ST. PETERSBURG - For 17 years now, John Morroni has hosted an appreciation dinner to honor Pinellas County residents who serve as law enforcement and emergency personnel.
This year’s dinner at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park on Jan. 27 again recognized those who have given “exceptional dedication and efforts above and beyond the call of duty on behalf of Pinellas County,” said a press release naming the 2012 honorees.
Morroni, 56, who has served on the Pinellas County Commission since 2000, began the annual tradition when he was a state representative in memory of Belleair Police Officer Jeffery Tackett, 28, who died of a gunshot wound June 13, 1993. Tackett was alone when he responded to the call that resulted in his death.
As the result of Tackett’s death, Morroni and Sen. Dennis Jones sponsored a bill in 1995 that was passed by the state legislature. The bill requires two officers to be on duty at all times, unless mutual aid agreements with other law enforcement agencies are in place, so law enforcement officers no longer respond to calls alone.
Morroni has since expanded the appreciation dinner to include firefighters and EMS personnel. Past honorees include Tackett’s family and emergency personnel who responded to the call for help in New York City after the Sept. 11 terrorist attack.
“This is really the only event that recognizes the valuable contributions made by members of the law enforcement, fire and emergency medical communities,” Morroni said. “It’s an honor to be a part of it.”
Donna Crawford, wife of St. Petersburg Police Officer David Crawford, attended the 2012 event as Morroni’s special guest. David Crawford, 46, was shot and killed in the line of duty by a 16-year-old male Feb. 21, 2011. A donation from the proceeds raised at the sold-out event will go to Crawford’s family.
Crawford was the third St. Petersburg police officer to die on the job in 2011. Sgt. Thomas Baitinger, 48, and Officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz, 38, were shot and killed by a fugitive hiding in an attic Jan. 24, 2011 - just days prior to Morroni’s 16th annual appreciation dinner.
CLEARWATER - Pasco-Pinellas Circuit Judge Richard A. Luce - currently the Sixth Judicial Circuit’s longest serving judge - announced his retirement, effective Dec. 31.
After being voted in to a Pinellas County judge seat in 1980, Luce was the youngest elected county judge in Florida. In 1987, he was appointed to the Circuit Court bench by then-Governor Bob Martinez.
Since that time, he has served in the Circuit’s Civil, Family and Criminal divisions.
For more than 14 years, Luce has been assigned to the Circuit’s Career Criminal Division, meaning he has presided over several of the area’s most most-watched trials.
CLEARWATER - Pinellas County recently announced the award of $1 million in grant funding for the replacement of the Bay Pier at Fort De Soto Park.
The funding, provided by the Federal Transit Administration’s Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks program, is for alternative transportation in national parks, forests and wildlife refuges. Locally, the funding will provide a new dock for ferry access to the Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge.
The grant will fund the first of several construction phases for a new pier and ferry dock and includes design, engineering and initial construction activities. A date has not yet been set for the start of this project. The existing pier will remain open to provide recreational fishing and ferry access to Egmont Key.
ST. PETERSBURG - As of Feb. 5, riders of Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authorities’ Routes, 59, 67 and 79 are adjusting to a new schedule that officials say will accommodate more riders and better reflect bus arrival times.
Due to budget constraints, no additional trips were added; however, the scheduled adjustments will provide riders with more accurate and reliable arrival and departure times.
Route 59 travels from Williams Park in downtown St. Petersburg to Indian Rocks Beach. Route 67 travels from the Park Street Terminal in downtown Clearwater to Oldsmar, and Route 79 runs along U.S. 19 Frontage Road to Williams Park.
CLEARWATER - The last day to register to vote in the March 13 municipal elections is Feb. 13.
Elections are scheduled in Belleair, Belleair Beach, Gulfport, Indian Shores, Madeira Beach, Pinellas Park, Seminole and Treasure Island.
According to the Supervisor of Elections Office, more than 22,803 mail ballots went out Feb. 7. The ballots must be returned to the Elections Office by March 13. No early voting is scheduled as all of the municipalities, as allowed by state law, opted to allow voting by either mail ballot or at the polls on Election Day only.
Clearwater Downtown Farmer’s Market CLEARWATER - The Clearwater Downtown Farmer’s Market is now open for the season. Primarily a green market, it runs every Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through May 2012 on the 500 and 600 blocks of Cleveland Street.
Shoppers can find farm-fresh produce, gourmet cheeses, bakery items, plants, nuts, seafood, ground coffee, and local honey. Greek food and French crepes are among the eclectic cuisine offerings, and a limited variety of handcrafted items also are for sale. Live entertainment is featured 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Complimentary parking is available for up to two hours in the Garden Avenue garage with ticket validation. Validation stamps can be gained at the market information table. Call 461-7674.
ISPOA monthly happy hour INDIAN SHORES - The Indian Shores Property Owners Association is having its monthly happy hour gathering Wednesday, Feb. 8, 5:30 to 7 p.m., at the Tapas Garden, 321 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach.
All Indian Shores residents are invited.
For additional information, call Art Newsome at 517-9571.
Judaism’s Relevance in Modern Life ST. PETERSBURG - Judaism’s Relevance in Modern Life, a Rohr Jewish Learning Institute course, will be offered for 12 weeks, beginning Wednesday, Jan. 11, at the Chabad Jewish Center of Greater St. Petersburg, 4010 Park St. N.
Classes will meet through Mar. 28 with a special Purim class on Monday, March 5 (rather than class on Wednesday, March 7).
Led by Rabbi Alter Korf, the classes will meet from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Although there is no charge for the course, there is an optional textbook of $36. For information call 344-4900 or email Rabbi@ChabadSP.com. To enroll, visit www.myJLI.com.
Seashell club meeting CLEARWATER - A Seashell Club meets Thursdays, 1 to 3 p.m., at the Clearwater Beach Library, 69 Esplanade. Call Sara at 447-5882 or email rhenkel@ij.net.
Genealogy help DUNEDIN - Members of the Caladesi Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution are available to assist the public with genealogy research each Thursday for free, 1 to 3 p.m. in Study Room 4 of the Dunedin Public Library, 223 Douglas Ave. No appointment is needed.
Democratic club meeting PINELLAS PARK - Patrick Manteiga, editor of “La Gaceta,” and regional Obama organizer Meri Forte-Namuj will speak to the Greater Pinellas Democratic Club Thursday, Feb. 9, at Banquet Masters, 8100 Park Blvd.
La Gaceta is the nation’s only trilingual newspaper, serving English, Spanish and Italian communities in the Tampa area. Forte-Namuj is a leader for the South Pinellas Organizing for America movement.
The Greater Pinellas Democratic Club meeting will start with cash bar cocktails and social time at 6 p.m. followed by a buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m. and concludes with the guest speakers’ presentations, questions and discussion.
The public is welcome to attend. Reservations are requested. Dinner costs $15.
Call Betty Morgenstein at 360-3971.
Pinellas Park Elks Lodge 2217 blood drive PINELLAS PARK - The Pinellas Park Elks Lodge 2217 will host a blood drive Thursday, Feb. 9, 4 to 8 p.m., at 7550 40th St. N.
Call 544-2325.
Pinellas County Gator Club tailgate party ST. PETERSBURG - Marty Cohen, founder and editor of Gator Bait, will be the guest speaker at the Pinellas County Gator Club’s 2012 post-signing day tailgate party Thursday, Feb. 9, 5:30 to 8 p.m., at Ferg’s, 1320 Central Ave.
Tickets for UFAA members are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Tickets for non-UFAA members are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Children 5 and up are $10 in advance and at the door.
Tickets include a buffet with hamburgers/cheeseburgers, hot dogs, bratwurst, french fries, coleslaw, wings, chips and salsa, and sodas.
There also will be a cash bar, raffle donations and Gator merchandise vendors.
Registration prepayment must be received by Monday, Feb. 6, for discount price.
Check in at door; no tickets mailed. Sorry, no refunds.
You also can register and pay online at www.pinellasgators.com
All proceeds go to the PCGC scholarship fund.
Renaissance Speakers Club meeting CLEARWATER - The Renaissance Speakers Club meets on Fridays, 6:15 p.m., at 210 S. Fort Harrison Ave.
Learn public speaking and leadership skills that help when applying for work and advancement opportunities in one’s job.
Call Sharon at 542-2718.
Dunedin's Green Market DUNEDIN - Green Market is open Fridays through the end of April from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the corner of Main Street and Douglas Avenue in Dunedin. Vendors offer a wide variety of items including: produce, cheeses, plants and herbs, local honey, all natural pet treats, organic products, nuts, olive salad, pastries and orchids. Free entertainment and parking is available at the Dunedin Green Market. For information, contact the Market Manager, Richard Kendler, at 692-5353 or email GreenMarketManager@verizon.net.
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