Hernando officials beg lawmakers to spare them

State lawmakers will wield the budget ax next week in Tally. Hernando County officials are wary. At the local delegation's meeting Tuesday they asked for mercy.

John Frank, Times staff writer

Pinellas DEC in '09: Keep Obama supporters involved

Ramsay McLauchlan, the new chairman of the Pinellas County Democratic Executive Committee, has his own goals for the new year. In 2008, registered Democrats overtook Republicans in the county, and McLauchlan wants to continue the trend and improve fundraising. He's also eager to get people who left the DEC in past years because of the local party's personality-driven factionalism to come back.

Another key objective in the coming year, he said, is to keep those people drawn to the party by President-elect Barack Obama's candidacy engaged and active.

Will Van Sant, Times staff writer

Beyrouti to boost youth in Pinellas REC

New Pinellas REC chairman J.J. Beyrouti has some New Year's resolutions for his party: increase membership and raise a lot of money. No surprise there. But Beyrouti also plans to emphasize getting more young people involved in the local party. Beyrouti said he's already spoken to a local Young Republicans group about recruitment.

"They are very motivated and ready to roll," he said of group members.

Will Van Sant, Times staff writer

Beyrouti seeks to boost youth in Pinellas

St. Petersbrug Police Chief Chuck Harmon says he would consider staying on after Mayor Rick Baker leaves

ST. PETERSBURG- Police Chief Charles "Chuck" Harmon said he would be willing to stay on after Mayor Rick Baker leaves office in January 2010 because of term limits.

"I am eligible to retire," said Harmon, who was appointed by Baker. "But I like the police department, I like the city... so it will depend on the new mayor."

-- Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

Group tries to bring Obama supporters into party

Last we saw Jim Piccillo of Land O'Lakes, he was introducing Joe Biden as John McCain.

But now he's back, leading Club Change of Pasco County, an effort to bring more of Obama's volunteers and supporters in to work with the Democratic Party, starting with changingpasco.org, a Web site. The first event was delivering donations of clothing and other items to Sunrise of Pasco County today. So far there are 53 members.

"I kept bugging them about what was coming next after the election," Piccillo said. "We basically built this thing from the ground up."

Bridget Hall Grumet and David DeCamp, Times staff writers

Curran won't run for St. Pete mayor

ST. PETERSBURG-- City Council member Leslie Curran said today she will likely not run for mayor and instead will try to keep her District 4 seat.

Curran said she was concerned by the large number of new faces on the council and decided it would be in the city's best interest to keep some senior officials in office. At least four of the eight council members have less than two years' experience and with Council chairman Jamie Bennett leaving his post to run for mayor in 2009, another new face is expected to join the council soon.

"I think there are a lot of things going on right now and what's important for the community is some continuity," said Curran. "I think I can better serve at this time by finishing up some of my wish list, not just for District 4, but for the whole city."

It's unclear if anyone will challenge Curran. Word is potential opponents were waiting to see whether Curran would run for mayor.

-- Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

Three mayoral hopefuls build campaign staffs

ST. PETERSBURG-- Council Chairman Jamie Bennett has hired political consultant Barry Edwards to help run his mayoral campaign.

Edwards most recently helped elect Democrat Darryl Rouson to state House District 55.

Edwards is an interesting pick: He doesn't have a long history in St. Petersburg politics and he doesn't have the most attractive personal history.

Real estate investor Scott Wagman, another Democrat running for mayor, is also building his campaign team. Wagman said his wife, Beth Houghton, will be his campaign treasurer. Houghton was State Rep. Bill Heller's treasurer during his recent reelection bid.

Meanwhile, Wagman is securing one of the most sought-after political consultants in the Tampa Bay area.

"We are in the final stages of hiring Mitch Kates," Wagman said. "There are still some more details we need to work out."

Former council member Bill Foster said he has also hired a political consultant to oversee his mayoral bid and has recruited a treasurer, but he declined to name names. 

"I want people to focus on the season without any word from Bill Foster," said Foster. "But come 2009 people will get their fill of all of this."

-- Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

Another one for the resume

The city of Tampa is now in such august company as Lake County, Miami Gardens and Pittsburgh.

A publication called American City & County names Tampa among its top 10 "America's Crown Communities" for 2008. The award recognizes outstanding leadership, lauding Tampa for using local tax dollars to notch more millions in grant money to fix up community centers and parks.

-- Bill Varian, Times Staff Writer

Sen. Justice sides with Tierra Verde

ST. PETERSBURG -- Sen. Charlie Justice said today he will likely support the so-called "all or nothing bill" that would prevent local governments from dividing up Tierra Verde.

The law would require a municipality to annex all of Tierra Verde or leave it alone.

The St. Petersburg City Council has asked Pinellas legislators to oppose the bill. The city annexed a commercial district at the foot of the unincorporated island in November despite widespread opposition and its goal is to eventually annex all of Tierra Verde. The bill wouldn't reverse the November annexation, but it could impact future annexation battles.

Justice, D-St. Petersburg, said island residents are wary of over-development and anything else that would significantly change their way of life.

"I'll support that," he said of the all or nothing bill. "And if they want to incorporate I would probably support that, too."

The local state delegation is expected to vote on the issue next month. If passed, it would go before the Legislature for consideration.

--Cristina Silva, Times staff writer