Town of North Redington Beach

Filing For Town Election

A reminder. Anyone interested in running for one of two town commission seats up for election on March 11, 2008 must file necessary papers with the Town Clerk between December 7, 2007 and December 21, 2007.

The seats are currently held by Vice Mayor Jerry Knight and Building Commissioner Curtis Blocker.

Forms and detailed instructions are available at Town Hall, 190 -173rd Avenue. Contact Town Clerk Mari Campbell at 391-4848.

Library To Get Help

Supporters of the Gulf Beaches Library in Madeira Beach have established a foundation to serve as a fund raising arm that can support major projects. The foundation’s first big fund raising event will be held on February 16, 2008 at the Redington Shores Beach & Tennis Club. Details are still being worked out, but the event is expected to attract food services from a variety of beach restaurants and offer many entertaining activities. Funds raised will not be used for normal operations, but rather for special projects, including capital improvements. Nor will the Foundation supplant the work of the Friends of the Library. Town commissioners were briefed on the new organization by Mary Bennett, one of the town’s representatives on the library board. Additional information will be provided as the organization continues to grow and develop.

Comprehensive Plan Amendments Approved

State law requires communities to periodically review their comprehensive plans to offer amendments needed to keep the plans up to date. The review is known as the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR). It is conducted in two parts. First are the assessment of the plan in place and an outline of changes that may be needed. This is followed by submission of specific amendments that meet these needs.

Because North Redington Beach officials updated the town’s 1989 Plan just a year and a half ago, the process of meeting EAR requirements was relatively easy. The first step was completed earlier this year. Step two was approved at the commission’s regular meeting on November 8. Action followed a review and approval by the Planning & Zoning Board.

The amended plan retains the vision described in the update, a vision that seeks to retain the town’s small town beach environment, balancing residential, commercial and tourist activities. Copies of the plan are available for public review at Town Hall.

Cable Company Changes Access To Government Channels

North Redington Beach joined other communities in the area that objected to a plan by Bright House Networks to shift the availability of government access channels to their high definition service. In a response to the town’s resolution, a company officer gave assurance that the move will not keep residents who are interested from gaining access to these channels.

The officer said the change was planned as part of a program to expand the overall service offered by the company. He emphasized that the move will not require residents to subscribe to the premium high definition plan. As he put it, all the government access channels will remain part of the company’s basic service. Only “the transmission technology….has changed with the utilization of our digital frequencies.”

So what does a subscriber who doesn’t use the HD service do to continue to get the government access channels? The company says in our town this represents only a small number of their total subscribers. But, for them, the company will make available a digital set-top converter that will cost as little as a dollar a month.

Anyone who falls into this category should contact the cable company for more information on getting the special offer converter.