13 years and is new to this positon. He works days and is adamant about speeders.
I (Deanne) told everyone about my conversation with Jeff. We would not get any Traffic Calming devices until January 2001.
Officer Taylor told us of Shoreacres having the same problem and now funding is the issue. We talked about a plan of action to take care of the matter, to get some speed humps installed. Now the city is doing the work, instead of subcontracting.
Public Service Representative?—Debbie Larson told us that Traffic Engineering is now doing signs/lights and Stormwater is doing the Potholes and Speed Humps. The Budget is gone for the year in reference to the humps/plateaus. She also informed us that 58th/59th Avenue(s) are set to be resurfaced and spoke of getting the manpower to get the job done.
Officer Taylor commented that it is real important for everyone to get involved. The Traffic will shift from street to street.
Debbie told us about Street Lighting, to find out where crimes are and what to do with streetlights, i.e., wattage is low maybe pump in more wattage. Also, maybe use grant money for lighting.
Pat Allan spoke about putting in a timer system on one of the soccer fields to stay on all night.
Debbie told us to find out who is in charge of lighting and have them come in September to our next meeting. Also, lights that have an orange glow?—come on?—go off, call Debbie Larson and she has a contact at Florida Power who can fix the light?…..SNIPE signs in right of way are now the responsibility of Sanitation instead of Codes. Sanitation contacts the individual and fines them. In reference to the canal at 54th Ave. and 1st St. the city cut back the trees, but the actual cleaning of the canal is the state?’s hands.
Tracy got the mailing list for the newsletter. It is still on track to start in September. Neighbors are welcome to submit articles, recipes, etc.; you can e-mail Tracy Salomone if you?’d like at rttsalomone@excite.com. September 21st is the date of our next meeting after the summer hiatus. She will therefore need the articles the first of the month.
Conrad suggested a birthday and anniversary list.
Tracy told us about Frank Farkas and Margot Fischer wanting to speak at the next meeting.
Skip recommended 5 minutes each.
Conrad?—CONA to have town forum in August to meet the public.
Skip suggested a once a month pot luck during summer. We could not find a feasible space to do that, he also mentioned to find an able body to chair a neighborhood block party.
Discussion was had about how at one time we had neighborhood picnics, sometimes twice a year. But now soccer has taken over our neighborhood park. Some picnics were held at Foch and 58th Ave.
Bill Foster, Our City Council Representative, arrived. Council meets the third Thursday at 2 p.m. and sometimes goes until 9 p.m. or later. This particular night he was able to meet with us because council got out early. He discussed such things as a wish list, police staffing with our sworn strength being 538. We are currently 40 shy and need more officers.
In reference to traffic?—the City has imposed a moratorium pending legal issued.
Many projects are once again underway. He also thought a Block Party would be a great idea. He will try to get to as many of our meetings as he can.
Pat Allen asked about Rental Properties?—sometimes the houses are in disrepair. What can be done about that? Also brought to our attention were problems of dogs running loose. If a dog bites a mailman on your street the Postmaster will install curbside mailboxes.
Bill suggested a top ten list?—code violations etc., and publish that list, the squeaky wheel will get the oil. He also suggested contacting Debbie, our Public Service Representative, Mayor Fischer?’s Action Line and Tish Elston, pound, pound, pound until results are seen.
Conrad added CONA passed out a flyer about the downtown musical called Webb City.
Skip moved to adjourn meeting?—Richard Strack seconded?—?—all in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

See you September 21st at 7:30 p.m. Faith Covenant Church!!!!!

Deanne Kimmitt:
Edgemoor Secretary.



Public Service Representative Debbie Larson 893-4138
City Council Representative Bill Foster 893-7117
Codes Inspector Pat Simpson 892-5469
Officer Glaskow/Taylor 892-5935
Officer Truong 892-5936
Mayor?’s Action Line 893-7111
Walter Bollack (overgrowth) 892-5290
St. Pete Police Non-Emergency 893-7780


A Florida Legislative Update
From Representative Frank Farcas, District 52:

With the conclusion of this legislative session, I felt it was important to share with you some of the accomplishments we made on your behalf. The 2000 Session focused on meeting Florida?’s priorities:
Funding for Florida?’s public education, continuing our efforts to provide tax relief, enhancing public safety, preserving our fragile environment, and caring for the health and well being of Florida?’s children and seniors. By remaining focused on these priorities, we were able to provide $1.6 billion more for education than last year, the largest increase in money for education ever, as well as providing more than $520 million in tax relief. Here are some highlights:

We passed the teacher quality bill, which rewards excellent teachers.
We enacted tough laws targeting violent juvenile offenders.
We approved the ?“Healthy Beaches Florida Act?”
We created a pharmacy benefit program to assist low income elders in affording the costs of prescription drugs.
We expanded the KidCare Program to include another 102,000 uninsured children.

Some local appropriations include $1 million to USF?’s Research Center, $400,000 to the Salvation Army, $350,000 to the Palladium Theater, and $250,000 to St. Pete Historic Preservation.

My staff and I are available to assist you with additional information regarding this year?’s legislative session. Just give us a call at (727) 893-9855.


TRAFFIC CALMING STATUS

SINCE OUR LAST MEETING WITH THE HELP OF BILL FOSTER, THE CITY HAS INSTALLED 2 TRAFFIC HUMPS. WE ARE DUE TO GET THE REMAINING HUMPS/PLATEAUS BY OCTOBER. THE MAYOR HAS CALLED ME TO ASSURE ME WE WILL GET SOME RELIEF NOW AND FULL RELIEF BY OCTOBER. ALSO TISH ELSTON HAS HAD SIGNS POSTED TO ROUTE TRAFFIC OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. WE SHOULD SOON RECEIVE SPEED LIMIT SIGNS LOWERING THE SPEED LIMIT TO 25 MPH.

EXTRA TIDBIT
IN 4 TO 6 WEEKS THE CITY, THROUGH A LIGHTING BUDGET, WILL INSTALL EXTRA LIGHTS IN PURYEAR PARK. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THEY HELP, ARE TOO BRIGHT OR NEED ADJUSTING.
THANK YOU,
DEANNE KIMMITT
525-3562







Health Department Information

Dear Neighborhood Association Members,

Childhood lead poisoning is thought to be the #1 environmental threat. Young children, less than six years of age, are of special concern because their developing brain and other organs can easily be damaged by lead. At lower levels the effect of lead poisoning may not be obvious. As lead builds up in the body, it can cause learning problems, hyperactivity, speech delays, poor school performance, and lowered I.Q.

Your neighborhood is one of these targeted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control as a high-risk area for lead poisoning since many of the homes were built before 1978 when lead paint was widely used.

As part of a service to the community the Lead Poisoning Intervention Team is offering your Association a 30-minute program. We also have a free screening available at various sites throughout the county. If you would be interested in this program, please contact me weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 824-6905. I would be happy to come to one of your meetings.

I look forward to hearing from your association.

Sincerely,
Alice C. Davis
Senior Health Educator.


Our Neighborhoodlink To You

With the encouragement of the Mayor?’s Neighborhood Partnership Office, neighborhood organizations all over the city are joining in the opportunity to share news of their organization on the globe circling Internet. Made free and easy by Neighborhoodlink.com, Edgemoor, like dozens of other St. Petersburg groups now has a Home Page on the Web. The Mayor looks forward to the day when most of our citizens will look to local websites for much of the news of what?’s going on. Made easy enough for any computer user, here are a few of the things you and your neighbors can do on our Neighborhoodlink: www.neighborhoodlink.com/edgemoor/

We will post announcements of our Association meetings, but how about your Little League games, your church picnic, or the Girl Scout gathering, or your Garage Sale? You, (and your computer), can easily post the when and where information as well as providing a text box of all the details about what?’s going on.

How about a nice picture of you and the family with a little story about how you enjoy living in St. Petersburg? It?’s easy to mount any family photo you particularly like along with an autobiography of your history here. [We can ?“Scan?” any pictures for you, at no cost, to get them converted to magnetic media for the Internet.] In the section on our Edgemoor Home Page called ?“Meet Your Neighbors?”, we hope to include dozens of our family pictures. Remember Aunt Lilly in Massachusetts and your Cousin Sergeant Richardson currently in Japan will enjoy these snapshots of you to. That?’s what so marvelous about this wonderful new media called the Internet.

There?’s lots of other information posted on our Home Page, our Minutes, our By-laws, information about our Community Police Officers, and soon you?’ll be able to read our monthly newsletter on-line. You?’ll also find Internet connections there to our city and county government including the Police Department. [The city Home Page has lots of good stuff, frequently updated to keep it worth reading every day.] We?’ll talk about some of these other features next month. Meanwhile, come on in and get your feet wet. Play a part in this new cultural phenomenon called the Web. It?’s there for everybody to use.?—Conrad Weiser, Past Pres. E.N.A.