Janelle Irwin - page 214

Mayor Rick Kriseman isn’t going to meet his ambitious campaign goal of building a new Pier for St. Pete by 2015, but he is getting closer. On Tuesday, the city opened a Request for Qualification process inviting design firms to submit their experience and ideas on how to solve the Pier debacle once and for all. “And since we’re including the option of renovation, we’re asking them to tell us what direction they’re intending to go in,” said Raul Quintana, the city’s…

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A growing group of veterans and supporters are taking to the Pinellas Trail for physical and mental recovery. A Pinellas County-area group, Project HERO (Healing Exercise Rehabilitative Opportunity), launched a cycling group in May that grows each week. The group rides every Thursday from Seminole City Park on Ridge Road at 5:30. The idea is to foster healing through physical activity. Cycling is great for injuries because it is low impact. Amputees can even ride. So can the visually impaired.…

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Johnny Johnson remains the top fundraiser in the crowded District 4 county commission race to replace Susan Latvala. Johnson brought in $5,580 during the most recent reporting period from July 26-August 1. $2,000 of that came from Palm Harbor doctors James Zachary and Robert Dean. Johnson spent less than $200 that period. Peter Nehr is Johnson’s closest financial competition. Nehr has brought in a total of $45,700 but didn’t post any incoming contributions for the latest period. Clearwater Mayor Dave…

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The political committee behind a transit referendum in Pinellas County posted $13,429.25 in contributions during the last week of July. More than $11,000 of that came from the Tampa Bay Partnership through in-kind administrative and accounting services. The latest financial reports released Friday bring Friends of Greenlight to almost $650,000 in total monetary contributions and another $50,000 in in-kind. The group spent $193,359.43 from July 26 to August 1.  The bulk of that, $92,500, was on direct mailers and consulting.…

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David Davis will probably die. The 60-year old Vietnam veteran was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma in March after battling with the VA since 2003 over several sores, bumps and rashes. “If I would have had a choice the first time of getting outside referrals that would be paid for, then I could have gone to Boston Cancer Center and we wouldn’t be sitting here now,” Davis said to reporters during a press conference with Congressman David Jolly. “It would…

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Candidates for Pinellas County School Board fielded questions from a feisty bunch of political junkies at Suncoast Tiger Bay Thursday. Incumbents Linda Lerner, Terry Krasner, Rene Flowers and Peggy O’Shea all face challengers in this year’s election. District 4 board member Robin Wikle isn’t seeking re-election. Three people are running for her seat – Beverly Billiris, Ken Peluso and John Nygren. While the incumbents focused on positive achievements in the district, challengers highlighted the need for fresh eyes and new…

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The Greenlight Pinellas campaign is ramping up efforts to earn support for a referendum on the November ballot this year. Playing on familiar stereotypes, the 30-second spot shows three retirement-aged men sitting down for breakfast in a diner. One man, Leroy, angrily proclaims, “I’m not voting for a tax increase!” Another man then chimes in telling them to calm down and explains the one-penny sales tax increase will lower their property taxes. That’s because if voters approve the referendum, it would…

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