We are a weekly compilation of local and national notes along with a smattering of sports, history and the oft-borrowed piece of wisdom from the 5:05 Newsletter – all from a politically incorrect slant.

First thing on our mind:

(From the nearly world famous Alan Glassman sign on Court Street) “An estate plan is the last thing you’ll ever need.”

Leading off: Clearwater’s election

You’re aware there is a Clearwater city council election in August, right? If you’re not, don’t feel like the only person in the city. August 18 is a ridiculous time for a municipal election. Statewide primaries yes, but city elections, not so much. But it saves a few bucks and that seems to be the rationale. The city of Clearwater will elect two council members out of a field of five. If campaign treasuries are the deciding factor, Bianca Latvala, wife of a county commissioner, and Sam Wilson, a protégé of a U.S. Rep., will win. If community involvement takes precedence, Jared Leone and Kevin Laughlin will prevail. And if Scientology foes turn out in big numbers, former council member Mark Bunker will win the three-way race with Laughlin and Wilson.

Tampa Bay, politics and notes:

Addendum to our lead article: for the first time ever, city council candidates in Clearwater must post a majority to win which could lead to a runoff in November.

Andrew Gillum, the man The Tampa Bay Times assured us was the best man to govern Florida eight years ago, arrested again for drug possession.

A lot of Republicans who blush at having Anna Paulina Luna as our district’s representative in Congress should thank their lucky stars their candidate was not Maine’s Graham Platner.

As our lawmakers wring their hands over Social Security’s future; should they consider bumping up the $184,500 ceiling for contributions?

Yet another prisoner dies in the Pinellas County jail. This is happening way too often and those responsible are not being called into question.

With the Sahara dust and other factors, hurricane forecasters keep downgrading our chances of hurricane development. But it only takes one.

Dunedin’s Winn-Dixie is closed as part of the very confusing merger with Aldi, leaving upper Pinellas shoppers with choices of (A) Publix (B) Target (C) Aldi or if you haven’t eaten in four days and it’s the only thing open, Wal-Mart.

Idle observation: Are parking paces getting smaller? No, according to Cox Automotive, vehicles, especially trucks and SUVs are getting larger. Companies who specialize in paving and restriping are urging repaving clients to slightly enlarge spaces, but that creates pushback due to the lessening of total spaces.

The 5:05 Newsletter on the art of friendly discussion: Following an argument yesterday, my life-long record of using the phrase “don’t take this the wrong way” still has a 0% success rate.

Born this week in 1921 (July 18) was the first astronaut to orbit the earth – John Glenn.

Sports and random notes:

Ad blast from the past: Ford’s 2002 commercial re-introducing the two- seat Ford Thunderbird. Not a word was spoken – only the beautiful Nat Cole classic Unforgettable.

Here’s a new word for your vocab – masstige or prestige for the masses. An example is Delta’s new Basic First Class which gives you most of the perks in the air, but not the ground perks like the Sky Club and such.

U.S. soccer had a good run – exceeding most observers’ expectations.

Could this be only the second time (2020) that both Florida teams reach the playoffs? The Rays lead the AL East and the Marlins are one of the hottest teams in baseball in June and July.

The All-Star Game is this week in Philly and the Phils are hoping to break a three-year jinx. The last three hosts, all pre-season picks to make the playoffs, Mariners (’23), Rangers (’24) and the Braves (’25) all missed playing October baseball.

A total of two regulars in the American League are hitting over .300 – one of them the Rays’ Yandy Diaz at a league leading .321. The National League isn’t a lot better with just nine players over .300.

They are getting closer –California-based and cult favorite In and Out Burger announced some new locations, one as far east as Tennessee, but company officials say Florida and other east coast locations shouldn’t get their hopes up.

One last thing: Jack Latvala

Jack Latvala, who may have done more for Pinellas County than any other during his legislative career, died last week at age 74. The Latvala name is all over Pinellas politics. His former wife, Susan, served on the Pinellas county commission and school board. His son, Chris, is a former state legislator who now serves on the county commission and his daughter-in-law Bianca is currently vying for a seat on the Clearwater city council (see above). But what set Jack Latvala apart was his ability to “bring home the bacon” to his county. We remember Jack addressing Clearwater’s city commission and noting that all five commissioners had donated to his campaign fund. That’s because the commissioners (as they were then known) knew where their bread was buttered –the man delivered for Pinellas County throughout his legislative career.

NEXT WEEK: Blight tax; Charlie Sheen; Splash

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