Largo Commission Hears Requests for Even More Spending From City Staffby Leo CoughlinLARGO – Those who keep close tabs on the working staff of the Largo city administration see one thing very clearly – that staff is dedicated to spending money, no matter where it comes from, and is totally oblivious, apparently, to the current economic times. Only the voices of Mayor Pat Gerard and Commissioner Mary Black were raised in protest Tuesday night at the City Commission’s work session over the untimely spending of money. Gerard pointed out the dire economic times, how people are losing jobs, have lost or are threatened with losing homes. She emphatically said it was not a good time for the city to be spending money on some of the things proposed. Black joined Gerard in this sentiment, an unlikely pairing of the two who are usually on the opposite sides of issues. “Hey, right is right,” one observer said. The economic situation, ignored by Largo staff spenders, is one of a great money crunch, falling tax revenues (from all sources), an inevitable tax increase for Largo residents, and a priority list of public safety that demands city attention but is ignored. At Tuesday night’s City Commission work session on tap was spending for landscape designs for East Bay Drive, Missouri Avenue and Seminole Boulevard. The money for this nice, but certainly not needed stuff in the view of many observers, comes from a state grant. Grants are always regarded as “free money,” overlooking, of course, that all money in government comes from taxing people one way or another. But the icing on the cake Tuesday night was the persistence to proceed with the (hold your breath) “Design/Build Services for the Largo Central Park Clock Tower Water Fountain Project.” Yes, that old chestnut is still around now clothed in slightly different raiment, but with the still bottom line of an expenditure of $235,000 after some extensive modifications. Originally, almost $300,000 was proposed as the expenditure. In short, what it is, is a clean up of the southeast corner of Bay Drive and where Missouri Avenue becomes Seminole Boulevard. There is now a clock tower there. This is supposed to be the iconic logo of the City of Largo. But you could be confused. There is another logo as well which one can find on some city letterhead and in the chamber where the commission meets. Two of them. A citizen, Curtis Holmes, during public comments last week, pointed this fact out to the commission. Later, commission members said they never noticed that, further cementing in the minds of some that most of those who sit on the commission are there for the paycheck and nothing else. The latest iteration of the water-fountain-clock-tower-project, which has been around since last summer, asks permission of the commission to bargain with Tampa Contracting Services to change an existing contract and switching the source of money to pay for the project from the general fund to the Penny for Pinellas fund. In short, what is now there on the corner would be torn down, ripped up and re-landscaped to the tune of at least $235,000. The plan also includes the idea of re-locating the clock to the west in the triangular piece of ground that lies there. But that is for later and, ineluctably, will involve more money, at least $100,000 it is said. That brings the whole project to about a half million dollars, probably more when all is said and done. “For what?” one frustrated citizen and formerly in government asked. “We have safety issues in this city regarding sidewalks and they are virtually ignored. At best, the sidwalk issue has been sidetracked into some kind of study area. “All the beautification stuff can be done later, when the economy is better and we have the money,” this exasperated person said. Given the severe money situation, there are rumblings now over the cost of paying a part-time city attorney. Actually, the city has two lawyers on the payroll – Alan Zimmet, the part timer, and Mary Hale, who is in City Hall. Most cities Largo’s size has only one lawyer on the payroll. Zimmet, who has a special contract, is now paid $117,832 for part time work. Discussion of his situation will occur at the May 19 meeting and already there is some grumbling with some on the commission to the effect that there should be no raise, tough times, current astronomical pay, etc.
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