Phil Ammann - page 570

The “Lens” continues to be a hot topic in St. Petersburg. Residents now have a way to keep up with the progress of the push to “Stop the Lens”. As reported today in the Tampa Bay Times, the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections will post updates daily on the number of signatures collected and verification of the more than 20,000 petitions received by the city clerk. The Times writes the county has verified 98 percent of the 2,200 signatures of…

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As summer approaches, thousands of people will flock to Florida’s greatest natural beauty—the beaches. One environmental group wants beachgoers to remember they are sharing the sand with other “beach babies.” This Memorial Day, the conservation group Audubon reminds those visiting the Florida coast to watch out for the various species of birds that live on beaches and coastal islands. Much of this native wildlife have become endangered and increasingly rare. “Memorial Day is always a fun time to be around…

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In years past, Florida’s popular back-to-school sales tax holiday covered basics like paper, pencils and erasers. For 2013, the tax holiday, from August 2 through 4, now includes a few digital essentials used by today’s students. The Florida Legislature upgraded this year’s tax holiday, adding digital tools like personal computers and accessories selling for up to $750. “Personal computers” are items and accessories purchased for noncommercial home or personal use. They include: Electronic book readers Laptops and desktops Tablets and…

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In the Tampa Bay area, groups of young professionals are banding together to take political action. Emerge Tampa Bay wants to help. Emerge Tampa Bay is an organization that encourages future leaders wanting to gain political power and address local issues. On Thursday, May 30, they are hosting Unfiltered, the group’s second annual town hall event. Sponsored by the University of Tampa, the group forum will be at the UT Vaughn Center. “We no longer want to hear that young…

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Pinellas County real estate prospects are certainly looking up for 2013, at least according to local realtors. However, there seem to be a few small clouds in an otherwise sunny view. In a report by the Pinellas Realtor Organization, combined single-family home and condo/townhome sales numbers for April 2013 have increased 16 percent from the same period last year. A combination of the real estate numbers indicates definite recovery in home sales for the county.   “The excitement can be…

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In the increasing furor over the use of red light cameras, a disturbing trend is beginning to emerge. Several municipal and local governments were discovered shortening the length of yellow lights after installing “traffic infraction detectors,” or red light cameras. This alteration resulted in the length of yellow lights being set below federal guidelines. In addition, any changes in the length of yellow lights, even half-seconds, can result in millions of dollars of additional revenues by way of fines for…

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One of Tampa Bays’ “100 Top Places to Work” is getting a new home in St. Petersburg. American Strategic Insurance (ASI) officially unveils its 110,000-square-foot corporate headquarters Tuesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. The new three-story headquarters is located at One ASI Way, a newly named street off Gandy Boulevard and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard North.  “Our new headquarters is a symbol of the company’s success and a celebrated milestone,” says John Auer, ASI’s CEO in…

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