Pinellas commissioners vote to limit use of spending cards

Commissioners limited in card use

commissioners imposed limits on how they can use county purchasing cards Tuesday, a result of Commissioner Norm Roche using his card to hire a private crew to clear debris at a home and purchase office furniture last year. Now, board members can use the cards only for travel and training. Violators could lose the card and be forced to repay the amount spent. The vote was unanimous, and Roche never brought up his suggestion last month that a grand jury look into the case. He did persuade his colleagues to require that every member is informed every time an allegation about a commissioner’s spending is made.

Carolyn Bass, executive director of the Florida Holocaust Museum, has resigned. Bass, who submitted her resignation at the end of February, will remain until her replacement is hired and through a transition period. She has led the museum for five years, but has been involved with it for nearly two decades, starting as a volunteer and serving on the executive board and as a docent. Bass will be on the search committee that will include board chairman Marty Borell and board members Ann Piccard, Brendon Rennert, Amanda Saft, Renée Walter and Irene Weiss.

Personal watercrafts are prohibited from boating 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. A story Tuesday gave an incorrect time frame.

Random News