Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorOctober 27, 2018

The Clearwater Referendum offers residents the opportunity to enable positive change in their government for decades to come. While the City Manager Bill Horne and your current Mayor George Cretekos have much to be proud of and will be remembered for ably steering Clearwater through the worst recession since the Great Depression, let me offer a perspective on the upcoming […]

Scott PowersAugust 8, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King‘s offering the emotional speech he gave in a Clearwater Baptist Church Sunday morning to be a new digital internet ad for his campaign, presenting his call to change Florida’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ law and to change hearts. The 1-minute, 13-second video “Change Hearts” presents the conclusion of the talk King […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 23, 2018

When Floridians went to the polls in 2016, more than just names were on the ballot. Included was Amendment 2, amending our state constitution to legalize medical marijuana. Amendment 2 received the support of 71 percent of voters – surpassing the 60 percent needed for passage. Do you know how hard it is to get […]

Peter SchorschOctober 17, 2017

Pinellas County’s premier leadership development organization, designed to promote a “diverse group” of up-and-coming leaders, appears to be missing something in its Class of 2018 – diversity. Leadership Pinellas is the regional tax-exempt organization that offers a 10-month leadership-development program every year to a select group of local business, nonprofit and government executives. On its […]

Staff ReportsJune 12, 2017

Clearwater-based Trulieve is opening its seventh medical cannabis dispensary starting Tuesday with a new location at The Villages. The Villages Trulieve will be at 13940 US Highway 441, #601 in the Oakland Hills Professional Center. “We’re excited to have a location in The Villages. Many of our patients are seniors, which makes this location key,” […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 12, 2016

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium saw a boost in attendance in the years since the 2011 release of “Dolphin Tale.” That spike in attendance contributed to a $2 billion economic boost to Pinellas County, according to an economic impact study released this week. The study found that 44,440 jobs were supported by the aquarium over the […]

Associated PressFebruary 8, 2016

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is meeting with Florida’s airport directors as part of a push to garner support for new technology that could protect airports and other sensitive areas from drones. Nelson was in Orlando on Friday meeting with airport directors from Orlando, Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, Sarasota, Clearwater and Panama City. Nelson is hoping to […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 23, 2015

Clearwater Mayor George Cretekos and City Council member Doreen Hock DiPolito will both serve second terms. The two were re-elected Friday unopposed after qualifying for their races closed. “The one thing that I do not like about elections is having to raise money,” Cretekos said. “I can refund in full all the contributions I received.” […]

Associated PressMay 5, 2015

A Clearwater minister has admitted to cashing $755,900 in tax refunds that were received using stolen identities. The Tampa Bay Times reports 56-year-old Sylvester Banks Jr. is expected to plead guilty to theft of government funds during a first appearance hearing in Tampa on Wednesday. The crime is punishable by up to 10 years in […]

Tag: Clearwater
Supporters celebrate the opening of a wheel-chair accessible playground at Anastasia State Park. Image via Florida State Parks Foundation.

Bob Buckhorn: A strong mayor would bring greater accountability, progress to Clearwater

Chris King turns ‘Stand Your Ground’ shooting speech into ad

Charlie Crist: Protecting Floridians access to medical marijuana issue of compassion

Leadership Pinellas’ 2018 class seems to be missing something — diversity

Trulieve opens The Villages dispensary

Clearwater Marine Aquarium pumps $2 billion into Pinellas economy, study finds

Bill Nelson wants limits on drones around airports

Clearwater Mayor George Cretekos, City Councilmember Doreen Hock DiPolito re-elected unopposed

Clearwater minister accused of aiding in tax scam