Pinellas School Board gives early approval to property tax rate increase

Hello Everyone,


Evelyn here,

The following article written by Donna Winchester St. Petersburg Times staff writer is of important to every home owner in the county. Personally, this should have been done long ago.

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June 16, 2009

Pinellas School Board gives early approval to property tax rate increase

Pinellas School Board members on Tuesday unanimously gave initial approval to a property tax rate increase to help offset a projected $19 million budget shortfall.

But not without first offering a few choice words to state legislators.

Board member Carol Cook was most outspoken, charging that politicians in Tallahassee have abdicated their responsibility to quality education in Florida.

"I’m supposed to take it on faith that the legislators will turn around (next year) and do the right thing," Cook said. "They have not done that so far. I cannot have faith when time after time it’s been proven to me that I can’t trust that they will do the right thing for our children."

At least one board member applauded Cook’s comments.

Board chairwoman Peggy O’Shea followed Cook, stating that the Legislature had put local school boards in a terrible position.

Without the additional $14 million budget infusion the district will receive with the tax increase, school employees likely will face six to 10 days without pay, O'Shea said. But the additional tax assessment could be a problem for many of them, especially for those who rent their homes, she said.

“This cuts both ways,” O’Shea said. “This will get passed off to them in the form of a rent increase, and they will pay a huge burden.”

The seven-member board must approve the measure again during budget hearings on July 28 and Sept. 15. But it’s not likely that the board can vote no at either of those meetings after the yes vote today, Cook said.

“Each time we vote on it, we’re more and more committed,” she said. “This time we’re saying, ‘Go forward and add this into the budget.’ In July, we’ll be saying, ‘This is the highest amount we can levy.’ But by that time, we’ve already hired people.

"In September, when we take the final vote, school already will have started. To say in September, ‘We’re not going to do this,’ that just won’t work."

- Donna Winchester, Times staff writer

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Evelyn out

Unemployment on the Rise!

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Evelyn here,


Six days ago, NPR reported that the U.S. unemployment Rate jumped to 9.4 Percent, and that employers cut 345,000 nonfarm jobs in May as the national jobless rate rises to 9.4 percent.

This rise in the unemployment is about 0.9% hike from the beginning of the year when it was nearer to 8.5%.

Evelyn Out.

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

In honor of World Environment Day, which occurs on the 5th day of June each year, the following video was posted by Pete Cashmore, CEO at Mashable.





Evelyn out.

BAN BOOM CARS

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

I am sure that everyone in the city of St. Petersburg has notice to lack of boomer cars on streets and/or parked in private or public drives. However, and in spite of the new noise ordinances and complaint form on the St. Petersburg Police Department website, there still those boomers in my area that tempt the Fates. They come blaring their way up the drive near where I live and occasionally the driveway on which I live.

Those who blaringly drive their way pass my place are mostly targeting either me or some other poor soul who was put upon unmercifully by their booming car stereos, and finally had enough of it to report them. Whatever the case, these resisters to the new "norm" of respecting the rights of others to have and cherish peace of mind, generally work their ill mannered blaring after hours, when managements are closed and on weekends when police service seems all but non-existence.

That they do this when they believe being caught is less likely to happen, tell us that they are intent on blaring their way unwanted through the lives of others, and that their repeated actions is not a simple "Oops; sorry, I forgot", situation.

What gets me is some people have the new resources to stop the boomers, but do not appear to be using them. Perhaps the following video clip remind people of what we are fighting against. My stance - "Ban All Boom Cars!"

Evelyn out.

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

with some Breaking News. Governor Charlie Crist has announced that he will run for the U.S Senate seat now occupied but soon to be vacated by Senator Mel Martinez.

Florida’s Gang Reduction Strategies Gain Results

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Evelyn here,

with an advisory message from the Attorney General, Bill MCCullum.

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MESSAGE ADVISORY

Attorney General Bill McCollum’s Audio Message - May 6, 2009


I’m Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum.

Yesterday, my office and law enforcement in the Central Florida area made
substantial progress in our fight against gangs.18 members and associates
of a dangerous drug-trafficking gang were arrested, including the gang’s
leader.

This case will be the first filed using the gang kingpin statute, a new
crime which allows for a life felony sentence against anyone convicted of
leading or directing organized, criminal gang activities.

Together with my partners in Florida’s gang reduction strategies, we will
keep combating gangs with these new tools and better protecting our
neighborhoods and communities.

I’m Bill McCollum, and this has been a public safety update.

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Evelyn out.

HAND WASHING IS THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST SPREADING SWINE FLU

Hello Evryone,

Evelyn here,

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states the first line of defense against spreading Swine Flu is hand washing. Check out this video from the CDC's headquarters.

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Also "What is Swine Flu?"



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Evelyn out.