Neighborhood News Bureau

Category: MIDTOWN NEWS

Parent category for all other news categories.

  • Video: Sparse voter turnout in St. Pete

    BY DANIELLE VON DREELE
    NNB Reporter

    Voter turnout was low for the St. Petersburg city election Tuesday.

    Residents got the chance to vote for three city council seats and four referendums.

     

  • Newton doesn’t lose hope

    BY BRIGITTE TOULON
    NNB Reporter

    ST. PETERSBURG – Although Will Newton did not win the position for District 7, he won’t let the loss bring him down. He remains hopeful for the future of the District.

    “I want to thank my team and all the people who supported me,” said Newton.

    As for the race and it’s outcome, Newton said, “We ran an incredible race, and did an incredible amount of things in five months.”

    When asked if he would do anything different, he responded, “I wouldn’t, I think the difference is time.” Newton did not start his campaigning until July, whereas his opponent, Lisa Wheeler-Brown, started in January.

    Newton will continue to, “work on behalf of the men and women who put on uniforms and protect us.”

  • Did you actually vote today?

    Did you actually vote today?

    BY RIM SHUMAN
    NNB Reporter

    ST. PETERSBURG – Residents, few and far between, made their way to the polls to cast their vote for three city council seats and four referendum questions Tuesday.

    Unity of St. Petersburg (Precint #213/#217)
    Unity of St. Petersburg (Precint #213/#217)

    Unity: A Spiritual Community, 6168 1st Ave. N., Precinct #213 and #217 had low voter turnout. A polling officer claimed that there were only about two voters an hour. The parking lot was seemingly empty. Where were the voters of St. Petersburg today?

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    Unity Center of St. Petersburg (Precinct no. 213 and 217)

    Jeannine Colbert, of St. Petersburg, cast her vote at the Unity Center today.

    “This probably isn’t the greatest place for a good turnout – hardly anyone comes by here. I think people need to get out and vote as you see no one is showing up here, people need to get out and vote,” said Colbert, who was one of the few voters at the Unity center.

    “(Referendum Question no. 1) is the most important question. I feel very strongly about this because I am very environmental. It is important because it involves decisions about our wetlands,” said Colbert.

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    Fifth Avenue Church of Christ (Precinct no. 227)

    “I supported [Will] Newton. I know him because he supports our local firefighters and I really like him. My husband is a firefighter. It’s a matter of sticking together in the community. I vote every election, people still complain – if you don’t vote, you can’t complain,” Colbert said.

    Fifth Avenue Church of Christ, located at 4200 5th Avenue S., St. Petersburg, Precint no. 227 welcomed voters of St. Petersburg to their Church. With seemingly more voters walking in and out of the voting center, the Church had a reported 10 to 20 percent turnout their, compared to the reported zero to 10 percent for Precinct no. 217 at the Unity Center.

    Frank Prevost, cast his vote at the Fifth Avenue Church of Christ. He said the issue about council member district lines is important and requires voters’ attention and understanding.

    “Referendum no. 2 about the district lines was very important. I hope (the city) will do a little better then what it is doing for us now,” said Prevost

    His support for council came down to a personal choice.

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    “I supported Phillip Garrett for District 5 and Will Newton for District 7. I know Phil personally, that is how I got the information I needed,” said Prevost. “My wife and his wife attend Church together. His three kids are like my kids.”

    Prevost said that he votes every election and hopes that there would be more residents of the area coming to vote recognizing the small turnout.

    “More people should participate in any election there is. Without a voice you do not have a voice. It is our right. You have to vote,” said Prevost.

    The election had a voter turnout of 17.33 percent of active registered voters. Which means of the 174,729 registered voters in St. Petersburg, only 30,286 went out to the polls.

     

  • Midtown voter turn out may not be as bleak as it seems

    Midtown voter turn out may not be as bleak as it seems

    BY ERIC VAUGHAN
    NNB Reporter

    A busy road in Midtown. Workers head home and drive right by the 113 Precinct  located inside the Christ Gospel Church.

    Poll workers say even though voter turnout is apparently low, it beats last year when a record low of only 26 voters showed throughout the entire day.

    At around 5:30 p.m., the precinct had just about double their numbers with about 50 or so registered voters casting their votes.

    Workers stated since the option to mail in ballots has arrived, it is no telling from year-to-year how many voters they might get.

    Midtown resident Christian Haas came out to support Lisa Wheeler-Brown and  Steve Kornell.

    “Wheeler-Brown is all about bridging the gap between police and the rest of the city… Having someone who understands the struggle of the lower class in our city is a great asset to add to the conversation at city hall,” Haas said. “Kornell is a good guy, and will continue to do great things for this city,” he added.

  • Kids cause disturbance on Election Day

    Election Day at Polling Location for Precinct 225

    BY CARLY ROMANO
    NNB Reporter

    ST. PETERSBURG—During midday, the polling location for voting precinct 225 was having problems with kids throwing rocks and pine bark not only at cars in the parking lot, but also at a poll-worker and his motor bike.

    This caused a disturbance, which lead to the volunteer poll workers to go outside and ward off the kids who were dropped off at a nearby school bus stop.

    Those working were discussing whether to move their cars in fear the kids would not leave.

    After being yelled at several times, the kids began to move away from the property.

    The polling location for precinct 225 is held at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and is in close range of a school zone.

    In the midst of problems with school kids, no voters were present.

    According to Jason Latimer, spokesman for the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections, only 32 people have voted for precinct 225 as of 4:19 p.m.

    Poll workers muttered that this was extremely low traffic compared to past elections.

    Regina Johnson, resident of District 5, cast a ballot on all referendum questions as well as a candidates for District 5 and 7.

    “I always vote,” she said with pride after voting.

    Election information is posted outside of all polling locations. Voters should come prepared, as poll workers are not allowed to advise or educate about the election.

    “We are able to provide press releases, voting registration deadlines and any election information,” Latimer said.

    For further information regarding elections, voters can visit www.votepinellas.com.

  • Low flow of voters for St. Pete city election

    Low flow of voters for St. Pete city election

    BY INDHIRA SUERO
    NNB Reporter

    An empty street and a few signs indicated where to vote for the candidates running for St. Petersburg City Council District 7.

    However — around noon — only two voters appeared to exercise their right to vote at New Hope Baptist Church.

    The District 7 race has community activist Lisa Wheeler-Brown squared off against Winthrop “Will” Newton.

    Residents also got the chance to vote on four city referendum questions which dealt with protections to sea grass beds, district boundaries, residency restrictions for elected officials and electronic counting of council member votes.

    Resident Phillips Ulises came out to support Newton. Ulises said he was not aware of the referendum questions.

    According to poll workers,  participation has been low with just “a few voters” appearing at the precinct.

    Estimated voter turnout averaged about 1.8 percent by 2 p.m., according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections.

     

  • Election 2015: Amid low-turnout, one voter participates in Childs Park

    Election 2015: Amid low-turnout, one voter participates in Childs Park

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    BY LORIEN MATTIACCI
    NNB Reporter

    Lolita Dash-Pitts, the only voter at the Childs Park Recreation and Fitness Center at noon Tuesday, came out to support candidate Will Newton of District 7.

    Residents got the chance to vote on City Council members and four city referendum questions. The referendums dealt with protections to sea grass beds, district boundaries, residency restrictions for elected officials and how to tally council member votes.

    Estimated voter turnout averaged about 1.8 percent by 2 p.m., according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections.

    Dash-Pitts did not know much about the referendums, but she felt that the ballot language explained them well.

    “I was glad they clarified the referendums without my having to do the research,” said Pitts.

    Of the referendums up for vote, Dash-Pitts felt most strongly about the electronic voting. She believes that this move to technology will reduce the likelihood of human error.

    “I think that electronic voting is a more up-to-date approach than having a clerk register the votes,” said Dash-Pitts.

    Dash-Pitts, 52, is a regular voter for more than 30 years. She is cognizant of the sacrifices made to create and maintain a democratic society, and feels it’s important that anyone who can vote, does.

    “I call all my friends from the precinct and tell them to come and vote,” said Dash-Pitts. “Our forefathers had to struggle to give us the privilege to vote, and we should not waste that privilege.”

     

  • Election 2015: St. Pete voters at the polls and on social media

    Voter turnout was low but some St. Petersburg residents who showed at the polls also shared their thoughts on Election Day through social media.

     

  • Kornell, Wheeler-Brown win St. Pete election

    Residents backed incumbent Steve Kornell (District 5) for a final term and opted for political newcomer Lisa Wheeler-Brown (District 7) in St. Petersburg’s city election Tuesday. Charles Gerdes was the other winner (District 1).

    Voters also approved all four referendum questions.

    The referendums dealt with protections to sea grass beds, district boundaries, residency restrictions for elected officials and how to tally council member votes.

  • Q&A: Steve Kornell

    Each city council candidate was asked the same questions by NNB reporters. Here are their unedited responses.

    1. Why are you running for City Council?

    “To continue the work that I have started and that community has worked on with me for the last six years. Lots of things to continue and move forward. I haven’t even stopped. I’ve been doing things the whole time I’ve been up for re-election working on issues and pushing things forward. Things like the Skyway Marina District, purchasing environmental land like we did with Boyd Hill – expanding Boyd Hill, making sure that we fixed the sewer issues that we’ve had for a long time that have now really come to light and making sure that gets moving. So, I’m going. It’s not like what I will do after the election. It’s what I’ve been doing and continuing moving forward with that.”

    1. What is your plan for Midtown?

    “Well, I think there is a broader area. Like for example, Jabil Circuit moving into South St. Petersburg is good. That is very good. There is a lot of potential there. If we can get corporate headquarters into South St. Petersburg that will bring jobs. That’s a real game changer for South St. Petersburg, and Jabil Circuit coming in on 34the Street South is fantastic for example. So, I think that’s important. I think the Midtown campus of St. Pete College is important. I think public transportation that serves the community is important.”

    1. What do you feel are issues impacting Midtown?

    “Well, I think we need to make sure the city does things that are fair. You know, I think jobs. I think jobs are the most important thing. I think housing is important. I think jobs and housing are two of the most important things and giving people those opportunities that are important for everybody to have.”