July Meeting Minutes

Meeting started at 705pm.

Crime Report:

Officery J. Deary described “neighborhood gang”, the teenager in charge is 5’8” and muscular. They are mainly causing a nuisance by standing in the road in front of cars, etc. The activities are also making the kids stay away from the playground. The police can give them a citation if he sees them blocking the road from cars. There was a call made today for kids wandering the neighborhood. There have been a couple burglaries, police patrolling the area for guns fired in the air.

Also let us know of a citywide problem with individuals knocking on the door and if not home, using a crowbar to rip the door open. The police haven‘t caught them doing it yet. The vehicles they are driving are “flashy” looking newer cars with dark tint.

The kids at the Robert’s Center are cursing, causing vandalism and won’t let little kids there anymore. The problems are taking place during the off hours of the center. Is it possible for the Robert’s Center employees to supervise outside?

Someone suggested taking pictures of the kids that are misbehaving and scare them into stopping.

Why isn’t there more publicized about the Robert’s Center disturbances, etc? Don Baltrusis suggested calling Leslie Curran about the problems at the Robert’s Center.

Michael from Charlie Justice’s office:

He brought a newsletter from state senator Justice. His office is located on 4th St and 86th Ave N. They handle state issues, Medicaid, DCF. The senators are not in session now, but the next session will begin in March. Someone asked if they are behind on Medicare payments now? He told us that there is funding for it. We are part of the 16th District, created in 2002 which includes east Pinellas county upto South Tampa. Call or email his office with questions.

Larry- president of Roser Park Neighborhood Association:

He is here representing Scott Wagman for Mayor. Scott has 4 main points that he is supporting in his campaign.

Increase Police Department by 100 officers in the next four years. Each new police officer will cost $100,00. His goal is to have a police force equal to Tampa.
Implement curbside recycling
Create more jobs for small businesses and artists
Auditing to save money

The primary elections are being held on Sept. 1. There will be a televised mayoral candidate debate on August 19 on channel Bay News 9 from 7-830pm

Dr. Pamela Settlegood:

She is running for City Council member in District 4. She is a fifth generation resident of St. Pete. Right now she lives in Allendale. She has taught all ages of children through college. Two high school students are helping to run her campaign. In order to see the inner workings of the police department, she did a “ride along” with a police officer.

The officers of the association have decided to not do the “National Night Out” and will continue with our summer BBQ as planned. It will be held at the end of August.

Stella read her Treasurer’s Report with $1073 in our account. This money comes from our neighborhood association dues and donations. Our fees are $10 for a single member and $15 for a family membership.

Summer BBQ:

The BBQ will be held on Saturday August 22 at the Robert’s Center. It will cost $90 for the rental of the Robert’s Center. We will need lots of help planning the event. Here are some volunteers we will need: someone to buy food and supplies, many helpers for flyer distribution, people to cook, someone to gather raffle prizes, a person to put the ad in the Neighborhood Times. Diana researched the use of the Robert’s Center for the BBQ and found out that the grass is property of the Parks Department and the Robert’s Center inside is part of the Recreation Department.

Neighborhood Involvement:

Someone suggested having neighborhood captains to help with involvement. A person asked which neighborhoods have lots of participation? The ones that have food at their meetings. A bunch of people at tonight’s meeting said that they saw the sign at the Robert’s Center and that’s why they came.

815pm meeting adjourned