May 2018 Kudos and Good Deeds in Pinellas County

Completion of repaving of Pass-a-Grille Way, Phase 1 was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony by St Pete Beach city officials in late April. City Manager, Wayne Saunders, wields the scissors surrounded by Mayor Al Johnson and city commissioners (all in sunglasses l – r) Rick Falkenstein, District 2, Terri Finnerty, District 1, Melinda Pletcher, District 4, Ward Friszolowski, District 3, with city staff, and Nelson Contracting’s on-site project manager behind him. Maria Lowe (far right) was mayor when the project began in 2015. She is planning to write two books based on what she learned in the process. Melinda Pletcher is the elected representative for the district where the complicated infrastructure repair took place over the past 2 1/2 years. She was re-elected unopposed in March of 2017. Little wonder. Melinda Pletcher, who is also a successful RE/MAX Preferred Realtor, wife and mother, takes her official duties seriously, and is dedicated to the quirky and quaint historic district of Pass-a-Grille and the island of Vina Del Mar. In an interview after the ceremony, Commissioner Pletcher said the real heroes of the project were the business people of Pass-a-Grille who persevered, and the residents who supported them.

The Florida League of Cities recently recognized Dr Terri Finnerty with a 2018 Home Rule Hero Award. She earned this prestigious award for her tireless efforts to advance the League’s legislative agenda and help protect the Home Rule powers of Florida’s cities during the 2018 legislative session. “These dedicated municipal officials are some of the Florida League of Cities’ biggest advocates for municipal issues,” said Florida League of Cities President, Gil Ziffer. “Their efforts during the 2018 legislative session were extraordinary. The League and its legislative team are proud to recognize and thank them for their service.”  

Home Rule is the ability for a city to address local problems through and by local decision makers with minimal state interference. Terri Finnerty won reelection unopposed in March 2018 as Commissioner for District I in St Pete Beach.

Treasure Islettes

Present new board left to right: Toni Hawkins, President, Elaine Dawson, Vice president, Linda Gresik, Secretary, Judy Koepkey, Treasurer

Treasure Island’s new Mayor, Larry Lunn, installed the newly elected board, all Islettes’ members whose work countless hours during the past year to accomplish their club’s objective were recognized.

The Islettes was founded in 1955 to support community through volunteer service, beautification projects, scholarships and donations to the City, the Police and Fire Departments. 

The Treasure Islettes meet the fourth Monday evenings, from September to May, at the Treasure Island Community Center. The club is open to women who have an interest in the betterment of Treasure Island. To learn more about the club, Google them or email Elaine Dawson at  treasurei2@aol.comDylan Miksch will be a delegate to Washington, D.C. Youth Summit on the Environment. A student at Admiral

Farragut Academy, Dylan has been selected to represent St Pete Beach as a National Youth Delegate to the 2018 Summit at George Mason University, June 24 – 29 in Fairfax, VA. Miksch joins a select group of 300 students from across the country to participate in the Summit, an intensive, week-long study of leadership in environmental science and conservation.

Dylan was chosen based on academic accomplishments and a demonstrated interest and excellence in leadership in the sciences and conservation studies. He is the son of Diane Miksch, a CPA since 1986 and head of Miksch & Company, CPA PA, in St Pete Beach since 1993.

“I’m so proud of Dylan,” Diane said. “He’s been attending Admiral Farragut Academy since kindergarten and has grown into an intelligent teenager.”

Leave a Comment