George N. Cretekos Mayor
David Allbritton Councilmember
Dr. Bob Cundiff Councilmember
Hoyt Hamilton Councilmember
Jay Polglaze Councilmember
William B. Horne, II City Manager
Pam Akin City Attorney
Jill Silverboard Deputy City Manager
Micah Maxwell Assistant City Manager
EDITORIAL STAFF
Executive Editor Joelle Castelli
Editors Jason Beisel
Heather Parsons
Assistant Editors Allie Chandler
Sandy Clayton
Krystie Epperson
Mike Lockwood
José Patiño
Rob Shaw
Graphic Designer Laura Del Valle
CONTRIBUTORS
Library Jennifer Obermaier
Linda Rothstein
Library Managers
Parks & Recreation Shaun Beasley
Rosemary Davis
Kris Koch
Kerry Marsalek
MyClearwater is published three times a year
by the city of Clearwater.
If you would like a free subscription,
call 562-4708.
All phone numbers are area code 727
unless otherwise indicated.
ON THE COVER
I’d like to wish each and every one of you a happy, healthy and
prosperous New Year. I’d like to take a moment to reflect on our successes
as an organization from last year and to look toward the opportunities
that lie ahead in 2019.
The city celebrated many accomplishments in 2018. Clearwater
completed construction of Fire Station No. 50, Morningside Recreation
Center and the East Community Library. Major renovations were made
to the Morningside Pool, Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex, and Jack
Russell Stadium. The Clearwater Beach Transit Center was put into
service, and the city established a quiet zone through downtown’s railroad
line. The Clearwater Public Library System welcomed almost half-amillion
visitors to five locations and borrowed out more than 700,000
items.
Safety remains our top priority, last year and every year. The Clearwater
Police Department expanded the School Resource Officer Unit to satisfy
the demands of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Safety Act.
The agency made more than 900 drug-related arrests and seized more
than 7,500 grams of illegal drugs. For other city accomplishments, visit
myclearwater.com/annualreport.
The city has mapped out its goals and objectives for 2019. In addition
to safety, one of the city’s highest priorities remains the implementation
of the bluff revitalization master plan and the Imagine Clearwater vision
for downtown. City Hall is relocating to the sixth floor of the Bank
of America building in downtown, and the design of the bandshell at
Coachman Park should wrap up soon.
Other priorities for 2019 include implementation of the North Marina
Redevelopment Plan, the new Seminole Boat Ramp construction and
the North Fort Harrison Complete Streets design. The city will focus
on improving downtown parking and joint-use facility determinations,
working to extend the city’s agreement with the Philadelphia Phillies,
and updating the city’s water master plan to guide the future of utility
projects.
In 2019, I encourage you to become a more engaged resident. Visit
our website, myclearwater.com, and consider getting more involved in
your government. You can serve on an advisory board, join the Citizens
Academy, or represent your neighborhood at your homeowner association
meetings. Thank you for being an important part of the Clearwater
community.
Sincerely,
Bill Horne
City Manager
Connect with nature at the improved Moccasin Lake
Nature Park. The nearly $1,000,000 in improvements
are showcased in an interpretive center, educational
toys, a playground, an amphitheater, butterfly garden,
turtle pond, a trail system and birds of prey exhibits.
/annualreport
/myclearwater.com
