About The Starlight Express

The very First Issue of  Starlight Express Newsletter was created by the Editor and Chief Pat Ifft on February 29, 1992 and since then is maintained and produced monthly by her for 17 years! All Starlighter's owe immense gratitude to Pat in keeping them informed with all happenings good and bad. 

Thank You Pat

Starlight Express

The Starlight Express
October 9, 2006
Editor – Pat Ifft
Email: eifft@tampabay.rr.com

Fall is here at last, and things are quiet at Starlight…….the voices of the air conditioners are gradually being silenced…..windows are opening, and it doesn’t require an arm and a leg to pay Progress Energy.  Out front, the Gulf temperature is down to 83 degrees, and the beach is just gorgeous.  The yellow groins are now completely buried in the sand, and the beach extends out about 150 feet.  The sunsets have been spectacular – if we published in color, I’d include a picture.  But a black and white sunset doesn’t quite get the message across.  Now, if you want to see some great pictures, read the following.

The most exciting news this month is the creation of the Starlight Tower website: www.starlight-tower.com.  This site was created by Louisa Simos, (Apt. 908)  and if you haven’t visited it yet, do take a few minutes to explore it.  Louisa says it is still a work in progress, but it is a lot of fun.  There are two separate sections – one that is password protected, for owners only; and the other for the general surfing public.  You can also have a free email account.  Louisa has exciting plans for coming weeks, and you can even read the Starlight Express on the site.    There is a link to the current weather in St. Pete Beach, so even if you are far away, you’ll know what it’s like down here.  And there are some wonderful pictures of the beach taken by Kevin Hing.  If you wish to write to Louisa for any reason, send it to webmaster@starlight-tower.com.

Word From the Office:  

Bud Karins of Karins Engineering will be at Starlight on Friday evening, November 17 at 7 p.m. to  answer questions on the proposed Cathodic System. It is hoped that Marjorie Lynch (Surtreat System) will be present also.  In order to save time, the Board asks that you send in any questions you may have (by phone, snail mail, fax, or email).  Please send them in by

October 21, to allow the board time to go through them and eliminate duplicate questions. 

The State Legislature has passed House Bill #7121, which requires that all residential buildings 75 feet high and above have a generator and fuel source to run it on the property, so that one elevator remains operational in case of an electric power outage.  This means that we must comply with the law by installing a generator.

The windstorm insurance policy held by the Association has been increased from $12,000/yr. last year, to a whopping $28,000 this year, due February 1.  This is an increase of 130%.  All our insurance policies together have increased $20,500 over last year.

And ……. We have been advised that our pool has to be fenced, in order to keep young children from falling in.  So it doesn’t take a financial genius to understand that our maintenance fees are going to go up.  In my opinion, the time has come to vote in favor of establishing a reserve fund to cover major maintenance projects.

The Budget Committee will meet on Friday, October 20 at 10 a.m.  You are welcome to attend.

The Board will meet on the following dates:

Thursday, October 19; Thursday November 16; and Thursday, December 21.  All meetings will take place at 7 p.m. in the lobby. 

And speaking of the Board, there will be need for five new board members next year.   Will you please give some thought to sitting on the Board.   Yes, it does  take some time, but this is one way to give back to Starlight for the wonderful life we live here in Paradise.  Call Barbara if you wish to serve. 

Meet Barbara Vecchio

Our wonderful Management Assistant has been with Starlight Tower since 1992.  She has a grown son, with whom she shares a house, and a daughter in New York, the mother of Barb’s two adorable grandchildren.  Barbara came to Florida from Long Island in 1980, which practically makes her a native.  Thanks, Barb, for all you do to keep Starlight Tower operating efficiently.

Welcome back Sue Alley, (Apt. 705), after her summer in Tennessee with her family there. 

Ed Gibson is recovering from back surgery in Akron, and is doing well.  The Gibsons will return to Starlight later this month.

Other snow birds who have returned:  The Dickinsons in 801; Doug Joy in 407 and Tom Kelley in 803.

Welcome new owner Jason Mozo, apartment 102.  Michael Giacalone will remain in 102 as a renter.

Blood Bank – to be held on Saturday, October 14 at St. John’s Church from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Call Ed Ifft, 367-2189, to make an appointment.  Walk-ins are always welcome

Happy October birthday to:  Judi Spencer on the 6^th; Ernest Bailey on the 7^th; Chuck Simpson on the 19^th; Shelby Suggs on the 20^th; Art Cavender on the 26^th and Sharon Isaacs on the 29^th.   Apologies to June, July, August and September celebrants…for not listing your birthdays. 

Remember Tuesday, November 7 is election day.  If you live at Starlight, your voting place is City Hall.  You must have a voters registration card and picture ID.