The surrogate
It begins with a woman who yearns for a baby and another who is willing and able to give her one. You can imagine the motives of the prospective parents. But what about the woman willing to carry a baby, give birth and then walk away?
Friday Night Rewind It doesn't matter which team you cheer for. We've got video previews of every high school football program in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County.
LEALMAN — Eight years ago people asked, "Where's Lealman?" Now, both presidential candidates say they'll send representatives to take part in the community's political forum.
"I wish we could have gotten the candidates themselves, but George called them both back to Washington … said they had to come back and take care of business," kidded Ray Neri, head of the Lealman Community Association, which is sponsoring the debate.
Seriously, said Neri, the thought that presidential campaigns want to take part is a pretty heady sensation.
"This is such a strange feeling," he said. "In eight years, we've gone from 'where's Lealman?' to this."
The LCA has spearheaded many initiatives designed to improve the community, such as cleanups, garbage service and street lights. LCA members and other community activists also sought community recognition, and got it, in the form of exit signs on Interstate 275 and other signs at the main entrances to the unincorporated area.
Leaders decided early on that if they were to be successful in getting services for their community, they should become informed about issues and get to know elected officials.
One way they did that was to hold a candidates forum the month before November elections.
The forums have grown throughout the years. Candidates who come find a knowledgeable audience that is well-known for questions that leave some admitting ignorance. Hint: State-level and county commission hopefuls just might want to find out about the Pinellas Park Water Management District, fire hydrants and annexation. All tend to be hot-button issues in Lealman. Other candidates are on their own as far as issues are concerned.
Candidates who have indicated they plan to attend this Wednesday's event start with national candidates — the presidential representatives and Democrat Bob Hackworth, who is running for the U.S. House against Republican incumbent C.W. Bill Young — and end with local candidates running for the Lealman Fire Commission. In between are candidates for the Pinellas County Commission, sheriff, property appraiser, School Board and supervisor of elections.
>>Candidate forum
If you go
The Lealman Community Association will hold a candidates' forum Wednesday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 4145 34th St. N. Doors will open at 6 p.m. to give candidates a chance to mingle with voters. The forum begins at 7 p.m. and is open to the public. For information, call Ray Neri at 527-5352.
[Last modified: Sep 30, 2008 04:12 PM]
Comments on this article
by Gundersin
Sep 29, 2008 3:15 PM
Where's Lealman? It's right where it's always been since 1948. It's a Fire District serving more than 42,000 residents. Ray Neri would have you believe its his little city trying to take credit for many services that were county initiated. Go figure.
by Tyler2
Sep 29, 2008 12:32 PM
Janet Long made promises to help lealman and then turned her back on lealman. Don't support her. John Frank lives in Pinellas Park and lies about living in Lealman. Nothing has changed. Diane Campbell is THE choice for fire commissioner.
by Tyler #1
Sep 29, 2008 12:32 PM
Garbage service as a new tax! Spun as a "service fee, Neri and the LCA lied to get it. We didn't even get garbage cans like Pinellas Park got.If you are a candidate and Neri doesn't like you, be ready to be trashed. Neri writes the audience questions
Subscribe to the Times
Click here for daily delivery
of the St. Petersburg Times.
News
