October 2018
Hill Ward Henderson has as its cornerstone an obligation and a commitment to our valued clients to provide the highest degree of integrity, professionalism and competence to ensure the timely, efficient delivery of high quality legal services. The dividend to our firm has been the long-term relationships we have developed with our clients and with the Tampa community.
Election Season: Constitutional Amendments, Executive Mayor question
Former Clearwater leaders discuss pros, cons of strong-mayor
September 17, 2018

CLEARWATER – When it comes to the decision voters will soon face regarding the city’s structure of government, residents on Sept. 17 heard from both sides of the strong-mayor issue and even from the middle.
A panel of three former city leaders debated the topic before a crowd of about 80 people in the Arts Auditorium on the Clearwater campus of St. Petersburg College. Former mayor Brian Aungst Sr. (1999-2005) was in favor of the idea of a change from today’s council-town manager system, while former council member John Doran (2005-2012) was against it. Former mayor Frank Hibbard (2005-2012) was neutral on the matter.
“This is one of the most important decisions we’ve faced in decades,” Aungst said in his opening remarks.
On Nov. 6, a special referendum will be on the ballot. A “no” vote means things should stay as is, and a “yes” vote means things should change.

Tampa Bay Times Weighs in on State-wide Candidates and Constitutional Amendment Proposals
October 1, 2018

Not sure what to do with the 7-page ballot on November 6th? Read the recommendations of the Tampa Bay Times here.


Long time South St. Petersburg community activist ‘Momma Tee’ Lassiter dies at 62
September 30, 2018

Longtime St. Petersburg community activist Theresa “Momma Tee” Lassiter died Sunday night, according to Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch.

Welch and his wife, Donna Welch, were planning a celebration of her life and community activism this Friday but canceled the event after her passing.

Lassiter had been suffering from cancer for a while, Welch said, but her health rapidly deteriorated over recent days.

Mark Wilson: Florida is changing, and so are its challenges and opportunities
The Florida Chamber of Commerce kicked off the  2018 Future of Florida Forum  with a presentation from its CEO, Mark Wilson, outlining the current climate of Florida and how it could change over the next decade.

“Florida is changing. Our economics, our demographics and our politics are all changing, and these changes bring both opportunities and challenges,” Wilson said. “… ’Last year, I said ‘If Florida was a stock, I would buy all of it that I could.’ I’m not going to do that this year, I want you to tell me.”

Wilson then covered the  top-level findings  the Florida Chamber’s “Florida 2030” research project, which it bills as a “once-in-a-decade, multimillion-dollar research project.”

Hillsborough transportation referendum gets tourism backing
Visit Tampa Bay joined the list of groups endorsing the All for Transportation campaign raising sales tax one percent to fund transportation and transit improvements, the campaign announced Friday.

The  Visit Tampa Bay  endorsement comes after All for Transportation announced it had also received  backing from the Greater Tampa Chamber  of Commerce. Early on in the process the Tampa Bay Partnership also gave the initiative its nod.

For The Record
Upcoming Public Meetings
Click on links below for meeting agenda and location details.

Economic Development Initiatives of the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce are sponsored by BayCare Health Systems.

Darryl J. Henderson
VP, Public Policy & Business Development

Questions or comments?


The Public Policy & Business Development Committee

Next Meeting:

Tuesday October 16, 2018
7:45 am

Clearwater Main Library,
100 N. Osceola Avenue

Library Administration Conference Room .