Protecting Clearwater’s image as a world class destination

There was a time when tourists would be “arrested” on U.S. 19 southbound and charged with bypassing Clearwater. Their sentence: a free weekend stay at a beach hotel, free dinners and fishing and sightseeing trips – all of which was heavily publicized in their home towns. A lot has changed since the innocent 1960s. Now we have scam artists, probably offshore, offering non-existent stays at the Sand Pearl and other destinations. Our city, to our embarrassment, made NBC News last week. Unfortunately, the spokesperson for the Sand Pearl came off as uncaring even though they have nothing to do with the scam. Attorney General Pam Bondi promised action on the matter – we need to hold her to it. Another thought – perhaps our city needs an ad hoc task force to again “arrest” innocent people caught up in such scams and at least give them a couple meals and maybe a place to stay until they can rearrange their shattered vacation.

Around Tampa Bay

1. Could it be that Dunedin is on its way to becoming as dysfunctional as Largo was a few years ago (or as Kenneth City is all the time)? In no special order, there’s dumping their city manager; people already sighting in on the Mayor’s chair; and now an investigation of Sunshine Law violations. This from an entity that just awhile back was a model of a well-run city.

2. Two colossal flops on April Fool’s Day – the switch from Verizon to Frontier Communications which left many bay area customers without phone, internet or cable service and the switch to “valet” parking at the Clearwater Marina which the city likes to term a “work in progress” rather than a very poorly executed plan to appease some restaurant owner whose restaurant is yet to open, at the expense of businesses that have been in the marina upwards of 50 years.

3. Before anybody gets too jacked up about a possible Derek Jeter ownership stake in the Rays, know this – the rumors are just as strong in New York about Jeter putting together a syndicate to buy the Yankees. Both have about the same odds as Goldwater in ’64.

4. Gosh, it’s been almost six months since the Church of Scientology has done something stupid enough to warrant local press coverage. That has to be some sort of record for them. Or maybe it’s just our Presidential campaigns filling up news pages with stupidity.

5. You’ve lived in Clearwater a long time if you remember the Tick Tock Lounge, also known as the Clearwater Sun annex.

The diamond, the media and other stuff

6. In this election year, a thought from one of our greatest Presidents: When offered corporate positions at large salaries after leaving the Oval Office, he declined, stating, "You don't want me. You want the office of the President, and that doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale." Harry S. Truman – how we miss you, Harry.

7. Again, a piece of brilliance from the 20-year-old, but always fresh 5:05 Newsletter: “Cuba News: A lot of people are saying President Raul Castro disrespected President Obama by not greeting him at the airport. Seriously? Our countries have been enemies for 60 years. I can’t even get my best friend to pick me up at the airport”.

8. Had a rare chance to view the Today Show recently. Based on what we saw, Dave Garroway must to be spinning in his grave.

9. With basketball season drawing to a close, this USF grad still misses Seth Greenberg patrolling the sidelines for the Bulls. But if we can’t have him as a coach, we are glad he’s where he is – as one of the better basketball commentators on the air.

10. It was gratifying to see the Phillies extend Pete Mackanin’s contract another two years. He is a solid baseball man and, while spring training seldom relates to the regular season, the Phils looked like a winning baseball team this spring.

Closest race in NL this year might be Rookie of the Year

With the MLB season now under way, the National League is loaded with rookie talent for 2016. Dodger shortstop Corey Seager sure looks like the real deal although some folks think his future might be in the outfield or third base, Atlanta left fielder Hector Olivera has a sweet swing reminiscent of Clemente and, lest we forget, lefthander Steven Matz of the Mets is still a rookie despite his impressive end of the season last year. Just three of a very talented rookie crop this year. And in the American League, keep an eye on a couple corner infielders - Twins first baseman Byung-ho Park and Bosox third baseman Travis Shaw.

SNEAK PEEK AT NEXT WEEK – THE MAN WHO SHOULD BE PRESIDENT