Brrrrr - Cold Enough For Snow?

According to the Weather Channel, Belleair Beach is under a "freeze watch" and "wind chill advisory". The low tonight is expected to be in the low 30s, with wind chills around 25 degrees. The record low for January is 19 degrees, recorded in 1981. While it will be cold enough to snow, no precipitation is forecast.

Belleair Rummage Sale Sunday

A rummage sale will be held Sunday, Jan. 25, from 10 - 4 at the Belleair Recreation Center east soccer field at 918 Osceola Rd. Funds will benefit the Gulf Coast United Soccer Club, who is experiencing an urgent financial shortfall. Tax-deductible donations are welcome as well. To contribute items to the rummage sale or to make a financial donation should call Matt at 560-6512.

No road through Harbor Club

The rumor that there may be a road built on the land behind the Harbor Club condos is just that. Residents of the Harbor Club condominiums were concerned over a rumored plan to put an access road to small piece of beach on county land near the condos. According to the public works department, they plan to stabilize the ground mesh and plant grass on top. Vehicles would only access it in case of emergency or for occasional clean up of debris that washes up on the beach.

Dimmitt Community Center 2009 Schedule

The Town of Belleair Recreation Department is offering registeration for spring break camps, archery, basketball league, flag football league, and the Belleair Classic. New programs include digital photography, lunchtime pilates, and golf lessons. Call 727-588-3769 ext 210 or visit the web at www.townofbelleair.com

Volunteer To Take Down Biltmore Decorations

If you would like to volunteer to help take down the holiday decorations at the Belleview Biltmore on Sunday January 18th, call 373-3000. Starting time is 9 am, and lunch will be served.

Bellair Shore Incumbents Re-Elected

Yet again there will be no election for municipal officials in March. There has not been a competition for a seat on the Belleair Shore Town Commission since the 1990s. There were two positions scheduled for re-election this year. The only 2 applicants are the present office holders, who both applied and qualified again for their posts.

Mayor John Robertson will continue in his mayor/commissioner post and Commissioner John E. Hayes Jr. will stay on as well. They will be sworn in for their new two-year terms in March.

Harrison Avenue Bridge Update

After a recent inspection, the Belleair Beach City Council discussed the weakened condition of the Harrison Avenue Bridge and reviewed design options and costs According to the inspection report, the beams and abutments require major repairs soon. The engineering firm hired by the city recommended the south portion of the bridge be removed during construction to create a single traffic lane and to either replace the sheet pile abutments with new bulkhead or repair the current abutment.

The engineering firm presented three alternatives for the repair of the small bridge at the meeting. The first option includes removal of half of the bridge and the installation of a new vinyl sheet pile wall in front of the existing seawall under the bridge. The second and third alternatives consist of sheeting and dewatering of the area under the bridge for excavation, the installation of a pile-supported concrete floor, poured pedestal walls and sidewalls. The third more expensive option involves construction of a bridge deck and approach slabs on each side of the bridge.

Once approved, repairs of the bridge may take three to four months.