Janelle Irwin - page 181

“November 4th wasn’t’ the day we were hoping for.” That sentence could have been uttered by any number of candidates who were squashed in the November elections, but it wasn’t. It came from the lips of someone whose name didn’t even appear on a ballot – Brad Miller. But his stake in the election was no less significant. Miller heads the Pinellas Suncoast Regional Transit Authority. As CEO of Pinellas County’s public transportation system, Miller had his hopes staked on Greenlight…

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Sarasota Republican Vern Buchanan has secured a prestigious subcommittee assignment within the U.S. House Ways & Means committee. The assignment means Buchanan will now play a roll in preserving the retirement program for senior citizens now and in the future. “I am honored to be named to such an important subcommittee,” Buchanan said after incoming chair Paul Ryan announced his selection.  “Protecting Social Security has always been one of my highest priorities.  Seniors have worked their entire lives with the…

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For a group of St. Petersburg police officers and fire fighters it’s time to play ball for a cause. VETSports, a national non-profit that helps keep vets healthy through physical activity, will host its second annual softball series pitting local heroes against retired MLB players. Among the MLB alumni are Mike Devereaux, Travis Phelps, Anthony Telford, Mark Whiten, John Frascatore, Toby Hall, Dave LaPoint, Greg Blosser, Jason Romano and Rich Thompson. Former Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Sean Rodriguez will throw out the…

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Let me tell you a story about how I found myself spending an evening hanging out with a bunch of teachers, the great Dr. Roy Peter Clark, and what I think was his Ukulele. There was a really cool book talk at the University of South Florida St. Pete library Thursday night. At least I think it was pretty cool. It was all about a book called St. Petersburg Through Time, part of a series of books commissioned by Barnes…

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The number of seasonally adjusted online Florida job openings in November was the highest it’s ever been. According to data from the Conference Board’s Help Wanted Online, 279,394 jobs were posted on websites. Consumer confidence was also up two points from October to 86, the highest it’s been since before the recession. “Florida is positioned to become the global leader in business and we are laser-focused on creating opportunities for Floridians to get jobs and provide for their families,” Florida Gov.…

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The group 1,000 Friends of Florida has chosen a Delray Beach leader as its next president. Ryan Smart started his new post this Monday. Prior to joining the livable community advocacy group, Smart managed the florida Conservation Coalition working on springs protection and water conservation issues. During his two and a half years with that group, Smart gathered more than 50 organizations from across the state to join the coalition. “Ryan has built the FCC into a recognized statewide voice,”…

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St. Pete City Council has given the go ahead for a high-rise condo just off Beach Drive. During a meeting Thursday, council members voted 7-1 to let the 18-story tower go up in the 100 block of Fourth Avenue Northeast. The vote hinged on whether or not the building could include a car elevator that may have not been permitted under current city ordinance. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the developer, Brian Taub, planned to use the vehicle elevator for…

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