I’ve captured all the key news impacting our beach communities this week, so you don’t miss anything important!

In St. Pete Beach, resident Kelly Lee McFrederick is distressed about a 5G tower being installed 25 feet from her home in the historic Don CeSar Place neighborhood, citing concerns over property value depreciation and aesthetic disruption. The installation is permitted under the 2017 Advanced Wireless Infrastructure Deployment Act, which limits local government control over 5G tower placements. McFrederick has teamed up with Lauren Mones, a fellow resident concerned about a similar tower in a nearby park, who stated, “We’re raising money right now to hire a telecom lawyer who specializes in local ordinances that are pro-residents.” Mones has formed the Florida Coalition for Safe Technology to challenge the state law and protect residents’ interests. Despite city officials, including Commissioner Betty Rzewnicki, calling the tower’s location “ridiculous,” the city has little power to intervene due to state regulations. Read more at Spectrum News

Treasure Island residents are unconvinced that the beach renourishment project will work: The city of Treasure Island hosted a public meeting Wednesday night, detailing an approved beach renourishment project. While already approved, some residents still oppose the idea. Those homeowners say they are unconvinced about signing an easement, saying the last renourishment project did not work. More than 130 homeowners have yet to sign easements. Read more at Spectrum News

In Treasure Island, city commissioners debated raising parking fees to address a projected 5% to 10% drop in tax revenue due to recent hurricanes and to fund the city's debt and proposed government projects, such as a new public safety building. Commissioner Arthur Czyszczon proposed increasing parking fees by $2 per hour in key zones to generate significant revenue, while Commissioner Arden Dickey estimated a similar increase could yield $950,000 annually for debt service. However, concerns about deterring visitors led Mayor John Doctor to oppose steep hikes, favoring a $1 increase instead, as high fees could impact local businesses. Commissioner Chris Clark cautioned that higher rates might reduce parking demand, advocating for revenue to support the general fund rather than specific projects. Vice Mayor Tammy Vasquez supported the increase, citing tourists’ willingness to pay. The debate concluded without a decision, with the matter deferred for future discussion. For more, see the Beach Beacon

St. Pete Beach Fire Rescue was dispatched around noon on July 4 for a possible lightning strike on the beach near 4700 Gulf Blvd., according to fire rescue officials. Emergency personnel found a family of three who appeared to be struck by lightning while under an umbrella at the beach, officials said. All three people were treated on the scene. A 17-year-old girl was transported as a trauma alert to Tampa General Hospital. Tampa Bay Times

The Don CeSar Resort and Beach House Suites in St. Pete Beach, a historic landmark known as the Pink Palace, has undergone significant restoration, including a new ground level, courtyard, and enhanced amenities, as shared by General Manager Barbara Readey. Catering to both leisure and business travelers, the resort offers a luxurious experience, complete with pristine beaches, a popular wedding venue, and modern amenities such as mobile check-in and AI-driven services. The Don CeSar emphasizes local partnerships, such as those with Green Bench Brewing and artist Patricia Derderian, and supports community initiatives, including training special-needs students. With a focus on wellness, eco-friendly practices, and a new 7,800-square-foot Royal Ballroom planned for 2026, the resort continues to attract guests seeking unique local experiences while maintaining high staff retention despite challenges like Hurricane Helene.

The historic Beach Theatre in St. Pete Beach, closed since 2012, reopened on July 18, 2025, after extensive renovations led by 26-year-old Hannah Hockman and her family, who purchased the Art Deco venue for $1 million in March 2024. The theater, originally opened in 1940, now features a new 2K projector, a 19-by-14-foot retractable screen, and three sound systems to support films, live theater, and music. Despite setbacks from hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, which caused flooding and structural damage, the Hockmans revitalized the space with a new stage, lobby, and dressing rooms. The grand reopening featured a documentary about the theater’s history, with a 2025 season of indie films, cult classics, and live performances. Hannah Hockman emphasized community support, stating, “You don’t have to make a huge donation to support us. Just buy a ticket. Come to a screening. That’s how you keep places like the Beach alive.” Watch for updates on YouTube.

Talk to the Tortuga!

Carlos,
Thank you for staying on top of this mess. It’s definitely not “what it used to be.”

Larry

The Tortuga Speaks: Thank you, Larry! Glad to share important info that benefits our coastal communities!

Dear Tortuga,

I want to bring to your attention a growing issue affecting the communities of Redington Beach, North Redington Beach, and Redington Shores, located along the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Residents in these towns have raised serious concerns about a pattern of conduct by certain local officials that they say amounts to abuse of power.

According to those speaking out, this is about a coordinated effort by a small group of government officials to control the community narrative, push certain homeowners out, and suppress opposing voices. Community members have begun organizing, documenting these incidents, and preparing formal complaints to be submitted to state and federal authorities.

Gary King

The Tortuga Speaks: Thanks for alerting me to this important news, Gary! Please check below, in our City Beach column, for a full update on what’s happening in the Redingtons! It’s wild!

LIFT’s Neighbor4Neighbor: Bringing Care to Our Neighbors

This is a special note on a topic that matters to all of us in our coastal communities. As we navigate life in Madeira Beach, Treasure Island, St. Pete Beach, and Gulfport, I want to share some thoughts on how we can support our elderly neighbors who may be living alone, especially after challenges like Hurricane Helene.

Last year, on September 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene struck, leaving a lasting mark on our coastal towns. Among those affected was Margaret McGarigle, a 93-year-old widow who lived alone on Paradise Boulevard in Treasure Island. Sadly, Margaret was found deceased in her home, likely drowned during the storm’s flooding. She had moved to Florida in the 1980s with her husband and would have turned 94 just three weeks from then. Her story reminds us how vulnerable our older neighbors can be, especially when living alone without nearby support. It’s a wake-up call to look out for each other.

That’s why I’m excited to speak about the Neighbor4Neighbor program, a new effort I’ve launched by the Life Intervention Focus Team (LIFTTI.org) to reach out to older and isolated — anyone in need among the residents in our community. Inspired by LIFT’s work since 2022 to connect people with resources, Neighbor4Neighbor aims to build a network of care in Treasure Island.

The LIFT Neighbor4Neighbor program is designed to create lasting bonds. We’ll partner with civic associations and other civic groups, like the Islettes, to gather information through surveys, community meetings, and even social media. Once we know who to reach, we’ll send letters or make calls to introduce ourselves, followed by friendly home visits to build trust. These visits will help us understand their needs, whether it’s a chat, help with groceries, or a check-in during storms.

Regular check-ins will be at the heart of the program—through phone calls or visits — to ensure our neighbors are safe and well, with emergency contacts always readily available. We’ll connect them to services like medical care, food delivery, or transportation, drawing on LIFT’s model of collaboration with local police, fire departments, and nonprofits. Volunteers will be trained to listen with empathy and spot signs of distress, with support to keep them going strong. This echoes Pope Leo XIV’s call to “become a protagonist in a ‘revolution’ of gratitude and care, to be brought about by regular visits to the elderly, the creation of networks of support… and the forging of relationships that can restore hope and dignity.”

In today’s world, where technology can leave us feeling alone, community is more important than ever—especially for our seniors. Margaret’s story highlights the risks of isolation, but it also inspires us to take action. Neighbor4Neighbor, alongside civic associations hosting events like clean-ups and LIFT’s work helping families thrive, proves we can make a difference.

Preserving Our Community’s Character

Preserving our small-town charm means standing with our neighbors and protecting the character of our communities. Let’s resist the push for overdevelopment and instead focus on keeping our neighborhoods walkable, welcoming, and scaled to fit the people who live there.

In places like Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, St. Pete Beach, and Gulfport, oversized developments threaten to erase the unique feel that makes these towns special. By keeping new construction in harmony with existing neighborhoods—not too tall, not out of place—we create space for community-driven programs like Neighbor4Neighbor to flourish. Let’s protect what makes our towns feel like home.

If we let technology, neglect, or greed pull us apart, we risk losing the connections that make us human. But by choosing to care for each other, we can fight loneliness and build a future where everyone feels valued. Let’s keep working together in southern Pinellas to lift each other up—one neighbor at a time. The best way to help isn’t through a screen—it’s through the power of human connection. Join us by volunteering or sharing this with someone who might need a friend.

How you can help:

Stronger Together Community Gathering

Storms may pass, but the stress lingers. Let’s laugh a little, breathe a lot, and reconnect. You’re not alone — we’re stronger together.

“Join us as our speaker dives into hurricane fatigue, PTSD (especially its impact on children), and more topics that matter to our community.”

Saving and protecting our natural environment — on the beach and off.

Update on Treasure Bay Living Shoreline Project

Recent developments at the Treasure Bay Golf and Tennis Recreation Center’s living shoreline project have sparked both interest and concern among our community.

The initiative, launched in January 2021, aims to replace the aging 2,340-foot seawall with a more resilient living shoreline, combating erosion, enhancing water quality, and restoring habitat along Boca Ciega Bay. Supported by a Tampa Bay Estuary Program grant and a $1.5 million Resilient Florida grant, the project includes a 500-foot initial living shoreline section, stormwater pond restoration, and plans for a kayak launch and walking trail.

However, progress has hit a snag, as evidenced by recent images showing a critical error: the removal of the seawall cap. This key structural component holds the wall together and provides strength.

This oversight has raised questions about accountability, whether it stems from contractor error or inadequate oversight by city staff. The project, which received a $2.7 million contract with Sea & Shoreline approved in November 2024 after initial delays due to cost concerns, was poised to begin construction in Spring 2024, pending final permitting from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The cap removal, however, suggests a misstep that could compromise the shoreline’s integrity, prompting calls for a maintenance schedule, reserve fund details, and a review of the original mastermind’s plans, who has since moved on.

Beyond this issue, broader frustrations with storm recovery persist. Treasure Island City Commissioner Arthur Czyszczon has voiced strong dissatisfaction, noting that nearly a year after Hurricanes Helene, Idalia, and Milton, residents see little progress in repairs, putting pressure on Mayor John Doctor and the City Commission to act.

Questions also arise about hurricane plans for temporary police and fire housing, the ownership of a dock barge near the police boat, and the feasibility of dismantling temporary structures—issues that echo debates about barrier island development.

As we approach the one-year mark, the community demands transparency and action to ensure our infrastructure, including this living shoreline, stands strong against future storms.

Stay tuned for updates, and let your voices be heard at the next commission meeting. Together, we can hold our leaders accountable and rebuild smarter.

Empowering our local communities through informed and active engagement to address local challenges and foster self-reliance.

Community Tensions Rise in the Redingtons Amid Allegations of Government Retaliation, Code Enforcement Abuses, and Development Pressure

REDINGTON BEACH, FL — A growing number of residents in Redington Beach, North Redington Beach, and Redington Shores are raising alarms over what they describe as a troubling pattern of government overreach, retaliation, and abuse of power by local officials. At the center of the unrest are allegations of weaponized code enforcement, secret ordinances, and selective penalties—issues that many believe are tied to deeper conflicts over development and the future character of these coastal communities.

A citizens’ group, Citizens for Fair Governance, is preparing to file formal complaints with state and federal authorities. The group claims that certain officials—ranging from elected leaders to sheriff’s deputies and code enforcement officers—are misusing their authority to intimidate residents, punish dissent, and reshape the community without public consent.

Allegations include:

Development Pressures and the Fight to Preserve Small-Town Character

While the complaints focus on enforcement tactics and a lack of transparency, many residents believe the underlying issue is pressure from real estate development. The Redingtons—located along Florida’s Gulf Coast—have long been known for their small-town charm, quiet neighborhoods, and residential character. But with rising property values, investor interest, and post-hurricane rebuilding, there is growing concern that development interests are being prioritized over the well-being of full-time residents.

Several community members allege that code enforcement has been used as a strategic tool to target specific properties—particularly those owned by individuals resisting redevelopment, challenging short-term rental conversions, or opposing proposed zoning changes. Some homeowners claim they’ve been subjected to fines or harassment designed to force them to sell, making way for larger or more profitable projects.

Residents also point to the existence of "secret ordinances" and limited public input on zoning or land-use decisions as evidence of a behind-the-scenes effort to reshape the town's character without community consent.

“Development in itself isn’t the issue,” said one resident, “but when enforcement is used to intimidate or displace long-time homeowners in favor of outside investors, we lose what makes this place special.”

Post-Storm Blight and Code Enforcement Surge

The tension has been exacerbated by the lingering impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which left behind property damage, overgrown lots, and debris. Town officials say they’ve had to ramp up enforcement activity in response to public complaints. According to ABC Action News, more than 140 nuisance cases have been opened in Redington Shores alone in 2025, encompassing a range of issues, from abandoned boats to rodent infestations and knee-high grass.

While some residents welcome the cleanup effort, others say enforcement has gone too far—or has been selectively applied. Among the more serious concerns are reports of law enforcement entering private property without warrants and inconsistencies in how similar violations are handled across different households.

Town Response and Procedures

Town officials have defended their code enforcement approach, stating it follows a consistent process that emphasizes voluntary compliance. According to the Town of Redington Beach website, violators typically receive a warning and are given 72 hours to resolve the issue before fines of up to $250 per day are imposed. If left unresolved, the town may place liens on the property.

Officials also acknowledge that the post-hurricane backlog has delayed responses in some areas and increased tensions.

Divided Community, Rising Activism

The result is a deeply divided community. Some residents support strict enforcement as a necessary tool to preserve property values and neighborhood standards. Others believe these efforts are being weaponized, disproportionately affecting those who question town leadership or oppose large-scale changes to the area’s residential feel.

The Citizens for Fair Governance group is calling for independent investigations, improved transparency, and reforms that will restore trust and ensure that local governance serves all residents fairly.

What’s Next

Town commission and code enforcement meetings remain open to the public, and organizers are urging residents to attend, speak out, and document any questionable enforcement encounters. Meanwhile, formal complaints are expected to be submitted to oversight agencies in the coming weeks.

As development pressures mount along Florida’s Gulf Coast, communities like the Redingtons face a critical crossroads: how to rebuild, evolve, and maintain safety—without sacrificing the small-town character that drew residents there in the first place.

Advocacy: Want to help your local government be more responsive, transparent, and fiscally responsible? Join Protect St. Pete Beach, or Citizens’ Voice of Treasure Island. Other groups with shared interests: Florida Beaches for All,

Who Are My Elected Representatives?

Here was my response on Nextdoor regarding a recent police shooting that resulted in the death of the suspect.

By Gary King, The Happiness Guy

Here’s the bigger issue: This country keeps focusing on the what—the act, the crime, the consequence—while completely ignoring the why. As long as that continues, violence will only escalate, and we’re nearing a tipping point.

So, let’s ask the real question: Why is there so much hate, revenge, violence, greed, manipulation, and criminal behavior?

I believe the answer lies in what I call “Life’s Most Important Question”:

"What caused you to feel the way you feel, make the decisions you made, and take the actions you took?"

I developed this question after serving on a 12-person panel at COX Studios in Orlando, assembled in the wake of the Parkland school shooting to address the roots of school violence. The shooter, Nikolas Cruz, is still alive and in prison. If I had asked him that question, I know what his answer would have been:

"When I was a child…"

And then he would have explained how the emotions he experienced as a child shaped his decisions and actions. I’ve asked this same question to over a thousand people—from all walks of life—and the answer is always the same:

"When I was a child…"

Until we begin addressing the why behind these tragedies, the what will continue to destroy lives, communities, and the future of this country.

For more from Gary, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofcWk1JKSKE