Skycrest Neighbors

Time to Get Involved!!!

Jun 06, 2000

Skycrest Neighbors Newsletter May-June 2000
Sharing ideas for a stronger community?…for neighbors, by neighbors
Our next get together is Thursday June 8th at 7:40 PM at the East Library on Drew Street.
Our meetings are casual; all family members are welcome. No experience of any kind is necessary to participate!

CRIME WATCH
As we get to know our neighbors better we develop a stronger crime watch. When we see someone suspicious walking around, someone we do not recognize as a neighbor and acting or looking strange?…. call the Clearwater Police (562-4420). Their job is to investigate any suspicious activity.
>>By being active, waving hello to neighbors, and simply becoming aware of our neighborhood?’s environment?… we create a safer place to live.
>>Most avenues?’ now have a crime watch ?“liaison?”. This person has volunteered to be a direct link to our Crime Watch Police leader- Lisa Hebert. Please ask to know who this is on your street, so that you can be informed of any important news affecting your street.

GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARD
>>This is a ?“certificate of appreciation?” given to neighboring businesses that provide quality services or products to our community, as nominated and voted on by our members. The first establishments voted to receive the award where: 1) The Flower Shop, 2) Skycrest Automotive Service, and 3) Clearwater Bagels. CONGRATUATIONS!!! They will receive their certificates this week.

SKYCREST WEB-SITE TRAINING SESSION
>>All neighbors that have a home computer would like to volunteer to help design and update the Skycrest Web-site can participate.
>>We will try set a date at our next meeting for this, it is easy and anyone with a little time to volunteer can do this.

KEENE ROAD
This road extension is splitting our neighborhood in half!! As we highlighted in our last issue, we have approached the county and the city with issues that have been brought up by many of our neighbors at past meetings.

The issues fell into six categories:

1. Safety- especially the children that will cross this intersection

2. Landscaping- will this be a ?“concrete canyon?” through the heart of this neighborhood?

3. Traffic Calming- more traffic through our neighborhood? And we thought we already had enough?…just wait?…

4. Public Recreation- Venus Park will be 1/3 the size, and Crest Lake Park will now be across 6 lanes of traffic?…Is it possible to have a small ?“tot-lot?” with one or two picnic benches at the new 1/3 size Venus Park (County Staff already mentioned the area was available, but that it was up to the City of Clearwater and Parks and Recreation)

5. Roadway Design- Do we really need dedicated ?“outside?” turning lanes on to Cleveland Street? Is there going to be so much new traffic into our neighborhood to require this?

6. Truck Traffic- this new North-South corridor will be the new preferred route for much heavy commercial truck traffic (providing so many homes for blocks in either direction with dust and dirt). The fact that this existing road is primarily a residential road used primarily by private passenger automobiles, would suggest that truck traffic be maintained to other existing roads?…for example U.S. 19.

Mr. Michael Quillen, City of Clearwater Engineer recently addressed issues number 2 and 3. He stated that a special ?“Traffic?” meeting is now being set up for our neighborhood, as well as a presentation of the proposed ?“landscaping?” for the new road.
When we know the dates, we will call all neighbors that have given their telephone numbers. Anyone that has not been able to attend a meeting, but wishes to be notified?…leave your name and telephone number to be added to the Skycrest Neighbor?’s list @ 442-4264.
None of the other concerns have yet to be addressed or discussed with us.

If you feel any of these other are important let someone know, and ask when and how they will be addressed? Remember, it is our tax dollars that are paying for this road that will forever change our neighborhood. Remember, part of a city leader?’s job is to answer your questions (p.s. you will probably just have to speak to their phone attendant, and leave a specific message- like ?“why haven?’t the issues that our Skycrest Neighbor?’s raised in reference to the Keene Road extension been addressed?”).

Mayor Brian Aungst- 727-562-4050
City Commissioners- 727-562-4042 ask for Bob Clark, J.B. Johnson, Ed Hooper, or Ed Hart. Or better yet leave a message that you would like all of them to get?…
Pinellas County Commissioners- again you can simply leave a message with attendant
Karen Seel- 727-464-3278
Calvin D. Harris- 727-464-3360
Sallie Parks- 727-464-3276
Robert B. Stewart- 727-464-3363
Barbara Sheen Todd- 727-464-3365

A final ?“remember?”- without citizen calls on this issue, government officials will DO NOTHING!!! And it is right that they do that, if they believe that you do not care!!!



This is YOUR neighborhood. Whether you own a home here, or rent one. Be involved; be proud of the area that we all presently call our home.