Town of North Redington Beach

BEACH RENOURISHMENT

Our beach will be getting larger this spring. The Sand Key Renourishment Project is underway and NRB’s residents can expect a completion date of the end of May or first of June. The hurricanes of the past couple of years had diminished beaches up and down the barrier islands prompting the project to begin ahead of schedule.

4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS

Unfortunately, there will be no fireworks display for the Redingtons this year. Due to the inability to secure the usual shooting spot, the display has been cancelled. However, the annual parade and picnic will be held as usual. Join us for the parade at 9:00 a.m. on July 4th followed by hot dogs at Radcliffe Park. Hope to see you there!

Creighton Honored

            John Creighton of Bath Club Boulevard South was named 2006 Citizen of the Year at the regular March meeting of the Town Commission, honoring his years of service as a community volunteer.

            John currently serves as chairman of the Planning & Zoning Board as well as the town’s coordinator of civil defense and emergency services. He was part of the working group that spent almost two years updating the town’s comprehensive plan. He has also served as an elections official.

            He is only the sixth person to be honored with this award since it was first established in 1988.  The recipient that year was Harold Radcliffe, who went on to serve 12 years as mayor. Other honorees are Diane Knizer (1989), Liz Limroth (1990), C.B. “Pat” Ryan (1991), Constance A. Jessup (1992), and William M Queen, the current mayor, (1997).

Oath of Office

            Jerry Knight and Curtis Blocker took the oath of office that extends their terms as town commissioners for another two years. Neither incumbent faced opposition, returning to their positions on what would have been Election Day March 7 had there been a contest.

            Knight currently serves as vice mayor and represents the beach communities from the Redingtons north to Bellair on the Pinellas Planning Council.  Commissioner Blocker, a former chairman of the Planning & Zoning Board, is the town’s public safety commissioner.

Sudhoff Recognized

            Paul Sudhoff was hardly settled in his new home in North Redington Beach when he became a regular attendee at commission meetings, and eagerly participated in discussions of town affairs. His interest was rewarded with an appointment to the Planning & Zoning Board as an alternate member.

            Paul is now taking his talents to the East Coast where he has accepted a new position working in the space program.

            His service here was recognized with a presentation of a special plaque at a recent special meeting of the Commission.

Crosswalk Awareness

          While there has been notable improvement among both motorists and pedestrians in adhering to the laws regarding crosswalks, it is clear that much work remains to be done before compliance reaches a desirable level.

            This became clear at the most recent meeting of the Town Commission where the new crosswalk locations and reduced speed limits on Gulf Boulevard continue to be a major topic of discussion.

            Residents remain wary of motorists who go around stopped vehicles and threaten pedestrians in the walks. This is becoming less of a problem as sheriff’s deputies continue their enforcement efforts, now issuing pricey tickets rather than warnings. But it is still a matter of concern.

            On the day of the meeting there was an accident where a motorist plowed into a vehicle that had stopped for a pedestrian who had entered the walk.

            Officials also are noticing pedestrians crossing the boulevard at random locations without benefit of a crosswalk. The law does not protect them; in fact, it specifically requires that they yield to motorists.

Undergrounding Project Progresses

          Also contributing to Gulf Boulevard safety as well as to its appearance is the project to place all utility wires underground and to add trees, shrubs, and other decorative items to beautify the throughway.

            The County Commission and the Governmental Council of Beach Communities (Big C) agreed this year to move these improvements to a higher priority. And details are now being worked out for interlocal agreements between the county and the beach communities to allow work to proceed.

            There is general concurrence on a split that will have the county pay for undergrounding and the municipalities for beautification.

            Mayor Bill Queen announced at the last meeting of the Town Commission that the Redingtons might well be chosen as a demonstration area for the project. Actual work is still months, maybe as much as a year away, but after so long a period of no action, there is finally progress.

Pinellas By Design