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October 13, 2009
Today’s Program: Mayoral Candidates Kathleen Ford and Bill Foster
Kathleen Ford
Kathleen graduated with honors from the University of Virginia in 1979. While working full time as a critical care nurse, she attended law school, graduating from South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas. She is licensed to practice law in Florida, Texas, and the District of Columbia, and she has been practicing in Florida since 1992. She and her husband, Harvey, a St. Petersburg High, Vanderbilt University and Stetson College of Law graduate, practice law together in St. Petersburg. They have been working and volunteering in the community while raising their two children, Drew and Meggie, also St. Petersburg High graduates and graduate and senior at Columbia University, respectively.
Former Mayor Ed Cole asked Kathleen to run for City Council. Kathleen served on City Council from 1996 to 2001, and then ran for Mayor in 2001, finishing second. It was during this time that Kathleen honed her legislative skills and developed her no nonsense, common sense approach to government. She stood up to special interest groups and power-brokers and worked tirelessly for the benefit of all citizens of St. Petersburg. Kathleen helped the City transition from the council-manager to the strong-mayor form of government.
Kathleen Ford has spent her entire professional life in St. Petersburg in service to her community. She is known for her relentless search for the truth from public officials, and her commitment to open and honest government. In addition to transparent government, she believes citizens should have an active role in determining the future of the City.
Bill Foster
Bill Foster is a fourth generation native of St. Petersburg whose entire adult life has been dedicated to public service. He was awarded a juris doctorate from the Cumberland School of Law of Samford University in 1988, and a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Samford University in 1985.
Mr. Foster served on St. Petersburg City Council from 1998 to 2007. During his tenure twice his council peers elected him Chair of Council. He was elected Chair of the City’s Budget, Tax and Finance Committee, and Chair of Investments Oversight Committee, and has served on several City committees, including Neighborhood Services Equities, International Relations, Art Advisory, Public Art, Sunken Gardens Task Force, and St. Petersburg Vision 2020.
Mr. Foster represented the City of St. Petersburg for 6 years on Pinellas Planning Council where he was elected Chair, and for 7 years on the Pinellas County Tourist Development Council. He also served on the Pinellas County Annexation Task Force, Pinellas County Vision 2010 Task Force, and participated in the Pinellas Assembly. Mr. Foster represented the City on the Board of Florida International Museum.
Bill has been married to Wendy Holt Foster for 24 years and together they have two teenage children. They attend Starkey Road Baptist Church. Mr. Foster is a partner in the law firm of Foster and Foster where he practices law with his father, David W. Foster. Bill’s family enjoys boating and backyard cookouts with friends.
In Attendance Last week
We had 51 members, 20 spouses and guests, and 2 Key Club Advisors at our installation banquet last week.
What’s Happening?
Volunteers for Happy Workers
A big thank you goes to all the Kiwanis volunteers who made an appearance at the Happy Worker’s Book Fair.
Harry Eisnaugle and his wife Peggy, face painter extraordinaire
Ron Scoggins and his wife, Kathy
Bill Holloway
Bill Krautler
Bob Piplitz and son Joseph
Pat Biscotti
Doug Lampe and girlfriend Cathie Sznerch
Jerry Little
Tom Hallis
Kathy Condon with niece Caroline Condon and her friends Courtney Smith and Guthrie Cohen
Harry Eisnaugle generously provided for the services of Wacky the Clown who entertained the children with balloon animals and hats
Andrea and Adam from the Rays Street Team provided many Rays giveaways.
Kudos to Jerry Little for the great turnout from the Shorecrest Key Club including members Joe Cariz, Brendan East, Brett Frieman, Amana Horwitz, Madi Klavans, Sydney Klavans, Rachel Shea, Kevin Yean, and Kathryn Komarnicki who volunteered for the event.
Additionally, St. Pete High Key Club members Alyssa Papineau, Krista Chapin, and Laura Jack made snow cones, popcorn and dished out hot dogs and hamburgers. Jackie Shiller from Canterbury, along with CKI members Candice Schottenloher, Jami Compton, John Sullivan, and Megan Moran helped the children with crafts and clay sculptures.
The event featured a book giveaway, pony rides, a petting zoo, bounce house, dunk tank, games, and crafts. Also, thanks to Louis Murphy for arranging the Mount Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church Pep Band to entertain.
Project Save-A-Smile
Kiwanian Dr. Ron O’Neal is sponsoring Project Save-A-Smile for the fifth year. On Saturday, November 14, at Dr. Ron’s office at 7401 Dr. MLK, Jr. St., N at 8:15 a.m. work will begin on children up to the age of 16. Please contact Kathy Condon to volunteer for this most rewarding experience. You will enjoy being a part of this event. And, thanks Ron, for helping young children in need.
Last Week at Kiwanis
The Installation Banquet
Outgoing President Biff Baker’s last meeting ran like a Swiss watch. Held Tuesday night at Nova 535, Kiwanians and their guests enjoyed a cocktail hour before settling down for a sumptuous meal prepared by the Wine Cellar.
Biff’s closing remarks included recognizing the following Kiwanians and their respective awards presented to them:
Lay Person of the Year Rob Kapusta
Committee Chairperson of the Year Cyndi Mulligan, Chair of Sponsored Leadership
Special Thank You Charles Stuart, Secretary Treasurer
Special Recognition Dick Koch for the General Petraeus program
Even with difficult economic times Biff’s leadership kept the membership members steady with only a net loss of one member. With much pride Biff recognized the over $43,000.00 netted for the Fischer-Carr Scholarship.
Additionally, Biff enjoyed representing the Kiwanis Club at the Florida District Convention in Orlando (witnessing our own Markus Mittermayr sworn in as Lt. Governor), and a traveling to the “Music City”, Nashville, for the Kiwanis International Convention.
Biff, a job well done and a Kiwanis toast of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale as you earned the distinction as President of the Kiwanis Club.
Following Biff, Charles Stuart, in an emotional ceremony presented Bernie Lodge a pin for seventy years of Kiwanis membership. To a standing ovation, Bernie accepted his award, noting he is now 97 years old, and looking forward to receiving his seventy-five year pin. And still going strong after all of those Orange Blossom lunches.
As an afterthought, Biff turned over the meeting to our President, His Excellency, Robert L. “Bob” Piplitz. With much appreciation, Bob, in an unusual display of modesty recognized his role as President has been shaped by the likes of Bruce McKelvey, Charles Kaniss, Skip Carr, and Jim Fischer. Bob wants to continue to build Kiwanis on the example those men set.
With that said, Bob started out his reign with his own Piplitz Eleven Pillars for success. Why eleven? His budget would only allow for that number. So, in recognition of those that have greased the skids for Bob’s ascending, in no particular order except alphabetical, here they are:
Jane Baldwin
Lorin Bridges
Al Karnavicius
Judy Stuart
Scott Boyle
Pat Biscotti
Harry Eisnaugle & wife Peggy
Frank Ranieri
Bill Stover
Doug Lampe
Hold on! We are all in for a helluva ride!
Today’s Quiz
- Who were the Co-founders of St. Petersburg, Florida?
- What year was the city of St. Petersburg incorporated?
- Who was the pilot for the first commercial airline? What was his flight plan?
- What year did baseball spring training come to St. Petersburg? Who was the first team here?
- Who was the person who convinced the team to come to St. Petersburg?
Last Week’s Quiz
- We have twenty-seven past presidents as current members of our club.
- Our current membership number is 126.
- Our club was founded on March 13, 1922
- As of 2008-2009 year, 28 members in our club in the Legion of Honor (more than 25 years of service). They are Lou Averbeck, Ray Baker, Tom Baynard, Bryant Boydston, Michael Brown, Bob Byelick, Carl Collins, Jack Collins, Richard Earle, David Feaster, Seymour Gordon, Tom Jerger, Connie Keltner, Lew Kent, Bernie Lodge (70 yrs), Jim Lyle, Markus Mittermayr, Paul Renker, Bill Rhodes, Bud Risser, Stan Salzer, Ed Shamas, B. B. Slaughter, Bill Stover, Ted Wall, Grant Wallin, Weyman Willingham and Bud Wortendyke.
- There are eight Kiwanis Clubs are in our District 13. They are: Gulf Beaches; Midtown, St. Petersburg; Pinellas Park; Seminole; Seminole Breakfast; St. Petersburg; Sunshine City, St. Petersburg; and The Suncoast in Action.
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