Beverland drops trio of “bombshells” in return to city council
When Jerry Beverland was reelected to the Oldsmar City Council two weeks ago, he promised to drop a “bombshell” in his first meeting back. As usual, the longtime local lawmaker did not disappoint.
When Jerry Beverland won the race for Oldsmar City Council Seat 4 two weeks ago, he promised he would return to office with a bang by dropping a “bombshell” during his first official meeting.
Last Tuesday, the longtime local lawmaker stayed true to his word, revealing not one, but a trio of ideas that have been percolating in his head during his year of retirement.
Beverland led off his Council Comments on March 22 with a call to put a “Welcome to Oldsmar” sign on Race Track Road, something he considers a no-brainer, and, after restating his desire to form an arts council in the city, he unwrapped his biggest news item.
“Back in the middle 2000s…we were discussing a major, a major project here in the City of Oldsmar. I mean major,” Beverland said. “And we had a man that had major money. In fact he bought a lot of land in the City of Oldsmar, and he still owns it.”
“Then the downturn hit, so the project never really got off the ground,” he continued. “But I’ve had meetings (with developer Leroy Gonzalez) in the last two weeks, and he’s ready to go again. He wants to do the marina all over again. And that is great.”
Beverland believes the project, which would include dredging the channel, adding boat slips at the marina and redeveloping the land surrounding Jack Willies Bar and Grill, would lead to Oldsmar having one of the best marinas in north Pinellas County.
But he cautioned his fellow council members not to let bureaucracy get in the way of progress, as was the case during the last attempt to redevelop the marina.
“The only thing I’m going to request is the City of Oldsmar needs get behind him on this, which I know you all will, because he’s ready to put his money in this,” Beverland said.
“The City of Oldsmar needs to get behind it 100 percent and make it work and not to stand in the way of any of it unless it doesn’t meet with our criteria.”
For their part, Beverland’s fellow council members said they were in favor of the project.
“I’m all for it,” Mayor Doug Bevis said. “The question is…what’s the next step and where can we get funding to get the stuff dredged and get permitting?”
“That was one of our action items that we brought up in our work session,” Council member Dan Saracki added.
After the meeting, Beverland said he is working with Gonzalez, helping him secure the necessary permits from SWIFTMUD and other agencies in order to get the project started, and he stressed the importance of having a high quality marina in the city.
“When I moved here, it was a nice little marina with a lot of little boats, but in the 80s it went to pot,” Beverland told Oldsmar Connect with his usual candor.
“This could be one of the best marinas in north Pinellas County, without a doubt,” he added. “It’s going to be incredible, as long as the city doesn’t get in the way.”
In regards to his other announcements, Beverland is just as passionate about them as he is about the marina, especially for the arts council.
“It’s a subject that’s very near and dear to me,” he said, noting his late son, Robyn, was a nationally renowned folk singer who was passionate about the arts.
“We had a great arts council here in the past. It was incredible. But things got political, and it all fell apart. I’d like to start it over again.”
Again, Beverland found support for his idea from the mayor.
“To be honest with you, I think we’ve already started down that path…with the Art in Public Places (project) and the direction that this council took,” Bevis said during the meeting. “We’re also part of the Cultural Arts Alliance in Northern Pinellas County, so I think we already started down that path, and I’d like to see it continue.”
While Beverland admitted being a part of the NPCA is a step in the right direction, he would like the city to take it one step further.
“I think the cultural alliance can be a great help, but we need one here in the City of Oldsmar,” he said. “There’s been a lot of talk about it, but I’m going to do it.”
As for welcome the sign?
“Why is there no sign saying “Welcome to Oldsmar” on Race Track Road?” he asked, incredulously.
“I mean seriously. There needs to be a sign at Race Track Road and Forest Lakes Boulevard. Let’s get it done.”
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This is all political greed. Oldsmar has been a puppet of bureaucracy since they approved the Walmart on Tampa Rd. They don’t care about the small business folk. They don’t care that 75% of it’s resident are just this. They care about money and when it comes to politics in this city, who ever can lobby more into their own benefits is who wins. Beaverland isn’t dropping a “trio of bombshells” on anyone. He’s belly surfing on to the coat tails of a rich, greedy, arrogant business man who is losing a ton of money on a poor investment. Any small business owner in Oldsmar can vouch for this. The city getting behind these two proves one thing; they cannot develop an economically sound small town without bowing down to a greedy corporation or slumlord. I am disgusted in the City for how it has evolved and astonished the way it has pushed out the hard working small business owners. “There needs to be a sign on Racetrack Rd.” HA! Don’t go around asking the small businesses in town on sinage advise there Beaverman. Good luck Oldsmar…Pathetic Beaverland and Leroy Gonzalez save the day huh? Pathetic
Justin i totally agree with you regarding “he’s belly surfing on to the coat tails of a rich, greedy, arrogant… Bad investment” 100%. If I recall the marina was promised by the same man as just described to be completely redone ect years ago and not a penny has been invested.
I’d also has that the city has gone from a city that truly did care about local, small businesses to seemingly reaching toward bringing in as many out of city “guests” as possible for pure monetary value.
BMX TRACK ( w no LOCAL OLDSMAR STARTER TEAM OR CLASSES) – but it brings people in from all over the world. Great, what about my 6 year old who has a B,X bike and just needs lessons??
ZIPLINE- again great and wonderful. Actually really like the guy and company building it, not so crazy about the cities objective and goal of opening the first zip line in area here. All about those (non resident) dollar dollar bills.
MARINA- it’s not gonna get done period. The owner is not going to spend a penny, the city’s not gonna fork the bill but again let’s say it was completed, awesome so more out of city traffic, visitors and money.
What does any of this do to improve my and my families lifestyle in Oldsmar, where we’ve lived for 13+ years?
Nothing.