Westminster Heights Neighborhood Association

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Salt Creek Clean-up
Saturday, June 21 starting at 8 AM

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

We need your help. Please sign up today. Call 727-826-9774 or e-mail tomtito@hotmail.com. Wear work clothes and if you plan to work in the lake wear shoes that can get wet ! We will be cleaning up the area surrounding the lake.

Meet at the Bartlett Park Community Resource Center - 642 22nd Ave S
Snacks, water and soft drinks will be provided.

Sponsored by Bartlett Park Neighborhood Association, Harbordale Neighborhood Association, Bartlett Park Community Resource Center, Keep Pinellas Beautiful, City of St. Petersburg, Harambee, the African American Student Union at SPC - Gibbs Campus and the YMCA

More information at www.BartlettPark.Net

6/11/08

WERE YOU THERE?

From Sharon Cimarik Sharon.Cimarik@stpete.org

Did you or someone you know go to the Graduation Party at the Shining Light Masonic Lodge, 3101 Freemont Terrace South on Saturday June 7, 2008? Do you or someone you know have information about the shooting death of Javon Dawson that night?

You Don’t Have to Give Your Name

If you or someone you know has information about this case, please call one of the following numbers: Sergeant Terrell Skinner 893-7164, Officer Mike Hawkins 893-4978, Officer Ken Jamison 893-4041, Tip Line 892-5000.

5/29/08

July Development Review Commission Meeting

From Barbara Race, Administrative Secretary
City of St. Petersburg Development Services
727-892-5498 barbara.race@stpete.org

Attached is the Preliminary Agenda for the July 2, 2008 Development Review Commission meeting. The purpose of this email is to allow neighborhoods access to the information and applications as soon as possible, so that you may review the file and/or speak to the applicant as early in the process as possible. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.

Preliminary Agenda for the July 2, 2008 Meeting (PDF)

5/29/08

City Team Minutes

Philip C. Harris, MBA philip.harris@stpete.org
Neighborhood Planner, Neighborhood Partnership Department
City of St. Petersburg
727-893-4110

Forwarded by R Ali Montsho rmontsho@tampabay.rr.com

Please see May City Team minutes. "Be the light that others can come to with their ideas, visions and dreams. Never doubt that blending your talents with those of others can change the world."

May 2008 City Team minutes (PDF)

5/19/08

Cheap Gas

From Lance Lubin llubin@tampabay.rr.com

Check this out. Thanks to Chuck C for passing this along. Enter your zip code in the upper right of the blue box where it says "Change ZIP"

http://autos.msn.com:80/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src=Netx

5/14/08

Civilian Police Review Committee

Philip C. Harris, MBA philip.harris@stpete.org
Neighborhood Planner, Neighborhood Partnership Department
City of St. Petersburg
727-893-4110

It’s Recruitment Time. The City of St Petersburg’s Civilian Police Review Committee is looking for volunteers to review complaint cases against St. Petersburg Police officers. We are a volunteer advisory body that reviews complaints after the police department has completed its investigation of them. We determine whether the investigation, findings and discipline, if any was given, were fair, adequate and appropriate.

If you’re interested in participating, you must:

Be a resident of St. Petersburg
Be at least 18 years old
Make a 3-year commitment
Not have any felony convictions nor violations involving moral turpitude
Not hold any political office
Not be a City of St. Petersburg employee
Not work for any law enforcement agency
Not be related to members of the St. Petersburg Police Department

Still Interested? Contact by June 27, 2008:

Lendel Bright
Civilian Police & Community Relations Coordinator
893-7229 or 893-7345

5/9/08

Free Mulch / Soil Builder

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

Visit www.stpete.org/sanitation/contact.htm or call 893-7398 or 551-3289

We are arranging a give away of Recycled Mulch to promote its use. This is inexpensive if delivered and free if you pick it up. The city can even arrange to load it on your truck when equipment is available. The quality has improved a great deal. This will probable take place at the Bartlett Park Community Garden on a Wednesday or Saturday. Check www.BartlettPark.net for details.

If you have a bare spot in your yard please come and get some of this. Its always free to pick up. If you call ahead they may be able to load your truck if equipment is available. The price has gone up for delivery but the quality seems to have improved. I think it is a great deal when compared to cypress. In the past delivery was not prompt. You may wait a while. If your association can arrange a promotional event they may deliver a truckload to your site and let you give it away. We have not done that yet but the city has offered this to us.

The other option is to call Progress Energy and tree services that advertise free mulch. This is completely free but you cannot count on a certain delivery date. I have used several companies. They will tell you if they are in your area and about when they can drop off what you need. They don't want to burn gas going out of their way to deliver. Keep calling until you find one that has a job near you. You need to plan ahead and order in advance of when you can spread it.

If you see a truck in the neighborhood you can stop them and ask for mulch at the end of the day. The quality is mixed. I get some nice wood chips with some shredded palm fronds and sticks mixed in. If you plan on a little extra labor you can spread half of your area, then rake and clean the sticks from the surface and put them in the trash or on the bottom of the next area and cover them with cleaner mulch. Its best to use this right away. If this sits for a few days it starts to decompose and gets a strong bad odor. In that case you may want to wear a dust mask and stand away from the dust that comes off as your spread it. When you are done you can hose it down to reduce most of the smell or wait for a good rain. If you try to cover grass and weeds you can use a layer of newspaper to flatten out the grass and keep it from popping through the mulch.

I want to put some pictures in the website at www.BartlettPark.net to demonstrate how easy it is. We have way too many bare dirt yards. I hope this helps you out.

5/7/08

Progress Energy 51st Street Substation site plan and wall elevation

From Melissa Seixas Melissa.Seixas@pgnmail.com
Progress Energy Community Relations Manager
Office 727.562.5631 | Cell 727.418.5275

Forwarded by R Ali Montsho rmontsho@tampabay.rr.com 5/28/08

Here are the proposed site plans for the 51st Street substation expansion. If you have any questions, please give me a call.

Plan of site (PDF) | Wall elevation (PDF)

Fair Housing: It's Not an Option Its the Law
April 19, 2008

The Tampa Bay Fair Housing Consortium will host an education forum titled, Fair Housing: It's Not an Option Its the Law at the Pinellas Realtor Organization, 4590 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater, on Saturday, April 19, from 8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The fair housing event is free and is designed to promote awareness and provide resources to the public related to the topics of predatory lending and foreclosure, disability laws and fair housing.

The program will begin with a welcome from Karen Jackson Sims, field office director, Tampa Office, U.S. Housing and Urban Development; and Senator Mike Fasano. The program will conclude with a luncheon featuring speaker Candace Tapscott, director, Miami FHEO Center, U.S. Housing and Urban Development.

For further information or to register, please call:

Bay Area Apartment Association 813-882-0222 or 800-344-9373

Development Review Commission meeting
May 7, 2008

From Barbara Race, Administrative Secretary
City of St. Petersburg Development Services
727-892-5498 barbara.race@stpete.org

Click here to download the Preliminary Agenda for the May 7, 2008 Development Review Commission meeting. This is to allow neighborhoods access to the information and applications as soon as possible, so that you may review the file and/or speak to the applicant as early in the process as possible. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.

12th Annual Florida Neighborhoods Conference
Tallahassee, June 26 - 28, 2008

From W. Mack Rush, Economic & Community Development, City of Tallahassee
850 891 6552 mack.rush@talgov.com

Click here to download the 2008 FNC Registration Booklet.

The Port Summit
Tue March 18 6:00-9:00 PM
Port of St. Petersburg Terminal Building
250 8th Avenue S.E., St. Petersburg

You are invited to attend to provide input on future opportunities for the Port of St. Petersburg. Space is limited; to register please call 727 893 7329 or e-mail marina@stpete.org.

3/16/08

Proposed St. Petersburg dog park runs into opposition

"I can't support spending nearly a quarter million dollars on a dog park. That's just me," said council member Wengay Newton, who walked out of the meeting before a vote was taken. "It's nothing against Mr. Danner. It is about being fiscally responsible."

St Pete Times article
www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/article417628.ece

From Jane Muhrlin, Manager, Southwest County Connection Center, Pinellas County
727 582 256

Effective Tuesday, February 19th, County Connection Centers will consolidate operations into two centers. Marie and I will be relocating to the North County Connection Center located at 2431 Tampa Road in Palm Harbor. The North County location serves residents north of Ulmerton Road. The South County Connection Center located at 3875 54th Avenue North, St. Petersburg in Lealman Park, serves citizens south of Ulmerton Road and is managed by Armanda Lampley. Center staff can be reached at the central number, (727) 453-7394 or e-mail, connect@pinellascounty.org.

2008 Sunshine State Crime Prevention Training Conference
May 7-9, 2008

From City Council Member Wengay Newton

The Florida Regional Community Policing Institute at St. Petersburg College and the Suncoast Crime Prevention Association will be holding the 2008 Sunshine State Crime Prevention Training Conference (SSCPC) in St. Petersburg, Florida, May 7-9, 2008 at the St. Pete Hilton. This three-day training conference is the perfect opportunity to enhance crime prevention skills, develop resources and expand knowledge through an intensive schedule of break-out courses, specialized training, and networking opportunities.

This year’s conference is not only open to law enforcement but to members of private industry and members from our communities who are interested in enhancing their knowledge in the ways to be more safe and secure. This training opportunity is perfect for crime prevention officers and staff, volunteers, condominium and apartment managers and board members, crime watch participants, and any other member of the community who is interested in learning more about crime prevention and the issues that face our communities every day. The training is FREE for members of the community. I hope that you will pass this opportunity along to the neighborhood associations that your group deals with. I have attached a copy of the flyer and registration form.

Interested parties can also get information and register online at
www.SunshineStateCrimePrevention.com.

Download flyer

SWEETBAY HOSTS ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY FESTIVAL

Come to the Midtown Sweetbay Supermarket, 1794 22nd St. S., for a Black History Month celebration Saturday, Feb. 9. There will be giveaways, raffles, health screenings, Police, Fire and other city information, and entertainment from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

From Barbara Race, Administrative Secretary, City of St. Petersburg
Barbara.Race@stpete.org

Attached is the Preliminary Agenda for the March 5, 2008 Development Review Commission meeting. The purpose of this email is to allow neighborhoods access to the information and applications as soon as possible, so that you may review the file and/or speak to the applicant as early in the process as possible. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.

Comment by City Council Member Wengay Newton

This is VERY IMPORTANT STUFF, this report lets you know if any neighbor, builder or developer is planning on building something that is not allowed or won't fix on the proposed site in the Westminster Heights Neighborhood boundaries.

If there is anything listed for Westminster Heights Neighborhood someone need to drive or go by and check out the site or proposed project to be sure there is no conflicts or adverse effect to Westminster Heights Neighborhood.

Message from John R. Marks, III, Mayor of Tallahassee

Dear Neighbor:

I would like to take this opportunity to personally invite you, your organization and all of its members to the 12th annual Florida Neighborhoods Conference entitled "Neighborhoods... A Capital Idea". The City of Tallahassee will host this important conference June 26 - 28, 2008. We are excited about this exceptional opportunity to connect neighborhood leaders, elected officials and others that are interested in the health and well being of our state's neighborhoods. The conference will provide an array of seminars, workshops, exhibits and tours of your Capital City. You will be able to learn and share best practices and approaches to organizing and strengthening neighborhoods.

Make your plans now to attend the conference and join in our efforts to further strengthen, enhance and showcase our communities. The conference registration fee is $45, which covers workshops, meals, tours and social events. Registration booklets and online registration (www.talgov.com/dncs/fnc) will be available in early March 2008. The first 100 participants to register will each receive 10 chances to win a 52" Toshiba HDTV. Register early and increase your chances to win.

Please help us get the word out about the Conference by sharing this information with your neighbors, neighborhood groups and others. Please feel free to post the attached flyer on websites, bulletin boards and in newsletters. For more information regarding the conference, please contact the City of Tallahassee's Neighborhood and Community Services Department at 850.891.6500.

Celebrating Florida's Great Neighborhoods ... A Capital Idea!

WENGAY NEWTON ELECTED!

Westminster Heights Neighborhood Association President Wengay M. "Newt" Newton Sr. was elected November 6 to the St. Petersburg City Council for four years, representing District 7, our district, and elected by voters from all of St. Petersburg. Newt was described by the St. Pete Times as an outsider. He defeated his opponent by 609 votes. “We’ll work with the mayor. But he has to work with us,” Newt told the St. Pete Times. “The people really want change. They want something done.” Congratulations and way to go, Newt!

When he takes up his Council seat in January, Newt will necessarily be resigning as President of our Association, so there is no longer any reason to hold back in submitting your nominations for our next President.

St. Petersburg Times coverage

Mayor of St. Petersburg 2007 Neighborhood Association Awards

Westminster Heights received awards in 2 categories:

Association President of the Year, Honorable Mention: Wengay M. Newton Sr.

Best Neighborhood Newsletter, Honorable Mention: Wengay M. Newton Sr.

Congratulations, Newt!

Historic Kenwood ex-President attacked and robbed

From Jim Longstreth,
President, Historic Kenwood Neighborhood Association
12/6/07

Unfortunately, I must inform our neighborhood to take severe caution when opening your doors to strangers. On Thursday, November 29, our former president, Mike Miller, was viciously assaulted at his home for money from his wallet and his credit cards. Mike is currently at Ed White Hospital recovering from this attack.

Mike was approached from the alley in which he was coming home, by a slender, Caucasian woman with brunette hair asking for $20 to pay for her child's day care. When Mike refused, she then knocked on his front door to try again. When Mike opened the door a Caucasian male attacked from the blind spot. This happened quickly and he could not describe the attacker. The end result is they took his wallet, credit cards and car keys. They successfully purchased merchandise at Wal-Mart and other locations using his credit cards the following day.

This happened on 4th Avenue and 28th Street. On the same night, a Caucasian man was asking for money at our doorstep located at 29th and 8th Avenue N. Please take extreme caution to open your doors for strangers and it is best if you must, to talk behind closed doors. If a person persists, please call the police emergency line and let them know of your fear and give a description and whereabouts of this person. Unfortunately, this seems to be a trend during the winter months with homeless and vagrants moving through our community. Most importantly, please keep Mike Miller in your prayers and ask for a quick recovery.

[Editor's note: if the credit card theft had been reported promptly, they would have been unable to use his cards "the following day", and when they tried to do so they might have been arrested. Keep a separate list of your card numbers and associated phone numbers, and always report thefts immediately.]

County Connection Center Updates

From Jane Muhrlin, 11/29/07

Beginning late December 2007 to early January of 2008, visitors will notice some changes taking place near County Extension. Invasive non-native plants along the McKay Creek Greenway will be controlled or removed as part of a habitat restoration project. Invasive plants destroy native wildlife habitat. The control of these invasive plants will promote the return of native wildlife which will improve the recreational, educational and cultural experience for greenway visitors. The project area includes Heritage Village, County Extension, Florida Botanical Gardens Natural Areas and other county property along the greenway. Once completed the area will be returned to a native, natural habitat inviting a variety of birds and wildlife to return to a better home where they can thrive. The project will take approximately six weeks to complete and is made possible through a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

SNIPE SIGNS

From President Barbara Heck
President of Council of Neighborhood Associations
Aug. 12

The City of St. Petersburg needs your help. In the past week, many new snipe signs have suddenly appeared advertising some of the following: tutoring, easy cash, help with mortgages, football league, etc. They are all illegal. The City is doing all they can to remove them. With fewer staff in some departments, CONA is asking the neighborhoods to also pick up all signs you see on the right of way, street corners, etc. and put them in the trash.

Please start removing all snipe signs in and around your neighborhood. As you know, one sign starts the process and very soon lots of other signs quickly follow.

Here are the “do’s” – Do remove these signs from right of way, medians, etc. Do check that it is an advertising sign.
Here are the “do not’s” – Do not touch political signs. Do not trespass onto anyone’s property to remove a sign. Do not remove a business sign that is directly in front of that business.

Final CONA Request – Please ask all the businesses you frequent to never use snipe signs as a way to advertise. Also ask them please to immediately remove any and all signs placed illegally in front of their business.

From Rick Nate
Aug.20

Dear Barbara Heck

Thanks for the info on snipe signs. I removed 4 on 1st Avenue South today. At our Monday City Beautification Commission meeting, one of our members bought to our attention, that they had heard that some of these signs have had razor blades attached to the bottom of the signs! Perhaps you may want to advise all so no one else gets cut or hurt removing these signs.

Rick The Palm Boi

NEIGHBORHOOD PARK
from Annette Reynolds
May 3

I am astonished by this. All of our NA meetings have been focused around the issue of a Playground/Park. It's obvious the city is ignoring us. Can we sue the city for ignorance? Who will be to blame when a child is run over because he has to play in the street because there is no park? The children need a park that they can walk to in their own neighborhood. You can't expect a child to walk to Child's Park from W.H., how ludicrous/ignorant is that!!!

The city is giving way too many excuses about traffic being the problem. There is a park/playground on 38th Ave with high traffic. There is a park on 54th Ave. There is a park/dogpark in Gulfport, same size lot that there is on 49th St. Speed bumps and a stop sign should take care of the fast traffic on 49th. Which would benefit the businesses along there as well, we won't be flying by so fast as to not notice their shops.

What's the real reason that they are fighting us on this? Is it the fact that they think the druggies will take over the park? It's a possibility with any park. But with it being highly visible, I doubt they will take it over. If you scrunch a park next to the trail where it's not visible by the public, there is more of a chance the drug activity will increase. Hell, the city makes money off the drugs here. That's why they won't get them out of our neighborhood. You can drive down any street, any time of day and they are standing on the sidewalk/street, leaning into cars, talking on their cell phones, etc. We aren't stupid in this neighborhood. We see what's going on and we see the city council turning their heads so they don't have to deal with it. If you think I'm pissed, hell yes. We have spent many hours over the year expressing our desires for a park, streets to be cleaned up, undesirable tenants out, etc. Newt and Micha have spent many hours working on this issue over the years. Now we can finally see what the city thinks of it's people. It's not that Newt and Micha haven't brought it to the attention of the city, the city is ignoring them.

Money is not the issue either. The city has plenty of money. Our property taxes can attest for that. I can't believe that the mayor would put baseball before the safety of children. If that's the case, we need a new mayor.

Thank you Newt for all you do for the NA of W.H. You are the best. Even better than the mayor. At least you care and look out for the people of your 'Hood".

HURRICANE GAS
from Ken Morgan

Florida House bill 7121 in 2006 requires all gas stations within a half mile of an Interstate, Turnpike or on an evacuation route have a generator or transfer switch for a plug in mobile generator installed by June 1 2007 to operate its fueling equipment. A generator must be operational within 36 hours after a major disaster (as long as the fueling station is intact) and be capable of running a minimum of 72 hours. To assist employees after a major hurricane and for those who venture into areas without power so they can assess damage of First American facilities I’m including a PDF with a list of these stations. I hope you find this document helpful.

Download list of gas stations (PDF)

NO NEIGHBORHOOD PARK
from Susan Ajoc, City of St. Pete Neighborhood Partnership Director
727 892 5141 Susan.Ajoc@stpete.org
April 17

Thank you for e-mail regarding the need for a playlot/park in the Westminster Heights Neighborhood. We have been working with the association to identify potential locations for a playlot and have been aware of the neighbors' interest.

The city has a history of partnering with others on various projects including playlots. We have reviewed the 49th St S locations. After review and consultation with several departments, it was determined that 49th St is not the best location for a playlot/park.

First and foremost, safety is an issue. The property fronts a four lane commercial corridor. There is concern with pedestrian crossing and proximity to a commercial corridor.
Second, the property is zoned commercial. As a commercial property, the cost, even at a discounted rate, is more than our budget for a neighborhood playlot. There are three commercial lots which would be even higher in cost.
There is a plan in process that could encourage redevelopment along the 49th St Corridor - the Greater Childs Park Initiative. The Plan would recognize existing uses and zoning.

Westminster has just started their own neighborhood plan in partnership with the city. The first meeting was on April 12 at the Gulfport Community Center. All property owners and utility account holders were notified of the meeting. It was interesting that no one mentioned the need for a playlot/park for the Westminister Heights Neighborhood. The next meeting will be on Monday, May 21 at 6:30 pm. Location to be determined. Again, written notice will be sent out by the City to property owners and utility account holders.

I would encourage you to attend the May and future meetings. The City recognizes that Westminster has a need for park area and is reviewing locations. If you have additional questions, you may contact Susan Ajoc, Neighborhood Partnership Director at 892-5141, or e-mail to Susan.Ajoc@stpete.org.

NEIGHBORHOOD PARK
from Wengay Newton

Thought you would like to see this. At last count Kenwood had 5 parks, Westminster Heights has ZERO.

We have a motivated seller and neighborhood sponsor Mr. Paul Lee. He would love to see the Open Lot on 49th Street and 3rd Ave south become a REAL Neighborhood Park with Basketball Court, Tennis Courts, Picnic Tables, Swings, Climbing Area and Sand boxes for the kids (Not A TOT Lot). Mr. Lee of Tampa Bay Capitol 727-433-0855 also owns our new Car Wash and named it after the neighborhood (Westminster Heights). Mr. Lee has made a huge deduction in the fair market price of the land to help Westminster Heights Dream become a reality. Mr. Lee is even willing to let the City do a Lease the land, Phased Payments, Letter of Credit, Make and Offer or whatever arrangements that can be made to get our Neighborhood Park Done.

As President of Westminster Heights I was told by the Mayor in 2005 that Westminster Heights was number 1 on the list for a Neighborhood Park. The only criteria was to find some land to put it on and make sure that the owner wanted it to be a Park.

In my meeting with the Mayor on March 15th 2007 I was told that he didn't like the location on 49th Street and 3rd Ave. south. I was also told that the City didn't have any Money to buy land.

This location is Perfect, its big enough for a Real Park, its very Visible from the street. Excellent for Neighborhood Events and the owner wants to see it become a Neighborhood Park. In 2006, Paul and Jim have meet with Susan Ajoc and Mike Dove at the proposed Park location. On January 24th 2007 I put Paul in communication with the New Deputy Mayor of Neighborhoods Dave Metz. Paul informs me to date there has been no more communication from anyone at the Mayor's office. Also, that Tampa Bay Capitol will soon be putting this property on the Open Market.

As President of Westminster Heights I have done all that I can do. Now I see what Past President Micha Spaller went through trying to get a Neighborhood Park in Westminster Heights. You see, the same promises they made to her, they made to me. Maybe you guys can get this process moving, here is the Mayor's email: mayor@stpete.org and Mr. Paul Lee's phone number 727-433-0855.

I am very happy for Kenwood, did you see the cost, over $900,000.00 Wow!!! Do the math, $907k minus, $25k city/neighborhood partnership minus, $30k from hospital minus, $200k Florida recreation assistance program minus, $221k your Penny for Pinellas and the balance $431,000.00 to be picked up by the City's Capitol Improvement Budget. Oh, by the way, Councilmen Jeff Danner is a resident of Kenwood. I guess it helps to be at the table when the Parks are handed out.

Prez "Newt"

P.S. However, Westminster Heights was promised, maybe a TOT LOT.

PET COMPLAINTS
from Annette Reynolds
April 8

I found this Neighborhood Link Resource Guide on the CONA site. Maybe you can put a link to it on the website.

Cats and Dogs... A Manager's Tale

WATERING RESTRICTIONS

From Chris Claus, Water Conservation Coordinator
St. Petersburg Water Resources Department
727 892 5688 chris.claus@stpete.org

I was kind of blind-sided with the expediency of the SWFWMD Water Shortage Declaration. And St. Petersburg has received a variance from SWFWMD so that our water customers can easily change their watering to either Saturday or Sunday, rather than the SWFWMD-prescribed schedule.

Download new Watering Restrictions Fact Sheet (PDF)

Website: www.stpete.org/waterweb.htm

A SAD STORY
from "too scared to give" (contact info supplied)
March 20

I have held off joining this assoc. because I don't know if I am going to stay here. Things are not like I thought they would be. And I talked to several neighbors before I moved in. They said nothing about this. I have black windowed 'Sales' cars driving around my house at all hours every day. I have neighbors that SCREAM and CURSE from the middle of the street, up and down the sidewalks and from their houses - SCREAM TO THE POINT THAT I CAN'T HEAR MY TV!!! This happens several times a week!!!

Then there are the hot rodders getting wheelies, 4 wheelers RACING ?what? - there's nobody to race, screaming scooters driven by little kids (UNLICENSED) - AND EVERYDAY the eardrum shattering of BOOM, BOOM, BOOM. This actually, truthfully, shakes the windows in the house!!!!!

THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE BEEN HERE IS LIKE CHINESE WATER TORTURE. WAITING FOR THE OTHER BOOT TO FALL.

Where are the parents of these grown 'kids' standing in the middle of the street just daring drivers to try to get by!!!

NO, I'm not some old, tight assed, bitch. I like my rock'n'roll blasting, I drink, I smoke, I cuss. But I don't dare do ANYTHING IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD - I KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. I don't dare go out after dark or come home after dark - it's too damn scary to walk from the car to the house in the dark. Even with my outside lights on!!

I don't dare do anything, I don't dare call the cops when needed, I don't dare see or hear anything, I don't dare Look Up or At anyone!!! I KNOW THE REPERCUSSIONS. I KNOW HOW "THEY" WOULD GET EVEN.

And you people are concerned about parking on the grass?, a park for the kids. These are NOT 'park' kids and I see no 'park' families!! Neighbors are afraid.

Wengay Newton replies:
Dear Too Scared To Give,
As President of Westminster Heights Neighborhood Association it bring pain to my heart to know that my neighbor is having to endure these things in Westminster Heights. From the content of your letter it seems that you are aware of the things that we are trying to get accomplished here in our Neighborhood. I would invite you to get involved. We have two options, do something or do nothing.

You have the website and here is my Cell Phone Number ... 24/7. Again, I am sorry that these things happened to my Neighbor. Am I my Neighbor's keeper? Yes I am!!!!

On March 15th 2007, I had a breakfast meeting with the Mayor, Chief of Police, 2 Deputy Mayors and Neighborhood Partnership. I presented many of the concerns that you have stated plus increased out in the open Drug Activity. I was assured that the New CSO (Community Service Officer) program with over 200 officers was addressing these problem and that we need to give it time. Westminster Heights was against exchanging our CPO (Community Police Officer) for a return phone call in 24 hours but, here is the number 727-551-3183 Community Service Squad District III, (they will call you back) 727-893-7780 non-emergency and 911.

If you would like to contact any of the above mention people there e-mails are attached, except for the Chief of Police. Once more, I am sorry.
"Newt"

P.S. Mr. Mayor if you could please pass this on to the Chief of Police.

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

If you haven't already heard, on November 1, 2006, I, Wengay M. Newton Sr., President of Westminster Heights Neighborhood Association and Secretary of West End Neighborhood United (WENU), was appointed to the Nuisance Abatement Board by Mayor Rick Baker. This is a 2-year appointment which I have accepted to perform my Civic Duty in our neighborhoods and the communities of St. Petersburg.

I accept this challenge as another stage in my quest to become an informed Civil Servant and Neighborhood Advocate. "Am I my neighbor's keeper? Yes I am."

Watch the Nuisance Abatement Board meetings on Knology cable channel 35, Bright House cable channel 15, or the World Wide Web at www.stpete.org WSPF Live.

As always, thanks for your support, "For the Greater Good of the Neighborhood."
"Newt"

P.S. Tell a friend, to tell a friend, to tune in and be informed.

Read reports of Association meetings