Janelle Irwin - page 186

There were a lot of people and a lot of groups behind the fury that was the Greenlight Pinellas campaign to improve public transportation in Pinellas County. Despite its shattering defeat, Greenlight had prominent backers in government and business the likes of Pinellas County Commissioners, city mayors and chambers of commerce. But in the final months of campaigning, one voice rang particularly loud. That’s B2 Communications co-founder Kyle Parks. His company headed up media relations for Friends of Greenlight, the…

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A Dunedin couple is finally bringing their 10-month old adopted son home from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Chris and Andrea Stewart have been fighting for months to obtain an exit permit for their son, but because of a change in policy the government initially refused to grant one. “We are beyond blessed with the honor of being Cruz’s family. For now, we will focus on his health and where the next steps take us into caring for orphans around…

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Legendary ’90s sitcom star Jason Alexander has joined efforts to squash the rampant use of money in political campaigns. Alexander, who once co-starred alongside Jerry Seinfeld in the hit comedy Seinfeld, is now starring in a 30-second spot demonizing money in politics. The video begins with a political disclaimer announcing who the ad is “paid for by.” Then there’s another. And another. And another. As the disclaimers begin to blend together, little gray boxes displaying text of the same disclaimers fly…

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The autopsy for Greenlight Pinellas has already begun and isn’t likely to be done anytime soon. The latest evaluation tool centers around exit polls conducted among voters who cast a ballot in the November 4 election asking them various questions about the transit referendum. The Tampa Bay Partnership commissioned Frederick Polls to survey voters within two days after the election on key factors that motivated support or opposition for the one-penny sales tax ask that would have funded sweeping improvements…

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Congressman David Jolly has secured a prestigious appointment to the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations. The committee oversees the entire discretionary federal budget. Jolly will begin his new post next year when the 114th Congress convenes. Jolly represents Pinellas County’s  Congressional District 13. He’s only been in office 7 months. Jolly defeated Democrat Alex Sink in a special election against Democrat Alex Sink. He replaced the late Congressman Bill Young who served on Capital Hill for more than 40-years. “I am honored and humbled…

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Ride share companies like Uber and Lyft are becoming an increasingly popular alternative transportation choice for people across the globe and locally. The shift away from traditional taxi services hasn’t been without controversy though. On both sides of the bay officials have grappled with whether or not to further regulate the companies and have failed to definitively answer whether or not Uber and Lyft drivers are operating within the confines of the law. The city of St. Petersburg may be…

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Gov. Rick Scott wants $77 million to fund five Gulf restoration projects throughout the state. Scott submitted the proposals to the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council for funding consideration under the RESTORE Act. The proposals target needs in 10 major watersheds and are directed at areas indicated through feedback from stakeholders at various meetings across the state. The proposals were also drawn from a list of more than 1,200 written restoration submissions.  “We’re committed to protecting and restoring Florida’s estuaries, and…

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