No. 2345 January 16 - January 22, 2014

By Cathy Salustri

St. Petersburg police recovered the Mazda 6 involved in the stolen car/officer-involved shooting at the Quick Stop at 1440 49th Street last Wednesday night. Police believe that the driver of the Mazda, stolen from Palm Harbor on January 2, backed the car onto the hood of any undercover police car. The suspect, police wrote in a release, then pulled forward driving towards Officer Michael DeMark, who was on foot. The driver struck Officer DeMark’s leg; a nearby officer, Officer Rambaran, shot at the driver. Police say the suspect then steered the car towards the parking lot exit and hit two other undercover police vehicles, one of which was occupied. The driver then turned onto 15th

Avenue South and headed east. Police found the stolen car, sans license plate, when a resident noticed it near 8414 5th Street North and called the police the next morning. The tag on the car Wednesday night belonged to a blue Chrysler, whose driver reported it stolen on January 3. In the car, St. Petersburg detectives found no evidence – including blood – to suggest the gunfire injured the occupant. The police have yet to identify a suspect. A local hospital treated and released Officer Michael DeMark for his injury; he has returned to full duty. Police have placed the officer who fired his weapon, Officer Neil Rambaran, on administrative leave pending further Internal Affairs review.

Driver Uses Stolen Car to AssaultSt. Petersburg Officer on 49th Street

Rainy Day Shopping

Undeterred by a drizzly morning, both Victoria Mares, St. Petersburg, and John Mathis, New York City, sample different Oviedo-made dips at the Tuesday Market. Gary Haynes, owner of Simply Savory Dips, has maintained a booth at the Gulfport market since August. He says he and his wife work eight markets a week. The rain slowed people down this Tuesday, but he remained optimistic, citing past weeks. “We’re hoping it gets better,” he said of the day, adding that the rain had slowed people down and the lower attendance wasn’t typical of Gulfport. “I have a couple slower markets, I have a couple busier markets... you’re in the middle.”

Clam Bayou Update At long last, Gulfport city council plans to take action on Clam Bayou. After years of waiting on the local district of the state water management agency, Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD, or Swiftmud) to complete its work redesigning water flow in the bayou, the Gulfport city council agreed at last week’s workshop to hire an outside firm to research the history and science of Clam Bayou as well as any engineering work performed in the past. Clam Bayou belongs to several different entities: the state, St. Petersburg, Gulfport all share ownership of 127 acres. In addition, property owners on the bayou have riparian rights over some of the water. While recent state efforts redirected the stormwater flow into the bayou, through the tidal estuary, and out to Boca Ciega Bay, some have expressed concerns that the work did not go far enough to stop source-point pollution and further degradation of the bayou (Editor’s note: Gabber reporter Cathy Salustri has expressed such concerns in her column). The first phase of the work, information

See Clam Bayou, page 3

2 Gabber January 16 - January 22, 2014

It’s Time to Get Your Junk in the Trunk! Gulfport Neighbors is looking forward to another successful Junk in the Trunk or on a Truck (JITT) event on Saturday, January 18th, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th Street S., when the City of Gulfport will offer another opportunity for free bulk drop off for its residents. Gulfport residents may bring furniture, appliances, tires, and other bulk items for free disposal, but firearms, drugs, liquor, plants, paints, chemicals, or batteries

cannot be accepted. Residents may trash, swap, or give away their unwanted items. One of the highlights of the JITT event is the area set aside for folks to freely take any salvageable items that they can use to reinvent, recycle, or reuse. The community is also invited to have a cup of coffee with Community Resource Officer Zack Mills (Java with Zack), register their bikes, and enjoy music and other fun provided by the city during this event. A special time has been set aside from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to meet the

candidates running for city council: Paul Ray and Yolanda Roman. Gulfport Neighbors brought out many residents to participate in its first junk drop this past October and anticipates an even bigger sweep of bulk trash out of yards, alleys, and garages, all beautifully orchestrated with the support of its tireless volunteer help, expert city employee assistance, and welcoming police community outreach program.

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Hog Heaven Barbecue Dinner Come by for your dinner Saturday evening and enjoy the Gulfport friendliness, or grab a take-out on your way home. John Verville, the “Ribdog” and Master Kansas City Barbecue Society competitor and judge, is back at First United Methodist Church in Gulfport on Saturday, January 18th, cooking his championship pork. In addition to generous portions of competition quality hickory-smoked pulled pork, dinners will include baked beans, cole slaw, bread and dessert. All this is available for $9 per person; hot dog dinners for children under 12 are also available for $3. Dinners will be served from 5-7 p.m. Take-outs are available. Everyone is welcome. Right now fewer than 100 tickets are available. You may purchase your tickets at the Church office located at 2728 53rd Street S. in Gulfport. Call 727-321-3620 or 727-488-9031 for more information and reservations.

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Gabber January 16 - January 22, 2014 3

Clam Bayou, from front pagegathering, will including document which portions of Clam Bayou the city has the legal right to oversee. It will also include historic, scientific, and engineering research for the area. City staff suggested the council make any bayou-related decisions based on “actual independent scientific, engineering and study data in lieu of anecdotal references or opinions.” Lame duck Councilwoman Jennifer Salmon requested that the firm the city hire not have a relationship with any Florida agencies. In the next two or three weeks the city will publish a request for qualifications, according to City Manager Jim O’Reilly. If the work will cost less than $20,000, council will not vote on the contract. Want to see the agenda packet council used to help guide their meeting (complete with Councilwomen Christine Brown and Jennifer Salmon’s comments circulated to all councilmembers)? Read this story online at TheGabber.com.

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Check out this Scavenger Hunt Have fun, meet new people and support a great city and city organization and win some prizes. Everyone is welcome. A scavenger hunt that takes place in the Downtown Gulfport Waterfront District. Cost is $15 per person to join. The winning team will receive gifts from local businesses. Proceeds go to the Gulfport Historical Society. Meeting in front of the Gulfport Casino where you split into teams and then find clues that are hidden all over the Downtown Gulfport Waterfront District from 54th St. to 56th St. and 26th Ave. S. to Shore Blvd. S. The last clue will tell you

where you will all meet back up. No cars or bikes. Walking only...or running. Cash or Credit (Visa, M/C, AmX, or Discover) is accepted. Or use ATM at the Casino. Or Prepay through PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=EKWEBGDDGFEQE. Brought to by I Love Downtown Gulfport. Any questions, call Jason at 727-346-8263.

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Seniors’ Chat Room Join others as they experience table topics with the Gulfport Senior Center’s Chat Room every Friday at 2 p.m. The Center is located at 5501 27 Avenue S. in Gulfport.

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4 Gabber January 16 - January 22, 2014

Meet the Candidates Gulfport residents are invited to “Meet the Candidates” during the Gulfport Neighbors “Junk in the Trunk” event this Saturday at the 49th Street Neighborhood Center. Ward 3 candidates Paul Ray and Yolanda Roman will be available between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The city wide election for Ward 3 will be held on March 11th.

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The City of Gulfport Celebrates Arbor Day They invite everyone to attend Arbor Day to show their commitment to environmental stewardship on Friday, January 17th at 10 a.m., at the Michael J. Yakes Recreation Complex, 5730 Shore Boulevard S., behind the Recreation Center. The Gulfport Recreation Division have included the children from the School Year Child Care Program to read excerpts, the Gulfport Teen Council will provide refreshments and a new tree will be planted behind the Rec. center. Free Pecan

and Myrtle Leaf Holly seedlings will be available to the guests who attend. Join the City of Gulfport as they celebrate the life of trees and their importance to the environment. For more information, please call 893-1118. All are welcome.

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Update on Gulfport Community Garden Join Placemaker and Permaculturist Barbara Matthews on Saturday, January 18th at 1 p.m. as she leads a group discussion on the potentials of the Gulfport Community Garden. The meeting will be held at 2321 49th Street S., Suite D. in Gulfport (at the Longhouse Yoga Studio). Barbara has a vision for the space that includes more than just growing food. She believes it also has the potential for growing kinship, culture, and self-sufficiency. All ages are encouraged to attend, and an interest in gardening is not necessary. More than anything, this is a meeting about strengthening community.

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6 Gabber January 16 - January 22, 2014

Reserve your Yard Sale Space Spaces for the January 25th Community Yard Sale are on sale now. The City of St. Pete Beach is hosting a Community Yard Sale at 7701 Boca Ciega Dr from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Community Center does all the advertising for the event. The cost for the 10’ x 10’ space is $15 for St. Pete Beach residents and $17.50 for non-residents. For more information or to reserve your space, contact the Community Center at 727- 363-9245. Spaces will sell out fast, so call today!

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43rd Street Senior’s Club to Meet The 43rd Street Senior Citizen’s Club meets the third Friday of each month at 12 noon at Christ Lutheran Church, 3451 30th Avenue N. in St. Petersburg, September through May. Bring a covered dish and $1 donation. Public is welcome for fun and games. Call Mary Ann at 727-595-8648 or Beverly at 727-328-1266.

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8 Gabber January 16 - January 22, 2014

Catch a Jazz Concert On January 16th, the Suncoast Bobby Tess and the Dixie Chaps will play from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Banquet Masters, 8100 Park Boulevard in Pinellas Park. Admission is $10. Call 727- 522-6877. On Sunday, January 19th, they will hold their Annual Membership Meeting at Banquet Masters, 8100 Park Boulevard in Pinellas Park. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Dick Maley’s Musical Misfits will play from 1-4 p.m. Admission is $10/$15. Call 727-596-7142.

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Effective and InexpensiveEvery Thursday Since 1968 1419 49th Street S.

727-321-6965Advertising@theGabber.comDisplay Advertising from $17.20 per column inch.

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10 Gabber January 16 - January 22, 2014