Lisa Leveroni

Sep 23, 2023 | thegabber.com | Lisa Leveroni

Most mayors, at least in Pinellas County beach communities, don’t run for office for the money. If you ask most mayors why they ran, they may respond with answers like, “Well, I wanted to give back to the community,” or “I wanted to protect our city from outside developers.”After Hurricane Idalia struck Florida, cleanup was in order. Mayor Jim Rostek of Madeira Beach wasn’t sure what he could do for his community. Debris was everywhere.

Sep 16, 2023 | thegabber.com | Lisa Leveroni

On Sept. 8, Florida native and Colonel Jamie Booth, the Jacksonville District Commander for the Army Corps of Engineers spoke at a Pinellas County-wide meeting at Indian Shores Town Hall. After introducing his team of presenters, Booth talked about the history of beach renourishment, which he said started in about 1966. That’s when Congress authorized renourishment projects in Sand Key (Clearwater Beach), Treasure Island and Long Key (St. Pete Beach).

Sep 16, 2023 | coastalnewstoday.com | Lisa Leveroni

Pinellas County Officials express concern with the tactical beach renourishment plans by the Army Corps of Engineers. On Sept. 8, Florida native and Colonel Jamie Booth, the Jacksonville District Commander for the Army Corps of Engineers spoke at a Pinellas County-wide meeting at Indian Shores Town Hall. After introducing his team of presenters, Booth talked about the history of beach renourishment, which he said started in about 1966.

Sep 13, 2023 | thegabber.com | Lisa Leveroni

While the City of Tampa rejected a property tax increase last week (4-3), Treasure Island Board of Commissioners accepted a vote on a tax increase for next fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2023-Sept. 30, 2024). At the Sept. 5 commission meeting, commissioners voted for the property tax increase (4-1). If passed at the next meeting, the property tax increase will be approximately 10.38%. Vice Mayor Partridge asked to slow the vote on this issue.

Sep 12, 2023 | thegabber.com | Lisa Leveroni

Azucar Cuban Cafe opened Aug. 21 and it is going strong. Located off the Treasure Island Causeway on Central Avenue, Azucar features all the best in authentic Cuban specialties. This is a great place to stop for classic dishes like black bean soup with the perfect empanadas. Of course, they specialize in Cuban sandwiches, but they also feature a breakfast empanada for just $4.99. Azucar makes a Meal-of-the-Day, which includes white or yellow rice, chicken or pork, and fried Yucca or plantains.