Out of Gas, Out of Luck!

Driver tries to outrun deputy, runs out of Gas
On Monday, Brian Joseph Condon, 36, of Clearwater Beach was driving 90 mph in a 55 mph zone on U.S. 19, clocked by a Pinellas County sheriff's deputy, according to reports. But when a deputy tried to pull him over, he tried to elude the officer by driving behind several businesses, the report states. One business he neglected to visit was a gas station: Condon was caught when his car ran out of gas. He was charged with felony fleeing and eluding and driving under the influence after he failed field sobriety tests, according to the Sheriff's Office. He was taken to the Pinellas County Jail, where he was held Monday in lieu of $5,500 bail.

[Last modified: Aug 28, 2012 05:47 PM]

Copyright 2012 Tampa Bay Times

Dunedin's Beltrees Street - What Happened?

Is this part of the town's new re-branding?

Just in time for Spring Training?

This poorly spelled graffiti is not the only problem.  It's a symptom of a much larger issue.

Take a look at Beltrees St. and the connecting streets lately.  While there are still many proud and responsible home owners and renters.......   Well, you look!

Picture it in 5 years!

 

I never thought I would see this type of 'Urban Blight' in 34698!

How Long Can Locked-Up a Bike Last in NYC? Time-Lapse Video

Fantastic time-lapse video!

Re-Post from TheBlaze.Com 

Bike locks can only do so much.

A branding firm called Red Peak has released the result of an interesting urban experiment they carried out with Hudson Urban Bicycles:

“Get a bike. Lock it to a post. Take a pic every day for a year.”

The firm chained a fully loaded bike with bells, basket, and lights to a post along a busy Soho street on January 1, 2011. They then took a picture of the bike everyday for 365 days, watching it slowly disappear.

Check out the project they call “LIFECYCLE:: 365 days in the life of a bike in NYC.”

Sarasota Homeless Man Decapitates Friend over Spilled Food

A homeless man is accused of decapitating a companion in a fit of rage over a knocked-over grill, the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office said.

Ricky L. Leer, 48, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder Tuesday in the death of another homeless man whom authorities have not identified.

Deputies said a 911 call came in at 1:32 a.m. Tuesday from a man who said he saw Leer kill someone by "chopping off his head." Deputies met with the caller, who led them to an area in the woods near the 3100 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way, where a body was located.

Deputies said they canvassed the area and located Leer near the campsite drinking rum and leaning against a tree. He was taken into custody.

The 911 caller gave a sworn statement saying he and the other two men were cooking steaks and drinking rum when Leer and the victim began arguing and the victim accidentally knocked over a grill, deputies said. The witness said Leer knocked the victim down, grabbed a machete-like knife and began to chop at his head.

The witness identified Leer as the suspect with an accurate description of his clothing and physical attributes, deputies said.

Deputies said Leer exercised his right to have an attorney present for questioning.

29 Arrested at Occupy Tampa Bay (2 from Dunedin)

Two from Dunedin Arrested in Occupy Tampa Demonstration

A Dunedin man and at least one former Dunedin High School grad are among 29 demonstrators arrested at an Occupy Tampa movement Thursday evening.

• By Katie Dolac
• Email the author
• December 2, 2011

http://patch.com/A-pj16

Murder Charge a Bummer 4 Hit & Run in UR Hummer!

Man in Underwear Leads Authorities on Chase

"The driver of a red Hummer was arrested this morning after deputies say the suspect was involved in a hit-and-run crash and then led authorities on a chase through Dunedin."

• By Emily Seawell and Katie Dolac

 http://patch.com/A-pfcy

FL DEP…the Honeymoon is over, plans for RV camping canceled

FLDEP…the Honeymoon is over, plans for RV camping canceled

City Rejects State's Honeymoon Island Plan (Re-Post from Dunedin Patch)

City Rejects State's Honeymoon Island Plan

Resolution sites a long history of protection and environmental concerns.

Commissioners formally rejected the state’s RV camping plan for Honeymoon Island in a meeting at City Hall Thursday.

They unanimously adopted a resolution against the state’s “proposal to permit the installation of a recreational vehicle campsite within Honeymoon Island State Park.”

The resolution takes immediate effect. It sites a long history of environmental preservation and criticizes the state’s absence of any viable impact studies to support a plan high-impact camping.

The city passed similar resolutions in 1988 and 1999.

- Click for Full Story on Dunedin Patch -  

By Kathryn Dolac | Email the author | 8:08pm Print

http://dunedin.patch.com/articles/city-rejects-states-honeymoon-island-plan

Dunedin Patch: "HAPPENING NOW: City reads resolution rejecting Florida's plan for Honeymoon Island at commission meeting." via Facebook

Dunedin Patch on Facebook

"HAPPENING NOW: City reads resolution rejecting Florida's plan for Honeymoon Island at commission meeting. "

http://dunedin.patch.com/

Honeymoon Island Camping on Dunedin City Commission Regular Meeting Agenda Tonight!

According to a posting by the City of Dunedin, tonight's City Commission Regular Meeting WILL have Honeymoon Island Camping on the agenda when they meet this evening at 6:30PM at Dunedin City Hall.

Click Here for the Full Agenda

http://dunedin.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=297

It's Not August Yet..... Contact List Repost and Update.... Get/Stay Involved!

 
Don't be lulled into a false sense of security after last evening's large turnout and today's positive news from the Advisory Panel.....

Here are some contacts that were given out at the meeting:

Thank You Allison!

You can Download a copy of this list here:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B-AhNH5G6iVkNzkyZTc1NjItZTFlNC00MDZkLTk4N2UtZGI3MzU1M2RmMjRl&hl=en_US

And from the "Important Docs and Links" Here------->

Governor Rick Scott Tel: 850-488-7146 (No direct personal email account)

• Donald.forgione@dep.state.fl.us Mr. Forgione IS the decision maker in this matter
• Bob.g.ballard@dep.state.fl.us Mr Ballard is the Chair of the ARC
• Albert.gregory@dep.state.fl.us Mr. Gregory is the head of Park Planning
• Dave.worley@dep.state.fl.us Mr. Worley is the head of the Bureau for Watershed Restoration
• Ken.reecy@dep.state.fl.us Mr. Reecy is the head of the Florida Communities Trust Admin.
• Tim.breault@dep.state.fl.us Mr. Breault is the head of the Habitat and Species Conservation
• jones.dennis.web@flsenate.gov State Senator District 13
• fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov State Senator District 11
• latvala.jack.web@flsenate.gov State Senator District 16
• dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov State Senator District 15
• richard.corcoran@myflhouse.gov State Representative District 45
• deggers@dunedinfl.net Mr. Eggers is the Mayor of Dunedin

Go to: http://dunedingov.com/home.aspx?page=contactform&contact=commission and fill out the form with your Dunedin address. Your comments will go to all of the commissioners.

Go to: http://www.pinellascounty.org/commission/default.htm and click on "contact us" on the right side of the page - just below the photos. Then click all of the commissioners names.

Also email these appointees to the (ARC) ACQUISITION AND RESTORATION COUNCIL:

Larson1fl@aol.com Ms. Vickie Larson
lyssa.ball@gmail.com Mrs. Elizabeth “Lyssa” Ball

ACQUISITION AND RESTORATION COUNCIL (ARC) - PDF CONTACT LIST

1. PLEASE BE POLITE AND RESPECTFUL WHEN CONTACTING ANYBODY
2. DO NOT ASSUME THAT ANYONE LISTED HERE SUPPORTS THE PROPOSALS
3. PLEASE LET ME KNOW ABOUT BROKEN, BAD OR UPDATED LINKS!

Honeymoon Island Advisory Panel Doesn't Want Camping, Either (Dunedin Patch Story)

On Tuesday night, the public made its opinion clear on the prospect of camping in the state park. On Wednesday, a panel of stakeholders agreed. 

 - Click for Story  - 

 By Janelle Irwin for THE DUNEDIN PATCH

http://dunedin.patch.com/articles/honeymoon-island-advisory-group-echoes-camping-dissention

Advisory Group Update!

State-Appointed Advisory Group Criticizes Honeymoon Island Camping Plan!
 - St. Petersburg Times

Dunedin Patch: Clips from Honeymoon Island Land Management Plan Public Meeting

Honeymoon Over for State Plan to Add RV Camping (From Clearwater Patch)

Honeymoon Over for State Plan to Add RV Camping

For more than four hours residents and elected officials voiced opposition about a plan to add RV camp sites to Honeymoon Island State Park to the state Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday night

ByJared Leone  (From Clearwater Patch)

Residents Band Together to Preserve Honeymoon Island (from Dunedin Patch)

A grassroots movement is under way at Royal Stewart Arms to protect the beloved state park.

By Kathryn Dolac |Dunedin Patch | June 30, 2011

Your Voice Will Make a Difference! Here's a List of People You Can Contact!

The meeting tomorrow morning is NOT open to the public, but many people will be protesting along the Honeymoon Island Causeway and at the entrance to the park. 

If you can't make it, and even if you can - Stay Involved.....

Here are some contacts that were given out at tonight's meeting:
Thank You!! to whoever was distributing this great list!

• Governor Rick Scott     Tel: 850-488-7146 (No direct personal email account)
• Donald.forgione@dep.state.fl.us     Mr. Forgione IS the decision maker in this matter
• Bob.g.ballard@dep.state.fl.us     Mr Ballard is the Chair of the ARC
• Albert.gregory@dep.state.fl.us     Mr. Gregory is the head of Park Planning
• Dave.worley@dep.state.fl.us     Mr. Worley is the head of the Bureau for Watershed Restoration
• Ken.reecy@dep.state.fl.us     Mr. Reecy is the head of the Florida Communities Trust Admin.
• Tim.breault@dep.state.fl.us     Mr. Breault is the head of the Habitat and Species Conservation
• jones.dennis.web@flsenate.gov     State Senator District 13
• fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov     State Senator District 11
• latvala.jack.web@flsenate.gov     State Senator District 16
• dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov     State Senator District 15
• richard.corcoran@myflhouse.gov    State Representative District 45
• deggers@dunedinfl.net     Mr. Eggers is the Mayor of Dunedin

Go to: http://dunedingov.com/home.aspx?page=contactform&contact=commission and fill out the form with your Dunedin address.  Your comments will go to all of the commissioners.

Go to: http://www.pinellascounty.org/commission/default.htm and click on "contact us" on the right side of the page - just below the photos.  Then click all of the commissioners names.

Also email these Governor Appointees to the ACQUISITION AND RESTORATION COUNCIL (ARC):

• Larson1fl@aol.com     Ms. Vickie Larson
• lyssa.ball@gmail.com     Mrs. Elizabeth “Lyssa” Ball
• ACQUISITION AND RESTORATION COUNCIL (ARC) - PDF CONTACT LIST

1.  PLEASE BE POLITE AND RESPECTFUL WHEN CONTACTING ANYBODY
2. DO NOT ASSUME THAT ANYONE LISTED HERE SUPPORTS THE PROPOSALS
3. PLEASE LET ME KNOW ABOUT BROKEN, BAD OR UPDATED LINKS

Honeymoon Island...an RV park? (myFox Tampa Bay Report)

Honeymoon Island...an RV park?: MyFoxTAMPABAY.com

Public Meeting Update

Tonight's public meeting in Dunedin to discuss the proposed private development of parts of Honeymoon Island State Park, and include the use of RV's and other forms of 'high impact' camping was overflowing with residents who were practically unanimously opposed to the new plans!

The packed crowd was animated but orderly and although many brought signs and fliers, nobody was rude or confrontational with any of the speakers.  The main room was filled to capacity, as was the overflow audio-only room.  A hundred or so folks had to wait outside as well.

The DEP representatives who spoke narrowly focused their case on only a very few points:

1.  Camping in State Parks is frequent.  It's not out of the ordinary.
2. Things can't always be free.  Financial matters must be considered.
3. Honeymoon Island would be held to the same (high?) standards as other State Parks.
4. RV's and Campers would be allowed, but it wouldn't really be an RV Park as news reports wrongly indicate.

What the presenter failed to understand is that:

1. Honeymoon Island is not just any State Park.  It's a fantastic unspoiled Gem!
2. It already serves more annual visitors than any other Florida State Park and - does it profitably!
3. If Honeymoon Island was "just like other Florida State Parks" it would be ruined!
4. Plans are public and they do call for construction of another traffic lane to service RV's.  Florida's Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds opposes the state plans as well.

 THANK YOU! to both Dunedin Mayor, Dave Eggers and State Senator Mike Fasano!  It's nice to see public servants who 'get-it'.  Both are opposed to the proposal and their support is appreciated!!

Governor Rick Scott was right down the street tonight but he didn't stop by.......