Baker will give preservation talk

ST. PETERSBURG -- Mayor Rick Baker will be at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort on Wednesday to push a new children's book about historic preservation and talk about local history.

Souvenir of St. Petersburg, Views from the Vinoy by Tampa author Robin R. Gonzalez tells the story of the Vinoy Hotel, the downtown waterfront parks, downtown architectural styles and Sunken Gardens. The book is a partnership between the Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association, Pinellas County Schools and the city-owned Sunken Gardens.

The invitation-only event couldn't be more timely. Local preservation activists and the city have both pledged to save downtown historic buildings, but those plans have been held up.

Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

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Don't believe everything you hear in mayor's race

ST. PETERSBURG-- Local political circles are abuzz about who is running to replace Mayor Rick Baker, who leaves office a year from now because of term limits. But don't believe everything you hear.

Some of the potential candidates being discussed said they aren't interested.

State Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, said he is not running, no matter what you heard. He said he is busy enough with the state House.

Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch is also not running, despite many rumors to the contrary. But that doesn't mean he is ruling out a future bid.

"I’m a St. Petersburg native and I care deeply about the city and certainly at some point I will consider that," Welch said.

Former council member Kathleen Ford, another widely discussed name, said it's doubtful she will run.

Only two candidates have formally applied to run: activist Sharon Russ and Paul Congemi, a former builder.

But others have said they will run and will formally announce early next year. That group includes: City Council Chairman Jamie Bennett, former council member Bill Foster, Amscot executive Deveron Gibbons and real estate investor/philanthropist Scott Wagman.

Meanwhile, the may-be-candidates include: council member Leslie Curran, former council member Larry Williams and state Rep. Rick Kriseman, D. St. Petersburg. 

Kriseman's candidacy is especially being scrutinized because he and Bennett are friendly and share many supporters. But Kriseman said he's undecided.

-- Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

City Councilman Jim Kennedy to run for reelection

ST. PETERSBURG-- City council member Jim Kennedy wants to keep his seat.

Kennedy, who is up for reelection in November 2009, has not formally submitted his application to run for office, but he did reserve the domain name www.keepkennedy.com.

It will be Kennedy's first election. He said he has never been involved with a campaign other than to donate money.

It's unclear if anyone will challenge him.

Kennedy, a St. Petersburg lawyer, was appointed in October 2007 to represent District 2 after the death of council member John Bryan. Kennedy's term ends in January 2010.

-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

St. Pete council member calls for native landscaping at City Hall

ST. PETERSBURG-- The city's many acres of grass are costing taxpayers a lot of green, city council member Karl Nurse said today.

His solution: Replace lawns and grassy medians with native shrubbery and encourage more residents to do the same, Nurse said in his first news conference since he was appointed to the City Council in April.

He's targeting lawns that aren't used for recreational activities, including the grass surrounding City Hall, which he said could be replaced with pine, flowers or other native plants that do not need to be regularly watered or maintained. As Florida struggles through a drought, water conservation will continue to be a pressing topic, Nurse said.

"We are going to end up growing what already grows here," Nurse said.

Nurse also called for changes to the city's landscaping code to promote Florida friendly lawns, including limitations on turf and areas with traditional irrigation systems.

Nurse will pitch his landscaping plan at a City Council meeting Dec. 4. If the council agrees to move forward, city staff would be directed to find out how much the lawn conversion would cost and how much it would save, Nurse said.

City Council Chairman Jamie Bennett, the only council member to attend the press conference other than Nurse, said he supported the effort.

-- Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

Alstott gives thanks to St. Pete firefighters

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mike Alstott is donating Thanksgiving groceries to all 13 St. Petersburg stations today.

Alstott, his wife, Nicole, and their three children are delivering bags of groceries, pies and turkeys for the firefighters working Thanksgiving Day.

"It's a thank you for all you firefighters do,'' Alstott said. "We're glad to do it.''

Here's a photo (courtesy of the Mike Alstott Foundation) of Alstott and his family with firefighters this morning at the Master Fire Station, 455 8th St. S.

St. Pete Democratic Club needs new leader

ST. PETERSBURG-- Longtime political gadfly Jim Donelon is giving up politics and leaving his post as president of the the St. Petersburg Democratic Club.

Donelon says he is moving to Brooksville with a new girlfriend who asked him to give up politics. "50 years of politics is enough," he said.

A new president will be elected during the club's February meeting. Nominations are due by January. Candidates must be members of the club for at least 45 days before the election. The club works to elect local Democrats and further the Democratic platform.

Alex Haak, a former New Jersey mayor and a sometime local candidate, said he wants to replace Donelon.

Local Democrats, he said, need to be better organized.

-- Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

Karl Nurse calls for water conservation

ST. PETERSBURG-- City council member Karl Nurse will call for greater water conservation today during his first news conference since he was appointed to office in April.

Nurse will discuss landscaping options to reduce water and call on the city to set the example and reduce its water use. The move comes days after Nurse's green commitment was questioned by some environmental activists oppssed to the city's recent annexation of a commercial district in Tierra Verde.

The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Nelson Apartments at 430 5th Street N, which Nurse owns.

Ray Wunderlich, of the Florida Native Plant Society, and Bruce Turley, of the Wilcox Nursery, will also be there.
          
-- Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

Second DUI for St. Pete attorney not an official concern

ST. PETERSBURG -- The city’s chief assistant attorney was arrested this month for driving under the influence, his second such arrest.

Mark Winn, 54, received his first DUI after he crashed his vehicle in February 2006. He refused to take a breath, blood or urine test and his license was suspended for a year.

On Nov. 6, Winn received his second DUI when he again refused to be tested. St. Petersburg police arrested him, and his license was suspended for 18 months.

Winn, who declined to comment, has a history of driving infractions, including charges of reckless driving, speeding and driving without lights.

City officials said he will not face any disciplinary action over the arrest.

“We have employees that have DUIs off the job,” said Gary Cornwell, the city’s human resources director, “and absent any extenuating circumstances like fleeing from the scene or getting into a fight with police, we are not going to be concerned about that.”

— Cristina Silva and Caryn Baird, Times Staff Writers

Letting city employee drive cost him his job

ST. PETERSBURG - A city supervisor knew a parking enforcement officer under his watch was driving a city vehicle with a suspended driver's license and didn't tell anyone or take any steps to rectify the situation.

Earl Cooley, a special collections officer who worked for the city for nearly 10 years, resigned earlier this month after his supervisors found out about his omission. He earned $68,194 annually.

Cooley's troubles began when a parking enforcement officer told him she had a suspended license. He told her he would take care of it, but then neglected to tell city management about the driving infraction, said Gary Cornwell, the city's human resources director.

When management found out, they lost confidence in Cooley, said Cornwell. He resigned Nov. 14 so that he would not be fired, Cornwell said.

It's unclear how long the parking enforcement officer was allowed to drive with a suspended license or how long Cooley kept her secret. Cooley's supervisor, Richard Bulger, director of Billing and Collections, did not return several calls from a reporter seeking comment.

The parking enforcement officer has been assigned to a desk job until she can drive again, Cornwell said.

- Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

Nurse's annexation vote draws green flak

ST. PETERSBURG -- Karl Nurse's appointment to the City Council in April was heralded by green activists across Pinellas County who saw him as an ally.

Nurse, after all, co-founded the Pinellas Living Green Expo and was a Suncoast Sierra Club board member.

But Nurse's vote Friday to approve the city's controversial annexation of Tierra Verde's waterfront commercial district has triggered debate about his environmental loyalities among Earth lovers.

"It's a sad day for the Sierra Club when a member of the Suncaost Sierra Club, who was also a force behind the Living Green Expo would move to this blasphemous annexation vote WHICH WILL ALLOW INCREASED DENSITY on a barrier island for developers who are KNOWN to care less about environmental issues," wrote activist Lorraine Margeson in an e-mail blast sent to local leaders and other activists after Friday's vote. "Mr. Nurse, as far as I am concerned you are no longer green except when it comes to money."

Nurse fired back with his own e-mail that listed eight environmental issues he has worked on as a council member, including a project to eliminate methane gas from being a by-product of sewage treatment and lobbying Progress Energy to make their rebates for energy efficiency easier for lower income families.

The list wasn't enough to appease some activists.

"All well and good, Karl," responded Jan Allyn. "But WHY IN THE WORLD did you vote for the TV annexation? Just about no one, other than the developers who want to put some more condos out there, thought it was a good idea. And costly litigation is certain to result."

Other green-minded residents defended Nurse.

"Karl is probably one of the greenest politicians in Tampa Bay, so I would cut him a break here," wrote Marc Washburn, conservation chairman of the Suncoast Sierra Club. "We need Karl in office and not on the sidelines."

- Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

Council approves Tierra Verde annexation

ST. PETERSBURG - In the end, the letters to City Hall, the petitions and the stern comments from critics in all levels of local government weren't enough to persuade the City Council to vote against annexing Tierra Verde's waterfront commercial district.

The council voted 5-2 to annex 28-acres of unincorporated Tierra Verde Friday in a financially motivated effort that expands the city's borders across the Pinellas Bayway into the small wealthy enclave.

Council members Herb Polson and Jeff Danner cast the dissenting votes. Council member Jim Kennedy was not present.

The Tierra Verde Marina, a vacant 56-unit condominium resort, five vacant residential lots and a 7-Eleven are among the former Tierra Verde properties that will now reside in St. Petersburg. Property owners there supported the annexation because the city has a more lenient approach to development than Pinellas County. The city also annexed 10 acres of submerged state land, the only way it can connect to the 18 acres of commercial property on the island.

The annexation would add nearly $200,000 to the city's coffers in 2009. New development could eventually contribute $1-million in annual property tax revenue. In return, the city is now responsible for providing services such as police and code enforcement to the northernmost tip of Tierra Verde.

City officials offered a last minute bargaining chip late Thursday to sweeten the deal: don't challenge the annexation, and development will be limited to eight stories instead of the maximum allowable height of 15 stories. If the annexation is challenged, the deal is off and 150 foot tall buildings could be built.

Mayor Rick Baker said the deal was cut after he met with Tierra Verde community leaders to address concerns about over-development. Tierra Verde limits building height at five stories.

"We have been trying to act in good faith," said Baker. "The city has tried to listen."

But county and Tierra Verde residents not involved with the land grab say they plan to challenge the legality of the annexation in court anyway.

"They left us no choice," said Brian Smith, the county's planning director. "I'm kind of disappointed."

The annexation has been widely criticized. State and county leaders and neighborhood groups implored the city to delay the vote. Critics said the annexation is inappropriate at a time when the county is in the midst of overhauling its annexation restrictions and hundreds of Tierra Verde residents who are not part of the annexation oppose it.

Council members said they received phone calls up until Friday morning asking them to delay the vote. Council member Leslie Curran said she spoke with a critic who described the annexation as a communist takeover

Many Tierra Verde residents fear the annexation will divide their community and remove valuable commercial property from what could one day be an independent municipality. They also worry new development will strain the bedroom community's already overstressed main corridor, the only road to the county's Fort De Soto park. 

This was the city's third attempt to acquire the 28 acres. Two earlier efforts were dropped after questions arose over voting rights of boat dwellers in the annexation. The city ultimately decided not to annex the dock where those people live.

At one point Friday, several council members seemed uncomfortable with the decision before them.

"I'm struggling with this," said Danner. "Is it the right way to go? Should we have engaged the neighborhoods more?"

Council member Karl Nurse also expressed some reservations.

"I must confess I've been kind of wrestling with this. I think all the pros are self evident, and, frankly, for the citizens of St. Petersburg a million dollars a year over time is not insignificant," he said.

But, Nurse added, the city's actions could also strain its relationships with the county and the people of Tierra Verde.

Cristina Silva, Times staff writer

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Baker fights for BayWalk

ST. PETERSBURG - Mayor Rick Baker tried to save BayWalk and its owner, Fred Bullard Jr., from foreclosure.

"BayWalk was, and continues to be, a critical component of the city's overall effort to revitalize our downtown area," he wrote in a letter to CW Capital Vice President Robert C. Flandrau in October. "Mr. Bullard has advised us that he will need some temporary assistance from your mortgage company in the form of a temporary mortgage payment abatement, in order to allow him time to invest in improvements to the complex and cover operating costs, while repositioning BayWalk to once again be a premier destination in downtown St. Petersburg. I ask that you work with Mr. Bullard to assist him to the greatest extent possible, in order to assure the continued positive impact of BayWalk on our city."

Cristina Silva, Times staff writer

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Rene Flowers not running for St. Pete Mayor

ST. PETERSBURG-- Former City Council Member Rene Flowers wants to stay in politics, but she said she isn't going to run for mayor.

Flowers lost her bid for County Commissioner District 3 by about 20,000 votes this month to Nancy Bostock. Immediately after, Flowers' name was kicked around as a potential mayoral candidate.

Flowers said she was approached by many supporters and one even offered to launch her campaign for her, but she isn't interested.

"I am not running," she said. "I said I was not going to do that and I am going to keep my word."

Flowers said she will likely spend the 2009 election helping candidates with their campaigns.

"I'm going to have my eyes open for what opportunities will be out there for me. I don't want to get out of politics," she added

Flowers said she already knows who she is backing for mayor, but won't tell until that person formerly announces their candidacy. She did give a hint. It isn't Amscot executive Deveron Gibbons or Council Chairman Jamie Bennett.

-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

Bay Gables demolition decision delayed

ST. PETERSBURG-- A local development group has withdrawn their application to demolish the historic Bay Gables house located downtown on Fourth Avenue NE near Beach Drive.

The city's preservation commission was scheduled to vote on the demolition Friday. St. Petersburg Preservation opposed the demolition and are pushing the Liberty Group, the developers, to relocate the property.

Cristina Silva, Times staff writer

Baker will get his flu shot

ST. PETERSBURG-- Mayor Rick Baker and members of the City Council will get their flu vaccinations during Friday's council meeting to help the American Lung Association put a spotlight on low immunization rates. 

It's expected to be a painful morning all around. The council will vote to annex North Tierra Verde Friday and dozens are expected to attend the meeting in protest.

-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

CFO Rick Baker?

ST. PETERSBURG -- What's next for Mayor Rick Baker?

Our sister blog, the Buzz, says Baker could be Florida's next CFO.

Baker has mostly been coy about his post-mayoral plans, but it seems unlikely the ambitious former lawyer will fade away into obscurity.

Baker is term-limited. A new mayor will be elected in November 2009.

Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

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St. Petersburg housing director backs board members

Mayor Rick Baker should reappoint two St. Petersburg Housing Authority commissioners, according to CEO Darrell Irions.

Irions wrote to Baker last week to recommend Commissioner Lorraine Perry, a resident of Clearview Park Apartments, and Board Chairman Harry Harvey for additional four-year terms.

Baker met with Irions on Nov. 4 to discuss the board's makeup. The board is in the midst of its controversial sale of the Graham-Rogall housing complex and resident relocation process.

Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

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Something smells at City Hall

ST. PETERSBURG -- A sewage mishap left a putrid stench throughout the corridors of the city's Municipal Services Center today.

While the source of the unpleasant odor is still unclear, employees had clues. The building's bathrooms were closed and at one point, sewage oozed through an elevator shaft. For a while Thursday, the elevators were temporarily out of service.

The smell was most noticeable in the hallways and elevator shaft. Some women walked through the building with their hands covering their noses and mouths. Meanwhile, employees canvassed Central Avenue in search of unoccupied bathrooms.

The municipal services center is the city's busiest property. With approximately 3,267 full and part time staffers, most of the city's employees work in the building, which includes the economic development, building, legal and transportation departments.

-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

Al Lang debate takes new turn

ST. PETERSBURG -- A 15-month effort to preserve Al Lang Field as a waterfront park took a new twist today when the City Council debated whether it should rezone the park but not limit height restrictions at the historic stadium.

City Council members Wengay Newton and Bill Dudley said they would support rezoning the park, but that any decisions on height restrictions should be left to voters.

"This land is the most protected piece of land that I think we have in the city," Newton said. "I do not see why we are circumventing the will of the voters by screwing with the height."

Dudley said voters are intelligent enough to vote against any development they dislike. Setting a height restriction "limits possibilities down the road, and why should we make that decision?" he said.

The debate to rezone Al Lang has been mostly symbolic. The city requires voters to approve any long-term private development along the waterfront. Rezoning the park does not change that. Rezoning the park also won't prohibit the council from redeveloping Al Lang for public use.

But a height restriction would limit what could be built there.

Al Lang is the only downtown park that allows development up to 300 feet tall. The other parks were limited to 50 feet in August 2007.

Changing the height limit at Al Lang Field would merely bring the site in line with the other downtown parks, said council member Herb Polson.

Council member Karl Nurse said he also supports height restrictions.

"It's really about how high are we going to allow a building on the waterfront?" Nurse said. "To rezone it and leave it 300 feet makes a mockery of the parkland."

Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

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City Council approves Tierra Verde annexation

ST. PETERSBURG -- Dozens of Tierra Verde residents who showed up at City Hall today to protest the city's plans to annex nearly 28 acres of the unincorporated community did not dissuade the City Council from moving ahead with it.

The council voted unanimously to continue with the annexation, which extends St. Petersburg boundaries to include about 10 acres of submerged land and 18 acres of commercial property.

Mayor Rick Baker, whose staff advised the council to move forward, said the council's decision was appropriate.

"Anytime you annex a new property, you increase your tax base,"  Baker said.

Paul Murray, president of the Tierra Verde Community Association, said he was not surprised by the vote.

"They want the money," he said. "If they do this, they can be assured that there will be an appeal."

Another hearing and a final vote are scheduled Nov. 17.

The council angered some of the residents when it delayed the hearing, scheduled for 9 a.m.

And you thought your gas bill was out of control

ST. PETERSBURG -- Gas prices are down, but not everyone is seeing relief at the pump.

The City Council approved an extra $150,000 for fuel this morning, bringing the city's total annual gasoline and diesel fuel costs to $5.3-million.

City officials said recent hurricane activity in the Gulf of Mexico and the rising cost of crude oil prompted them to increase the original $5.1-million fuel agreement.

The city gets it fuel from Petroleum Traders Corp. of Fort Wayne, Ind., Mansfield Oil Co. of Gainesville and J.H. William Oil Co. of Tampa.

Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

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In South St. Pete: A quiet close at the polls

ST. PETERSBURG -- Two volunteers for Barack Obama were standing outside the Frank Pierce Recreation Center at 7 p.m. when the polls closed. They were ready for long lines at the precinct, expecting to draw many black voters. They had handbills with a message from Obama: "Even if it's late and the line is long, please stay and make sure your vote is counted."

But only a few voters breezed in and out at 6:45 p.m. By 7 p.m., all was quiet.

City Councilman Karl Nurse, at the request of the Obama campaign, showed up as the polls closed, intending to urge voters to stay if there was a line.

"I don't know what it means," Nurse said. "We must not have had many dysfunctional things happen."

Volunteer Paul R. Olszewski, 66, had watched his home precinct all day.

"Large in the morning, very encouraging in the morning, and steady throughout the day," he said. "I'm convinced that early voting made a big difference here."

A check later in the night proved him right, after the 1,082 voters at Precinct 116 were counted. Turn-out skyrocketed from 38 percent in 2004 to 65 percent in 2008.

-- Angie Drobnic Holan, staff writer

Some exit pollsters too young to vote

It was fifth-grader Mahogani Anderson, 11, asking the big questions outside the Prayer Tower Church of God in Christ polling location.

The girl was one of a few dozen students from Douglas Jamerson Jr. Elementary School taking exit poll interviews and greeting voters at the voting site, 1137 37th St. S this morning. 

"I think health care is the most important one," Anderson said when asked her opinion of the issues, as teacher Donald Johnson looked on.

Anticipating chaos and long waits, the children and their teachers also brought metal folding chairs so people could sit while on line, cool bottled water for the weary, and a tic-tac-toe game for voter amusement.

But there were no lines.

"Easy in, easy out," said Andrea Henry, 39, a credit researcher from Childs Park. Henry, a lifelong Democrat, said she voted for Obama because "he's about the people."

Johnson said the exit polls would be compiled in a school-wide project. The kids are taking 90-minute shifts through the remainder of the school day, he said.

"I'm glad to see these kids excited about this at this age," said Henry Howard, 43, of Childs Park, who took the exit poll from the children.

Howard, a Marine veteran who is black, said he voted for McCain, because of Obama's stances on abortion and same sex marriage. He said it wasn't enough to vote for Obama because he is a black man.

"I have to vote based on my beliefs," Howard said.

Luis Perez, Times staff writer

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Smooth voting at a Midtown polling place

What better time to purge all those campaign text messages from your cell phone than when standing in line to vote?

Dwight Watson, 57, of Midtown did just that as he waited since 6 a.m. outside Mount Zion AME Church at 1045 16th St. S.

"I was getting text messages at 1 and 2 o'clock in the morning. I thought that was outrageous," said Watson, who served time in prison for selling drugs. Watson, a registered Democrat, said the text messages were not for Obama or McCain.

"It just said, 'Vote, vote, vote, vote," he grumbled.

Inside the polling station, the lines were smooth, and turnaround time was about 10 minutes, voters said.

Even for James McLaurin, 85, who voted with the aid of his niece, Lula Evans, 66. The two arrived at 5 a.m. to avoid a long wait, though the line never grew past 30 people.

"It feels good to vote," Evans said.

Luis Perez, Times staff writer

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St. Petersburg: Voters shouldn't get parking tickets

ST. PETERSBURG -- Voters shouldn't have to worry about overtime parking tickets, city officials said.

But that doesn't mean the city won't be issuing tickets on Election Day, said Joe Kubicki, the city's transportation director.

He said parking attendants will focus on safety infractions such as drivers who park in front of fire hydrants or on a street curb. Kubicki said he told his staff to go easy on overtime violators near polling locations.

Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

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How much those 'I Voted' stickers cost

Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

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More than 136,000 Pinellas County ballots have already been voted and returned.

But there are plenty of those "I Voted" stickers left for everyone else -- more than 75 percent of registered Pinellas voters -- who still could cast their ballot by Tuesday night.

The Supervisor of Elections bought 1-million "I voted" stickers this year for $3,919.33 from St. Petersburg City Council Member Karl Nurse's Bay Tech Label printing company.

Compare that to 2004, when the elections office bought 1,350,000 stickers for $7,812.50, said elections spokeswoman Nancy Whitlock.

Push Hosts Election Night Party

Nothing says American democracy quite like a Jagerbomb-fueled election countdown.

Push Ultra Lounge will host an election night party Tuesday starting at 5 p.m. Channel 10 will broadcast live from the downtown St. Petersburg nightclub.

The bar will have happy hour prices all night long.

Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

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Voters complain of parking tickets

ST. PETERSBURG-- Casting a ballot is costing some voters $25.

That's how much the city of St. Petersburg charges motorists for overtime parking fees.

Joe Kubicki, the city's transportation and parking director, said long lines outside the downtown St. Petersburg County building this week meant some voters came away with parking tickets. There are only three early voting locations in Pinellas County.

"It's unfortunate," he said. "I think the real issue is how can it take more than two hours to stand in line and vote?"

Kubicki encouraged voters to bypass street parking for the city's metered parking garage across the street from City Hall.

He expects less parking problems on Election Day, when more voting locations will be open.

-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

St. Petersburg Democrats plan victory party

Are St. Petersburg Democrats getting ahead of themselves?

The St. Petersburg Democratic Club is hosting a celebration in anticipation of a Democratic victory at their next meeting Nov. 5 at the Piccadilly Cafeteria on 34th Street N at 6:30 p.m.

The club announced the meeting in an e-mail sent out last week. The subject line read, "ST. PETERSBURG DEMOCRATS ANTICIPATE VICTORY!!!"

Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

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Elected officials skip out on Pier sessions for Rays rallies

ST. PETERSBURG-- Mayor Rick Baker and the City Council planned three brainstorming sessions for the public to discuss the future of the historic Pier.

Then they skipped out on the discussion to attend celebrations for the Tampa Bay Rays instead.
Only Council members Leslie Curran and Karl Nurse bothered to attend the city's two visioning sessions in recent weeks.

Curran attended a session on Sept. 29, the same day the Rays hosted a party to celebrate making it to the playoffs at Straub Park. Baker and other council members attended the party.

On Monday, Nurse was the only elected official to join 30 other residents for a visioning session at the Coliseum. Baker and other council members chose to celebrate baseball with a city-sponsored party at the Pier of all places. 

A third visioning session is scheduled tonight for 6 at the Coliseum, 535 4th Ave. N. Again it seems city leaders will have to choose between policy and baseball.

Commissioner of Baseball Bud Selig will host an exclusive party at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort tonight in honor of the World Series. Baker and the council are invited.

The visioning sessions allow residents a chance to discuss how to spend $50-million earmarked for renovations beginning in 2012. Both the Pier and the main building are up for a redesign. City staffers will eventually provide a report of what happened during the sessions to city leaders.

Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

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Students react to presidential debate

At a debate watching party at USF-St. Pete, more than 25 students watched the debate intently, laughing at some of its awkward moments. Professor Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan polled the students before the debate. Eleven said they support Obama, two backed McCain and six were undecided.

Here are some students thoughts on the debate.

Rebekah Lee, 19, a political science and journalism major from Clearwater, is undecided but leans toward conservatives.
"My dilemma is that i'm comfortable with McCain but I'm not convinced that he would be a good leader for his country." On Obama: "He's a great communicator. I'm not convinced on a lot of his policies."

Kevin Kurpe, 25, a management and information systems junior from Clearwater, said he's a Republican voting for Obama and trying to convince his brother in law and father to vote that way, too.
"I would like to talk to them (his relatives) afterward and say (Obama) can swing the bat. He's not completely unpreparing and young and ignorant...I really feel like he can make a change."

Laura Davis, 23, a political science senior, is voting for McCain.
"I don't think this is (McCain's) best debate. But I don't think it is Obama's, either...The question still is, is it going to matter? I still think people aren't going to make their decision based on this debate."

David Stote, 22, a business senior from Gulfport, said he wishes third-party candidates would be included. He's undecided but leaning toward McCain.
"I'm not hearing any major differences. No matter who gets elected, nothing will probably change."

Brittney Tottle, 20, an economics junior from St. Petersburg, said she liked the way McCain laid out his tax policy.
"The other debate was so impersonal. I like how they're sitting at the table and actually talking to each other."

Seniors: Amendment 2's new foe?

ST. PETERSBURG -- Opponents of Amendment 2, a measure that would ban gay marriage in Florida, are working on adding seniors to their ranks.

A little more than two dozen senior citizens gathered at the Sunshine Senior Center in St. Petersburg this afternoon for a news conference held by Florida Red and Blue, an organization fighting the amendment.

Speakers talked about how the amendment could affect elderly people who live together. Their current legal protections, such as being allowed to visit each other in the hospital or sharing long-term care decisions, could be taken away if the amendment passes, the organization warned.

Those seniors could be forced to get married, which could make them lose Social Security benefits or their pension plans, said Derek Newton, campaign manager for Florida Red and Blue.

"We wanted people to understand that the consequences of Amendment 2 are far and wide and very dangerous," Newton said.

Speakers at the news conference included Mark Pudlow, spokesman for Florida Education Association and Bentley Lipscomb, who served as secretary for the Department of Elder Affairs under Gov. Lawton Chiles.

Nicole Hutcheson, Times staff writer

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Mayor Baker: Mom says no to Mohawk

ST. PETERSBURG-- Mayor Rick Baker announced last month he would get a Mohawk if the Tampa Bay Rays won the World Series and his wife signed off on it.

But Baker says another lady in his life, his mother, has already told him not to do it.

"Ricky," he recalled her saying, "don't you let them give you a Mohawk. That's not mayoral. The mayor shouldn't have a Mohawk."

And that's that. "Mom has spoken," he said.

Cristina Silva, Times staff writer

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Incumbents afraid to debate?

Tampa Bay area voters won't get the chance to see debates in four congressional races because the incumbents have declined to participate. Their challengers say the incumbents are avoiding taking questions about their records and refusing to stick their necks out in a debate, the Times' Stephanie Garry reports.

Republican representatives Ginny Brown-Waite and Vern Buchanan declined. C.W. Bill Young and fellow Republican Gus Bilirakis did not give a final response.

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Vote or Die event

ST. PETERSBURG -- Black business leaders will host a red carpet Vote or Die party on Nov. 1 to rally young voters before the election.

The celebration is hosted by Against the Grain Barber Shop, Triple Threat Entertainment and the Kizmet, a downtown St. Petersburg lounge and restaurant. Tickets will be $10, and St. Petersburg and Pinellas County elected officials and representatives from Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain's campaigns are expected to attend.

For more information, call (727) 501-2267.

-- Cristina Silva, Times staff writer

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St. Petersburg council silent on Amendment 2

ST. PETERSBURG- Former City Council member John "Jay" Lasita asked the council to adopt a resolution Thursday against Amendment 2, the so-called gay marriage ban before voters this November.

It didn't go over very well. Not one council member supported putting the resolution to a vote.

Council members, even those who oppose the measure, said voters could take the resolution the wrong way.

"We do get a lot of heat from people with us using our positions to tell them how to vote," said council member Jeff Danner.

Even council chairman Jamie Bennett, who has campaigned against Amendment 2, would not support the resolution.

"I will not be supporting this amendment when I go to vote next month," said Bennett.  "It does impact people in their normal existence and I think that is the unintended consequence."

Lasita is the Central Florida field leader for Florida Red & Blue, the group that's fighting Amendment 2. He urged council members to reconsider voting on the resolution at their next meeting Oct. 16.

Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

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Baker worried about election

ST. PETERSBURG- Mayor Rick Baker is worried polling places will be swamped on Election Day.

"If there is anything that can be done to increase the number of voting booths within the precincts, increase the number of volunteers," he told Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark during today's council meeting. "I just see a process coming forward that is just not going to be good unless something is done."

Clark said she can't do anything about the number of precincts, but called for volunteers to ensure things go smoothly on Election Day. (She's already mentioned the surefire ways to avoid Election Day lines -- voting by absentee or voting early.)

Free air time for 2009 St. Pete candidates

Attention all future St. Petersburg candidates: free air time is (almost) on the way.

City council members directed city attorney John Wolfe in July to write an ordinance that would allow the city to air debates during election season.

Wolfe will present a draft of the ordinance to the council Thursday during its Public Services and Infrastructure Committee. If they give it the green light, it will be presented to council for approval.

The ordinance states it would be up to the council to decide when and how the debates are held. They must choose an impartial third party to conduct the debates. Only mayoral and council candidates would be able to participate.

-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

Controversial median ban passes in St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG -- The City Council approved a measure today banning solicitation in public medians. Under the ordinance, just standing in a median would be banned unless you are crossing the street.

Mayor Rick Baker and Assistant Police Chief Luke Williams urged the council to approve the measure, which will affect charities, panhandlers, political campaigns, newspaper vendors, free speech advocates and others who depend on the medians for business or personal use.

"I'm hopeful that we can keep people from going in the road," Baker said. "To me, it's a safety issue."

But opponents said the measure violates a person's civil rights and vowed to challenge it.

"We are disappointed," said Rick Pauley, vice president of the St. Petersburg Association of Firefighters, which holds annual "Fill the Boot" campaigns for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. "It's going to severely limit our ability to collect donations."

The St. Petersburg Times, which hires hawkers to sell the newspaper in medians, sent representatives to the meeting to oppose the measure. The newspaper's attorney, Tom Reynolds, said the measure violates the First Amendment.

The vote was 7-1. Council member Wengay Newton cast the lone no vote.

Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

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If Sox win, St. Pete sends cookies

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley have a little wager on which team will win the American League Division Series games between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Chicago White Sox. No word yet on what Daley is offering should the Sox win, but a sampling of goodies from St. Petersburg will contain a basket of Margaret Ann's Gourmet Cookies.

"I hope he doesn't have to send them," said Margaret Ann Burtchaell, who owns Margaret Ann's Catering and Gourmet Cookies in St. Petersburg. She supplied Baker with a 3-pound basket in Rays colors. It contained all seven varieties of cookies she offers: chocolate chunk, toffee crunch, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, white chocolate pecan, Chocolate Whopper and Almond Joy.

Burtchaell said she was happy to have her cookies included among items the mayor considers to be distinctive of St. Petersburg.

-- Mary Jane Park, Times Staff Writer.

St. Pete council member makes playoffs bet

ST. PETERSBURG- City Council member Karl Nurse, whose district includes Tropicana Field, has made a bet with Alderman James Balcer of Chicago, whose district includes the White Sox's stadium.

If the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, Balcer will send pies from Connie's Pizza, a classic deep-dish pizza place.

"On the odd chance that we lose," Nurse wrote in an e-mail, he'll send "citrus wines from Florida Orange Groves and Winery in South Pasadena!"

Huh? Couldn't he find anything from St. Petersburg?

Nurse said the winery is well known across the Tampa Bay area. Besides, he added, "I'm going to be on the receiving end of this experience."

Cristina Silva, Times staff writer

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St. Pete's cash affair with the Rays

ST. PETERSBURG -- Wonder how much all this Tampa Bay Rays mania is costing taxpayers?

So far, the city has spent $3,750 of its marketing dollars to celebrate the Rays, and the tab is growing.

Here's how that breaks down: $257.98 for 1,000 fliers, $1,020 for six banners, $1,090 for 5,000 posters, $620 for 18 blue flags to decorate street lights near Tropicana Field,  $114.20 on 168 balloons for last week's poorly attended Central Avenue street party, $200 worth of staff time to hang the balloons, $208.22 worth of staff time to create the graphic designs and $240 worth of staff time to hang the banners.

City officials have yet to provide information on how much they spent on police staffing for the street party. They also are not sure how much it will cost to provide additional police staffing during the team's playoff games, but estimate it could cost about $5,000 per game, or $55,000.

The Rays' Straub Park party Monday night was paid for by the team, according to the city.

The good news is the city also expects to earn between $269,000 to $280,000 from ticket sales if the team makes it to the World Series.

Why the price difference?

The city receives 64 cents for every attendee at each of the playoff games. If the Rays make it through to the World Series, that makes 11 potential home games. The Rays are only selling 36,000 tickets right now, but if they open the other seats in the stadium, they could sell 42,000 tickets, translating to extra cash for the city.

That money would go toward the city's Tropicana Field operating fund and help offset $1.6-million worth of annual subsidies for the stadium.

Cristina Silva, Times staff writer

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Anti-Heller push poll surfaces in District 52

Republicans are apparently targeting state Rep. Bill Heller, D-St. Petersburg. A push poll is making the rounds in District 52 linking Heller's vote against the state budget this year to apparent disapproval for lots of well-intentioned programs included in the spending package.

Heller said he voted against the budget because it shifted $300-million from education to prison spending.

But now someone is using that vote to say he's anti-veteran among other things, Heller said this morning.

"I'm not against the veterans. I am a veteran," said Heller, who volunteered during the Korean War and served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne.

Heller's opponent, retired Realtor Ross Johnson, said he has nothing to do with the poll. Johnson said Heller called him to express his frustration.

"I have nothing to do with it, and I would not condone it," Johnson told Bay Buzz this morning.

Aaron Sharockman, Times staff writer

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It's official: St. Pete council member gets blue RayHawk

ST. PETERSBURG-- Mayor Rick Baker pledged the City Council would shave their heads into Mohawks if the Tampa Bay Rays made it to the World Series last week. He was kidding.

But that didn't stop council member Jeff Danner.

About a dozen city hall employees and reporters gathered on the steps of City Hall to watch Danner get a RayHawk Monday. The crowd cheered as blond tufts of hair fell to the ground.

"Go Rays," he yelled.

His wife, Robyn Guy-Danner, a former hairstylist, did the honors. "It's hair," she said. "It grows back."

Plenty of local politicos have said they will get a RayHawk if the Rays go to the playoffs, but so far, Danner seems to be the only one to have gone through with it.

Danner learned of Baker's Mohawk promise while reading the newspaper Friday morning, and thought, 'let's do it now,' he said.

It was a first for both of the Danners: his first Mohawk, her first time creating one. The couple seemed happy with the result.

After the shave, Danner peered at his reflection in the glass windows of City Hall. His wife sprayed temporary blue dye along the crest of the Mohawk.

"It's the new look," Danner said approvingly. "I might just keep it."

-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

Danner to get RayHawk at St. Petersburg City Hall today

ST. PETERSBURG-- City Council Member Jeff Danner might be the first local politico to come through on a promise to get a RayHawk.

Danner, who sports a short, blond style, said he is getting a Mohawk at 3 p.m. on the steps of City Hall today. His wife, a hairstylist, will do the honors.

Last week, Mayor Rick Baker jokingly promised all council members would get Mohawks if the Tampa Bay Rays made it to the World Series. Danner said he has challenged the council to get haircuts today, but he doesn't know whether anyone is going to take him up on the offer.

View more RayHawk photos, share yours

-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

[Photo: courtesy of City of St. Petersburg]

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Baker gets help from friends

BayBuzz hears that St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker grabbed his guitar and a made a guest appearance Sunday at the folk festival in downtown St. Petersburg. Baker jammed with a Beatles tribute band, making the most of the refrain, "I get by with a little help from my friends."

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St. Pete's high-carb political hot spot

It's been said that St. Petersburg power brokers tend to flock to the Atlanta Bread Company in downtown like teenagers to a McDonald's parking lot.

For the incredulous, consider this: Among the influential gathered at Atlanta Bread Company Friday morning at different tables were St. Petersburg Council Chairman Jamie Bennett and council member Leslie Curran, former mayor David Fischer, Sembler Company President Craig Sher, attorney Charles Harris and Nancy Loehr, Progress Energy's community relations manager.

-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

Baker chosen as mayor of the year by national magazine

Governing magazine has chosen St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker as its mayor of the year, an honor previously accorded to mayors from much larger cities, like Houston.

The magazine, which is owned by the same company that publishes the St. Petersburg Times, focuses on state and local government. It's not scheduled to announce Baker's selection until next week.

But former Pinellas County Commissioner Steve Seibert let the cat out of the bag while introducing Baker on Thursday at the opening of the Florida Water Congress in Orlando.

Baker, who also leads the Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida, credited his predecessors in office -- particularly Robert Ulrich and David Fischer -- for setting the stage for his success.

"The city's doing great," he said. "When the city does great, the mayor gets the credit for it."

Craig Pittman, Times staff writer

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Mayor Baker invites you to a Rays party

ST. PETERSBURG -- Mayor Rick Baker and City Council Chairman James Bennett are inviting all baseball fans to a celebration when -- they did not say if -- the Tampa Bay Rays clinch the American League East Division title.

That could happen as early as this afternoon, if the Rays beat the Detroit Tigers.The Rays also play the Tigers on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

When it happens -- not if, remember -- a street party will be held next to the popular sports bar Ferg's, which is at 1320 Central Ave., across from Tropicana Field.

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Baker, council consider getting Rays' mohawk

ST. PETERSBURG-- The City Council will shave their heads in a Mohawk if the Tampa Bay Rays make the World Series, Mayor Rick Baker jokingly promised Wednesday.

But Baker, who sports a short salt-and-pepper haircut, said he won't commit to his own haircut without permission from his wife.

"I'm in discussions with my wife on the issue," Baker said, who later added, "I might not have enough hair for one."

Council Chairman Jamie Bennett said his wife told him he has to get a Mohawk if the Rays win the World Series.

The Mohawk pledge came up during a press conference Wednesday as Baker and Bennett revealed the city's baseball celebration plans.

"For our city, for our region, for our state, it's a dream come true," said Baker of the team getting into the playoffs. "I've watched Field of Dreams a hundred times... I believe in happy endings."

The highlights:

• The city will proclaim 2008 the "Year of the Rays" at a future city council meeting. Beginning next week, the council will begin every meeting by singing "Take me Out to the Ballgame" until baseball season ends.
• The Pier will sport the Rays' colors until the post-season is over.
• The city will provide banners and posters that read "St. Pete Loves the Rays" to fans.
• The city is sponsoring a ticket contest. Submit a 100-word statement on why the Rays are your favorite team at stpete.org/stpetelovestherays. The winner gets two playoff tickets and a $100 gift certificate to the Rays' gift shop.
• The city will host a welcoming ceremony for the team when they return home Sunday at 8 p.m. at St. Petersburg/ Clearwater International Airport.

Meanwhile, Tampa is getting in on the action with their own celebration Friday, dubbed "Tampa Bay Rays Day." The city will host a free viewing party of Friday's Rays against the Detroit Tigers game at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park. Team mascot Raymond will be there at 6:30 p.m. with a game start of 7:05 p.m.   

And the Rays are holding their own party Monday at 5 p.m. at Straub Park. It will feature live music and appearances from the players, said spokesman Rick Vaughn.

So is Mayor Pam Iorio also jumping on the RayHawk bandwagon?

"I’m sure not," she said, laughing. "I have enough trouble with my hair without turning it into a Mohawk."

-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

St. Pete council lobbies against off-shore drilling

The City Council voted to take a stand against off-shore drilling last week. Read the letter the city sent to local legislators here.

Council member Bill Dudley cast the lone vote against sending the letter, citing concern about the rising cost of fuel.

-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

On soliciting ban, Newton brothers think alike

St. Petersburg City Council member Wengay Newton says he is concerned about a new proposal to ban people from stopping on medians unless they are crossing the street.

"I see a problem with us using safety as a reason for doing this when firefighters are our public safety and they are collecting money for charities," said Newton.

That puts Newton on the same side as his brother, Winthrop Newton, president of the St. Petersburg Association of Firefighters, who plans to fight the ordinance. Winthrop Newton said firefighters should be allowed to continue their annual "Fill the Boot" campaigns for the Muscular Dystrophy Association along street medians.

City Attorney John Wolfe said it isn't a conflict of interest for Newton to vote against the measure, even if his brother publicly opposes it.

"There is no personal gain," Wolfe said.

-- Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

In case you missed it: Rouson profile

ST. PETERSBURG — It's halftime at a St. Petersburg Catholic High School football game, and state Rep. Darryl Rouson's campaign treasurer is offering advice on an anniversary present for his wife.

"You mean more than this?" Rouson, 53, asks mischievously, gyrating his hips back and forth in a sexual motion as a reporter watches.

It is classic Rouson: outrageous, unpredictable, completely arresting.

Rouson, who is seeking re-election to state House District 55, is the rare politician who has turned an unattractive personal history — drug addiction, bankruptcy, divorce, homelessness, civil disobedience, professional misconduct — into a triumphant tale of redemption.

Full story is here.

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Jabil deal re-examined

ST. PETERSBURG - Nearly four months after the City Council quietly approved a $12.7-million incentives package for Jabil Circuit with no knowledge of who the money would go toward or any public discussion, city officials gathered Tuesday to discuss its economic development process.

"Why couldn't we be told?" council member Wengay Newton asked city staffers. "It seems like a lot of people knew, so it wasn't that confidential."

The council approved the deal in June even though city staffers told council members they could not know certain details of the incentives package, including the name of the beneficiary, because of a state law requiring city economic development staffs to shield business deals. Instead, the company was known as "Project Extreme."

The state law didn't stop the county staff from telling Pinellas County commissioners, which approved a similar package, the details the council didn't know. And council Chairman Jamie Bennett said he knew because Mayor Rick Baker told him before the vote.

"We give you in your council materials ... everything we can," said Dave Goodwin, the city's economic development director.

"We are not doing this just to be secret," said Mike Meidel, director of the county's economic development program. "We are doing this to make deals happen and they would not happen if they were done out in the public marketplace."

St. Petersburg's recycling compromise

ST. PETERSBURG - Residents should decide whether they want the county's sanitation surplus fund to go toward curbside recycling or be divided among residents in the form of a refund, said council member Wengay Newton Thursday.

Newton, who supports the countywide curbside recycling program, said he would prefer a referendum over a watered-down compromise.

"The constituents spoke loud and clear. They really want curbside recycling," he said. "We should stop talking about it and do it."

The council opted instead to hold a workshop Oct. 2 on the issue.

Meanwhile, the buzz at City Hall Thursday was Mayor Rick Baker's editorial on recycling. He wrote he could accept council member Karl Nurse's compromise.

"What I like about Karl's proposal is that it would reduce the greenhouse gas impact, include an increase of yard waste recycling (a major contributor to the landfill), and provide some rate relief to St. Petersburg taxpayers," he wrote, highlighting the parts of the compromise that his administration has long supported.

Uhurus to rally at city council

ST. PETERSBURG-- The International People's Democratic Uhuru Movement will rally at City Hall today to demand reparations for four black families with relatives that were killed by law enforcement officials.

They are seeking justice for Javon Dawson, Jarrell Walker, Marquell McCullough and TyRon Lewis.

We'd be surprised if the council even acknowledged the protestors. Last time the Uhurus showed up at a council meeting, they didn't get much love.

-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer 

Rays mania could threaten downtown, leaders worry

No, city leaders can't predict the future. And you have to worry they may be jinxing the home team.

But the St. Petersburg City Council didn't debate Tuesday whether the Tampa Bay Rays will make the playoffs...they went straight to tackling the most pressing issue of all: Parking.

Unlike other sold-out games, officials are worried many fans who can't get tickets will overwhelm downtown if the team gets into the playoffs. "We just want to be prepared," said Joe Kubicki, the city's transportation director.

The solution ain't too sexy: If the Rays keep winning, the city will encourage more people to park downtown and take shuttle buses to Tropicana Field.

-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

Creative Loafing names political winners and losers

The results of the alternative weekly Creative Loafing's Best of the Bay 2008 awards are in. Among the highlights: the paper's staff named state Sen. Charlie Justice, D-St. Petersburg, the best local politician and Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections Buddy Johnson,a Republican, the worst.

Readers gave the best honor to Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, a Democrat, and named state Sen. Ronda Storms,R-Tampa, the worst.

-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer