Safety Harbor joins offshore oil drilling opponents

SAFETY HARBOR — Resistance to offshore oil drilling continues to grow in Pinellas County.

By a 5-0 vote, the Safety Harbor City Commission on Monday adopted a resolution opposing offshore oil drilling within 3 miles of the county's coast.

Tarpon Springs, St. Petersburg and the Barrier Islands Governmental Council, which represents 11 Pinellas County beach communities, have passed similar resolutions.

Safety Harbor commissioners, citing potential risks to the town's economy and quality of life, also asked that Gov. Charlie Crist refrain from calling a special session of the Florida Legislature to take up the issue.

"Safety Harbor's economy is heavily tied to clean beaches, which then attract visitors to our businesses and art venues," an early version of the resolution states. "Despite technological advances in oil rig drilling technology, there is no positive assurance that catastrophic damage to our coastline, beaches, plant and fish life can be avoided."