Town of North Redington Beach News
May 14, 2010
Tribute to Joe
Friends and relatives jammed the commission chambers in Town Hall at the May commission meeting to pay tribute to Joe Baldanza, a true civic leader who died March 12th. Mayor Bill Queen presented his widow, Terry, an engraved platter that noted Joe had been elected Citizen of The Year, an honor shared by a limited number of town residents who volunteered to help the community. In addition, the mayor unveiled a plaque that memorializes Joe as “The Ultimate Volunteer.” This will be attached to a shelter at Baldanza Park, which exists because of the family.
The mayor enumerated all the activities in which Joe was involved to earn the designation. He was a long time member of the planning and zoning board, a perennial leader of the Christmas boat parade, chauffeur for the judges who viewed home decorations at the holidays (which he had won), hot dog chef at the July 4 picnic and the penultimate Santa Claus. Others talked about his love for the community and his reputation as a fine neighbor.
Joe Baldanza will be missed, but never forgotten.
Oil Watch
The town has joined others along the beach in maintaining a careful watch on the oil spill that has plagued the Gulf and threatens to become one of the country’s worst environmental disasters. There is little anyone can do at the moment beyond preparing an action plan should the oil slick come this way. Recent analyses indicate this coast may be spared, but so much depends on weather systems that no one is resting easy.
The county’s emergency management is the coordinating agency for these preparations. They have developed a strategy that seeks to use booms and other diversions to keep the oil out of environmentally sensitive areas, including estuaries and inlets. While tar bars and tar patties on the beaches would be a nuisance, cleaning the sand is a much easier task than risking sensitive habitats that support wildlife and fish.
The county is tracking the trajectory daily and projecting a 72 hour movement. If the county is threatened within that period it will be the agency that enlists BP, the state and others to spring into action. There are a number of places to call for additional information and/or to volunteer. Anyone interested should contact Town Hall for these sources.
Hurricane Preparations
While most concerned about the oil at the moment, emergency officials must also keep their eyes on the hurricane season which is just around the corner. There is not any change expected in shelter arrangements, but because of new flood mapping, some 73,000 households will be reassessed, and a larger number are expected to be in early evacuation zones. People with special needs will also have to be more careful in filling out advance paper work. More information on all that will be included in the annual town newsletter due to be mailed shortly.
All of North Redington Beach is in an early evacuation zone.
One change to be noted now, however. The agency will no longer talk about “voluntary” evacuations. In the future, if a threat exists the phrase they will use is “recommended” evacuation.
Rays Tickets At Town Hall
Tickets are available at Town Hall for the second annual beach communities day with the Rays at Tropicana Field. The event is sponsored by the Rays and Big C, the Barrier Islands Govenrmental Counil.
They Rays will be playing the Arizona Diamondbacks. Games time is 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, June 27.
There will be a special section set aside for beach residents. Tickets will run $35 for what is regularly a $45 seat, and the price includes a 2010 Rays cap. An on-field ceremony will be held prior to the start of the game, and a representative of the Big C will throw out the first pitch.
Check Your Mailbox For The Latest Message From Mayor Bill Queen
|
This website is intended to benefit our citizens by providing timely communications of news and city business; additionally, it is a resource for all visitors. Please contact any North Redington Beach city official or Town Hall should you have any input or suggestions for the site. Bill Queen, Mayor **Florida has a very broad public records laws. Most written communications to or from local officials regarding city business are public records and are available to the public and media upon request. Your e-mail communications may, therefore, be subject to public disclosure. ** Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. Florida Statute 668.606 |
 |