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.

Oldsmar City Council member Jerry Beverland.

Oldsmar City Council member Jerry Beverland made a few big announcements during his first meeting back on the council on Tuesday, March 22, 2016.

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.”

A screenshot of an aerial view of the Oldsmar Marina. Credit: Google Maps.

A screenshot of an aerial view of the Oldsmar Marina. Credit: Google Maps.

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.

Oldsmar Mayor Doug Bevis.

Oldsmar Mayor Doug Bevis.

“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.”

A screen shot of the mural designed by Lakeema Matthew that will be painted on the bandshell at R.E. Olds Park.

A screen shot of the Art in Public Places mural project designed by Lakeema Matthew that will be painted on the bandshell at R.E. Olds Park.

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.

Beverland would like to see a sign like this on Race Track Road.

Beverland would like to see a sign like this on Race Track Road in Oldsmar.

“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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