Visions of the Year DtoE PCAoRmTeM E2N0T H1E5A D
David Jolly
U.S. Congressman (FL-13)
I see 2015 being a year where destinations like
Clearwater Beach, downtown St. Petersburg, John’s
Pass, Pass-a-Grille and our local spring training facilities
continue to capture imaginations and visitation days
from people across the country. As such, I anticipate
additional community discussion of thoughtful
transportation and infrastructure improvements,
continued expansion of the arts in the Bay area, and
continued protection of our natural resources and the
quality of life they provide.
I also predict in 2015 a Blue Jays stadium deal will
be reached, keeping spring training in Dunedin. Plus,
I predict the Rowdies will win a championship; and
another Hollywood producer will discover what we
already know about the beauty of the area and film
another movie in Pinellas County.
Paul Wilborn
Executive Director
The Palladium at St. Petersburg College
I’m very optimistic looking ahead at 2015. This will be the year
when we see local governments and economic development
organizations stepping up to support one of the biggest economic
engines in Pinellas – our incredible arts community.
A brief history lesson – during the recession support for arts
organizations and artists at the state and local level virtually
disappeared. Pinellas County shuttered what had been one of the
state’s best arts councils. Millions of dollars in support vanished.
In 2014, the Pinellas arts community came together to seek a
restoration of arts funding from local governments and the Tourist
Development Council. We organized under the banner of Pin Arts
(thanks to Zev Buffman for the name!) and began to talk with our
elected and appointed officials.
We’ve seen new initiatives and new dollars coming from the
City of St. Petersburg and discussions on the county level as well.
My prediction – the arts will be a funding priority in 2015!
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 45