October President's Message
VOTE City Council Elections on November 6th
Are you going to let 11% of the voters tell you what to do? If you sit home and do not cast your vote on November 6th, that is what will happen. Eleven percent is the predicted turnout for Council Races in Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7. Those elected to these four City Council seats
will help set the direction and pace for St. Petersburg for the next four years.
Freedom to cast a ballot is a right we have that our forefathers gave their lives for and our current service men and women continue to fight for. They made a difference for us – now you can repay them by making a difference too. VOTE on November 6th (or earlier by Absentee Ballot).
Pinellas Hope – Pilot Program for the Homeless
“Pinellas Hope” is an innovative pilot program aimed at reducing street homelessness in Pinellas County. It will provide a centralized location for assistance, counseling, placement and shelter. Built on the three C’s of community, commitment and compassion, the proposal calls for the donation of land by the Catholic Diocese. Private commitments will cover capital costs and the County will fund the operations costs. Pinellas Hope backers already include Progress Energy, St. Pete College, Religious Community Services of Pinellas County and the Pinellas County Coalition for the Homeless Pinellas Hope will continue to rally community support for its efforts, as current plans call for it to open its doors as early as the first of December. It will give all of us a chance to help others less fortunate. Pinellas Hope supporters also understand that, as a pilot project, it will be as much a learning experience as it is a provider of crucial services.
Neighborhood Associations grow in Pinellas County
In July, CONA welcomed the formation of CNCN (Council of North County Neighborhoods). CONA provided guidance and the framework for their by-laws and organizational setup. Cass Rael is our CONA liaison to them and attends their meetings. We now look forward to working with the City of Largo as they develop a plan for their various neighborhoods. This is in the very beginning stages and we are excited for them. As we have done in the past, CONA will offer them assistance and guidance as requested. We hope that, in time, they will also form a CONA like umbrella association to assist all their neighborhoods. CONA continues to work closely with CNCN (and any new groups) on all relevant county items. We are all committed to making Pinellas County a great place to live.
Crime Watch Coordinators Meeting – October 9th
St Petersburg Police Department hosted their annual Crime Watch Coordinators meeting on Tuesday, October 9th at the Main Branch Public Library. Officer Johnny Harris brought everyone up to date on latest practices and techniques. CONA’s Public Safety Committee
members were introduced and answered questions from the various neighborhood coordinators.
Snipe Sign Patrol
Please remember to e-mail Travis Jarman with locations of snipe signs. The City is developing a database of these offenders. Please do not remove these snipe signs. Let City personnel do that for us. Just keep reporting those locations. We are making progress. Thanks everyone.
Barbara Heck, CONA President
