August President's Message

By Barbara McCormick Heck

Neighborhood Challenges. Neighborhoods have been very challenged this year as they deal with a wide variety of issues. Neighborhoods need your continued help if they are to succeed. Please volunteer to help and offer your suggestions.
Can’t join a Committee? Use e-mails, US mail and phone calls to make your case. So fasten your seat belts because we have a lot of work to do on these issues.
• 2010 City and County Budgets – dealing with the reality of the cuts.
• Public Safety – dealing with increases during these tough economic times.
• Foreclosures – dealing with unkempt homes, yards and absent landowners.
• Codes Enforcement – dealing with new policies.
• Land Development / Historic Preservation / Landmarking of historic resources – preserving our history for future generations.
• Going “green” – dealing with environmental impacts.

Vote – September 1st Primary. Our forefathers paid heavily for us to have the opportunity of free and unfettered
elections. Please honor them and this country by casting your ballot in the September Primary and again in the November General Election.

School Starts Soon. Please place reminders in your newsletters and on your websites that school starts in just a few weeks. Ask your residents to please drive responsibly and slowly and obey all school zone speed limits. Let’s keep our children safe – they are the future.


Grant Proposal Deadlines. Proposals for various grants are due very soon. Contact Tom Killian, CONA Mentor, if you need help. CONA has many successful grant recipients who can review your proposal and give suggestions. Grant information and application forms may be found on city web site at www.stpete.org/budget/grantsc.asp
• Neighborhood Partnership Grants – September 4th deadline.
• Police Forfeiture Grants – September 25th deadline.
• St. Petersburg Arts Grants – August 31st deadline.