Pinellas Elections Starting to Heat Up

Both the Pinellas County Commission and School Board have races in November 2014. Take a look at who's running so far.

Election Day 2014 is still a long way away, but that doesn’t mean competition for local seats isn’t starting to develop. With seats up for grabs on both the Pinellas County Commission and Pinellas School Board, Gulfport residents can anticipate some changes following the 2014 elections. Here’s a look at who’s filed for what races to date, according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Office: County Commission, District 2 (At Large) This at-large district, a seat currently held by Norm Roche, covers much of northwest Pinellas County. One candidate has filed to date: Hooper currently represents District 67, which includes much of Clearwater and Largo, in the Florida House, where he is up against term limits. The former Clearwater …

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VIDEO: Chair Welch's State of Pinellas Address

Pinellas County Commission Chair Ken Welch delivered the State of Pinellas address this week.

Pinellas County Commission Chair Ken Welch delivered the State of Pinellas address this week.  In the video, which you can see above, Welch, "talks about strategic planning, poverty, public health, human rights, an upcoming transit tax referendum, tourism and the FY2014 county budget."  Sign up for the Gulfport Patch email newsletter to stay connected to your community.

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Health Clinic for the Homeless to be Built

The health clinic will be located near the Pinellas County Jail and the county homeless shelter.

Pinellas County will soon begin construction on a health clinic for the homeless and poor of Pinellas in Largo. It will be located near the Safe Harbor homeless shelter and the Pinellas County Jail, according to county documents.  In October 2012, commissioners accepted a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to build the health clinic for homeless families with children, county documents show.  According to a report by the Tampa Bay Times, the clinic will offer an array of services.  " ... The building would house a primary care clinic, mental health services and housing placement assistance programs. A small library and children's room are planned for its first floor and, on the second, county officials …

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County Facing $12.1 Million Budget Shortfall in FY14

Pinellas County Commissioners will start forming the FY2014 budget Tuesday at a budget work session.

Pinellas County is facing a $12.1 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2014. To close the gap, county officials will explore multiples options, including using reserve money, reductions in spending and increasing the millage rate. Tuesday, county commissioners will begin to take the first steps to tackle the 2013-14 budget during its budget work session.  According to county documents, the budget gap could be partially closed by using one-time reserve money from the Service Level Stabilization Account. However, using one-time reserves, according to the county, would only help in the short term.  The stabilization account was created from FY10-FY12 by taking reductions in the budget over and above what was necessary to balance the …

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What's Tampa Bay Saying?

Should Florida Counties Allow Domestic Registry?

Pinellas County will become the sixth county in Florida to adopt a domestic registry, if commissioners approve the proposal.

St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Gulfport already have their own local domestic registries recognizing same-sex marriages. Now Pinellas County expects to vote in 2013 on a proposal for a countywide domestic registry that grants domestic partners – gay and straight – many of the same rights as married couples. A public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 15. Although domestic registries are catching on across the nation, from Key West to Kansas City, Florida has a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union between a man and a woman. Should Pinellas County, Florida, adopt a domestic registry? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Even as Florida counties adopt domestic registries, the state will not recognize them. Do you agree? …

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County Commissioners Bostock, Brickfield Concede to Long, Justice

Democratic challengers Janet Long and Charlie Justice have defeated Republican incumbents Nancy Bostock and Neil Brickfield.

In front of hundreds of GOP faithful at the Hilton Carillon on Tuesday night, Pinellas County Commissioners Nancy Bostock and Neil Brickfield conceded to their Democratic challengers, Janet Long and Charlie Justice.  Long defeated Brickfield, 55.27 percent to 44.73 percent. Justice beat Bostock, 52.35 percent to 47.65 percent.  Bostock thanked Pinellas for supporting her as a commissioner and said she hopes to continue serving the county in the future.  "I’m proud to have served our local government regardless of the results," she said fighting back tears Tuesday night.  Brickfield said he brought a message of smaller and more limited government to the Pinellas County Commission. He said he will continue that battle.  He said just because …

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Meals on Wheels Funding Cuts: County Commission Candidates Weigh In

While funding for Meals on Wheels has declined, the need for it's services has risen. Watch our video and hear from candidates on where they stand on funding the program.

Every day, volunteers deliver 1,000 warm meals to homebound seniors across Pinellas County. The Neighborly Care Network's Meals on Wheels Program ensures elderly residents receive at least one meal a day. However, organizers say more seniors are being added to their waiting list while funding is decreasing. According to the Tampa Bay Times, county commissioners considered cutting all social action funding, which included $49,000 to the Pinellas County's Neighborly Care Network's Meals on Wheels program for fiscal year 2012. Commissioners eventually agreed to contribute partial funding, but organizers with Meals on Wheels say it's not enough to meet the growing need. Agency Spokesperson Sandi Narron says, "Funding for our vital programs …

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2012 Election: Pinellas County Commission, District 7

Incumbent Ken Welch, a Democrat, faces Republican challenger Buck Walz.

The County Commission's District 7 includes portions of Gulfport and St. Petersburg. Click on a candidate's name for biographical information and answers to our candidate questionnaires. Some candidates haven't responded yet, but check back in case their answers are added. 

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Commissioner's Cancer Has Returned

John Morroni, a longtime member of the Pinellas County Commission, plans to work through treatments for non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

John Morroni, a Pinellas County commisioner, announced this week that his cancer has returned. In a news release, Morroni said that he is currently awaiting test results and will receive treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa.  From the release: Morroni, 56, is the chairman-elect of the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners. He plans on working through treatments as he did when he was first diagnosed in 2008 with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He only missed one meeting while going through six months of chemotherapy and five weeks of radiation. Morroni represents District 6, which covers much of St. Petersburg and the Pinellas beaches. He was elected to the county commission in 2000 and previously served in the Florida House of …

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