Frank Hibbard Mayor
David Allbritton Councilmember
Kathleen Beckman Councilmember
Mark Bunker Councilmember
Hoyt Hamilton Councilmember
Jon Jennings City Manager
David Margolis City Attorney
Michael Delk Assistant City Manager
Micah Maxwell Assistant City Manager
EDITORIAL STAFF
Executive Editor Joelle Castelli
Managing Editor Heather Parsons, APR
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 Alyssa Gaudreault
Kris Koch
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.
CmyLEARWATER
MyClearwater.com
Winter / Spring | Jan. - Apr. 2022
ON THE COVER
Stop by the Main Library to see an exhibit of
world-renowned Florida Artists Hall of Fame
photographer Clyde Butcher, on display
through May 31. See page 2 to read on.
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I am
Jon Jennings – please call me Jon – and I am so excited for the
opportunity to serve as the new city manager.
I started work in November, and it has been a few hectic months as
I become familiar with the city’s staff and services. I have met with
the incredible employees who serve you every day, and I am looking
forward to meeting you, too.
As you get to know me better, you will understand how I believe in
working together. In Portland, Maine, where I previously served as
city manager, I was fortunate for the chance to work with so many
different residents, groups, and community partners. I look forward
to doing the same in Clearwater.
I am here to get things done. I am focusing on getting to know the
community and on building a new City Hall, preferably sooner rather
than later. Staff has identified a proposed location for a new City Hall
at the corner of South Myrtle Avenue and Pierce Street. By creating
a government campus with the Clearwater Police Department
headquarters and the Municipal Services Building nearby, we will be
able to serve you in a more efficient and effective way.
Since my start in the position, we have focused a lot of attention on
our wonderful neighborhoods. City staff has identified more than
200 sidewalk issues. We have implemented a plan to fix all these
issues within the next four to six months. We have a lot more to do
for our neighborhoods, but the work has begun.
I plan to strengthen Clearwater’s sustainability and resiliency efforts,
too. The city’s sustainability team now includes an innovation and
energy officer and a new sustainability specialist, in addition to our
sustainability coordinator position. This group will work together to
implement Greenprint 2.0, the city’s sustainability plan.
Other priorities include Imagine Clearwater, continuing to redevelop
Downtown Clearwater, negotiating with the Phillies, and allocating
the American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Please do not hesitate to be in touch with me directly. I want to
know what you and our residents care about, what concerns you
have, and how the city can be better and stronger. I am here to
listen, learn and achieve great results in our city.
I am happy to call Clearwater my new home, and I look forward to
serving this great community.
Jon Jennings
City Manager
/MyClearwater.com
