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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 

Volume XVIII, No. 5

 
September 1, 2009
Pat Ifft, Editor (eifft@tampabay.rr.com)
Webmaster, Louisa Simos
www.starlight-tower.com

Summer is moving quickly out of the picture, although we’re still not tempted to turn off the A/C. The Gulf has been very calm so far, and we are half-way through hurricane season without any problems. But three months of watchfulness remain, so let’s keep our fingers crossed and the gas tank filled.

There are several items which command our attention on this first day of September.

The first is the notice of lien action from CPS (the company which did our restoration) that Unit Owners received by registered/return receipt mail on Saturday, August 29. If your letter has not yet arrived, in a nutshell it states that CPS is filing a lien against each unit, according to our respective percentage shares of the common expenses, for the balance owed on the contract - $134,700. After initial reactions of shock and mild panic, we contacted our Board President, Marlene Reid, who with Vice President Lynn Dopp drafted an excellent letter to Starlight owners, explaining the circumstances surrounding the lien action and the Board’s plan of action. This letter was posted in the lobby and elevators yesterday, and was sent by email to all those with email addresses. A hard copy will be attached to this newsletter for those of you who receive it by USPS. Ed. Note: Remember, our Board is working in our interest…sometimes long hours for little thanks. They deserve our appreciation, and an occasional kind word doesn’t hurt.         

Now speaking of the USPS, there is a plan afoot to close many post office locations around the country…..and would you believe that our busy Corey Avenue home of lines- out- the door is on the list, along with the Pass-a-Grille office. We doth protest!!!!! On August 20 our own Board unanimously passed a resolution requesting that both SPB Postal Stations be removed from the list for closure. Nineteen hundred signatures on a petition and two hundred postcards were sent to Senator Bill Nelson and Cong. C.W. (Bill) Young, asking for their help. On August 25 about 200 people rallied at the Corey Avenue Post Office to show their support. This drive to save our PO was headed by our own Kevin Hing who also contacted Publix and Sweetbay’s Corporate offices, as well as the owners of Sirata, Tradewinds, and the Alden to send letters to the USPS. Kevin says: “Many thanks to all of the Starlgihters who have sent postcards and letters to the USPS. Every voice counts!”
Vox pop!

Beach News
Nicole Elko, Coastal Coordinator for Pinellas County Environmental Management says Upham beach renourishment is running slightly behind schedule due to a delay in permitting from the State. The project is now slated to begin in December or early 2010. The sand will come from Blind Pass, and she says it is beautiful. Ms. Elko’s position as Coastal Coordinator for Pinellas County Environmental Management will end in October, a result of job cutbacks by County officials. Her duties will be filled on a contract basis, and Ms. Elko is a candidate for that position. Incidentally, her baby is due in a couple of weeks, and we wish her well in both endeavors.      

Speaking of the beach, on June 20, about 200 volunteers turned out at Upham Beach to help plant 10,000 sea oat seedlings donated to the city by Pinellas County. Because of the great volunteer effort, there was no cost to the city. Kevin Hing (#702) is the Beach Stewardship Committee chairman, and was one of the organizers of the event. Here he is with Edel Quinn.

Around Starlight
The deluge of water running off the porch of Unit 209, which was caused by the gutters of unit #209 not being able to handle all the rain water, eventually made its way down the elevator shaft of the north elevator and shorted it out. The Board will be contacting gutter companies to get quotes to remedy this issue

New A/C vent covers (above) with 4-inch louvers have been received for the ’08 stack. The remainder will have 2-inch louvers, and a sample of those has been received. The ‘08s will be installed asap.

The pool (to my way of thinking the most beautiful part of Starlight) is sparkling, warmed by the sun, and has a brand new cement border (above) just outside the fence, which allows the lawn people to use their trimmer without damaging the pool fence, and decorative rocks (not yet installed in this picture) have been placed around the pool heaters. Bill Wales has restrung the pool overhead to prevent the birds from going for a swim. It was a tough job and is very effective.

Christy and Don have finished painting the garage doors which look great with their new numbers, installed by Bill Wales.

Work on the seawall fence is awaiting permitting. Here (above) is a preview look.

People news:
Our sympathy is extended to George Pittas (#306) and his family on the death of his son.

Welcome to new residents Mohammad Seedat and Coral Nicholas in #107, and Linda Livingston in 301.

Dennis Dickinson (#801) stopped off at Starlight on his way home to Minnesota from a flight from Amsterdam. He says Luke is starting third grade! Seems just a couple of years ago he was wheeling around Starlight in his stroller. Dennis’ mother, Jackie, is doing very well after her major health problems and is walking 3 miles a day.

Gerlinde Eaves and family from London (#405) are here for two weeks.

Sue Alley (#705) is in Tennessee visiting family until October.

Congratulations to Anne and Lorne Hiller (#606) who celebrated their 57th anniversary on August 30. Hillers will be moving into their new digs at the Senior Center in New Paltz, NY this fall, and will return to Starlight in January.

As the song says,  "It's a long, long time from May to December”……so these folks celebrate their birthdays in September:

Ed Gibson-2nd; Kevin Curran-4th; Gerlinde Eaves-5th; Bill Palmer-9th; Stan Bryk-12th; Donna Bottey-18th; Bill Wales-22nd; Lois Christmas-27th; Jack Christman-29th.