CAREFEST – Sat. Sept. 26

Volunteers were needed for a myriad of projects, painting, mulching and cleanup throughout St. Petersburg. The annual week of compassion-related activities, sponsored by Somebody Cares Tampa Bay under the umbrella of CareFest USA, culminated with a day of service that gave back to the community, benefitting individual homeowners and non-profit organizations.

As our contribution, Westminster Heights residents installed 92 bollards down 55th St. on the cemetery side between 1st. Ave S and the memorial wall.

 

In recognition, President Gloria Shingles (right) and Secretary Melissa Newton accepted a Certificate of Appreciation from the City. They are shown here with former President, City Council Member Wengay M. Newton Sr.

From POWW May 22, 2009

Rays Eliminate Waterfront Stadium Location

The war isn't over, but we have won a major victory!  POWW's mission has been to preserve both our waterfront parks (which will have their 100th anniversary in 2010) and the wallets of St. Petersburg taxpayers.
 
While the article below is very encouraging, our City Council still has work to do:

• Re-zone the Al Lang site as park (this was unanimously approved by the Planning Commission in March).

• Reduce the height limit for the Al Lang site from its current 300' to one consistent with our other parks (50-75').  The DRC recently voted (4 to 3) not to change the height limit, until the re-zoning is completed by the City Council.

• Put POWW's waterfront referendum directly on the ballot.  This will put the Public sector on an equal footing with the private sector, and require voter approval for any major development in our waterfront parks.

POWW website

   Rays sink plans for waterfront stadium in St. Pete

POLICE REPORT April

Ofc. Scott King told our last Neighborhood Association meeting there was only 1 residential burglary in the past month. There were 2 commercial burglaries; one was a 3rd hit by a fruit thief at the open-air market on 49th St at 5th Ave, and the other was a repeated theft of a custom surf board from a legal firm that replaced the previous lost boards.

There were no vehicle break-ins, but one domestic-related auto-theft and a dirt-bike theft. Five vehicle parking warnings were issued, 4 were moved by owners and one was towed. There were 2 reports of shots fired.
 

April 6, 2009
From Tom Tito, President
Bartlett Park Neighborhood Association
bartlettparkneighborhood@gmail.com

On Sunday an innocent 8-year-old child was murdered here in our community. Tonight residents came together at her home to support her family and neighbors.

You are invited to help us put an end to this senseless violence. Visit Bartlett Park Crime Watch for details.

[Note: Since this was received four 18- or 19-year-old suspects, all convicted felons, have been arrested and charged in this case. Two AK47 assault weapons were found in the home of one suspect.]

Bartlett Park is around 22nd St. S and east of I 275.
 

Council Member Wengay M. Newton Sr. wishes it to be known that he is not opposed to the St. Petersburg Pier, as suggested in some press reports. He does feel that the management contract for running the Pier should be reviewed.

Handouts provided by Council Member Wengay M. Newton Sr.

The Midtown Community Seminar Series
Through May 19

Free tools list from www.collegecareerlifeplanning.org
Page 1  |  Page 2

Ofc. Scott King told our last Neighborhood Association meeting there were 2 residential burglaries in the past month. In one case a sliding door was left open and a plasma TV was taken. In the other case, a bicycle was taken from a yard. There were 2 commercial burglaries. Six vehicles were tagged as abandoned and towed.

Treeline parking warnings are now documented so that repeat offenders can be cited. Six warnings and four citations were issued.

Officer King on patrol in our neighborhood takes a report from a local
resident who witnessed a case of battery in Royal Palm Cemetery.
 

CODES COMPLIANCE March
From Jim Kilbourne, Association Codes Liaison

A resurgence of dumping in 3rd Ave. is now being taken care of.

Jim is requested that any structural fixtures needing repair should be reported to him.

The problem of pairs of shoes being thrown over power and phone lines above streets continues. Jim reported that Progress Energy should be called and they will cut down shows hanging over any type of line. He also advised members that black shoes indicate marijuana availability and white shoes indicate cocaine availability.
 

March 23, 2009
From POWW (Preserve Our Wallets and Waterfront Parks)

At State Level, POWW is gaining support from our elected officials. Bills have been submitted in both the House (HB253 by Eddy Gonzalez) and the Senate (SB474 by Mike Bennett) that do much of what POWW's Wallets referendum would do.  These bills would require that voters have a say, if the State or any Florida municipality wish to spend taxpayer money on Professional sports facilities.  If anything, these bills go further than POWW to protect Florida taxpayers.

On the City level, Councilman Jamie Bennett is introducing a slightly re-worded version of POWW's Waterfront referendum to the City Council.  If they approve, the Council will place this referendum directly on the September Primary ballot (or November Municipal Election ballot, if timing is an issue).  This will free POWW from the major signature-collection effort for this initiative.  POWW would work with the City to ensure the intent of our referendum remains intact.

Now, here's the rub: some members of the City Council are reluctant to back Councilman Bennett's initiative.  What can you do? We need you all to email or call the various City Council People and the Mayor to support this measure.  Let them know it is important to you that this referendum be placed on one of the 2009 ballots.  What this measure does is to require a vote, if anyone wants to do major development on St. Petersburg's waterfront parks (Vote to Protect Your Right to Vote).  There is some protection now, but this initiative will plug the remaining loopholes.  Next year marks the Centennial of the Waterfront Park System.  This is something to be proud of and protect!

Please take a few minutes and help!  If the City Council moves forward, there will be two readings and public hearings.  We will need as many of you as possible at those Council meetings.  You may speak or not, as you wish, but numbers are important, so plan to be there to support the ballot initiative.  We will notify you as to when and where, as the information becomes available.

More information at the POWW website www.stpetepoww.com
 

Do we have our priorities right?
From Chris Evans, 3/15/09

Congratulations to the Neighborhood Association and the City Planners on finally gaining approval for the Neighborhood Plan and beginning work on implementation. The new fence on 55th Street is very well constructed and looks great.

One thought though. The proposed new Westminster Heights signs will reportedly cost $2,900. They will replace existing signs that were only installed about 2 years ago. Do we really need new signs? We know we live in Westminster Heights and no one else really cares. As many of us are losing homes and jobs, surely this money could be better spent? And who will keep the new signs free from litter, weeds, and graffiti, as found in other neighborhoods.

Recent eviction from foreclosed home on 3rd. Ave. S. (Picture: R. Ali Montsho.)
 

Ofc. Scott King told our last Neighborhood Association meeting there were no residential burglaries in the past month. There were 3 commercial burglaries and one call for reported shots heard. He said the crime rate in Westminster Heights is lower than in any other neighborhood that he patrols.

He asked us not to hesitate in reporting any suspicious behavior, illegal parking, abandoned vehicles, narcotic activities, or other problems promptly to him at 727 551 3183.

Local Street Resurfacing

Both Fifth Ave. N. and Fifth Ave. S. in St. Petersburg are being resurfaced. Before enjoying the smooth ride ahead, motorists may experience some traffic delays or inconveniences.

FIFTH AVE. S. – Traffic will be affected on 5th Ave. S. for a city repaving project between 34th St. and 1st St. The work will be done in phases, with all work occurring between 7 AM and 5 PM on weekdays. At least one lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction at all times, with normal traffic flow in the evenings and on weekends.

FIFTH AVE. N. – The Florida Department of Transportation are resurfacing Fifth Ave. N. (State Road 595) between Fourth St. and 58th St., a project that is expected to be completed in Summer 2010. This project will entail replacing traffic signals and posts with new hurricane resistant poles and improved pedestrian countdown crosswalk lights at nine major intersections (Eighth St., 16th St., 19th St., 20th St., 28th St., 31st St., 37th St., 49th St. and 58th St.) The project also includes replacing and repairing sidewalks along Fifth Ave. N. Construction may take place during the day and night.

This work is part of the City's annual investment of $3.5 million in maintaining the public streets.
 

Protect your right to vote on how tax dollars are spent
From Hal Freedman, POWW Chairman, 2/24/09

POWW's ballot initiatives are no longer about stopping the Rays and the City officials from building a new stadium on our waterfront parks, at taxpayer expense.  They are not about stopping anything.

The petitions for which we are collecting signatures are to ensure taxpayers have a right to vote on how their tax dollars are spent and how their waterfront parks are developed. If, even in these terrible economic times, a majority of taxpayers feel their tax dollars should be spent to build a facility for a for-profit, professional sports team, so be it. That is Democracy. At the present time, taxpayers have no say, unless the waterfront parks are involved!

When the Rays decided to remove their new-waterfront-stadium referendum from the 2008 ballot, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and "went to sleep"!  The problem is that the issue is not dead.  The City/Rays set up a coalition of businessmen (not citizens from the community) to decide where a stadium should be built and how to pay for it. Jeff Lyash, CEO of Progress Energy, who wants to raise your electric rates by 25% (recently reduced to a still-outrageous 14% increase), is Chair of this coalition. He seems to be at the center of several ways to take additional money out of taxpayers' pockets.

Most citizens do not understand how serious the issue still is. To ensure your right to vote on these issues, POWW must collect 16,000 signatures on each of our two (2) petitions. This is a daunting task. Without your help collecting, POWW must pay for signature collection. As a truly grassroots organization, raising the funds to do it this way is also a daunting task. Please consider joining Rod Moren on a Saturday walk to collect signatures, or make a donation to help us pay for collection. Thank you for whatever support you can give us.
 

SEWER RESTORATION

The City is proceeding with restoring deteriorating sanitary sewer collection mains. The project was scheduled to complete in February. Click here to view/download more details (PDF).
 

POLICE REPORT - January

Ofc. Scott King told our last Neighborhood Association meeting there were no residential burglaries e in the past month. He is aggressively issuing warnings for parking violations and has had 6 cars towed in the last 2 months.