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Janelle Irwin - page 57

Janelle Irwin has 1517 articles published.

Janelle Irwin has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in the Tampa Bay area since 2003. She also hosts a weekly political talk show on WMNF Community radio. Janelle formerly served as the sole staff reporter for WMNF News and previously covered news for Patch.com and various local neighborhood newsletters. Her work has been featured in the New York Daily News, Free Speech Radio News and Florida Public Radio and she's been interviewed by radio stations across the nation for her coverage of the 2012 Republican National Convention. Janelle is a diehard news junkie who isn't afraid to take on big names in local politics including Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, the dirty business of trash and recycling in St. Pete and the ongoing Pier debacle. Her work as a reporter and radio host has earned her two WMNF awards including News Volunteer of the Year and Public Affairs Volunteer of the Year. Janelle is also the devoted mother to three brilliant and beautiful daughters who are a constant source of inspiration and occasional blogging fodder. To contact, email [email protected].

Mystery ballot questions in St. Pete election cruise to approval

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

All four ballot questions on the St. Pete ballot Tuesday were soundly approved by voters. None won by less than about 25 points. Referendum question number one, asking voters whether the city should approve “permanent use restrictions over a portion of city owned submerged lands in Tampa Bay” was approved with 85 percent of the vote. That referendum refers to submerged lands near North Shore Park. It would give City Council the authority to create permanent restrictions on land use in…

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St. Pete City Council incumbents Charlie Gerdes, Steve Kornell sail to re-election

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

As expected, both St. Petersburg City Council incumbents facing re-election cruised to easy victories Tuesday night. With early voting counted, Council Chairman Charlie Gerdes was trouncing Monica Abbott with 64 percent of the vote. Steve Kornell is leading his opponent, Philip Garrett 56 percent to 44 percent. While Gerdes never really faced a credible threat from Abbott, Kornell did have cause for concern when the Tampa Bay Times endorsed Garrett based on one defining issue: Garrett supported Mayor Rick Kriseman’s brokered deal to let the Tampa…

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Rick Kriseman casts ballot for Lisa Wheeler-Brown, not because of Rays

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman cast his vote for Lisa Wheeler-Brown Tuesday afternoon at his polling place at Pilgrim Congregation on Central Avenue in West St. Pete. It was a special day for Kriseman. It was his 18-year old daughter’s first time casting a ballot as a registered voter. With his guide-dog-in-training puppy in tow and his family proudly looking on, Kriseman weighed in on his last-minute decision to endorse Wheeler-Brown over her opponent, Will Newton. “I think overall people are…

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The end for SaintPetersBlog

Ever since I acquired the rights to the perfect domain for my efforts — FloridaPolitics.com — I knew that one

It’s not the party, it’s the after party: here’s where to find your favorite City Council candidates on Election Night

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

It’s been a long road for some St. Pete City Council candidates. Win or lose both Will Newton and Lisa Wheeler-Brown will celebrate a hard-fought campaign Tuesday night. Newton will be gathering with supporters “hopefully celebrating a big win” Tuesday night at Ferg’s. The party starts there at 7 p.m. in the upstairs room. The campaign is providing some food. A cash bar is available for those wishing to imbibe. If the polls are any indication, the victory party will be at the Carter…

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Plea to St. Pete residents: End voter apathy

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Earlier Tuesday, and a bunch of times over the past several weeks, I shamed the Tampa Bay Times editorial board for taking a narrow stance on City Council races based solely on the Tampa Bay Rays stadium stalemate. Now, though, it’s time to praise Times’ columnist John Romano who is not on the editorial board. Looking down the barrel at lackluster voter turnout in what is actually a pretty damn important local election, Romano not so subtly heckled the tens…

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Voter turnout in St. Pete on pace to be low

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, voter turnout in St. Pete was at 13.24 percent, most coming from mail-in ballots returned early. In the first three hours of Election Day, just 1.86 percent of registered voters had cast a ballot. The numbers are indicative of what has been a trickle at polling places. Even during the peak voting times between 7 and 9 a.m. only a handful of voters showed up at Pinellas Community Church in South St. Pete. That’s one…

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Tampa Bay Times still hammering away on candidates based on the Rays

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

The Tampa Bay Times editorial board has taken one last chance to hammer home its unwavering support for anyone who may break the Tampa Bay Rays stadium saga stalemate. Even if it means endorsing a candidate for no other good reason. In its latest editorial, the Times continued its anti-Steve Kornell rhetoric based solely on the Rays issue. After having been criticized numerous times for endorsing Philip Garrett in the District 5 race despite a lackluster campaign and arguable lack of viability,…

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