Government Digest: Oct. 29 - Nov. 4

Rob Wallace gets party nod in confusing race

By a vote of local GOP officials, Rob Wallace, a former state representative, replaces Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman on the ballot for the state Senate District 12 seat — at least for now.

That action is based on a vote of a six-person committee representing the Hillsborough County and Pasco County Republican parties. The vote came about following a Tallahassee court decision removing Norman from the ballot for failing to adhere to financial disclosure requirements. Norman's wife had accepted a $500,000 investment in an Arkansas home deemed a gift by the court that was not disclosed by Norman in candidate filing forms. But Norman has appealed the ruling, and his defeated primary opponent Rep. Kevin Ambler, R-Tampa, is challenging the party decision to choose Wallace. So any one of three names could end up on the ballot yet.

Voters are to be provided a message with ballots notifying them that a vote for Norman will count for Wallace or whomever the court approves as the Republican nominee. The nominee faces two write-in candidates. Wallace represented parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties as a state representative from 1994-2002. He now owns an environmental engineering firm in Tampa.

Tourist tax incentives, development approved

SARASOTA COUNTY —County commissioners approved an amendment to the county's Tourist Development Tax ordinance Oct. 13 allowing the county to collect the full five cents allowed under state law. Currently, the county collects 4.5 cents on every dollar in tourist development tax. Commissioners also agreed that 75% of the final one-half cent will go to the Aquatic Nature Center where a world class rowing facility is planned.

Commissioners also approved $710,000 in incentives for two businesses. One was $350,000 for Tervis Tumbler, which expects to add 214 jobs over three years.

Tervis will expand its 55,000-square-foot plant in Venice by 35,000 square feet. Commissioners also approved $360,000 for Sarasota Medical Products, a company planning to add 60 jobs in the next five years. The start-up company makes medical devices for the advanced wound care and infection control.

Commissioners recently added $5 million to the county's economic development incentive fund used to retain existing businesses, assist businesses seeking to expand and attract businesses considering relocation to the county.

Commissioners approved the Blackburn Creek development of critical concern and the accompanying rezoning. Located east of Venice, the project involves 784 acres south of Center Road and west of River Road. Developer Pat Neal plans a mixed-use project that includes 1,568 dwelling units and 150,000 square feet of commercial and office uses.

Baseball returns to Al Lang Field

ST. PETERSBURG — St. Petersburg International Baseball, an international baseball program to include a spring, summer and fall leagues in St. Pete's spring training facilities, is set to begin in February. The spring league is the first phase of a three-part program. National teams from the Netherlands and Canada will play against each other and against Major League Baseball spring training squads, including the Tampa Bay Rays.

Games will be played at the downtown St. Petersburg spring training facility, Al Lang Field, and are scheduled to begin Feb. 26, 2011. The 2011 spring schedule is expected to consist of 15 to 20 games. An Australian team is committed for the summer series in 2011.

Flood program extended for a year

WASHINGTON D.C. — Despite an $18 billion deficit, The National Flood Insurance Program Reextension Act of 2010, Senate Bill 3814, was signed into law by President Obama Sept. 30 — hours before the federal flood insurance program was set to expire again. It was the third time this year the program was renewed for a limited time period, but this time the program was extended for a year.

MEETINGS

PEACE RIVER

The Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority board of directors meets at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, at the DeSoto County administration building, 201 E. Oak St. Arcadia. For more information, call Diane Grant or JoAnn Dillon at (941) 743-1300.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

The Murdock Village Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee meets at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, for a special meeting at the SunTrust Bank Building, 18501 Murdock Circle, suite 502, economic development conference room, Port Charlotte. For more information, call Kathy Knee at (941) 627-3023.

COLLIER COUNTY

The Board of County Commissioners and the Tourist Development Council will meet in a joint workshop at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 1, at the commission chambers, third floor, County Government Center, 3299 Tamiami Trail E. For more information, call (239) 252-2384.

PINELLAS COUNTY

The Visit St. Petersburg Clearwater annual marketing meeting will be held from 5:30-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 3, at the Mahaffey Theater, 400 1st St. S., St. Petersburg. For more information, call (727) 464-6633.

FORUMS

The Manatee Tiger Bay Club meets at noon Thursday, Nov. 4, at Mattison's, 1200 1st Ave, Bradenton. State Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, will give his predictions and warnings on the state constitutional amendments, including congressional redistricting. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and registration begins at 11:45 a.m. For more information, call (941) 746-1151 or email [email protected].