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Omar Khan to shepherd Rick Kriseman campaign during final weeks

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To usher in the final weeks of the St. Petersburg mayoral race, incumbent Rick Kriseman is calling in a political heavy hitter — veteran Democratic consultant Omar Khan. Kahn is joining the Kriseman campaign as a senior adviser.

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Citing ‘assault on home rule,’ Kathleen Peters to run for Pinellas County Commission

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Citing Tallahassee’s battle against home rule, Treasure Island Republican Kathleen Peters has decided against a fourth term in the Florida House, opting instead to seek the District 6 seat on the Pinellas County Commission. In March, District 6 Commissioner John Morroni announced he will retire after his term expires in 2018. “After the legislature launched an all-out assault on local government and home rule this year,” Peters said in a statement. “I found myself reflecting on my community priorities and where…

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‘Property assessed’ financing for solar panels reveal serious consequences for Pinellas Realtors, lenders

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As solar energy expands as Florida’s next big growth industry, with it comes a host of unforeseen consequences. While promises of reduced energy costs for consumers and the lure of “no credit needed,” county-approved loans are indeed attractive, easy financing and lower energy costs could be masking other, potentially devastating, economic problems. A letter last year from the Pinellas Realtors Organization, standing for over 7,000 real estate professionals countywide, to County Commissioner Charlie Justice cautions against one such situation where…

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David Jolly presents flag at Ray Neri’s memorial service

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Former U.S. Rep. David Jolly on Wednesday presented an American flag to Laura Neri, the widow of community activist Ray Neri, who died Jan. 3. The flag was one that U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis had had flown over the Capitol especially for Mrs. Neri. “Ray Neri was a special person,” Jolly said. “Ray touched peoples’ lives.” Jolly was only one of many of Pinellas’ political leaders who came to Neri’s memorial service. Others included Pinellas County commissioners  Pat Gerard, Karen…

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‘Mr. Lealman’ Ray Neri dies

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Ray Neri, the man who put the unincorporated Lealman area on the map, died Tuesday at Northside Hospital. Neri was taken to Northside on Monday. He had fallen earlier in the day. Neri was a well-known community activist whose persistent lobbying brought attention to the problems in his community. With the light he shone on Lealman came help. His activism resulted in, among other things, a renovated park, a new park, and Pinellas County’s first community redevelopment area designed to…

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Pinellas Legislative Delegation to consider changes to construction licensing board

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Responding to a request from Charlie Justice, the Pinellas Legislative Delegation will consider changing the way members of the Construction Licensing Board are chosen. State Sen. Jack Latvala, the delegation chair, called on state Rep. Larry Ahern to come up with a plan by the delegation’s Jan. 31 meeting. State Sen. Jeff Brandes said he wanted Ahern to consider dissolving the board so it would come under control of the Pinellas County Commission. The licensing board, created in 1973, regulates…

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Janet Long elected chair of Pinellas County Commission

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The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners elected a new chair and vice chair for 2017 on Tuesday. Janet Long was elected chair. Ken Welch will serve as vice chair. Both choices received a unanimous vote from the seven-member commission. The two will serve for a year. Their terms begin in January. Long is succeeding Commissioner Charlie Justice who served as chair for 2016. Welch will succeed Long, who is the current vice chair. “I’m truly honored and humbled to…

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