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Tag: local-politics

  • Orange County leaders approve property tax increase for fire services

    Orange County leaders approve property tax increase for fire services

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County leaders voted to move forward with an increase in a millage tax rate that would generate more money for county fire services.

    The tax hike could mean homeowners will have to pay several hundred dollars more in taxes per year. Commercial business owners could be looking at paying more than homeowners.

    What You Need To Know

    • Orange County leaders voted to move forward with an increase in a millage tax rate that would generate more money for county fire services

    • The tax hike could mean homeowners will have to pay several hundred dollars more in taxes per year

    • The Orange County Fire Department is asking county leaders to increase the millage tax to help pay for new equipment, fire stations and additional firefighters

    • The tax hike is not final: the county will send out notices to property owners in August and hold public hearings on Sept. 5 and 19. County commissioners could approve the increase at the public hearing on the 19th


    In a budget workshop, Orange County Fire Chief James Fitzgerald explained to Orange County commissioners why his department needs more money.

    “Taking care of the public, making sure as well our firefighters are making competitive wages and benefits to reduce the issue we have with turnover,” said Fitzgerald. “I want them to have safe apparatus and safe equipment.”

    County commissioners voted to approve the first county fire and EMS property tax increase in 17 years, which will send an increase of nearly $70 million to the department, allowing it to hire on nearly 167 more firefighters and fund four new fire stations. The millage tax increase would amount to $150 more for a home valued at $250,000 per year. 

    All commissioners voted yes on the measure, except for one: District 3 Commissioner Mayra Uribe. Uribe said she didn’t have more than about a day to decide on the increase.

    “Maybe I would support it, but I don’t like that it was just put on me,” she said.

    A spokesperson for Orange County Government said the fire chief and other county officials met with Uribe and other commissioners back in March and again in early July, where they informed them of the fire department’s need for more funding.

    Uribe says she wishes the county had engaged the community more before voting on the issue.

    “It wasn’t what the vote was for, it was how it was presented, how it lacked complete, zero input from our community,” said Uribe.

    But the county said the tax hike isn’t final.

    In August, they will be sending out notices to anyone affected — including property owners who live and own businesses outside of Orlando and other cities — in the unincorporated parts of Orange County. 

    The county will hold two public hearings: one on Sept. 5 and another on Sept. 19. At the second public hearing, county commissioners could vote to approve the tax increase.

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    Jeff Allen

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  • Residents speak out against developer’s plans for a dock on Stevenson Creek

    Residents speak out against developer’s plans for a dock on Stevenson Creek

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — Clearwater residents have once again started a grassroots movement to speak out against a luxury complex on Sunset Point Road.

    What You Need To Know

    • Local residents protested when the luxury condo complex Serena by the Sea was developed in the city

    • Now that it’s complete, the lake behind the deveopment is relatively quiet again

    • But residents are now preparing again to fight a planned nine-clip boat dock planned for Stevenson Creek

    Serena by the Sea is an 80 Unit, seven-story waterfront condo building that was completed just last year, with adjacent townhomes in the works. Before it was built, nearby residents protested its height.

    Now residents are speaking out yet again, this time against the developer’s plans for a nine-slip boat dock on nearby Stevenson Creek.

    Alexandra Nixon, founder of the Stevenson Creek Advocacy Group, said the estuary has been through a lot, including a dredging project years ago. Its natural beauty has slowly returned and Nixon said residents want to keep it that way.

    “We can hardly hear the traffic,” Nixon said. “The minute you’re on the creek, you feel like you’re in the countryside.”

    Now, Nixon and other residents in the advocacy group are worried plans for a boat dock by developer Valor Capital could lead to increased boat traffic and affect the wildlife.

     “Nobody wants that,” said Nixon. “The residents here already have to put up with motor boats and Ski-Doo’s racing down the creek to the bridge and coming back.”

    But the Clearwater Community Development Board already approved the plans earlier this year, after a review by the harbor master determined there would be no impact on safety on the water or for residents.

    Valor Capital must next get permitting from the county.

    “Our Water and Navigation division cannot comment on the application other than to say it is currently under review for all pertinent sections of the code, including environmental concerns,” said county spokesperson Tony Fabrizio.

    The state will also have to sign off with approval for an environmental resource permit by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

    “The review process of an environmental resource permit application ensures that the permit will authorize activities that are not harmful to the water resources or inconsistent with the public interest,” said SWFWMD Public Information Officer Susanna Martinez Tarokh.

    Application records show the agency requested both a wildlife survey and a public interest proposal from Valor Capital, and a site visit is scheduled for early August.

    According to Valor Capital, environmental considerations are being made. The dock won’t affect the oyster beds along the shoreline and boats won’t be allowed to fuel up or get repairs there.

    “The Sunset Point dock has been overwhelmingly approved by the Clearwater Community Development Board with strong support from city staff and the harbormaster,” said attorney Brian Aungst Jr., who is representing Valor Capital. “Designed with environmental protection as a priority, the dock incorporates features that safeguard our natural surroundings.”

    But members of the Stevenson Creek Advocacy Group call it little comfort when it comes to health of the creek. They say their biggest fear is the approval of this dock will only lead to additional construction on the waterway.

    “We will keep on fighting and we will fight harder if we have to,” Nixon said.

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    Cait McVey

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  • South St. Pete residents find new community support hub building locked

    South St. Pete residents find new community support hub building locked

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After four months in operation, South St. Pete residents say they arrived at the neighborhood’s community support center, known as ‘The Hub,’ to find the doors locked.

    A sign on the door of the 22nd St S building directs those in need of services to visit their temporary location at 1601 16th St S. The address matches the location of People Empowering & Restoring Communities (PERC), a nonprofit that helps ex-offenders re-enter the workforce.

    What You Need To Know

    • Residents say the 22nd St S location for ‘The Hub’ has been locked up for more than two weeks

    • Unclear if services will return to the building

    • City says the same services are being offered out of their temporary location at the PERC office on 16th St S 

    • Groundbreaking ceremony for first location of ‘The Hub’ was held with city officials on March 1


    South St. Pete resident Songra Jordan said when ‘The Hub’ first opened on March 1, she saw it as a much-needed addition to the community. After walking by a few times and getting the courage to go inside, Jordan spoke to different staff members and community partners. She completed the needed paperwork and was told she would get a followup call.

    “I never got a phone call, which was already kind of strange,” she said. “You’d think y’all would follow up.”

    Jordan said she visited the center weeks later to check back and discovered the doors were locked with weeds sprouting through the mulch and the yard full of bottles and cigarettes. She said it looked like the place hadn’t been cleaned in a matter of weeks.

    “I feel like they just put on a big show and that was it,” she said.

    A news release from the city of St. Pete from July 2023 stated the city received federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act and gave roughly $8.5 million to the Pinellas Community Foundation to start the community support hub.

    During the groundbreaking, the city identified ‘The Hub’ partners as The Well for Life, Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services, and PERC.

    At the March 1 event, Mayor Ken Welch stated ‘The Hub’ is a vital and unique community resource where people are seen, heard and valued.

    “They’re designed to meet the needs of our diverse community and to meet people where they are,” he said.

    Alizza Punzalan-Randle, Managing Director for Communications and Community Engagement for the city of St. Pete, said there has not been a lapse in the services being offered to residents despite the physical location changing. Over the last year during the program’s pilot phase, she said the community partners have helped 176 residents with services.

    Moving forward, Gulf Coast JFCS will be the lead organization for ‘The Hub’ services. Initially, The Well took on that role, Punzalan-Randle confirmed.

    “The collaborative partnership for St. Petersburg’s Community Support Hubs has completed its first year of start-up pilot operations. During that time, Hub partners and providers have responded to 176 inquiries for services from members of the community. Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services (Gulf Coast JFCS) will lead the next phase of project implementation. Essential to the concept of the Hubs is ensuring that residents receive the services they need in the ways that they need them. Services have been and continue to be available for residents.

    Using lessons learned through project start-up and using resident choice as a driving force, partners are evaluating space and location needs to best serve the community moving forward. In the interim, residents seeking services at a physical location are being guided to People Empowering & Restoring Communities (PERC), located at 1601 16th Street South, and open for walk-ins from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Members of the community in need of services can call 727-285-4553 for assistance or submit an inquiry at www.stpetehubs.org,” she wrote in a statement.

    The initial goal, according to city staff, was to have multiple community support hubs. The 22nd St S location is recognized as the first.

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    Angie Angers

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  • City council approves more funding for South St. Pete home repair program

    City council approves more funding for South St. Pete home repair program

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The St. Petersburg City Council voted unanimously Thursday to boost how much money South St. Pete residents can get through a home improvement program, meant to help residents particularly hard-hit by lack of affordable housing.

    What You Need To Know

    • St. Petersburg City Council approved an increase to the maximum award that can be received for home rehabilitation through the Affordable Single-Family Homeownership Program from $45,000 – $60,000

    • Members also approved the creation of the Rapid Roof Replacement sub-program

    • The programs are available to people who live in the South St. Pete Community Redevelopment Area

    • One resident said she was able to make major changes to her home, including new flooring, a new bathroom, and repaired ceiling – that wouldn’t have been possible without the program


    “This allows them to remain in their home, because home ownership is the way for the American dream. That is one way that people are able to build generational wealth. So, as a result of being able to maintain that, it means something for them and for their heirs in the future,” said George Smith, economic development manager for the South St. Pete Community Redevelopment Agency. 

    The resolution approved by the council increases the maximum award for home rehabilitation through the Affordable Single-Family Homeownership Program from $45,000 to $65,000. It also approved the creation of another sub-program, the Rapid Roof Replacement Program.

    The programs are specifically for homeowners who live within the South St. Pete Community Redevelopment Area and come in the form of zero-interest loans. For the rehabilitation assistance program, households with incomes of up to 120% of the area median income (AMI), or $114,600 for a family of four, can receive a 100% forgivable loan after ten years of occupancy with no monthly payments. Those with incomes between 121% and 140% AMI, or $133,700 for a family of four, will repay 50% of the loan through monthly payments, which will also be forgiven after ten years. The roofing pilot program will focus on owner-occupied homes with active roof code violations. Household income must be 120% AMI or lower. Dr. Avery Slyker, the city’s assistant director for housing and community development, said the programs can be combined to provide relief.

    “So, we go in, and we find out that yes, the roof is in very serious disarray. We need to do some major repairs. The $20,000’s going to be gone, but then what do we do with the ceilings, the walls? Maybe there’s some damage done to the floors because of the leaks. We’re going to be able to assist that with those rehabilitation funds,” Slyker said.

    Both Slyker and Smith said increasing the max award to $60,000 is necessary for the rehab program.

    “The rehab assistance is very, very important. The cost to rehab a home has gone up tremendously,” Smith said.

    “Unfortunately, when we go into a home today to do rehabilitation, it costs much more than the $60,000,” Slyker said. “What we’re having to do is take a list of things that are needed and bare it down to what is absolutely essential for the health and the safety of the homeowner. This gives us a little bit more freedom to do things.”

    One resident who’s experienced the benefits of the home rehabilitation program firsthand is Delores Green. Earlier this year, work began on multiple repairs to her 15th Ave. S home. They included new flooring in several rooms, new windows, and repairs to her bedroom ceiling. Green said the work was badly needed.

    “I did take the opportunity out to buy some covers, and I climbed on a ladder on that side of the room and just covered it,” she said of her bedroom ceiling. “That slowed the rain down. It was literally raining in my room.”

    Green told Spectrum News she’s lived in the home for 25 years. She said she meant to get to repairs sooner, with help from her brother, James.

    “Me and him was going to fix the house together. We was going to do it one room at a time,” Green said.

    But she said James had an aneurysm, and she inherited the house when he passed away. Green said she ultimately turned to the city for financial help and received about $70,000 from programs that included the rehab assistance.

    “It would never have gotten done — not as fast as they got it done,” she said of the importance of that money.

    Green encourages other South St. Pete residents in need to look into the program. She said it helped preserve her brother’s legacy.

    “It’s a Godly home — peaceful, enjoyable,” she said. “I can see that my brother’s looking down. He prepared for me a place to live, and I’m so thankful.”

    Slyker encourages anyone who may have looked into the program before but didn’t meet income requirements to check again, noting they change every year.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Orlando announces names of Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee members

    Orlando announces names of Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee members

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — The city of Orlando announced on Wednesday the selection of 18 members for the Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee.

    The city first announced the creation of the committee on June 7, to consist of members representing victims’ families, survivors and community leaders.

    The new movement comes as the city took over plans to build a memorial following the dissolution of the onePULSE Foundation originally tasked with the project. 

    It’s been eight years since the Pulse Nightclub attack on June 12, 2016, that took the lives of 49 people in Orlando. Survivors and families have been waiting for a permanent memorial since then.

    The new Pulse committee will help decide what the memorial looks like. 

    The 18 members selected include:

    • Aracelis Maria Jimenez 
      • lost a family member in the tragedy 
    • Brett Rigas 
      • survivor and lost a family member in the tragedy 
    • Brian Reagan 
      • survivor, former Pulse employee, artist 
    • Carlitos Diaz Rodriguez 
      • family member of a survivor, architect/design professional, landscape architect, artist 
    • Cesar Rodriguez 
    • Felicia Burt
      • lost a family member in the tragedy 
    • Jamie Reed 
      • lost a friend in the tragedy, architect/design professional, marketing professional 
    • Joshua Garcia 
      • former Pulse employee, provided services after the tragedy, mental health professional 
    • Keinon Carter 
    • Kelly Dawson 
      • lives in the Orlando area and felt the loss as a community member, architect/design professional 
    • Rev. Marcelino Rivera 
      • lost a friend in the tragedy, provided services after the tragedy, clergy and artist 
    • Mayra Alvear BenabeI 
      • lost a family member in the tragedy 
    • Norman Casiano-Mojica 
    • Nancy Rosado 
      • provided services after the tragedy, mental health professional, community advocate, former first responder 
    • Perry T Snider Jr. 
      • lost a friend in the tragedy, former Pulse employee, artist 
    • Siclaly “Laly” M. Santiago-Leon 
      • lost a family member in the tragedy 
    • Terrance Hunter 
      • regularly visited or patronized Pulse, educator and museum professional 
    • Tommy Connelly 

    More than 150 people submitted applications to join the committee by the June 23 deadline.

    The city said a group of community leaders reviewed the applications without viewing names or personal identifying information, and made a recommendation to Mayor Buddy Dyer of which individuals should serve on the committee.

    The group of community leaders who reviewed the applications include:

    • JahKiya Bell, Ed.D, Senior Advisor to the President and CEO, Heart of Florida United Way 
    • Rev. Dr. Jose Rodriguez of the Episcopal Churches of Christ the King and Jésus de Nazaret 
    • Joél Junior Morales, Foundation Manager, Contigo Fund 
    • Jesse Arias, Director of the Orlando United Resiliency Services (OURS), LGBT+ Center Orlando 

    The committee will hold monthly meetings throughout the end of the year.

    The first meetings will be on:

    • Wednesday, July 24, 2024, 4 – 8 p.m. 
    • Thursday, July 25, 2024, 4 – 6 p.m.  
    • Kia Center, Hourglass Room, 400 West Church Street 

    The community can attend the committee meetings virtually or in-person. 

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Tarpon Springs wants to extend protection time for manatees

    Tarpon Springs wants to extend protection time for manatees

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    TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — Tarpon Springs city leaders want to extend the time for the special exclusion zone in Spring Bayou by more than 2 months because manatees have been staying in the city longer.

    What You Need To Know

    • Residents asked for extended protection because manatees stay longer in the city 

    • Mayor wants special exclusion zone updated to Nov. 1 through June 1 

    • Commissioners authorized the city manager to ask the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the extension  

    • Watercraft related collisions with manatees have been the leading cause of unnatural deaths, according to FWC


    “They are here longer and longer every year,” said Mayor Costa Vatikiotis, 75. “We want to extend our time where we prohibit boats coming into the areas that they frequent.”

    Currently, the special exclusion zone in Spring Bayou prohibits motorized or self-propelled vessels from Nov. 15 to March 31. Mayor Costa Vatikiotis said he wants it updated to Nov. 1 through June 1.

    “We’re trying to make it as friendly as we can for the manatees,” he said. “I would say that we have probably between a half dozen to a dozen manatee at any one time.”

    Vatikiotis said he recently got a letter from a local environmentalist encouraging the city to further protect manatees which have been a large tourist draw. The mayor noted Spring Bayou is listed as one of the best springs in Florida to see manatees.

    “This is a special resident for us,” he said. “We’ve had manatees that have given birth in the bayou and you see a lot of thrashing going on.”

    Vatikiotis grew up one block away from Spring Bayou and said when he was a child there were no manatees.

    Watercraft-related collisions with manatees have been the leading cause of unnatural deaths, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

    Researchers found one out of every four adult carcasses bore evidence of 10 or more watercraft strikes, according to the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. It appears exceedingly rare for an adult manatee not to be struck multiple times in its life with only 4% devoid of scars.

    At the June 4 commission meeting, residents spoke out publicly in favor of protecting manatees. Some wanted to go even further, suggesting the use of drones to monitor waterways and banning snag hook fishing when manatees are present.

    Commissioner Michael Eisner proposed putting up signs requiring boats entering Spring Bayou to have a propeller cover which he said could protect manatees all year. Vatikiotis said he wants to provide manatees with a peaceful habitat.

    “The danger of the propeller to the manatees is one thing,” he said. “The noise and the fuss and the agitation of the water and not finding a peaceful corner to sit in the bayou would be another thing if boats were allowed into the bayou.”

    The commissioners voted unanimously to authorize the city manager to work with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to try to secure the extended period of protection for the manatees.

    Due to property rights, waterfront homeowners with boats would be excluded from the new rules, according to the mayor. The city has also applied for a grant that would pay for manatee educational signs.

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    Josh Rojas

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  • Suspended District 5 commissioner Regina Hill heads back to court

    Suspended District 5 commissioner Regina Hill heads back to court

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — Suspended District 5 Commissioner Regina Hill is expected back in an Orange County court room on Tuesday morning.

    What You Need To Know

    • Hill was charged in March following several allegations against her including fraud and elder exploitation

    • A civil case was also filed against Hill to block the power of attorney access, it was granted by a judge in April
    • Despite Shaniqua Rose winning the special election and taking over the District 5 commissioner seat for the time being, Hill could potentially regain her position if her legal issues are resolved before her term ends in 2026


    Hill was suspended from her position by Gov. Ron DeSantis after being charged and later indicted on charges of elder exploitation and fraud.

    Hill is accused of gaining power of attorney over a 96-year-old woman’s finances and then using them for her own benefit. A civil case was filed against Hill in April, requesting a permanent injunction to block her power of attorney privileges. The injunction was upheld by a judge, but Hill has maintained that she’s done nothing wrong.

    Spectrum News 13 spoke to Hill the day before a special election was held to temporarily fill her position. She talked about her hopes to regain her position as District 5 commissioner, the upcoming election and her trust in the judicial system.

    “Folks can have charges or allegations brought against them,” said Hill. “But I do believe in the judicial system and due process. As any other citizen, I’m going to be given the opportunity to tell my truth.”

    While Shaniqua “Shan” Rose won the special election, it is still considered temporary. Rose’s induction into the city commissioner seat would still end at the end of Hill’s original term which is January 2026.

    “The true election isn’t until 2025 in November, and my prayers are that this will be resolved way before then,” Hill said.

    If resolved before the end of her term, Hill could potentially regain her seat as District 5 commissioner.

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    Jaclyn Harold

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  • Days after scheduled launch, details on Florida swim voucher program unclear

    Days after scheduled launch, details on Florida swim voucher program unclear

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    FLORIDA — The state’s new swim lesson voucher program that was scheduled to take effect July 1, appears to be delayed.

    Gov. Ron DeSantis first approved the program on April 15, which provides free swim lessons for kids 4 and under with families making less than 200% of the federal poverty level. Through vouchers, families can take their young children to swim lessons at a location convenient for them.

    What You Need To Know

    • Swim voucher program was scheduled to launch July 1

    • As of the morning of July 5, no information on eligibility, voucher amounts, or redemption has been made available 

    • 60 children have already drowned in Florida so far this year


    The state’s website for the swim lesson voucher program, www.watersmartfl.com, appears to still be under construction as of July 5.

    A notice posted on the homepage states:

    “Prior to implementing the Program, the Department of Health is required to develop and publish rules establishing the processes for determining applicant eligibility, vendor eligibility, and voucher amounts.

    The effective date of the program is July 1, 2024.

    The Department is working diligently to meet this date. More information will be posted as available on this website.

    Your interest in the health and safety of fellow Floridians and families is appreciated!”

    During a press conference on Tuesday in Monroe County, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez said so far this year, 60 children have drowned in the state of Florida. Of those, 47 were not even supposed to be around a body of water at the time the drowning happened.

    The state is pushing parents to follow a 3-step safety plan for their children in order to prevent future drownings.

    • Layer 1 is supervision, which means to always have eyes on a child near the water.

    • Layer 2 is barriers, which means pools must be gated and locked with toys removed as not to entice children.

    • Layer 3 is preparedness, which is where the swim lesson voucher program comes into play.

    “There are many cities and counties that have taken this intuitive and I know Monroe County themselves has done that. I know other cities are talking about their own voucher programs, but this is just one more tool in the toolbox to make sure that families can enjoy and do so safely,” Nunez said.

    A check Friday morning of the State Department of Health website also showed no new information about voucher redemption.

    The state has committed $500,000 toward the swim voucher program.

    A notice posted on the state’s website for the swimming voucher program states they are working with the department of health to develop the protocol. It was scheduled to launch July 1. (WaterSmartFL.com).

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    Angie Angers

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  • Redington Beach commissioners approve tent ban

    Redington Beach commissioners approve tent ban

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    REDINGTON BEACH, Fla. — Redington Beach commissioners voted 2-1 to ban the use of tents on its beach. The mayor said a similar ordinance was first passed in 2018, and this one just clarifies the language. 

    What You Need To Know

    •  Redington Beach commissioners approved an ordinance that prohibits tents on the beach

    •  “Tents” include shade structures like shelters, cabanas, and awnings

    • The mayor says the ordinance is a continuation of one passed in 2018 that was updated at the request of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, which wanted clarification of confusing language

    • Residents say tents are especially important for young children, seniors, and those with medical issues to enjoy the beach safely


    “Stupid – just plain stupid,” resident Debbie Decicco said of the plan earlier in the day.

    Decicco was enjoying a day on the beach with her family, and she said the canopy they use isn’t just for comfort.

    “I had skin cancer. I’m not allowed to sit in the sun constantly, but I want to be on the beach with my grandchildren,” Decicco said.

    The ordinance prohibits the public from setting up tents – whether they’re shelters, cabanas, awnings, “or other similar name.” On Wednesday afternoon, temperatures climbed into the 90s along the town’s shore, and Decicco wasn’t the only one against the plan.

    “I think it’s absolutely ridiculous,” said Redington Beach visitor Ed Volpe.

    “I would turn into a lobster myself,” said Chris Westby, also visiting from out of town. “The UV is really strong out here, so it’s nice to have a little protection.”

    Commissioners heard those same concerns at their meeting.

    “You need to have four umbrellas for 12 people – you need to have one canopy,” one resident told the board. 

    While the ordinance also bans umbrellas that exceed seven feet in diameter, Mayor David Will noted beachgoers can still use umbrellas for shade.

    “It continues the 2018 ordinance,” Will said. “There’s nothing new in it. It continues the original ordinance with some clarifying language.”

    Will said the law was first passed after gulf front homeowners reached out for help as short-term rentals became more popular.

    “In 2018, that’s what the ordinance was for, was to recognize that we’ve always utilized the beach throughout history and to also give some consideration to the homeowners, that they’re not going to have wild ruckus, crazy parties out there,” Will said.

    The mayor told attendees the new ordinance came about after the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office asked that confusing language in the original be simplified.

    Tempers flared at the commission meeting, with more than a dozen people – including gulf front homeowners – saying they didn’t want the ban. They said the 2018 ordinance was never enforced, and they’ve been using tents without problems for years. For many, the final vote was a disappointment.

    “It’s truly a sad day here in Redington Beach because, again, the majority of voters who elected them to their position were here in opposition to that ordinance, but they chose to go ahead,” said gulf front homeowner Al Alcala.

    The ordinance says tents can be set up on beach property owned by condo associations if the governing board provides the town with a written resolution saying that’s permitted. Representatives from some condo associations addressed commissioners and said that wasn’t enough.

    “We surveyed our owners and got a quorum vote, and 100% of the responses were in favor of allowing canopies on the beach,” said Hoag Ostling, president of the Breakers Condominium Association. “Now, the city misunderstood that and said, ‘We’ll put canopies behind the condos.’ No – that’s not what we meant. We meant the entire beach.”

    Residents said their work isn’t done, and they plan to look into whether the ordinance can be amended. Will said enforcement won’t begin immediately. He said code enforcement and the sheriff’s office need to be notified of the changes, and signs will be put up letting beachgoers know what is and isn’t allowed.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • New Port Richey city council creates ordinance to address flood insurance costs

    New Port Richey city council creates ordinance to address flood insurance costs

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    NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. – The New Port Richey City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Monday that creates a Flood Risk and Preparedness Public Information Committee.

    It’s a step that could lead to discounts for residents who have policies under FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program.

    What You Need To Know

    • New Port Richey City Council approves ordinance to create Flood Risk and Preparedness Public Information Committee

    • Could lead to discounts for residents who have policies under FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program

    • Anyone interested in joining the new committee can visit the city’s website here.

    “I’m very excited that this is moving forward,” said New Port Richey City Council Member Bertell Butler. “It’s another step in lowering our insurance rates, and that’s always a good thing.”

    The committee will be made up of seven members, including someone from the city’s floodplain management office and another with the public information office. The other members could be floodplain residents, insurance agents, developers and contractors, and other stakeholders.

    They’ll advise the council on the best ways to get information to the public about flood risk and resiliency and emergency preparedness. The goal of creating the committee is to improve the city’s standing in the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System, or CRS. The CRS ranks participating communities into one of ten classes based on steps they take to reduce flood risk.

    The lower the class, the higher discount residents could get on flood policies, up to 45% off. Right now, New Port Richey is a class 7, which offers a 15% discount.

    “We would like to increase the amount of discount our property owners are entitled to,” said New Port Richey City Manager Debbie Manns. “We are working hard through a myriad of efforts to receive a better classification rating.”

    This comes as Floridians are seeing insurance prices increase across the board. Heidi Beisner said she and her family moved into their home along the Cotee River in 2017 because they wanted to be close to the water.

    “We love to see the dolphins playing in the water, the manatee. But we have to look at cost, as well,” Beisner said.

    There’s the kind of cost her family experienced in August when Hurricane Idalia caused the Cotee to flood, sending water into their yard and the first floor of their home.

    “The water got 18 inches high inside the first floor,” Beisner said.

    Then, there’s flood insurance. Beisner said her premium was $542 per year when she first moved in. By 2021, it went up to nearly $3,000.

    Jeff Starkey, owner of Great Florida Insurance, said Beisner isn’t alone in dealing with steadily rising premiums. 

    “It’s very disheartening,” said Starkey, who’s also a former city council member. “We talk to people on a regular basis that are almost getting forced out of their homes, that have lived in these homes for decades and are retired, on a fixed income, and didn’t calculate any of these premiums.”

    Starkey said his agency has seen private insurers leave the market, causing most clients to turn to NFIP. While he said he thinks the new committee is a good step toward offering homeowners relief, Starkey noted he came across something odd while preparing for an interview with Spectrum News. He said when he reviewed declaration pages for clients who should be receiving the 15% discount, few of them were. Manns said Starkey brought this to her attention, and the city has reached out to NFIP.

    “It’s important enough that the city is going to remain committed to finding a response to that question, because as you might expect, we’re very interested in making sure that our residents and business owners receive the discount that we work hard to achieve,” said Manns. 

    Beisner is currently not getting any CRS discount, but she said it would be a help. Now, she’s waiting to learn what her premium for the coming year will be.

    “We’re about 45 days out from our renewal, and because we have to deal directly with the National Flood Insurance Program, we don’t know what the premium is, and they won’t tell us until they send it to us in the mail,” Beisner said.

    Manns said New Port Richey is in the middle of a review process with FEMA, which could take several months. She said it would be several months after that before the city would hear about any change in its rating. 

    Anyone interested in joining the new committee can visit the city’s website here.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Rays select builder for $1-billion stadium project

    Rays select builder for $1-billion stadium project

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays have picked a company to build their new billion-dollar ballpark.

    The St. Pete city council still has to approve the project.


    The final vote will take place during the city council meeting on July 18, which is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. The project passed its first hurdle earlier this month with council members voting 5 to 3 to advance the plan. 

    The team selected Minneapolis-based company called Mortenson Construction.

    Mortenson has built several professional sports complexes, including Truist Park, the Braves stadium in Atlanta.

    In addition to sports facilities, the 70-year-old company has experience with public-private partnerships and in the hospitality, higher education, science and technology, advanced manufacturing, and solar/wind/energy storage industries, among others.

    The $1.3 billion project would see St. Petersburg contribute $287 million, while Pinellas County and the Rays would put in $312 million and $770 million, respectively.

    The project is expected to be completed by Opening Day in 2028.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Vacation rental bill one of last remaining on Gov. DeSantis’ desk

    Vacation rental bill one of last remaining on Gov. DeSantis’ desk

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    INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, Fla. — A hotly-debated bill that would put state oversight on short-term vacation rentals is one of less than a dozen bills left on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk.

    According to the Governor’s Action Report, he has until July 2 to decide if he will veto the bill or sign it into state law.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Governor DeSantis has until July 2 to make final decision 

    •  SB 280 was sponsored by Sen. Nick DiCeglie of Indian Rocks Beach

    •  Bill would provide a standard set or rules for all vacation rentals in Florida and cancel out local regulations 


    SB 280 would make a standard set of rules for all short-term vacation rentals, such as Airbnbs, across the state of Florida.

    The bill includes a list of regulations that owners and operators must follow including having someone available over the phone 24/7 to respond to complaints, paying a ‘reasonable’ registration fee, and allowing local governments to suspend that registration or fine the owner for reoccurring issues.

    It also clearly states that maximum overnight occupancy cannot exceed two people per bedroom and two people in the common area, unless the bedrooms are exceptionally large. The bill also includes regulations for advertising, among other things.

    Matthew Barrowclough owns six properties in Indian Rocks Beach. He rents out periodically on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. He feels some beachside cities have been overreaching with local ordinances and infringing on property rights, and state oversight is needed.

     


    While the legislation would create more expenses and rules for Barrowclaugh, he says it’s time that a clear set of rules be made for everyone and he hopes Gov. DeSantis signs the bill.

     

    “It’s the first step in the right direction,” he said. “I think it’s going to provide some assurance in the direction of where the state is going and how you can operate in the cities throughout the state, and right now there’s a lot of ambiguity which is creating a lot of challenges for everyone.”

    Even before the bill hit Gov. DeSantis’ desk on June 17, there’s been push back coming from homeowners in many quaint residential communities.

    The City of Anna Maria is using a city-sponsored website to encourage residents to call or email the governor’s office and state their disapproval. In Indian Rocks Beach, resident Scotti Vaughan says she and her neighbors have also been calling and emailing the state asking the bill be vetoed.

    Vaughan says she doesn’t want a revolving door of people coming in and out of her neighborhood, and because the state is so large and every area so unique, she doesn’t feel vacation rental regulation is a one-size fits all situation.

    “We don’t want businesses running right next to us,” she said. “If they are —  which that’s what short term rentals are — it’s like come on, just give them a level playing field with a hotel or a motel which have restrictions too.”

    While Gov. DeSantis has until July 2 to make a final decision, many of the state’s new laws take effect July 1.

    Other bills of interest that are still on the governor’s desk include one that would affecting housing for agricultural workers and another that would affect how driver’s licenses could transfer for those moving into the state.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Madeira Beach to tackle final steps of John’s Pass Village density increase

    Madeira Beach to tackle final steps of John’s Pass Village density increase

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    MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — Residents are invited to share their concerns Wednesday night with Madeira Beach city commissioners as officials work to finalize plans for a density-increase for John’s Pass Village.

    A city workshop is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Madeira Beach City Hall and residents are welcomed to speak to the board during the public comment section of the meeting regarding proposed changes to the areas zoning and designation.

    What You Need To Know

    •  City is working to rectify discrepancies between three sets of land codes, maps

    •  What is built currently in John’s Pass does not align with current zoning codes

    •  If a major storm were to hit today, city staff says John’s Pass could not be rebuilt as is

    • GET THE DETAILS: City of Madeira Beach presentation on density changes


    According to Community Development Director Jenny Rowan, the city has been working for the last couple of years to rectify some ongoing discrepancies between the city’s land-use rules and Pinellas County’s standards and building codes.

    Before the process began, development in John’s Pass was dictated by three sets of maps and land codes that didn’t all agree.

    “Currently what’s built on the ground today does not meet the zoning code, which is also what we call the land development regulations,” Rowan said. “It’s a big process too. We had to go to the county and get their blessing and approval and also approve two different plans locally.”

    Pinellas County approved changing the designation to an “Activity Center” in a 6-1 vote in February. The final step is for the City of Madeira Beach to finalize and vote on the land development regulations, which could happen as soon as late-summer.

    Rowan says what is concerning about the current makeup is that should the village get destroyed in a major storm or fire, it could not be rebuilt back to the way it looks today. She says once the proposed changes are made, John’s Pass Village could be rebuilt to the same height, density, and intensity.

    “We really wanted to make sure we’re protecting what’s down here,” she said. “If a hurricane were to come through, you couldn’t build what’s there now. So we’re still in that process of making sure that our codes line up to what’s here.”

    The code changes, Rowan says, will also protect the look and feel of John’s Pass so that any future development will blend in with what’s already there.

    “Anything new after this zoning is passed will look the same, will feel the same, and just blend in to the built environment,” she explained.

    Proceeding the 6 p.m. meeting, commissioners are set to discuss the process of replacing the city’s mayor. Jim Rostik, who served as mayor for less than a year, stepped down suddenly earlier this month. Vice-Mayor Anne-Marie Brooks will assume the role as mayor in the meantime.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Dozens petition Hernando school board to save removed principal’s job

    Dozens petition Hernando school board to save removed principal’s job

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    BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — Dozens of teachers and staff members came out to Tuesday night’s Hernando County school board meeting to show support for the longtime principal of Deltona Elementary.

    The district removed Debi Shellabarger from her position earlier this month after nearly 15 years at the school. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Dozens of supporters came out to Tuesday’s Hernando County school board meeting to show support for the longtime principal of Deltona Elementary

    • The district removed Debi Shellabarger from her position earlier this month after nearly 15 years at the school

    • The district did not provide further information on Tuesday night

    Those who know and work with her call it a shocking decision.

    Her supporters showed up to the meeting with “SHELLABARGER STRONG” T-shirts.

    Nearly a dozen teachers, parents, and community members showed their support while speaking to the board. They provided the board with petitions with more than 600 signatures asking to save Shellabarger’s job.

    The district sent a letter to parents and staff earlier this month, stating Shellabarger will not return as principal next school year.

    “I’m still trying to figure out what my reaction is, because it’s just shocking,” said Kenny Hill, Deltona Elementary ESE Resource. “She cares about her teachers as much as she cares about her students.”

    The school board’s attorney advised members during the meeting not to comment on the situation.

    But Shellabarger’s supporters say she was let go because she compensated staff with flex time for working extra hours in a way that may have clashed with district policy.

    Speakers told board members Shellabarger didn’t do that with ill intent and that the policy was unclear and recently had to be rewritten.

    Those who spoke at the meeting praised Shellabarger’s more than 20 years with the district.

    They told the board that since she arrived at Deltona in 2010, she took the ESE-focused school from a “D” to a “B” rating. 

    Several called her a fierce advocate for students and said kids are the ones losing out. They asked the district to reconsider the decision.

    “As legal said, we can’t really get into it, just know that you are appreciated for being here tonight,” said John Stratton, Hernando School District Superintendent.

    The district did not provide further information on Tuesday night.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Madeira Beach mayor steps down, cites ‘corruptive behavior’

    Madeira Beach mayor steps down, cites ‘corruptive behavior’

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Madeira Beach Mayor Jim Rostek has stepped down from his position.

    In a release on the city’s website dated June 14, the city says Rostek tendered his resignation effective immediately.

    Rostek had been mayor since 2023.

    It’s unclear why he resigned, though he mentioned what he called “corruptive behavior” of other city lawmakers.

    Vice-Mayor Anne-Marie Brooks will now assume the role as mayor.

    A special meeting has been scheduled for June 26 to review the process of replacing District 4 commissioner with the city attorney. 

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Governor signs bill creating fund for Dozier, Okeechobee school victims

    Governor signs bill creating fund for Dozier, Okeechobee school victims

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    HOMOSASSA, Fla. — They were two of the most infamous institutions in the state, and Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation that makes it possible for men confined as children to the Dozier School for Boys and the Florida School for Boys at Okeechobee to receive compensation.

    What You Need To Know

    • Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Friday creating a compensation fund for victims of the Dozier School for Boys and Florida School for Boys at Okeechobee

    • The facilities were notorious for the physical, mental, and sexual abuse that took place for decades

    • Victims of abuse at Dozier have been fighting for compensation from the state for 16 years

    • Read previous coverage here


    “You know, 65 years of living each day remembering what happened – there’s no amount that would ever take that away from you,” said Charles Fudge, who spent nine months in Dozier in 1960. “That no other children get abused the way we were is probably the more important thing than money.”

    Fudge said he was 12 years old when he and his 13-year-old brother, George, were sent to Dozier for skipping school and smoking. Then, it was called the Florida School for Boys. Fudge said he can still remember the first time he saw the Marianna facility.

    “Walking down, I thought, ‘Gosh, I’m gonna enjoy it here. It’s a beautiful place.’ The third day changed my mind,” he said.

    His third day at the reform school is when Fudge said a staff member beat him for breaking a rule.

    “He was, like, 6’2” and 200 lbs. He gave me 31 licks with a leather strap that had a piece of metal in between it to give the extra snap,” Fudge said.

    Fudge said he lived in fear after that, doing everything he could to avoid another beating.

    “I knew I couldn’t do anything that would cause me to go back down there,” he said. “I just knew there was no way I could endure another beating like that.”

    Dozier is notorious for the physical and sexual abuse that happened there for decades. Nearly 100 boys died there from 1900 to 1973, and remains were exhumed from 55 unmarked graves. 

    For 16 years, Fudge and fellow White House Boys – a name that refers to the building on Dozier’s campus where abuse was carried out – have sought compensation from the state.

    “It was very frustrating,” Fudge said of efforts to get a compensation bill passed by the legislature that fell flat for several years. “The State of Florida is responsible, and they should recognize that, and they have finally done that.”

    Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation for the men confined as children to the Dozier School for Boys and the Florida School for Boys at Okeechobee to receive compensation. (Photo Courtesy: Diane Fudge)

    This year, the legislature passed a bill that creates the Dozier School for Boys and Okeechobee School Victim Compensation Program within the Department of Legal Affairs. Men who were at the school any time between 1940 to 1975 who were subjected to mental, physical, or sexual abuse are eligible for compensation. The legislation says notice must be given that compensation is available, and any relevant forms to apply will be made available on the department’s website. Applications will be due by Dec. 31. The program is funded by $20 million from the general revenue fund. Fudge was there Friday as the governor signed the bill.

    “Probably one of the greatest days of the 16 years that we have been representing the abuse that was given to us children,” Fudge said.

    When asked about his hope for the White House Boys’ legacy, Fudge said, “That no institution ever treats children in a harmful way.”

    Fudge said it’s unclear right now how much money each person could receive.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • HCSO headquarters could leave Ybor City under proposed land swap deal

    HCSO headquarters could leave Ybor City under proposed land swap deal

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    HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Hillsborough County Commissioners are considering a land swap deal Thursday that would move the sheriff’s office headquarters from its longtime home in Ybor City to a site in the Brandon area.

    Under the proposed agreement, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office would relocate further east to 9927 Delaney Lake Dr, which is the current home of Grow Financial. The property is in the process of changing hands, and is under contract to be acquired by well-known Tampa developer Darryl Shaw.

    Grow Financial previously announced plans to relocate to a new office building that’s part of the upcoming Gasworx development in Ybor City, another project backed by Shaw.

    When asked about the idea in early June, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said he couldn’t think of a disadvantage. He referenced their aging facility that requires a lot of maintenance, and the fact the sheriff’s office has no where to expand given its current setup in Ybor City.

    “Remember we have to be accessible to the public that we serve,” Sheriff Chronister said. “Ybor City years ago, especially probably back in 1972 when the headquarters was built, it was centrally located. Now that the county has grown we’re not so centrally located, so when people want to submit a report or come apply for a job, we need to be more accessible.”

    Chronister also referenced that he understands what a large footprint the sheriff’s office takes in Ybor City and how that land is desirable for tax revenue and development. 

    If the land swap agreement gets approved, the sheriff’s office would occupy the current Grow Financial building. That includes roughly 24-acres of land, and a 5-story building with 140,000 square feet of office space. That makes it nearly twice the size of the current HCSO headquarters. 

    “Whenever there’s a chance to collaborate for the benefit of taxpayers, the Sheriff’s office, and Ybor City, we are always going to be interested in those opportunities,” Shaw said in a prepared statement. “We are fortunate to have forward thinking public partners who are open to exploring possibilities that could lead to long-term advantages for the community.”

    The Hillsborough County Commission is set to discuss the proposed land swap during their regularly scheduled meeting Thursday.

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    Angie Angers

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  • St. Pete Beach homeowner calls flooding a “health hazard”

    St. Pete Beach homeowner calls flooding a “health hazard”

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    ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — A St. Pete Beach resident whose home flooded twice last year has been urging the city to take more action on stormwater mitigation plans as the Tampa Bay area faces an above average hurricane season. 

    “I’m very worried because of what happened last year,” said homeowner Mary McReynolds, 74. “We need the city to do its part.”  

    What You Need To Know

    • Mary McReynolds said her St. Pete Beach home flooded twice in 2023 

    • Four generations live in the home with ages ranging from 14 to 96  

    • McReynolds said the putrid chocolate brown floodwater is a health hazard 

    • She has shown up to city commission meetings urging leaders to take more action for the Don CeSar neighborhood

    McReynolds said she had lived in Pass-a-Grille for 11 years and was forced to move in April 2023, when her landlord raised the rent.

    She ended up buying a home in the Don CeSar neighborhood, which is the lowest lying on the island, where four generations, including a 96-year-old grandma, all live under the same roof.

    “We knew it was a flood zone. However, we also knew that the city had promised to do certain things to alleviate the flooding,” she said. “That has not been done.”

    In 2020, a city study offered solutions to the flooding problem which have largely not been implemented. About two years ago, the city built new outfall structures with tide flex valves to prevent sunny day flooding but the valves have been failing due to marine growth and debris, according to public works.

    At the June 11 city commission meeting, public works director Mike Clarke got funding approved for a few stormwater related measures in the neighborhood. A temporary seawall patch will be done at the 36th Avenue outfall before the peak of hurricane season arrives. The other two measures were for designing the location footprint for the first stormwater pump and designing five new tide check valves.     

    “It’s not enough. We need (an) immediate response,” said McReynolds. “I can only keep praying and hope that the city follows through with their commitments.”

    McReynolds said 4 months after she purchased her home, Hurricane Idalia sent 8 inches of floodwater inside. She woke up at 3 a.m. to her daughter screaming the sewing machine was on fire.

    “I ran down the stairs. I stood in the water and I unplugged it. Which is very scary,” said McReynolds. “You just do what you need to do. My daughter’s holding a sewing machine on fire.”

    A few months later, a no-name December storm sent another 7 inches of floodwater into McReynold’s home. She said during both floods the putrid water was chocolate brown.

    “It is a health hazard every time that water comes into my house. It’s a huge health hazard,” she said. “We’ve got feces. I mean, that’s disgusting and the formation of mold.”

    McReynolds lives right across the street from Lazarillo Park. She said trash and dog feces from the park was washed into her home. McReynolds has since shown up to city council meetings in March, May and June to voice her concerns during public comment.

    “This is our forever home,” she said at the June 11 meeting. “We need the city to do all measures and maintenance to remedy the flooding because of the hazards of health.”

    St. Pete Beach city commissioner Betty Rzewnicki began representing District 3 in January. Rzewnicki said she shares some of McReynolds concerns.

    “I absolutely feel the same as far as infrastructure in this particular neighborhood of Don CeSar on infrastructure not being addressed or fixed,” she said. “Having a plan that we’ve been working on slowly and then having changes that haven’t been addressed yet to the community.”

    Rzewnicki said she’d like to see better communication coming from the public works department. The city commissioner also wants to hire a chief resiliency officer to oversee and expand the flood mitigation plan.

    “Our current public works director obviously has more than just this project. So, with the need of the city I would look to push to have someone in charge of resiliency for the city overall,” she said. “I want to push for the city to have a resiliency comprehensive plan for the whole city and to prioritize in the city the areas of greatest concern first.”

    At recent city commission meeting, public works director Mike Clarke has said he’s listening to complaints from residents and plans to take aggressive action. Clarke said the ultimate solution to the flooding problem is raising all the seawalls to 5 feet, while at the same time adding pump stations.

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    Josh Rojas

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  • Takeaways from the campaigning to win over rural voters in North Carolina

    Takeaways from the campaigning to win over rural voters in North Carolina

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    OXFORD, N.C. (AP) — President Joe Biden and Donald Trump have their sights on a handful of battleground states in the White House race, and North Carolina is one of them.

     

    What You Need To Know

    North Carolina is one of a handful of tightly contested states that could determine this year’s presidential election

    Democrats are outpacing Republicans on advertising spending in North Carolina, hoping to make up for Joe Biden’s losing the state in 2020

    Both parties also face the challenge of engaging with voters who may feel indifferent or even disgusted with the ballot choices they face

    Winning over rural voters is essential in a state with the second highest rural population in the country

     

    Rural voters in particular will play an important role for both campaigns, but the candidates will have to overcome voter indifference, fatigue and even disgust.

    Both Democrats and Republicans hope face-to-face contact will help them make their case. In places like Granville County, a swing county tucked between the Raleigh-Durham area and the Virginia state line, that has already begun.

    Here are some key takeaways from an examination of the campaign less than five months before the November general election.

    Spending war for North Carolina’s airwaves. When it comes to advertising spending in North Carolina, Democrats are outpacing Republicans by a nearly 4-to-1 margin, according to AdImpact data. As of June 7, Democratic groups had spent more than $4 million compared with about $1 million from Republicans in the state.

    That gap widens even further when looking ahead to the fall. For reserved ad slots between June 8 and Election Day, Democrats have spent more than $5.6 million so far, compared with $25,000 reserved by one Republican political action committee. Those reservations are subject to change as races come into focus.

    The Raleigh-Durham area makes up a significant portion of advertising spending in North Carolina for both parties: almost $2 million for Democrats and more than $138,000 for Republicans. The area skews heavily Democratic, but it also borders counties, such as Granville and Franklin that voted for Trump in 2020.

    Tuning out the election. As a rematch of 2020 takes shapes, many people in the United States are not paying much attention to the election.

    About 4 in 10 Americans in a Pew Research Center poll conducted in April said they are not following news about candidates in presidential contest too closely or at all. Younger adults are less likely than older ones to be following election news.

    Many people already find the election exhausting, even if they are not tuned in. About 6 in 10 U.S. adults in the poll say they are worn out by so much coverage of the campaign and candidates. Those not following closely are especially likely to say they are exhausted.

    Trump’s record with North Carolina’s rural counties. In a state with the second highest rural population in the country, winning over those voters is essential. Democrats may not win outright in rural parts of North Carolina, but if they can keep the margins close, they have a better chance to take advantage of their strength in the state’s urban areas.

    Previous election results show that appealing to North Carolina’s rural voters may be easier for Republican Trump than for Democrat Biden.

    In 2020, 64 rural counties backed Trump while only 14 went for Biden. Compared with his 2016 campaign, Trump’s winning margin grew in most rural counties four years ago.

    Possible openings for Democrats handful of rural counties could be more competitive. Granville County, for example, had one of the tighter margins of victory for Trump — 53% in 2020 — among rural counties. That was a jump of 3 percentage points from 2016, when he narrowly won against Democrat Hillary Clinton.

    Before Trump, Granville County was considered a blue rural county. Democrat Barack Obama won it in 2008 and 2012. It’s one of six counties in North Carolina that made the pivot from Obama to Trump.

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    Associated Press

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  • Trop and Gas Plant redevelopment plan takes next step forward

    Trop and Gas Plant redevelopment plan takes next step forward

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — It’s a step forward for the redevelopment of Tropicana Field and the Historic Gas Plant District. Thursday night, St. Petersburg City Council members voted 5-3 to schedule the second reading of an ordinance that would approve a development agreement for the site. They also gave the OK for a second reading of an ordinance on rezoning and a public hearing on increasing the Intown Redevelopment Plan’s redevelopment program budget. All are scheduled to take place on July 11.

    What You Need To Know

    • St. Petersburg City Council approved a number of measures Thursday that move the Rays/Hines deal for the Trop and Gas Plant District redevelopment forward

    • Members could take a final vote on July 11

    • Dozens of residents spoke both for and against the plan at Thursday’s meeting

    • Read previous coverage here

    Before the meeting began, groups including Sierra Club Florida and Faith in Florida held a rally outside city hall, asking the council to “pump the brakes” on making a decision on the plan.

    “It’s ignoring the will of the people,” said Bishop Manuel Sykes, one of those who spoke at the rally.

    Speakers said they weren’t asking council to scrap the Rays/Hines deal, but they do want to see changes made to the plan. Among their concerns were environmental impacts and the project timeline when it comes to features meant for the community, like affordable housing.

    “We’re talking about getting a stadium done in a matter of three years, and everybody else’s concerns may be addressed over the next 27 years,” Sykes said.

    Inside, dozens addressed council during public comment.

    “Fundamentally, this is rotten,” said William Kilgore, an organizer with the St. Petersburg Tenants Union. “This is our money. This is public wealth, and we’re giving it to a private corporation.”

    The $1.3 billion project would see St. Petersburg contribute $287 million, while Pinellas County and the Rays would put in $312 million and $770 million, respectively.

    Supporters told the council the project is the chance to bring new opportunity to the area with mixed use development.

    “That million-and-a-half square feet of office space — if we don’t do this deal, that office space will not come,” said one speaker.

    Others said the deal is the best chance to fulfill past promises made to Gas Plant residents, which was razed to make way for the Trop.

    “If Rays/Hines is not approved, who is going to ensure that the efforts to fulfill those promises are going to be made?” one speaker asked members.

    A sticking point for some council members was that they haven’t received finalized documents on the plan and have been working with drafts.

    “It is our duty to do our due diligence, and we can only do that appropriately with final documents and not being rushed through this process,” said council member Lisset Hanewicz. 

    Council Chair Deborah Figgs-Sanders noted members had previously decided they needed to have final documents two weeks before making a final decision.

    “I’m going to vote for the motion as is, but if we don’t have those documents, we cannot really discuss them on July 11. It’s a given. We voted on that,” said Figgs-Sanders.

    Officials said if members didn’t have final documents two weeks before the July 11 meeting, they could push the items back to July 18.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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