Frank Hibbard Mayor
David Allbritton Councilmember
Kathleen Beckman Councilmember
Mark Bunker Councilmember
Hoyt Hamilton Councilmember
Micah Maxwell Interim City Manager
Pam Akin City Attorney
Michael Delk Assistant City Manager
EDITORIAL STAFF
Executive Editor Joelle Castelli
Managing Editor Heather Parsons
Parks Senior Editor Allie Chandler
Assistant Editors Sandy Clayton
Krystie Epperson
Mike Lockwood
Robert Napper
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
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call 562-4708.
All phone numbers are area code 727
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CmyLEARWATER
MyClearwater.com
Fall | Sept. – Dec. 2021
ON THE COVER
As many of you already know, our city and the Clearwater community
has lost an amazing man, our beloved City Manager Bill Horne. He died
Saturday, Aug. 14, of a suspected heart attack.
I want to thank all our residents, staff, and friends for the outpouring
of love and support during this difficult time. My thoughts remain with
Bill’s wife, Loretta, his children, his family and friends, and the entire city
staff, who served at his side.
Mr. Horne was a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel when he began his
career with the city of Clearwater in 1998 as general support services
administrator. The next year, he became assistant city manager. In July
2000, he was named interim city manager and then became city manager
the following year. He then led Clearwater as city manager for more than
two decades.
I had the esteemed pleasure of working with Mr. Horne for many years
under previous and current terms as mayor, and it’s impossible to put into
words exactly what he has meant to this city and his profession. He has
mentored so many people and made them better, myself included. I am
honored to call him my friend.
“What I’m most proud of is I’ve left the city better than I found
it,” said Horne, back in April 2021, when asked about his biggest
accomplishment.
And that, he surely did. The city of Clearwater would not be what it is
today had it not been for the steady hand and unwavering leadership of
Bill Horne throughout the years. Our community was richer for having
him in our lives, and today we are poorer for having lost him. His impact
in Clearwater and beyond will live on tangibly and in our hearts.
While his loss is tragic and unfair, he would have expectations of us that
we continue the work of the people of the city of Clearwater – and that,
we will do to honor his legacy and memory.
As I am sure you do as well, I miss him greatly. There will never be
anyone like him.
Frank Hibbard
City Mayor
See wearable art, front and center in
vacant storefronts on Cleveland Street
downtown, thanks to local artists and the
city's Clearwater Community Redevelopment
Agency. Read more on pages 2 and 3.