Pinellas Beach Governments Often Dysfunctional, Always Entertaining

For decades now, the local governments of the small Pinellas beach communities have competed for the title of most "Dysfunctional Government of the Year."

For years, the hands down winner was Bellaire Beach with its quirky government, speed trap-based revenue flow and an ongoing cast of political characters that would make any casting director jealous.

More recently it's been an ongoing contest between Treasure Island and the insane battle with Caddy's Beach Bar, Madeira Beach and the total implosion of the political structure and the administration and St. Pete Beach with their land use and development issues, which managed to become a statewide issue.

It was good to see this week that the St. Pete Beach combatants appear to be trying to bury the old hatchet as Bruce Kadoura and Commissioner Jim Parent reached a compromise on Kadoura's lawsuits with the City. I suspect the old hatchet will not be buried very deep given the twelve grand settlement for Kadoura's legal fees.

There are still some thorny issues left on the table, but knowing Mike Davis he will work through them.

For more see Sheila Mullane Estrada, article in the St. Pete Times. 

Given the amount of money, time and personal energy dedicated to this battle, I think St. Pete Beach may just take the "Dysfunctional" Award this year. 

However, there is still a month to go. The snow birds are flying in, and everybody is charged up politically for next election.

Caddy's will throw a few more parties. The new Madeira Beach City manager is still in the works, and Bellaire lost its title for whacky governance.

Who knows what's next?

E-mail Doc at: dr.webb@verizon.net