LARGO -- Largo's long history of apathy on the part of the citizenry is being combatted by a new organization that is being quarterbacked by a familiar figure in the city.
Ernie Bach, who was a member of the City Commission 15 years ago, and has been a prominent activist in the city, started the Largo Civic Association back in August.
Since then, the birthing process has been difficult as the group struggles to gain life. But Bach is optimistic that the LCA will take root and have a significant voice in policies set by the City Commission.
While political in nature because the group's concentration will be on city policies and the direction the commission takes the city, the LCA in and of itself, Bach says, will not run candidates for office.
"We want to be a strong voice in the community," Bach says.
Bach pointed out that community groups in Largo have not had very much success. "There was a homeowners group that dissolved in the mid-1990s," he said, "and it had only a brief fling."
He has targeted mobile home and condominium associations as a foundation for membership.
The group, at its November meeting had 20 people in attendance, Bach said. A meeting held December 11 had only seven people in attendance, plus the officers.
Bach, along with Doug Grimm, Janice McLeod, Cathy Williamson and Ken McLeod constitute the present leadership of the fledgling group.
The group plans to meet the second Saturday of each month and the usual meeting place is the Largo Library. Because space is not available for the next meeting, January 8, it will be held at the Belleair Mobile Home Park on Clearwater-Largo Road.