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Web Changes

As items of note occur, usually daily, we will post under this page dated, tagged and linked to the full article.

Press Releases

These are the press releases we've issued over the last year. You may want to search for topics by keyword.

Beyrouti meets many and shares his visions for Pinellas County at the Top of the World Republican Club meeting March 16, 2004.

To facilitate the many actions on the club's meeting agenda, meeting length approached three hours. But as President Erwin Beck (L) noted, content drives the clock not superfluous activity. After the invocation, The Pledge of Allegiance and God Bless America, President Beck immediately proceeded to the Officer elections, inaugurations and certification. Re elections of officers included President Erwin Beck, Vice President Bill Sharpsteen (also VP of Gold Coast Greyhounds organized to find homes for Greyhounds when their running days are over) and Treasurer Geraldine Beck. Wonder who finds homes for politicians when their running days are over? The secretary seat remains open for anyone brave enough to follow the previous minutes protocol of  acting Secretary Erwin Beck. A tough act to follow.

Guest Speaker, Commissioner Bill Johnson of Clearwater wore three hats during the meeting.  Banner holder, guest speaker and officiator for  the inauguration and certification of new club officers. In his speaker role he discussed the myriad of issues facing Clearwater. Upon his recent unopposed re election to his post, he came with a renewed focus on three goals. Public Safety which includes removal of criminal elements, Downtown Positive Improvement and Intergovernmental Cooperation.

Knowing Mayor Beyrouti was in attendance and sits as Chairman of the Mayors group and many more, he invited the kind Mayor to mention a few words about Intergovernmental Cooperation.  Who better to ask?  Beyrouti noted the task is Herculean to say the least. But getting everyone on the same page is Beyrouti's forte.

President Beck invited candidates for office to discuss platforms and goals.

Cynthia Newton with ten years as a Public Defender and many successfully jury trials will seek a position on the Circuit Court 22 Bench.

Candidate for Pinellas County Commissioner District 1, JJ Beyrouti, was invited back to the podium to discuss what he brings, what he has done and what he will do for Pinellas County as a commissioner. Besides his three term election as Mayor of Redington Shores, besides his participation in every group from Mayor's Councils. League of Cities and County Improvement  Projects everywhere, he has created several successful companies that collectively generated county revenue and enhancements.  For his thoughts on cooperation and county betterment, just look to his stated mission and dedication (R). "We must speak in one voice which does makes a difference, we must stand united, we must view county expenditures as a business person would, so we must look for a return on taxpayers investment"  Good summary and good thinking Mr. Mayor.

Mayor of Redington Shores attends the Largo Club Meeting

JJ Beyrouti attended the monthly meeting of the Republican Club of Largo on the evening of March 15 at the East Bay Country Club. Several affable, engaging and helpful club members were present at the door to greet and meet all arriving participants.

Beyrouti joined the club, paid appropriate fees and joined the membership already in lively discussions.

Barbara Peckham, club president welcomed new members, members, candidates and guests in attendance.

New Members (Lower Left to Right)  Commissioner Marshall Reynolds, Trish Reynolds, (Upper Left to Right)  Mayor Beyrouti and Commissioner Jody Armstrong. Seated lower right is Candidate for Judgeship, Cynthia Newton.

Commissioner Reynolds (Right Photo L) and Mayor Beyrouti  make time to greets old friends, make many new acquaintances and pay tribute to a Lady who has spent years serving Pinellas County..

Candidate for Supervisor of Elections, Deborah Clark (R) meets and greets friends, supporters and members while Candidate for County Commissioner, Mayor Beyrouti acquires inside information on the tons of banana  bread sent to our troops by the "Banana Bread Man" Al Davis, accompanied by his lovely wife.

  Many club members renewed old friendships while some just relaxingly smiled.

Candidates for Sheriff of Pinellas County Jim Coats and Tim Glassburner presented platforms and fielded questions from the floor. Major point articulated by both is the current overcrowding condition at the County jail. Apparently recidivism is a continual problem for parolees. A response to Mayor Beyrouti's question " how if elected Sheriff would you provide the services the county requires yet still contain costs". Response in summary touched on improving inmate skills through education, outsourcing selected functions and obtaining assistance from other law enforcement agencies.

But clearly the issue runs deeper than cosmetic patches and touches on any society's fundamental fabric. Both candidates shared background and experience that has prepared them for this very important county post.

Mayor Beyrouti witnesses inaugurations of three town Commissioners

Three Redington Shores Commissioners were inaugurated  on March 10, 2004. Jody Armstrong, Redington Shores, won 63 percent of the vote on March 9, 2004

At the regular scheduled Town Hall meeting, March 10, 2004 Jody Armstrong (third from left) was sworn in  along with (left and second from left) Vice Mayor/Commissioner, Launa Lishamer and Commissioner Holmes both who ran unopposed.

Attorney Denhardt performs the swearing in process while Mayor JJ Beyrouti far right witnesses the event. Immediately after being sworn all took their seats on the Town of Redington Shores' Board of Commissioners and went right to work. See below. Commissioner  Marshall Reynolds (second from right below) already occupied a seat on the board.

Mayor Beyrouti (L) presides over the meeting's agenda and effectively proceeds through a long list of issues. On his right is Attorney Denhardt

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JJ Beyrouti honored guest of Art & Caryl Broderick at Scully's Dockside on February 25 was attended by friends and supporters in his bid for Pinellas County Commissioner. An appropriate nautical setting for a  three term elected Mayor of Redington Shores, a Captain, and a Seafarer for many years.

Proprietors Art and Caryl, are no strangers to community evolvement or commitment and recently open the Leatherbacks, a steak house with a portion of its proceeds dedicated to the preservation of the Leatherback turtles.

JJ Beyrouti is flanked by good friends and supporters (L to R)Art and Caryl Broderick, Proprietors, and Jodi and Grady Pridgen, Real Estate Developers. Good people to have around Mr. Mayor.

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Mayor of Redington Shores and candidate for Pinellas Commissioner District 1...

...presents at the monthly meeting of the Republican Club of Seminole, a detailed background and list of accomplishments that document  an abundance of leadership qualities that more than qualify him for the post of Commissioner. Previous achievements on behalf of the county, included a host of county, state and national needs met or exceeded. Mayor Beyrouti has captained several private companies successfully and is no stranger to effective management techniques.

Guest Speaker, Deborah Clark, Supervisor of Elections intellectually articulate and professionally animated, discussed some of the many issues of the election process at the RCGS meeting on Tuesday February 24, 2004. 

While Deborah discussed all the certification, verification and validation checks and balances necessary in every election, she also pointed out that Florida has progressed from "down in the pack"  to "among the top" in election reforms. So now other states take their queues from Florida's election reforms leadership posture. You can bet Deborah Clark had a hand in that change.

Wisely, Deborah explained the Pro's and Con's of the voters screen receipt issue and its many ramification. Bottom line for every one technical  possibilities postulated by proponents to create receipts, their are  several serious legal and procedural issues raised which negate the idea's viability. The conclusion is drawn, that  too many down side issues emerge just to provide a voter receipt of choices not to mention the cost aspect.  Deborah's summary comment, "clearly not something to pursue at this point".

In addition to Deborah Clark, Jewel Rheinsmith acting club president, welcomed two other distinguished members  shown below Diane Nelson, Pinellas Tax Collector and Redington Shores Mayor, JJ Beyrouti.

L to R Deborah Clark, Jewel Rheinsmith and Diane Nelson     President  Rheinsmith and Mayor Beyrouti

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JJ Beyrouti personally congratulates Senator Dennis Jones at the Naming and Dedication of the St. Petersburg Library in Seminole.

  Ward Friszolowski , Mayor of St. Pete Beach, smiles with approval.

The moment of dedication and naming was conveyed by Dr Kutler, President, St Petersburg College, Mayor Dottie Reeder,  Seminole and Chairman, Ken Burke, Board of Trustees.  Mayor Beyrouti, always among the first to honor community contributions shares the moment with Susan Jones, Senator Jones and Mayor Dottie Reeder.

JJ Beyrouti, Dottie Reeder, Win the Gold Medal.

Mayor JJ Beyrouti shown extreme left photo and Mayor Dottie Reeder of Seminole with Mayor Beyrouti shown far right attend the Free Trade Area for the Americas meeting in November.

Talk about top honors for insight, vision and execution, do give the gold to JJ Beyrouti, Dottie Reeder and Florida League of Cities. Mayor Jay John  Beyrouti, Chairman of the International Relations Committee Representing Florida League of Cities, and Mayor Dottie Reeder, President of the league, who attended the Free Trade Areas of Americas (FTAA) meeting in November are diligently working to make sure that the US and Florida's economy remain strong and competitive worldwide.

As Beyrouti points out, " America must be prepared for the wave of world competition coming from the armada of aligned European nations and most assuredly those from the Pacific rim coalition."

Economic improvement in all the America’s provides greater marketing and sale of our goods and services to all markets worldwide, facilitates access to both high technology and low technology resources  not to mention assists our President's mandate to make“ trade and openness a cornerstone of his economic agenda, and the FTAA is an integral part of America’s efforts to promote freedom and opportunity in this hemisphere”.

Both Mayor Beyrouti and Mayor Reeder have protection of the states agricultural and labor industries as a primary concern in all FTAA activities.

Beyrouti and Reeder are right on the mark, as usual, and it’s a blessing that they are concerned about Pinellas County, Florida and the United States for the current and future economic threats surely to be faced.  Good job JJ and Dottie.  Stay the course.

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Last modified: 05/07/04